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Satorres E, Delhom I, Llopis J, Navarro-Prados AB, Bueno C, Meléndez JC. Addressing loneliness in older adults: predictors, protective factors, and implications for social work practice. SOCIAL WORK IN HEALTH CARE 2024; 63:456-472. [PMID: 39097906 DOI: 10.1080/00981389.2024.2386277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Loneliness significantly impacts the mental well-being of older adults, prompting an examination of psychological predictors and buffering factors associated with it in this demographic. A cross-sectional study involving 246 community-dwelling older adults was conducted. The UCLA Loneliness Scale identified predictors of loneliness, including negative mood, hopelessness (negative future expectations and loss of motivation), and despair. Buffering factors included ego-integrity, personal growth, and purpose in life. Regression analysis revealed that negative mood, negative future expectations, and despair increased loneliness, with negative mood showing a strong association. Conversely, ego-integrity, personal growth, and purpose in life reduced loneliness. The study underscores the complex interplay of psychological factors shaping loneliness in older adults, highlighting the importance of addressing both risk and protective factors. Social work practitioners in healthcare settings can play a pivotal role in addressing loneliness among older adults by leveraging these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Encarnacion Satorres
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia (Spain), Valencia, Spain
| | - Iraida Delhom
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Valencia (Spain), Valencia, Spain
| | - Judit Llopis
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia (Spain), Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana-Belén Navarro-Prados
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Salamanca (Spain), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carmen Bueno
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia (Spain), Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan C Meléndez
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia (Spain), Valencia, Spain
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Pless Kaiser A, Beaudreau SA. Clinical Gerontologist Special Issue: Lethal Means Safety in Older Adults. Clin Gerontol 2024; 47:515-518. [PMID: 38845215 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2024.2356999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- A Pless Kaiser
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- National Center for PTSD - Behavioral Science Division, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sherry A Beaudreau
- Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Lewis C, Fischer IC, Tsai J, Harpaz-Rotem I, Pietrzak RH. Barriers to Mental Health Care in US Military Veterans. Psychiatr Q 2024:10.1007/s11126-024-10078-7. [PMID: 38940875 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-024-10078-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Military veterans often encounter multiple obstacles to mental health care, such as stigma, practical barriers (e.g., high cost), and negative beliefs about mental health care. To date, however, nationally representative data on the prevalence and key correlates of these barriers to care are lacking. Such data are critical to informing population-based efforts to reduce barriers and promote engagement in mental health treatment in this population. METHODS Data were analyzed from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, which surveyed 4,069 US veterans, 531 (weighted 15.0%) of whom screened positive for a mental disorder but never received mental health treatment. Multivariable logistic regression and relative importance analyses were conducted to identify key predisposing, enabling, and need-based factors associated with endorsement of stigma, instrumental barriers, and negative beliefs about mental health care. RESULTS A total 47.1% of veterans endorsed any barrier to care, with 38.7% endorsing instrumental barriers to care, 28.8% perceived stigma, and 22.0% negative beliefs about mental health care. Lower purpose in life, grit, and received social support were most consistently associated with these barriers to care. CONCLUSIONS Nearly half of US veterans with psychiatric need and no history of mental health treatment report barriers to care. Modifiable characteristics such as a low purpose in life, grit, and received support were associated with endorsement of these barriers. Results may help inform resource allocation, as well as prevention, psychoeducation, and treatment efforts to help reduce barriers and promote engagement with mental health services in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Ian C Fischer
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jack Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, Washington, DC, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ilan Harpaz-Rotem
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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Kumar SA, Borowski S, Vogt D. Meaning in life following service among post-9/11 military veterans: A latent growth mixture model analysis. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2024; 16:723-744. [PMID: 38072466 PMCID: PMC11062845 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Meaning in life refers to the "sense made of, and significance felt regarding, the nature of one's being and existence." Meaningful living promotes well-being, resilience, and personal growth. Yet, much remains unknown about how meaning changes over time and determinants of meaning, particularly during major life transitions. We identified distinct trajectories of meaning using latent growth mixture models and examined prospective predictors of class membership in a military veteran cohort assessed at multiple time points throughout the first 3 years after leaving service. Three trajectories were identified: consistently high meaning (89.5%; n = 7025), diminishing meaning (6.1%; n = 479), and strengthening meaning (4.4%; n = 348). Veterans with greater posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression symptoms, and moral injury experienced increased odds of a less adaptive trajectory (i.e. diminishing and/or strengthening vs. consistently high meaning), whereas veterans who reported greater psychological resilience, community relationship satisfaction, and intimate relationship satisfaction experienced lower odds of a less adaptive trajectory. Several gender differences were also observed. Results provide insight into veteran subgroups that are more likely to experience lower meaning after leaving military service and thus may benefit from additional support to reduce their risk for poor longer-term health and well-being outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaina A Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shelby Borowski
