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Kim J, Park GR. Prolonged social isolation and cognitive function in older adults: lack of informal social contact versus formal social activity as the source of social isolation. Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:2438-2445. [PMID: 37079761 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2202616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigates the cognitive function trajectories associated with prolonged social isolation, while distinguishing between a lack of informal social contact and a lack of formal social activity as the source of social isolation. METHODS Data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing spanning 12 years between 2006 and 2018 were analyzed. A lack of frequent informal social contact or formal social activity was used to assess social isolation, and cognitive function was measured by Korean Mini-Mental State Examination. Fixed effects regression models were used to account for unobserved individual-level confounders. RESULTS A prolonged absence of frequent informal social contact was linked to a decline in cognitive function up to the three waves of exposure (b = -2.135), but cognitive function has not declined further since then. A persistent lack of formal social activity was associated with a decline in cognitive function up to the fifth and subsequent waves of exposure (b = -3.073). No gender differences were observed in these relationships. CONCLUSION Prolonged social isolation, particularly a lack of formal social activity, can pose a significant threat to the cognitive health of older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinho Kim
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Center for Demography of Health and Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Gum-Ryeong Park
- Department of Health, Aging & Society, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
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Zhou X, Yang F, Gao Y. A meta-analysis of the association between loneliness and all-cause mortality in older adults. Psychiatry Res 2023; 328:115430. [PMID: 37647699 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115430] [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] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Despite the well-established association between loneliness and all-cause mortality in older adults, it remains unknown whether this association holds for older adults of different sex and whether it is influenced by different samples and study characteristics. Thus, this meta-analysis aims to examine moderators of the association between loneliness and all-cause mortality in older adults. To this end, relevant literature was retrieved from the PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Weipu, and Wanfang databases (inception to May 2023) and was processed in the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.3 software. Moreover, subgroup analysis was performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity and further explore potential moderators. Funnel plots, Begg's test, and Egger's linear regression test were used to examine the publication bias, and sensitivity analysis was used to test the robustness of the results. Thirty-six studies involving 128,927 older adults were included in this meta-analysis. In general, loneliness was related to an increase in all-cause mortality in older adults (HR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.06-1.12, I2 = 63.31%, p < 0.001). The overall effect size for older men was 1.18 (95% CI = 1.04-1.33, p = 0.010). The association between loneliness and all-cause mortality was found to be significantly influenced by the source country of the data, follow-up length, and covariates for chronic disease as moderators. In conclusion, loneliness among older adults deserves more attention, and services are needed to improve their mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhou
- Department of Social Work, School of Sociology and Political Science, Shanghai University, Nanchen Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Social Work, School of Sociology and Political Science, Shanghai University, Nanchen Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai, 200444, China.
| | - Yourong Gao
- Department of Social Work, School of Sociology and Political Science, Shanghai University, Nanchen Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai, 200444, China
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Shen X, Yin F, Jiao C. Predictive Models of Life Satisfaction in Older People: A Machine Learning Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2445. [PMID: 36767810 PMCID: PMC9916308 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Studies of life satisfaction in older adults have been conducted extensively through empirical research, questionnaires, and theoretical analysis, with the majority of these studies basing their analyses on simple linear relationships between variables. However, most real-life relationships are complex and cannot be approximated with simple correlations. Here, we first investigate predictors correlated with life satisfaction in older adults. Then, machine learning is used to generate several predictive models based on a large sample of older adults (age ≥ 50 years; n = 34,630) from the RAND Health and Retirement Study. Results show that subjective social status, positive emotions, and negative emotions are the most critical predictors of life satisfaction. The Support Vector Regression (SVR) model exhibited the highest prediction accuracy for life satisfaction in older individuals among several models, including Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Ridge Regression (RR), Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator Regression (LASSO), K Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Decision Tree Regression (DT) models. Although the KNN and DT models exhibited better model fitting than MLR, RR, and LASSO, their performances were poor in terms of model validation and model generalization. These results indicate that machine learning is superior to simple correlations for understanding life satisfaction among older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Shen
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- The Shenzhen Humanities & Social Sciences Key Research Bases of the Center for Mental Health, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Fei Yin
