Perceived personal control buffers terminal decline in well-being

Age-related shifts in mental health determinants from a deprived area in the European Union: informing the national healthy aging program of Hungary

Mental disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, disproportionately affecting older people. This study aims to assess the mental health of elderly individuals living in a deprived region of Hungary, and to identify and estimate the weight of different determinants of mental health across different age groups. A cross-sectional study was conducted with randomly selected samples of individuals (n = 860) aged 18 years and older in Northeast Hungary. The World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), the single-item Life Satisfaction Scale, and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were used to measure mental health of the participants. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to measure the association between sociodemographic and health-related variables and mental health. Overall, the mean WHO-5 score was 69.2 ± 18.1 and it showed a significant decrease by age (p < 0.001), with the lowest score observed in aged 75 years and above (p < 0.001). The mean life satisfaction score was 7.5 ± 1.9 and it showed a significant decreasing trend over the life course (p < 0.001). The highest level of psychological distress as assessed by GHQ-12 was observed in the group aged 75 years or older (11.5 ± 6.0, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression indicated that self-reported financial status, social support, sense of control over their health, activity limitation and pain intensity were the most important determinants of mental health among older adults. Interventions to improve the mental health of older adults should focus on the positive impact of social support, the reduction of financial insecurity and the use of effective pain relief medications.

Work Preferences, Control, and Independence among Midlife and Older Adults in Aotearoa/New Zealand

In 2023, current life expectancy for adults aged 65 and over in Aotearoa/New Zealand ranged from 84.6 to 89.2 years. Mandatory retirement has been abolished, but pension age eligibility remains at age 65. However, some older adults prefer to continue working, often experiencing a mismatch between current and preferred work statuses. The current study used data drawn from the 2020 wave of the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement study (HWR; N  =  3,916; Mage  =  66.84) to examine associations between work preferences and perceptions of control and independence. We found that those not working but who preferred to work reported the lowest levels of perceived control and independence. Conversely, work preference match and higher levels of perceived control and independence were positively related to life satisfaction. The current study adds to our understanding of the centrality of work status, perceived control, and perceived independence among midlife and older adults, particularly in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Effects of declines in personal mastery on self-perceived mobility, physical function, cognitive function, and depressive symptoms: a 6-year follow-up study from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study

OBJECTIVES

As the psychosocial competence, personal mastery helps individuals to cope with stressful life events, and this study aims to examine impacts of declines in personal mastery on healthy aging among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults using a nationally representative cohort.

METHODS

Data from 648 study participants in the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study (SEBAS) were retrieved for analysis. All participants were divided into four groups based on their baseline and changes of personal mastery (measured by the Pearlin mastery score) during the 6-year follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression models were adopted to examine associations between declines in personal mastery and indicators for healthy aging (declines in self-perceived mobility, physical function (activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)), cognitive function and depressive symptoms).

RESULTS

After adjustments for demographics and comorbidities, those with declines in personal mastery were associated with greater risks of declines in self-perceived mobility (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.50 [95% confidence interval 1.01-2.22], p < 0.05). Although the point estimate in the unadjusted models indicated similar associations between declines in personal mastery and declines in ADLs, IADLs, cognitive function or depressive symptoms, these outcomes did not reach statistical significance in the adjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS

Declines in personal mastery were negatively associated with indicators related to healthy aging (particularly locomotion) in a 6-year follow-up. Further investigations are needed to explore the effects of preventing declines in personal mastery in promoting healthy aging over time.

Fatalism and Psychological Distress Among Chinese American Breast Cancer Survivors: Mediating Role of Perceived Self-control and Fear of Cancer Recurrence

BACKGROUND

Extant literature on the relationship between cancer fatalism and psychological distress among Chinese American breast cancer survivors has been mixed, and few studies have examined potential mediators of this relationship. The current study examined how cancer fatalism is associated with psychological distress by investigating perceived personal control and fear of cancer recurrence as mediators, and acculturation as a moderator of these relationships.

METHOD

A total of 220 Chinese American women diagnosed with stage 0-III breast cancer were recruited from California cancer registries and completed a telephone survey. The measurement of cancer fatalism examined one's view of health as a result of destiny. Validated measures of psychological distress (i.e., depressive and anxiety symptoms), fear of cancer recurrence, and perceived personal control were used. Acculturation was defined by English proficiency, preferred interview language, and number of years lived in the USA.

