Images of Ageing in Society: A Literature Review

Negative life events, sleep quality, and depression among older adults in Shandong Province, China: A conditional process analysis based on economic income

AIM

Negative life events have been reported as a risk factor for depression. However, the mechanism between negative life events and depression is still unclear. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of sleep quality and the moderating role of economic income in the association between negative life events and depression among older adults aged 60 years and over.

METHODS

A multi-stage stratified sampling method was used to select elderly individuals over 60 years old in Shandong, China, making use of the Household Health Interview Survey (2020). In total, 3868 older adults completed the measures of negative life events, sleep quality, depression, and economic income.

RESULTS

Negative life events positively predicted depression among the elderly (proportion of direct effect, 55.12%), and poor sleep quality could mediate this association (proportion of indirect effect, 44.87%). Economic income played a moderating role in the relationship between negative life events, sleep quality, and depression (the first and second half of the mediating effect, the direct effect of negative life events on depression). Both effects were weaker among the elderly with higher economic incomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative life events had positive effects on depression in older adults. Economic income moderated the direct effect of negative life events and the mediating effect (first and second half) of sleep quality on depression. When the elderly experience negative life events, interventions for improving their sleep quality and financial support could effectively prevent depression. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 751-757.

Mental health among centenarians living in Switzerland

BACKGROUND

Given the increasing number of people achieving exceptionally long lifespans, there is an urgent need for a better understanding of mental health in centenarians. This study aimed to understand the prevalence of mental health conditions-depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep disturbances, disinhibition, and aberrant motor behaviour-among centenarians in Switzerland.

METHODS

Data were collected from N = 169 participants via telephone interviews or paper questionnaires, either directly from centenarians or through proxy informants. Half the data were collected during a period when protective measures were imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and half were collected after the measures were lifted.

RESULTS

Mental health conditions were prevalent in our sample, particularly depressive symptoms (44.51%) and anxiety (42.17%). Significant positive associations were found between depressive symptoms and anxiety, and between disinhibition and aberrant motor behaviour. Furthermore, we identified statistical predictors for the occurrence of mental health conditions. Notably, institutionalised living increased the odds of depressive symptomatology, while those with higher education levels or an absence of cognitive impairment experienced more sleep disturbances. Finally, cognitive impairment was linked to increased disinhibition and aberrant motor behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of mental health conditions underscores the need for proactive mental health care strategies in advanced old age. Moreover, it is vital to consider the interconnected nature of mental health conditions and to prioritise vulnerable groups, such as centenarians in institutional settings.

Caregiving intensity and its association with subjective views of ageing among informal caregivers with different sociodemographic background: a longitudinal analysis from Germany

We analysed whether care time, burden and range of caregiving tasks were associated with informal caregivers' subjective views of ageing (measured as attitudes towards own age (ATOA), subjective age (SA), and onset of old age (OOA)), and whether these associations differed as a function of the caregivers' age and gender. Adjusted cluster-robust fixed effects regression analyses were conducted with gender and age as moderators using data of informal caregivers (≥ 40 years) of the population-based German Ageing Survey (2014, 2017). All three aspect of care intensity were associated with changes in subjective views of ageing and this pattern was a function of the caregiver's age and gender. Care time was significantly associated with higher SA. Care tasks were significantly associated with more positive ATOA and earlier OOA. Age moderated the association between burden and ATOA, with older adults reporting more positive ATOA. Gender moderated the association between care time and ATOA; women reported less positive ATOA than men with increasing care time, but also felt subjectively younger than men with a broader range of care tasks. Age- and gender-stratified analysis indicated further differences. Our findings suggest to reduce care time, especially among older and female caregivers, to prevent a worsening of views of ageing, while being involved in a broad range of care tasks seems to (only) benefit female caregivers.