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dawne Vogt
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Sutin AR, Luchetti M, Stephan Y, Terracciano A. Purpose in life and cognitive health: a 28-year prospective study. Int Psychogeriatr 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38454883 PMCID: PMC11380700 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610224000383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the prospective association between purpose in life measured at three points across middle and older adulthood and cognitive outcomes assessed 8-28 years later. DESIGN Prospective Study. SETTING Wisconsin Longitudinal Study of Aging (WLS). PARTICIPANTS WLS participants who reported on their purpose in life at Round 4 (1992-1994; Mage = 52.58), Round 5 (2003-2007; Mage = 63.74), and/or Round 6 (2010-2012; Mage = 70.25) and were administered a cognitive battery at Round 7 (2020; Mage = 79.94) were included in the analysis (N = 4,632). MEASUREMENTS Participants completed the Ryff measure of purpose in life and were administered the telephone interview for cognitive status and measures of verbal fluency, digit ordering, and numeric reasoning. RESULTS Purpose in life measured at age 52 was related to better global cognitive function and verbal fluency but unrelated to dementia at age 80. In contrast, purpose in life at ages 63-70 was associated with lower likelihood of dementia, as well as better global cognitive function and verbal fluency at age 80. The effect sizes were modest (median Beta coefficient = .05; median odds ratio = .85). A slightly steeper decline in purpose in life between ages 52 and 70 was found for individuals with dementia at age 80. CONCLUSIONS Purpose in life is associated with healthier cognitive function measured up to 28 years later. Individuals with lower purpose, especially in their 60s or older, and with steeper declines in purpose, are more likely to have dementia at age 80.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina R Sutin
- Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Martina Luchetti
- Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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Fischer IC, Nichter B, Feldman DB, Na PJ, Tsai J, Harpaz-Rotem I, Schulenberg SE, Pietrzak RH. Purpose in life protects against the development of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in U.S. veterans without a history of suicidality: A 10-year, nationally representative, longitudinal study. J Affect Disord 2023; 340:551-554. [PMID: 37557988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts (STBs) in veterans without an endorsed history of STBs and identify baseline predictors of these outcomes over a 10-year period. METHODS Population-based prospective cohort study of 2307 US military veterans using five waves of the 2011-2021 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Baseline data were collected in 2011, with follow-up assessments conducted 2-(2013), 4-(2015), 7-(2018), and 10-years (2021) later. RESULTS In total, 10.1 % (N = 203) of veterans endorsed incident suicidal ideation (SI) over the 10-year period and 3.0 % (N = 55) endorsed an incident suicide attempt (SA). Multivariable regression analyses revealed the following baseline predictors of incident SI: lower annual household income, current posttraumatic stress disorder, current alcohol use disorder (AUD), disability with activities of daily living (i.e., ADLs) or instrumental activities of daily living (i.e., IADLs), lower perceived social support, lower community integration, and lower purpose in life. Current AUD, greater cumulative trauma burden, and lower purpose in life at baseline were predictive of incident SA. Relative importance analyses revealed that lower purpose in life was the strongest predictor of both incident SI and SA. CONCLUSIONS Psychosocial determinants of health, such as purpose in life, may be more reliable predictors of incident suicidal thoughts and behaviors than traditional risk factors (e.g., psychiatric distress; history of SA) in those without a history of STBs. Evidence-based interventions that facilitate purpose in life and feelings of connectedness and belonging should be examined as possible treatments for STBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian C Fischer
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Brandon Nichter
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David B Feldman
- Department of Counseling Psychology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, USA
| | - Peter J Na
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jack Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; National Center on Homelessness among Veterans, Homeless Programs Office, Tampa, FL, USA; School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ilan Harpaz-Rotem
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stefan E Schulenberg
- Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA; Clinical-Disaster Research Center, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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Pless Kaiser A, Chennapragada L, Andrusier S, Silver C, Padgett C, Beaudreau SA, Fairchild JK, Goodman M. Firearm Safety and Suicide Prevention for Medically Complex Older Veterans: Perspectives of VA Home-Based Primary Care Directors and Psychologists. Clin Gerontol 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37767999 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2023.2263218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Determine strategies and resources used by VA Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) teams to discuss firearm safety and suicide risk with older veterans and their families or caregivers. Training and resource needs for promoting firearm safety with older veterans were also ascertained. METHODS Ten focus groups (N = 37) were conducted virtually in 2022 with HBPC directors and psychologists. Qualitative rapid response coding identified domains and themes within transcripts. RESULTS Analysis revealed three major domains: firearm safety, suicide risk, and resources/trainings. Firearm safety themes included discussions during clinical procedures, firearm-related challenges, veteran culture, and barriers and facilitators to effective conversations. Suicide risk themes included assessment procedures, frequency/types of risk conversations, factors related to suicidal ideation/behavior, challenges, and strategies to enhance communication. Resource/training themes included those currently used and perceived needs. CONCLUSIONS Participants described strategies for facilitating firearm safety and suicide prevention discussions with older veterans, their families, and caregivers. Using respectful language and attending to values related to firearm ownership were identified as essential. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Additional clinician/staff training/resources are needed for addressing older veteran firearm safety and suicide risk, including how to conduct more effective conversations with older veterans on these topics and better engage families/caregivers in prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anica Pless Kaiser
- Behavioral Science Divison, National Center for PTSD, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lakshmi Chennapragada
- VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J Peters Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Sarah Andrusier
- VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J Peters Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Chana Silver
- VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J Peters Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Cameron Padgett
- VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J Peters Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Sherry A Beaudreau
- Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - J Kaci Fairchild
- Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Marianne Goodman
- VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J Peters Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Georgescu MF, Fischer IC, Lowe S, Pietrzak RH. Psychological Resilience in U.S. Military Veterans: Results from the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Psychiatr Q 2023; 94:449-466. [PMID: 37438571 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-023-10041-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Following exposure to traumatic life events, most individuals are psychologically resilient, and experience minimal-to-no symptoms of posttraumatic stress, major depressive, or generalized anxiety disorders. To date, however, most research has focused on factors associated with adverse post-trauma mental health outcomes rather than understanding those associated with psychological resilience. In particular, little is known about factors associated with psychological resilience in veterans, despite their high rates of trauma exposure, such as combat and military sexual trauma. To address this gap, we used a discrepancy-based psychiatric resilience (DBPR) analytic approach to operationalize psychological resilience, and to identify modifiable health and psychosocial factors associated with resilience in a nationally representative sample of U.S. veterans (N = 4,069). DBPR scores were computed by regressing a composite measure of distress (posttraumatic stress, major depressive, and generalized anxiety disorder symptoms) onto measures of adverse childhood experiences, combat exposure, military sexual trauma, and cumulative potentially traumatic events (e.g., natural disaster, life-threatening illness/injury). Psychological resilience was operationalized as lower actual, relative to predicted, composite distress scores. Results revealed that greater emotional stability (22.9% relative variance explained [RVE]) and mindfulness (13.4% RVE), lower likelihood of lifetime histories of MDD or PTSD (12.8% RVE), greater purpose in life (11.9% RVE), and lower severity of somatic symptoms (10.8% RVE) explained the majority of the variance in resilience scores (total R2 = 0.40). Taken together, results of this study illustrate the utility of a DBPR score approach to operationalizing psychological resilience to traumatic stress in U.S. veterans, and identify several modifiable health and psychosocial factors that can be targeted in prevention and treatment efforts designed to bolster resilience in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Georgescu
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Ian C Fischer
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sarah Lowe
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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Logan AC, Berman BM, Prescott SL. Vitality Revisited: The Evolving Concept of Flourishing and Its Relevance to Personal and Public Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5065. [PMID: 36981974 PMCID: PMC10049456 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Human flourishing, the state of optimal functioning and well-being across all aspects of an individual's life, has been a topic of philosophical and theological discussion for centuries. In the mid-20th century, social psychologists and health scientists began exploring the concept of flourishing in the context of health and high-level wellness. However, it is only in recent years, in part due to the USD 43 million Global Flourishing Study including 22 countries, that flourishing has entered the mainstream discourse. Here, we explore this history and the rapid acceleration of research into human flourishing, defined as "the relative attainment of a state in which all aspects of a person's life are good" by the Harvard University's Flourishing Program. We also explore the construct of "vitality", which refers to a sense of aliveness, energy, and motivation; we contend that this has been neglected in the flourishing movement. We explore why incorporating measures of vitality, together with a broader biopsychosocial approach, considers all dimensions of the environment across time (the total exposome), which will greatly advance research, policies, and actions to achieve human flourishing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian M. Berman
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Susan L. Prescott
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
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