RESULTS

Higher cancer fatalism was directly associated with greater depressive and anxiety symptoms after controlling for covariates. This association was also mediated by higher fear of cancer recurrence, but not by perceived control. The mediation was not moderated by acculturation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that Chinese American breast cancer survivors' fatalistic beliefs may exacerbate fear of cancer recurrence, and, in turn, depressive and anxiety symptoms. Fear of recurrence was more salient than perceived control in their associations with psychological distress among Chinese American cancer survivors. Future intervention research may adopt cognitive approaches to alter Chinese survivors' fatalistic views of health outcomes to reduce their psychological distress.

Perceived Control, Control Strategies, and Subjective Well-being in the Elderly: A Longitudinal Study of Health Behavior

Objectives: We analyzed the directional effect of perceived control and control strategies on subjective well-being in middle-aged and elderly people with historical data, and to provide data support for the intervention of well-being in the later years of the elderly group, so as to help them age successfully.Methods: Using data from the CLHLS between 2005 and 2014, we collected demographic and social data of the same elderly population over the decade. We also gathered information on changes in well-being, perceived control, and the use of control strategies. To analyze the longitudinal relationship between subjective well-being and perceived control, including the impact of control strategies on subjective well-being, we used a multilevel growth model with MPLUS. Results: We found that subjective well-being and perceived control were not affected by time. However, changes in perceived control in older adults could predict their level of subjective well-being. Those with higher initial levels of perceived control experienced greater increases in subjective well-being. Additionally, the use of control strategies had a significant influence on changes in subjective well-being, explaining 70.5% of the variance. Conclusion: Combined use of multiple control strategies is a feasible way to improve subjective well-being in later life.

COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Bellwethers: Factors Predictive of Older Adults' Adoption of the Second Booster COVID-19 Vaccine in Israel: A Longitudinal Study

Israel became the first country to offer the second COVID-19 booster vaccination. The study tested for the first time, the predictive role of booster-related sense of control (SOC_B), trust and vaccination hesitancy (VH) on adoption of the second-booster among older adults, 7 months later. Four hundred Israelis (≥60 years-old), eligible for the first booster, responded online, two weeks into the first booster campaign. They completed demographics, self-reports, and first booster vaccination status (early-adopters or not). Second booster vaccination status was collected for 280 eligible responders: early- and late-adopters, vaccinated four and 75 days into the second booster campaign, respectively, versus non-adopters. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted with pseudo R² = .385. Higher SOC_B, and first booster early-adoption were predictive of second booster early-vs.-non-adoption, 1.934 [1.148-3.257], 4.861 [1.847-12.791]; and late-vs.-non-adoption, 2.031 [1.294-3.188], 2.092 [0.979-4.472]. Higher trust was only predictive of late-vs.-non-adoption (1.981 [1.03-3.81]), whereas VH was non-predictive. We suggest that older-adult bellwethers, second booster early-adopters, could be predicted by higher SOC_B, and first booster early-adoption, 7 months earlier.

A longitudinal study of the effects of well-being and perceived control on preparations for old age: moderation effects of contexts

Extending research on determinants of preparations for old age across adulthood, we examined the relationship between well-being, perceived control, and preparations for old age over time, along with variation in the strength of these relationships depending on domains of functioning, cultures, and age. We analyzed longitudinal data from the Ageing as Future study assessing changes in well-being, perceived control, and preparations in four different life domains (social relations, finances, work, and health) across a five-year period collected from adults aged from 30 to 85 years in Germany (N = 623), Hong Kong (N = 317), and the USA (N = 315). Positive feelings about one's current situation predicted greater perceived control five years later, and vice versa. Also, perceived control and preparations were positively associated over time, with only a few exceptions within each domain. For example, high control beliefs were related to subsequent greater preparations and well-being within the domain of social relations and finances, with weak effects of culture. These results suggest that current well-being may promote adaptive behaviors in later life, with the accumulated effects over time. Thus, focusing on how to improve our well-being may promote engagement in preparations for old age. Our results also indicate that these relations in our model vary by contexts, highlighting the importance of variability in age-related processes.