Active aging and urban policies: the space as an instrument for an inclusive and sustainable city

Aging is one of the most important challenges of our times. As stated by United Nations' report on 1983, "Policies to meet the challenge of a growing, healthier and more active seniors population -based on the view of the ageing of society as an opportunity to be utilized -automatically benefit the individual ageing person, materially and otherwise. Similarly, any effort to ameliorate the quality of life for the seniors, and to meet their diverse social and cultural needs, enhances their capacity to continue interacting with society". Aging society provides not only a new context, but a new opportunity to rethink our traditional views of age. The growing number of seniors people will soon make the majority of overall population. As noticed by reports of international organizations, cities will play a more important role in dealing with these quantitative and cultural changes, mostly because it is expected that a quarter of the population over 60 will be concentrating in the central areas of compact cities. In brief, cities are at once growing and aging at an incredible speed. Although aging process represents a fundamental and structural phenomenon with very deep consequences at economic, social and political level, and with an impact on the individual one as on the society as whole, our cities should deal with this process and respond, in terms of public health and social care, to needs of older people, also those that will experience a loss of autonomy. It is important to note that there are a greater heterogeneity within older population in terms of conditions and demands, which depend on their specific personal, social and familial context. Urban space - in its complex differentiation between public space, third space, and private space - represents both a tool and a strategic factor in pursuing the objective of ensuring high levels of widespread well-being and, from a political perspective, fully shaping the right to the city for seniors individuals.

Representations of Ageing in Contemporary Zimbabwe: A Gerontological Reading of NoViolet Bulawayo's (2013) We Need New Names

While many studies have interrogated the novel We Need New Names, on topics such as citizenship, migration, and transnationalism, there is still much more that readers can learn through interrogating the author's depiction of older adults' experiences of ageing in place, ageism, healthy ageing and intergenerational relationships in Post-colonial Zimbabwe. It is argued that in so far as ageing is concerned, the novel presents a very grim picture of older adults caught up and responding to the circumstances of a country in the throes of a deep social, political and economic crisis. Urban poverty is portrayed as a real challenge affecting Zimbabweans and so are the weak social bonds that connect the younger and older generations. Social gerontologists stand to benefit from studying this novel which clearly depicts the challenges of migration, urban renewal and development projects, and poverty on the most vulnerable of all populations - the older adults. The novel portrays the Zimbabwean economic crisis as not just an isolated phenomenon, but one of the processes of globalization, which creates opportunities, and improves people's lives while at the same time destabilizing the lives of older adults by not only severing connections with the younger generations but also with the departed ancestors in the hereafter. The novel provides an important contribution to our understanding of ageing issues in Zimbabwe as it goes against the grain by giving voice and space to older adults who are often ignored by mainstream media.

Gaining resolution when creating imagery of aging

In seeking to support healthy aging, designers have struggled to reduce their assumptions and biases toward older adults, been seen to interpret the worlds of later life through unfiltered imagery, as well as engage with stigmas, ultimately diminishing the technologies they construct. This article seeks to critically analyse this state-of-the-art from a design research perspective while engaging with the growing interdisciplinary study of aging and technologies. Toward this, we proposition "resolution" as a concept indicative of the level of detail that seeks to characterize the fidelity that representations of later life have. This concept is explored through a cultural probe study that investigated the sentiments of several older Australians regarding the inequities and social isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing a diary alongside photovoice and mapping tasks, the study captured perceptions of social technology, practices, networks, and wellbeing, offering a diverse and complex picture of aging and technology. Through reflexive thematic analyses of some of these materials, this case study offers designers pathways to understanding and including older adults in their work. In determining the resolution of these images of aging, we discuss how transparency about the limitations and qualities of such participatory methods through incorporating reflexivity can influence the degree of detail such imagery gains. Ultimately this concept builds on the notion of participation configuration, supporting designers to realize better images of aging and representations of later life.