The influence of arts engagement on the mental health of isolated college students during the COVID-19 outbreak in China

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the mental health of college students. This study aimed to investigate the buffering effect of arts engagement on anxiety and resilience in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

The data were collected via an online survey during a wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Shanghai (March 15 to April 15, 2022). In total, 2,453 college students throughout China reported general anxiety symptom levels (according to the GAD-7), resilience (according to the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale), frequency of receptive arts engagement in the previous year, exposure to risk situations, and behavioral changes due to the pandemic.

Results

During the current stage of the pandemic, 43.7% of college students suffered from varying degrees of anxiety, and 2.6% showed severe anxiety. Gender and learning stage were not associated with anxiety. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that the decision to return to academic institution, the degree of exposure to COVID-19, and the frequency of accepting art participation and resilience could significantly predict the anxiety level of college students. Gender, study stage, behavioral changes arising from COVID-19, and exposure to COVID-19 significantly predict the resilience level of college students. There was an association between high frequency music activities, reading activities and low anxiety level (p < 0.001). There was an association between high frequency digital art, music activities, reading and high resilience (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Arts engagement appears to help students cope with mental health problems and those at risk. Policymakers should encourage college students to participate in art activities, especially in the context of social distancing.

Within-person changes in religiosity, control beliefs, and subjective well-being across middle and late adulthood

Given the well-established link between control beliefs and well-being, researchers have turned their attention to characterizing mechanisms that help foster this relationship across the second half of life. Cross-sectional, empirical work has identified a mediating relationship among religiosity and spirituality (R/S), control beliefs, and subjective well-being, such that individuals with higher R/S show higher subjective well-being that is mediated by between-person differences in perceived control. Empirical tests of between-person differences, however, may not represent within-person associations. As such, the present study utilized longitudinal data from the Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being (NDHWB; N = 1,017) to examine concurrent, within-person associations among three R/S dimensions (i.e., religious coping, religious practices, and spirituality), control beliefs, and subjective well-being. Results from our Bayesian multilevel mediation analyses showed significant within-person associations among these constructs, suggesting potential bidirectionality and circularity in these processes. Cross-sectional age differences and time significantly moderated these associations. In terms of age differences, younger, compared to older, individuals showed stronger positive associations among religious coping and spirituality, control beliefs, and subjective well-being and more negative associations among religious practices, control beliefs, and subjective well-being. Contrarily, the effect of time implied that the relationships among religious coping and spirituality, control beliefs, and subjective well-being became more positive across time. Given this disjunction and that the moderating effect of cross-sectional age by time was not significant, cross-sectional age differences in these relationships likely reflect generational differences in the associations among R/S, control beliefs, and subjective well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Vaccine and Psychological Booster: Factors Associated With Older Adults’ Compliance to the Booster COVID-19 Vaccine in Israel

Israel became the first country to offer the booster COVID-19 vaccination. The study tested for the first time the role of sense of control (SOC) due to vaccinations, trust and vaccination hesitancy (VH), and their association with compliance to the booster COVID-19 vaccine among older adults, during the first 2 weeks of the campaign. 400 Israeli citizens (≥ 6 years old), eligible for the booster vaccine, responded online. They completed demographics, self-reports, and booster vaccination status (already vaccinated, booked-a-slot, vaccination intent, and vaccination opposers). Multinomial logistic regression was conducted with pseudo R 2 = .498. Higher SOC and lower VH were related to the difference between early and delayed vaccination (booked-a-slot, OR = 0.7 [0.49‐0.99]; 2.2 [1.32‐3.62], intent OR = 0.6 [0.42‐0.98]; 2.7 [1.52‐4.86]), as well as to rejection ( OR = 0.3 [0.11‐0.89]; 8.5 [3.39‐21.16]). Increased trust was only related to the difference between early vaccinations and vaccine rejection ( OR = 0.3 [0.11‐0.89]). We suggest that SOC, as well as low VH, can be used as positive motivators, encouraging earlier vaccinations in older age.

The associations between psychological needs, health-related quality of life and subjective well-being among Chinese older people: A cross-sectional study

The present study investigated the associations between the three psychological needs (autonomy, competence and relatedness) derived from the Self-determination Theory and well-being [health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and subjective well-being (SWB)] among older people in Hong Kong SAR, China. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2018 in Hong Kong. A total of 230 participants aged 60-year-old or above were recruited from eight community service centres. Results from adjusted regression analysis showed that, among the three psychological needs, competence and relatedness were positively associated with SWB, while relatedness was positively associated with physical health domain of HRQOL. The three psychological needs had no significant associations with mental health domain of HRQOL. Interventions to improve HRQOL and SWB should promote older people's sense of competence and relatedness. Longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify the causal relationships and look at other physical, mental and social health outcomes.

Mediators and Moderators of the Association Between Perceived Stress and Episodic Memory in Diverse Older Adults

OBJECTIVE

Stress is a risk factor for numerous negative health outcomes, including cognitive impairment in late-life. The negative association between stress and cognition may be mediated by depressive symptoms, which separate studies have identified as both a consequence of perceived stress and a risk factor for cognitive decline. Pathways linking perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and cognition may be moderated by sociodemographics and psychosocial resources. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to identify modifying factors and enhance understanding of the mechanisms underlying the stress-cognition association in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of older adults.

METHOD

A linear regression estimated the association between perceived stress and episodic memory in 578 older adults (Mage = 74.58) in the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project. Subsequent models tested whether depressive symptoms mediated the stress-memory relationship and whether sociodemographics (gender, race, and ethnicity) or perceived control moderated these pathways.

RESULTS

Independent of sociodemographics and chronic diseases, greater perceived stress was associated with worse episodic memory. This relationship was mediated by more depressive symptoms. Higher perceived control buffered the association between stress and depressive symptoms. There was no significant moderation by gender, race, or ethnicity.

CONCLUSION

Depressive symptoms may play a role in the negative association between perceived stress and cognition among older adults; however, longitudinal analyses and studies using experimental designs are needed. Perceived control is a modifiable psychological resource that may offset the negative impact of stress.

Neurological and Psychological Determinants of Depression, Anxiety, and Life Quality

Background:

This study aimed to determine the major neurological and psychological elements affecting depression, anxiety (DEPXITY), and the overall quality of life.

Methods:

This analytical descriptive study was carried out on 141 respondents with formal mood disorder diagnosis, with mental illness identity, with current depression and anxiety symptoms of at least moderate severity and people with mild symptoms. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation test, reliability test, and separate regression models. Statistical significant level was set as 0.05.

Results:

The findings showed that external control by others on one's own life (EC) is the most significant factor (0.45) related to depression and the social conflict (SC) was found to be the most influential factor (0.28) for the anxiety. Internal control over own personal life (IC) is the most significant factor to cure or regulate some of the negative symptoms of the anxiety (−0.66). Good performance in personal life (PP) is a common positive factor to regulate both depression (DEP) and anxiety (XITY). This study shows that DEPXITY is associated with negative life quality.

Conclusions:

The lack of internal control and the control by others on one's own personal life are associated with impaired cognitive, affective, and behavioral functioning. The results of this study can also be a good indicator and confirmation that the medial prefrontal cortex is able with the support of IC and PP to coordinate self-appraisal processes by regulating activity in the posterior cingulate cortex area of the brain.

Stressful Events in Old Age: Who are Most Exposed and Who are Most Likely to Overcome Them

Objectives: This study investigated self-reported events that were rated as stressful and being affecting wellbeing among older people. It also examined the variables associated with the perception of overcoming these stressful events. Methods: Face-to-face survey on a representative sample of 1,431 older people in Santiago-Chile. Instruments included open-ended questions for distinguishing events as losses, problems, conflicts, and others’ difficulties. The associations between the occurrence and overcoming of events with individual and social characteristics were examined through multivariate logistic regression. Results: 39.5% mentioned at least one stressful event, being mostly perceived as solvable problems rather than losses. Higher-income, better health, self-efficacy, and social support were associated with a higher perception of event overcoming. Conclusion: The occurrence and the probability of events’ overcoming does not increase in old-old age in this sample group. Better health and individual and social resources such as self-efficacy and social support, are protective resources for overcoming the stressful events, but they are not generally considered in public policies.