The Subjective Experience of Ageism: The Perceived Ageism Questionnaire (PAQ)

Ageism as perceived by older individuals has been recognized as a potential risk factor for physical and mental health. We aimed to develop a comprehensive scale that can quantify perceived ageism among aging individuals (55+), including both positive and negative stereotypes, prejudices, and discriminations. This effort resulted in an 8-item Perceived Ageism Questionnaire (PAQ-8), with good psychometric properties and a two-factor structure distinguishing a positive (3 items) and negative (5 items) subscale (Analysis 1; n = 500). This dimensionality was confirmed in a separate cross-validation sample (Analysis 2; n = 500). The subscales’ correlation patterns with individuals’ self-perceptions of aging and mental health variables (i.e., quality of life, mental well-being, depression, anxiety, loneliness and perceived stress) accorded with theoretical hypotheses and existing knowledge of the concept of ageism. The PAQ-8 can help to gather more standardized data of the level, role and impact of perceived ageism.

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the UCLA geriatrics attitudes scale (UCLA-GAS)

AIMS

The attitudes toward older patients are considered the main factor in providing health services.

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of a proper short scale to measure attitudes toward older patients among healthcare professionals.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the UCLA Geriatric Attitude scale (UCLA-GAS) among a sample of Iranian healthcare professionals.

METHODS

The method of this study was cross-sectional for psychometric evaluation. The sample included 232 healthcare professionals in Mazandaran city. Study participants were selected by cluster random sampling technique. Psychometric evaluation of the UCLA-GAS assessed through content and construct validity. Content validity was evaluated based on the content validity index (CVI) and construct validity investigated using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Also, convergent validity was assessed using the Kogan's Attitudes Toward Older People Scale (KAOPS) questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha was used to evaluate internal consistency reliability and stability was assessed using test-retest.

RESULTS

Regarding the content validity, CVI and modified Kappa statistic for all items were >0.79 and shows all items where relevant to the UCLA-GAS in the Iranian context. The three dimensions of the UCLA-GAS extracted from factor analysis were labeled: 1- medical/economic burden (6 items) 2- appreciate attitude (5 items), 3- resource allocation (3 items). CFA revealed that the UCLA-GAS structure model was a validated model (CMIN = 2.312, GFI = 0.913, CFI = 0.902, RMSEA = 0.075). The scale had a significant and positive correlation with KAOPS questionnaire. Also, The Cronbach's alpha of the scale was 0.78 and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), for total instrument was reported as 0.93 (95% CI: 0.87-0.98) and demonstrated good reliability of the instrument.

CONCLUSION

The result shows the UCLA-GAS is a valid and reliable scale for measuring attitude toward older patient among healthcare professionals. This study recommends using Iranian UCLA-GAS in future research and policy-making.

Stereotypes about very old people and perceived societal appreciation in very old age

Background

People in very old age (VOA) are expected to be confronted with particularly negative stereotypes. These influence societally shared behavior towards and judgements about them. Such external evaluations of individuals’ lives are considered a crucial part of their quality of life (QoL).

Objective

The present study elaborated a) the societal appreciation perceived by people in VOA and b) the stereotypes about people in VOA held by stakeholders from key societal areas. The aim was to discuss possible connections between these external standards and individual life results.

Material and methods

A parallel mixed methods design was employed. Cross-sectional data from a representative survey of people aged 80 years and older (n = 1863) were analyzed by means of χ²-tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests to examine differences in perceived societal appreciation (PSA) by characteristics of the person, their biography, and current lifestyle. Linear regression models were used to investigate the impact of these characteristics on PSA. Regarding stereotypes about people in VOA, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from key societal areas (n = 22) were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The quantitative and qualitative findings were juxtaposed for comparison.

Results

PSA was predicted by health-related variables and productive activities. Several societal stakeholders highlighted that age-related losses pose challenges on very old individuals, their families, and society, whereas remaining potentials in VOA can and should be used for the benefit of others; however, stakeholders‘ perceptions differed by the extent of their professional contact with (very) old people. Different pathways were proposed through which the observed stereotypes and determinants of PSA might be connected (e.g., stereotype internalization).

Conclusion

Our study illustrates the relevance of external standards for individual QoL and highlights the need for a normative perspective in the discussion about QoL and its enhancement.

Supplementary Information

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00391-021-01971-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. The article and the supplementary material are available in the electronic full-text archive at https://www.springermedizin.de/zeitschrift-fuer-gerontologie-und-geriatrie. You will find the supplementary material at the end of the article.

Wellbeing and Aging in The Australian Women's Weekly magazine

This study investigates how the wellbeing trend in popular media regulates women's bodies and their selves through establishing norms around successful aging. We report on an exploratory qualitative content analysis of representations of wellbeing and aging from The Australian Women's Weekly (AWW) magazine. While some articles emphasized self-care and self-responsibility, many articulated relational and social/structural understandings of wellbeing. Compared with an earlier analysis of the AWW, our study found largely positive views of experiences of aging, associated with new opportunities and increased self-acceptance. These findings demonstrate how magazines both reflect and reinforce subtle processes of social change.

‘I've never given it a thought’: older men's experiences with and perceptions of ageism during interactions with physicians

The subjective experience of ageism among older men has received little research attention. This study examines older Canadian men's experiences with and perceptions of ageism during interactions with physicians. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 21 men aged 55 years and over. The findings indicate a seeming lack of awareness of ageism among many, and many did not believe ageism was likely to occur during patient–physician interaction. Negative stereotyping of older patients was common. A large majority of the participants reported that they had not personally experienced ageism during a medical encounter, nor were they concerned about it. Numerous rationales were proffered as explanations of why a particular participant had not experienced ageism and who was more likely to be a target.

‘Behind the Digi-God's back’: social representations of older people's digital competences and internet use in regional Finnish newspapers

This article discusses how three Finnish regional newspapers represented older people's digital competences and internet use in their daily coverage. The study explored media representations from the perspective of social representations and sought to answer the following questions: In what kind of internet user roles do the articles portray older people? How and with what kind of images do the articles portray older people's digital competences in various internet user roles? How are older people positioned at a societal level in the articles? The analysis revealed that older people were portrayed as incompetent outcasts of a digitalised society. However, there was a clear difference according to whether older people were portrayed as recipients of public services or as consumers of private services. As targets of public services, older people were predominantly portrayed as happy targets, who welcomed the services provided for them. This result can be interpreted as part of the promotion of government digitalisation policies.

Attitudes toward aging, social support and depression among older adults: Difference by urban and rural areas in China

BACKGROUND

The specific impacts of attitudes toward aging on depressive symptoms have not been widely reported in previous studies in China.

OBJECTIVES

The aim is to examine the associations between attitudes toward aging, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms among older adults stratified by rural and urban dwelling.

METHODS

This study used a cross-sectional data including 7209 participants, among which 64.6% were urban adults and 35.4% were rural adults. Several multiple liner regression models were used to analysis the data. Three social support types were analyzed as moderators of the relationship between the attitudes toward aging and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Positive attitudes toward aging (β=-0.139, P<0.001), negative attitudes toward aging (β=0.284, P<0.001) were significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms among older Chinese adults. Support from family (β=-0.087, P<0.001), friends (β=-0.047, P<0.01) and the government (β=-0.035, P<0.01) were all significantly associated with urban older adults' levels of depressive symptoms. Only family support (β=-0.109, P<0.001) was associated with lower depressive symptoms among rural older adults'. In addition, family support buffered the effect of negative attitudes toward aging on depressive symptoms for all the older adults, while the moderation effects of support from friends and government only worked for urban elderly.

LIMITATIONS

A cross-sectional design is limited to establish causal associations.

CONCLUSIONS

Addressing depression among older adults should focus on improving attitudes toward aging and expanding the availability of social support. Moreover, deeper reforms are needed to address inequalities between urban and rural areas in China.