The More We Are in Control, the Merrier? Partner Perceived Control and Negative Affect in the Daily Lives of Older Couples

OBJECTIVES

It is well established that daily perceived control is closely associated with lower negative affect (NA) among older adults. However, it is an open question whether control perceptions of one's partner are also uniquely associated with one's own NA.

METHOD

To examine such associations in dyads of older long-term partners, we make use of data obtained 6 times a day over 7 consecutive days as participants went about their everyday lives (N = 87 couples; mean age = 75 years; mean relationship length = 46 years). Our multilevel actor-partner models for dyadic data analyses covary for relevant individual and couple differences in sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported physical health, and cognitive functioning.

RESULTS

Corroborating and extending earlier reports, results reveal that higher momentary perceived control was associated with lower NA. Most importantly, we found that higher momentary perceived control of the partner is additionally and uniquely associated with lower NA of the actor.

DISCUSSION

We discuss possible mechanisms and underlying pathways of how perceived control may help both partners downregulate their negative emotions in daily life. We close by considering conceptual and practical implications.

Does the selective attrition of a panel survey of older people affect the multivariate estimations of subjective well-being?

PURPOSE

The increased population aging has resulted in a growing need for longitudinal studies about the quality of life among older people. Nevertheless, the results of these investigations could be biased because more disadvantaged people leave the original sample. The purpose of this study is to examine how the selective attrition observed in a panel survey affect multivariate models of subjective well-being (SWB). The question is if we could do reliable longitudinal investigations concerning the predictors of SWB in old age.

METHODS

This paper examines attrition in a panel of older people in Chile. Attrition was evaluated in the variables that affect elderly SWB. Probit models were fitted to compare dropouts with nondropouts. Then, multivariate probit models were estimated on satisfaction and depressive symptoms, comparing dropouts and nondropouts. Finally, we compared weighted and unweighted multivariate probit models on SWB.

RESULTS

The attrition rate in 2 years was 38.8%, including deaths and 32.9%, excluding them. Survey dropouts had lower satisfaction but not higher depressive symptoms. Among SWB predictors, people without a partner and with lower self-efficacy abandoned more the study. When applying the Becketti, Gould, Lillard, and Welch test, the probit coefficients of the predictor variables on SWB outcome variables were similar for dropouts and nondropouts. Finally, the comparison of multivariate models on SWB with weighting methods did not find substantial differences in the explanatory coefficients.

CONCLUSION

Although some predictors of attrition were associated with SWB, attrition did not produce biased estimates in multivariate models of life satisfaction life or depressive symptoms in old age.

Perceived Control and Social Activity in Midlife and Older Age: A Reciprocal Association? Findings From the German Ageing Survey

Objectives

Perceived control may promote social activity in older adults because individuals with greater perceived control have greater confidence in their ability to achieve outcomes and are more likely to choose difficult activities, show persistence, and employ strategies to overcome challenges. Cross-sectional research has linked perceived control with social activity in life span and older adult samples but provides little insight into the direction of influence. We examined reciprocal associations between perceived control and social activity in order to establish temporal sequencing, which is one prerequisite for determining potential causation.

Method

Participants were 14,126 midlife and older adults from the German Ageing Survey. Using cross-lagged autoregressive modeling with age as the time metric (40-87 years), we examined reciprocal 3-year lagged associations between perceived control and social activity, while controlling for concurrent associations.

Results

Perceived control significantly predicted social activity 3 years later. Reciprocally, social activity significantly predicted perceived control 3 years later. The influence of perceived control on social activity was greater than the influence of social activity on perceived control.

Discussion

The finding that perceived control significantly predicts future social activity has potential implications for developing interventions aimed at promoting social activity in midlife and older adults.

Social Integration and Terminal Decline in Life Satisfaction Among Older Japanese

Objectives

Well-being typically exhibits pronounced deteriorations with approaching death, with sizeable interindividual variations in levels and changes. It is less well understood how psychosocial factors contribute to these individual differences. We examined whether and how social integration is associated with terminal trajectories of well-being, indexed as life satisfaction.

Method

Data were drawn from 1,119 deceased Japanese participants of a 15-year longitudinal study (age at death: M = 79.2 years; SD = 7.7 years; 43.1% women). Life satisfaction, structural and functional features of social integration (e.g., frequency of contact with family and nonfamily, and perceived overall support, respectively), sociodemographic characteristics, and physical function were assessed.

Results

Social integration predicted individual differences in terminal decline in life satisfaction, after controlling for age at death, gender, education, and physical function: More diverse social relationships were associated with higher levels of life satisfaction at 1 year before death. In addition, individuals who exhibited more decline in social participation and perceived less support showed more pronounced decline with increasing proximity of death.

Discussion

This study suggests that social integration plays a protective role in late-life well-being and that sustaining an active social life and supportive social interactions may help mitigate terminal decline in well-being.

The Detrimental Consequences of Overestimating Future Health in Late Life

OBJECTIVES

Although forecasting a positive future can be adaptive, it may not be when expectations are unmet. Our study examined whether such inaccurate expectations about future health status (overestimation) were maladaptive for older adults who commonly experience late life declines in physical functioning.

METHOD

We analyzed data from the nationally representative German Aging Survey (DEAS; 1996-2011; n = 2,539; age range 60-85 years) using multilevel growth models that assessed the influence of inaccurate health expectations on older adults' physical functioning over a 9-year period.

RESULTS

Overestimating future health status predicted reduced day-to-day physical functioning when age, gender, and self-rated health were controlled. A Time × Overestimation interaction indicated that the negative effects of overestimation on physical functioning became more pronounced over the 9-year period.

DISCUSSION

Results suggest that repeatedly unmet health expectations may undermine motivational resources and accelerate late life declines in physical functioning.

Presence of trauma and suicide risk: Personal control as a moderator

Given past findings that have linked trauma and lack of personal control to greater suicidal risk in adults, the present study examined how trauma presence and personal control are uniquely involved in predicting suicidal risk in a sample of 469 college students. Regression analyses indicated that both trauma presence and personal control were significant predictors of suicidal risk, as was their interaction. The present findings suggest a need to consider both trauma presence and low personal control in assessing for suicidal risk in college students.

The relationships between perceived control and episodic memory in adulthood: a review

The goal of the current paper is to review the literature on the relationships between perceived control and episodic memory throughout adulthood. More specifically, three major questions are pursued: (1) Are higher levels of perceived control related to better memory performance? (2) Is the relationship between perceived control and memory similar or different as a function of age? (3) Does perceived control moderate memory decline? Although there is a great deal of evidence that perceived control and episodic memory are positively related in adulthood, the current review showed that very few studies have investigated whether age moderated this relationship. Moreover, only a limited number of studies have explored the role of perceived control in memory decline, and the results are inconsistent. We suggest some avenues for future research that could help understand by which mechanisms, and under what circumstances, perceived control and episodic memory are related across the lifespan.

Unequal Gain of Equal Resources across Racial Groups

The health effects of economic resources (eg, education, employment, and living place) and psychological assets (eg, self-efficacy, perceived control over life, anger control, and emotions) are well-known. This article summarizes the results of a growing body of evidence documenting Blacks' diminished return, defined as a systematically smaller health gain from economic resources and psychological assets for Blacks in comparison to Whites. Due to structural barriers that Blacks face in their daily lives, the very same resources and assets generate smaller health gain for Blacks compared to Whites. Even in the presence of equal access to resources and assets, such unequal health gain constantly generates a racial health gap between Blacks and Whites in the United States. In this paper, a number of public policies are recommended based on these findings. First and foremost, public policies should not merely focus on equalizing access to resources and assets, but also reduce the societal and structural barriers that hinder Blacks. Policy solutions should aim to reduce various manifestations of structural racism including but not limited to differential pay, residential segregation, lower quality of education, and crime in Black and urban communities. As income was not found to follow the same pattern demonstrated for other resources and assets (ie, income generated similar decline in risk of mortality for Whites and Blacks), policies that enforce equal income and increase minimum wage for marginalized populations are essential. Improving quality of education of youth and employability of young adults will enable Blacks to compete for high paying jobs. Policies that reduce racism and discrimination in the labor market are also needed. Without such policies, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to eliminate the sustained racial health gap in the United States.