(Non-)Stereotypical representations of older people in Swedish authority-managed social media

Social media facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts and information about older people and later life through online networks and communities in contemporary society. Social media content about older people has become important for understanding media representations of older people, but it has not been sufficiently studied. Recent studies suggest that older people are predominantly represented as a disempowered, vulnerable and homogeneous group on social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Because local authorities in many countries have begun using Facebook to reach out to and interact with citizens, they are seen as a significant producer of media content about older people and later life. The purpose of this study is to examine the ways in which Swedish local authorities have visually portrayed older people in their use of Facebook compared with other age groups. This research performed a visual content analysis of 1,000 Facebook posts posted by 33 Swedish local authorities, employing ten analytical aspects to describe and interpret the signs, activities and contexts associated with older people and other age groups (infants, children, adolescents and adults). The study found that the representations of older people on the Facebook pages of local authorities appeared to be not very diverse; specifically, older people (including those in residential care homes) were mainly portrayed as remaining socially engaged and moderately physically capable. This media representation destabilised the prevalent negative stereotypes of older people as being out of touch and dependent; however, it collided with the reality of older individuals with care needs. Additionally, this study argues that older people are represented as inferior to the young in terms of physical and technological competence, based on the connotations of the signs. Given that local authorities have progressively incorporated social media into their daily work, it is expected that this study will contribute to a greater understanding of the ways in which local authorities produce (non-)stereotypical representations of older people on social media.

Images of Older Adults among University Students: a Comparison between Japan and Korea

This study investigated the differences between Japanese and Korean college students' images of the elderly. Japan is the most aged society worldwide, while South Korea has the highest rate of aging. Japan has a more advanced elderly welfare system than Korea. The datasets included responses from 320 Japanese students (collected in 2009) and 384 Korean students (collected in 2011). A semantic difference scale of 50 pairs of items was adopted. The chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were utilized. The five most prevalent images among Korean students were generally negative, whereas the most common images among Japanese participants were mostly neutral or positive. A greater degree of talking/good memories, activities with older adults, and experience of gerontological education showed positive relationships to favorable images, whereas living with grandparents and visiting facilities for the elderly did not yield the same results. It seems that greater interaction with grandparents and other senior citizens, as well as more extensive gerontology education, improved the images of the elderly in both countries, whereas merely visiting facilities for older adults seemed insufficient. The results also suggest that living with grandparents can lead to rather negative images of older adults.

Intergenerational relationships and depressive symptoms among older adults in urban China: The roles of loneliness and insomnia symptoms

The prevalence of depressive symptoms in older Chinese adults has increased recently. Intergenerational relationships play an important role in the mental health conditions of older adults, especially in Chinese culture. Therefore, this study aims to unravel the complex connection between intergenerational relationships and depression, and to explore the potential mediating roles of loneliness and nighttime insomnia symptoms within that connection. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in China with 2038 participants aged 65 years or above. Variables were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale, the Intergenerational Relationship Quality Scale for Aging Chinese Parents (IRQS-AP), three nighttime insomnia symptoms extracted from the Insomnia Severity Index and the De Jong Gierveld Six-Item Loneliness Scale. The IRQS-AP includes four subdimensions: consensual-normative solidarity, structural-associational solidarity, affectual closeness and intergenerational conflicts. Path analyses were performed in Mplus to investigate regression coefficients and mediating effects. Results showed that three general intergenerational relationships (consensual-normative solidarity, affectual closeness and intergenerational conflicts) were significantly correlated with all mental health outcomes, including their symptoms of loneliness, insomnia and depression. A serial mediation model suggested that loneliness mediated the connection between those constructs of intergenerational relationships and depression, with an independent path to insomnia symptoms via loneliness. The proposed mediators fully mediated the effects of affectual closeness on depression. Nighttime insomnia symptoms alone mediated only the relationship between intergenerational conflicts and depression independently from paths involving depression. Removal of sleep item from CES-D did not affect the results of paths. Our findings highlight the importance of intergenerational relationships for mental health, especially for the mediating effects of loneliness and nighttime insomnia symptoms on the relationship between intergenerational relationships and depression. Effective mental health services for older adults can address their feelings of loneliness and sleep problems, especially for those who have a poor relationship with their adult children.