Levels of and changes in life satisfaction predict mortality hazards: Disentangling the role of physical health, perceived control, and social orientation

It is well documented that well-being typically evinces precipitous decrements at the end of life. However, research has primarily taken a postdictive approach by knowing the outcome (date of death) and aligning, in retrospect, how well-being has changed for people with documented death events. In the present study, we made use of a predictive approach by examining whether and how levels of and changes in life satisfaction prospectively predict mortality hazards and delineate the role of contributing factors, including health, perceived control, and social orientation. To do so, we applied shared parameter growth-survival models to 20-year longitudinal data from 10,597 participants (n = 1,560 [15%] deceased; age at baseline: M = 44 years, SD = 17, range = 18-98 years) from the national German Socio-Economic Panel Study. Our findings showed that lower levels and steeper declines of life satisfaction each uniquely predicted higher mortality risks. Results also revealed moderating effects of age and perceived control: Life satisfaction levels and changes had stronger predictive effects for mortality hazards among older adults. Perceived control was associated with lower mortality hazards; however, this effect was diminished for those who experienced accelerated life satisfaction decline. Variance decomposition suggests that predictive effects of life satisfaction trajectories were partially unique (3%-6%) and partially shared with physical health, perceived control, and social orientation (17%-19%). Our discussion focuses on the strengths and challenges of a predictive approach to link developmental changes (in life satisfaction) to mortality hazards, and considers implications of our findings for healthy aging. (PsycINFO Database Record

Whites but Not Blacks Gain Life Expectancy from Social Contacts

Background. Recent research suggests that the health gain from economic resources and psychological assets may be systematically larger for Whites than Blacks. Aim. This study aimed to assess whether the life expectancy gain associated with social contacts over a long follow up differs for Blacks and Whites. Methods. Data came from the Americans’ Changing Lives (ACL) Study, 1986–2011. The sample was a nationally representative sample of American adults 25 and older, who were followed for up to 25 years (n = 3361). Outcome was all-cause mortality. The main predictor was social contacts defined as number of regular visits with friends, relatives, and neighbors. Baseline demographics (age and gender), socioeconomic status (education, income, and employment), health behaviors (smoking and drinking), and health (chronic medical conditions, obesity, and depressive symptoms) were controlled. Race was the focal moderator. Cox proportional hazard models were used in the pooled sample and based on race. Results. More social contacts predicted higher life expectancy in the pooled sample. A significant interaction was found between race and social contacts, suggesting that the protective effect of more social contacts is smaller for Blacks than Whites. In stratified models, more social contacts predicted an increased life expectancy for Whites but not Blacks. Conclusion. Social contacts increase life expectancy for White but not Black Americans. This study introduces social contacts as another social resource that differentially affects health of Whites and Blacks.

Do past stressful life events and personal control beliefs predict subjective wellbeing in old age? Evidence from a Spanish nationwide representative sample

It has been widely corroborated that recent stressful life events could impact wellbeing; nevertheless, it is not clear whether stressful situations experienced in the past and the individual resources used to deal with them influence older adults’ wellbeing. This study aims to analyse the influence of stressful past events and personal control beliefs, or the extent to which people believe they can control or influence their environment in order to achieve desired outcomes, on negative affect and domain-specific life satisfaction in a cross-sectional sample of 1,177 Spanish people age 50 years and older. For this purpose, the measurement of ten stressful past events, perceived control beliefs, negative affect and life satisfaction were obtained. Preliminary analyses showed that domain-specific life satisfaction grouped into two factors: internal and external life satisfaction. The results of the partial least squares structural equation model indicated that stressful events and control beliefs have an impact on both negative affect and life satisfaction in old age. Stressful past events had a negative effect on life satisfaction, while control beliefs were positively associated with negative affect. The model was able to predict the variance of internal life satisfaction at 37.5 per cent.