Understanding diversity in later life through images of old age

This article aims to enhance the conceptual debate on diversity in old age by exploring the interplay of diversity in later life and images of old age. We argue that the analysis of images of old age on the micro-level is a fruitful methodology in order to unravel the meaning of diversity in later life. Drawing on findings from qualitative research in Berlin, we explore how new and diverse imaginations, experiences and lifestyles of old age emerge. The conceptual focus on images of old age enables us to investigate further what diversity in later life comprises and how it simultaneously fosters the genesis of new images of old age. The manifold new images we found in our research suggest that prevalent societal discourses about old age on the macro-level are rather deceptive and represent mostly stereotypes such as ‘active agers’ or ‘frail and dependent elders’. We offer three explanations why alternative images of old age are currently barely present in public discourse: (a) the actors transmitting images of age; (b) the institutionalisation of the images; and (c) the challenge to communicate complexity. We conclude by suggesting that images of old age are a promising starting point to explore and make visible both the diversity of social groups within the older generation as well as the heterogeneity of older individuals.

The Underpinnings of Ageism: Multiple Mediational Model of Epistemological Style, Social Dominance Orientation, Right-Wing Authoritarianism, and Ageist Attitudes

This study seeks to understand the psychological factors that may contribute to the development and endorsement of ageist belief systems. Dual process theory is used to examine how one's worldview, beliefs in social hierarchy, authoritarian aggression, authoritarian submission, and conventionalism predict ageist attitudes. Participants living in the United States (n = 407) in 49 states and territories were recruited through this online national study and completed surveys of their ageist beliefs, epistemological style, social dominance orientation (SDO), and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA). RWA, SDO, and naïve realism were all positively associated with ageist beliefs. A hypothesized path model and two alternative models suggested the retention of a model whereby naïve realism led to RWA, which led to SDO, and finally to ageism. All possible direct and indirect effects were significant within the retained model, suggesting the presence of a multiple mediation. The fit of this model was superior to that of models testing alternative theoretical causal chains. Naïve realism may lead to authoritarian aggression, authoritarian submission, and conventionalism, which may then increase the value that people place on social hierarchies, and this may influence the development and retention of ageist beliefs. Helping people to understand what their basic beliefs about the world are and how they may play a role in the development of ageism may assist in reducing ageist attitudes.

Development and Validation of a Multidimensional Intergenerational Relationship Quality Scale for Aging Chinese Parents

Background and Objectives

The quality of intergenerational relationships is crucial for maintaining the well-being of parents and adult children. This study developed and validated an Intergenerational Relationship Quality Scale for Aging Chinese Parents (IRQS-AP) based on the solidarity, conflict, and ambivalence models.

Research Design and Methods

The data were derived from a cross-sectional study in Hong Kong which included a random sample of 1,001 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥50 years. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed to examine the factor structure of the scale. The internal consistency reliability and convergent validity of the scale were also assessed.

Results

EFA resulted in a 13-item four-factor (i.e., consensual-normative solidarity, structural-associational solidarity, affectual closeness, and intergenerational conflict) model, which was supported by the CFA and explained 70.7% of the total variance. The reliability of the scale measured using Cronbach's alpha was .776. The convergent validity of the IRQS-AP was established by its significant correlation with depressive symptoms (r = -.385), sense of loneliness (r = -.449), and self-image (r = .384).

Discussion and Implications

The IRQS-AP as a reliable and valid scale can enable researchers and service practitioners to measure the relationship quality between older people and their adult children accurately, inform the development of interventions to strengthen intergenerational relationships in target domains, and evaluate the effectiveness of related services.