Health sensitivity: Age differences in the within-person coupling of individuals' physical health and well-being

Well-being and physical health are central indicators of quality of life in old age. Research from a between-person difference perspective finds that people in better health than their peers also report higher well-being than their peers. However, we know very little about whether changes in one domain are accompanied by changes in the other domain, particularly at the within-person level. In the present study, we introduce the construct of health sensitivity, that is, how susceptible an individuals' well-being is to changes in physical health. In doing so, we used 9-wave longitudinal data covering 17 years from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 21,689; 50-109 year olds; 55% women) and applied multilevel modeling to examine the covariation of central indicators of well-being (depressive affect) and health (functional limitations) simultaneously at both the between-person and within-person level. At the within-person level, we found evidence of health sensitivity-on occasions when a typical person experienced more functional limitations than usual, he or she also reported more depressive affect-and that health sensitivity decreased with age. Survival analysis revealed that health sensitivity was related to mortality hazards, controlling for mean levels of health and well-being. We discuss the theoretical importance of examining within-person associations between health and well-being and consider practical implications. (PsycINFO Database Record

Personal mastery attenuates the adverse effect of frailty on declines in physical function of older people: A 6-year population-based cohort study

Personal mastery is an important determinant in shaping physical health across middle and late life. The modified effect of mastery on relation between frailty and adverse health outcome remains unclear. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of mastery on frailty among older people by using a nationwide representative population-based cohort. In total, 715 community-dwelling participants aged 54 years and over recruited in 2000 and received second visit 6 years later. Personal mastery was represented by the Pearlin mastery score, and frailty was defined by modified Fried criteria. Multivariate generalized linear mixed analysis was used to examine the association interaction between frailty and Pearlin mastery scores for activities of daily living decline. Overall, prevalence of frailty and prefrail were 9.7% and 48.8%. In a 6-year period, 94 participants (13.1%) experienced functional decline. Compared with function nondecliners, function decliners had greater proportion of frailty (26.6% vs 7.1%; P < 0.001) and lesser mastery score (17.2 vs 18.7; P < 0.001). After adjusting with basic demography, healthy behavior, cognitive function, and multimorbidity, frailty status and mastery were significantly interacted (coefficient estimate: -0.80, standard error: 0.23, P = 0.001). The negative coefficient estimate indicated that self-control, that is, self-mastery, may attenuate the adverse effects of frailty on functional outcomes. Similar results were shown when subjects with baseline functional deficits were excluded for analysis. In conclusion, high self-mastery attenuates adverse effects of frailty on functional decline.

Terminal decline in well-being: The role of social orientation

Well-being development at the end of life is often characterized by steep deteriorations, but individual differences in these terminal declines are substantial and not yet well understood. This study moved beyond typical consideration of health predictors and explored the role of social orientation and engagement. To do so, we used social variables at the behavioral level (self-ratings of social participation) and the motivational level (valuing social and family goals), assessed 2 to 4 years before death. We applied single- and multiphase growth models to up to 27-year annual longitudinal data from 2,910 now deceased participants of the nation-wide German Socio-Economic Panel Study (Mage at death = 74 years; SD = 14; 48% women). Results revealed that leading a socially active life and prioritizing social goals in late life were independently associated with higher late-life well-being, less pronounced late-life decline, and a later onset of terminal decline. Significant interaction effects suggested that the combination of (reduced) social participation and (lowered) social goals magnifies the effects of each other. Findings also indicated that less decline in social participation was associated with less severe rates and a later onset of well-being decline. We found little evidence that valuing family goals is associated with late-life trajectories of well-being. Associations were independent of key correlates of well-being and mortality, including age at death, gender, education, disability, hospital stays, and goals in other life domains. We discuss possible pathways by which maintaining social orientation into late life may help mitigate terminal decline in well-being.

A framework for studying mechanisms underlying terminal decline in well-being

Multiple facets of well-being are known to show steep end-of-life deteriorations. However, the underlying mechanisms and pathways are vague. Capitalizing on an earlier review of the existing empirical literature on terminal decline, we present a conceptual/methodological framework that can be used as a tool to structure future inquiry aimed at refining the precision and specificity of the terminal decline concept. Specifically, we propose a model of terminal decline in well-being in which within-person mean levels of, inconsistencies in, or couplings among multiple domains of functioning serve as indicators or sources of well-being. The model, based on time-varying dynamic factor analysis of intensive longitudinal data, provides for concise articulation and testing of central tenets of theories of successful aging, including hypotheses regarding shifts in goals away from some domains and towards others (e.g. secondary control). We conclude by suggesting routes for empirical research.