Media and age-coded representations of later life: An analysis of selected print advertisements of English-language magazines in India

This study examines the representation of older adults in print advertisements in an English-language magazine in post-reform India. Employing content analysis, this study finds a growing disenchantment of the Indian media with the image of a "happy joint family." A higher proportion of older adults are now portrayed alone or with younger adults compared to earlier portrayals with people of all age groups in an ad. Further, the portrayal of older adults as both parent and grandparent in the same ad has also reduced over the years, hinting at the restructured ideas of time, successful aging, and later life identities.

Hong Kong Chinese aging adults voice financial care expectations in changing family and sociocultural contexts: implications for policy and services

Despite being one of the world's wealthiest cities, approximately one-third of Hong Kong older adults live below the poverty line. Innovatively using the Photovoice research method, this study invited 36 Hong Kong Chinese aging adults to photograph images and voice their concerns and expectations regarding financial care. Insufficient government support, diminishing family support, insecurity and fear regarding future finances, and strong desire for self-sufficiency through early preparation and bridge employment were recurring themes observed in the participants' photographs and narratives. The shifting of the participants' financial care expectations from informal to formal sources in changing family and sociocultural contexts indicated that older people are in urgent need of policy reform from a needs-based to rights-based approach to foster empowerment and fulfill older people's rights of financial security, dignity and participation. Improving the retirement protection system should go hand in hand with encouraging family support and caregiving and creating age-friendly working environment for older residents. The findings of this study may have crucial policy implications for Hong Kong and other aging societies, especially those that share similar filial piety values and have seemingly ungenerous welfare systems.

Mediating Effect of Social Participation on the Relationship between Incontinence and Depressive Symptoms in Older Chinese Women

Urinary and fecal incontinence affect older women's social participation and mental health. This study examined the relationship between incontinence severity and depressive symptoms, focusing on the mediating effect of social participation, based on secondary analysis of structured interview data collected in December 2010 from 467 women age 60 and over in mainland China. Incontinence was significantly and positively associated with depressive symptoms but negatively associated with social participation. Social participation was significantly and negatively associated with depressive symptoms and fully mediated the relationship between incontinence and depressive symptoms. These findings can inform mental health interventions for incontinent older women, including preventing and responding to depressive symptoms by promoting social participation.

Self-image and intergenerational relationships as correlates of life satisfaction in Chinese older adults: will gender make a difference?

Promoting life satisfaction in later life has long been both a policy and practice challenge. This study examined the association between older adults' self-image and life satisfaction, and that between their intergenerational relationships and life satisfaction. Given that sources of wellbeing for older men and women may vary due to socially constructed realities in early life, gender differences were also investigated in the correlates of life satisfaction. A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted in 2014 with a sample of 1,099 older adults aged 60 years and over from four cities in China. Findings of this study showed that older adults’ self-image and intergenerational relationships were significantly associated with their life satisfaction after controlling for certain socio-demographic characteristics, and health and self-care ability. The correlates of life satisfaction were shown to differ between older men and women. Programmes and Services should be developed for older adults to explore and identify positive aspects of themselves, to improve their relationships with their adult children, and to foster a more positive image of ageing in wider society. In addition, service providers should take gender differences in correlates of life satisfaction into account in service and intervention programme development.

The role of travel in enhancing life satisfaction among Chinese older adults in Hong Kong

Life satisfaction is an important indicator of wellbeing and successful ageing, while boosting life satisfaction in later life has long been a policy and service challenge. Based on a questionnaire survey with 415 Chinese older adults aged 60 years and over in Hong Kong, this study examined how older adults' travel motivations influenced their travel actions and how the travel affected their life satisfaction using structural equation modelling. A proposed ‘travel motivation–action–life satisfaction’ model showed an acceptable fit with the data. It was found that travel motivations stimulated older adults' travel actions, while their travels further contributed to greater life satisfaction. The findings of this study indicated the need for improved knowledge and understanding of older adults' travel preferences and requirements, and highlight the importance of enhancing awareness among professionals and service providers about the benefit of travelling in enhancing life satisfaction of older adults.