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- The Shenzhen Humanities & Social Sciences Key Research Bases of the Center for Mental Health, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Can Jiao
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- The Shenzhen Humanities & Social Sciences Key Research Bases of the Center for Mental Health, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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Zhang D, Lin Z, Chen F, Li S. Reconfiguring Social Disconnectedness and Its Link to Psychological Well-Being among Older Adults in Rural China. J Appl Gerontol 2023; 42:99-110. [PMID: 36070289 DOI: 10.1177/07334648221124915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Using data from 2015 to 2018 waves of the Longitudinal Study of Older Adults in Anhui Province, China, this study investigated associations between different forms of social disconnectedness (social isolation, loneliness, living alone) and psychological well-being of older adults longitudinally. The results showed that social isolation and loneliness were independently associated with psychological well-being, whereas living alone was not. Different forms of social disconnectedness had additive and interactive effects on psychological well-being of older adults. Those who were exposed to all three forms of social disconnectedness suffered from the lowest level of psychological well-being. Moreover, the adverse effects of social disconnectedness on psychological well-being were found to be stronger for older women than for older men. The results underscore the necessity to consider multiple forms of social disconnectedness as well as their different combinations in explaining psychological well-being in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhang
- The Institute for Population and Development Studies, School of Public Policy and Administration, 162796Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
| | - Zhiyong Lin
- Department of Sociology, 12346University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Feinian Chen
- Department of Sociology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shuzhuo Li
- The Institute for Population and Development Studies, School of Public Policy and Administration, 162796Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
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Can the internet mitigate the negative effect of widowhood on Quality of Life? A gender analysis. JOURNAL OF POPULATION AGEING 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12062-022-09373-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
AbstractWidowhood often reduces the Quality of Life of individuals of advanced ages by negatively affecting their social network ties. Yet conversely, the Internet has also created new opportunities for communication and interaction, thus contributing to improved Quality of Life. This research analyses the role of the Internet in the relationship between widowhood and Quality of Life from a gender perspective.This study focuses on 31,814 individuals aged 65 or over residing in 17 European countries who participated in Wave 6 of SHARE – the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe.The linear regression analyses highlighted that the role of the Internet in the relationship between widowhood and Quality of Life varies according to gender. More specifically, in Europe, the Quality of Life for widowed women aged 65+ using the Internet is .414 higher (CI=.006 to .0822) than widows who do not use the Internet and married women or women in a de facto relationship whether or not they use the Internet. The results have relevant implications for the development of social policies and suggest a need to develop digital inclusion projects targeting older people, particularly widows, to help promote their Quality of Life.
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The mechanisms underlying the negative effect of depression on life satisfaction among the elderly: the roles of ostracism and economic income. Int Psychogeriatr 2022; 34:715-724. [PMID: 34593081 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610221001162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Depression is prevalent among older persons, which seriously threatens their life satisfaction. This study aimed to explore the internal mechanisms by which depression influences life satisfaction among the elderly, as well as the mediating and moderating effects of ostracism and economic income, respectively, in a sample of rural older adults across China. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional survey conducted as part of the project "Thousands of People and Hundreds of Villages (2019)." SETTING Participants were rural older adults from 31 provincial-level administrative units across China. PARTICIPANTS The sample composed of 1,754 participants aged 60 years and over. MEASUREMENTS Depression was assessed with the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, life satisfaction with the Satisfaction with Life Scale, ostracism with the Ostracism Experience Scale (OES), and economic income and other control variables with related demographic scales. Moderation and mediation analyses were performed using the regression-based approach as conducted by Hayes (). RESULTS Depression negatively predicted life satisfaction among the elderly. Ostracism played a partially mediating role between depression and life satisfaction. Economic income moderated the effect of depression and ostracism on life satisfaction: High economic income weakened the negative effect of depression on life satisfaction and enhanced the negative effect of ostracism on life satisfaction. CONCLUSION Improving depressed elderly people's interpersonal relationships and financial support could improve their life satisfaction.
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Geng J, Calasanti TM. Gender and the Subjective Well-Being of Older Widows and Widowers. Int J Aging Hum Dev 2022; 96:399-419. [PMID: 35469425 DOI: 10.1177/00914150221092990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Previous research on older adults who are widowed often focuses on the immediate subjective impacts of spousal loss, and how gender might influence this. Our interest here is on the factors that influence subjective well-being after a period of at least two years' post-bereavement, and how this might differ for men and women. We draw on theoretical considerations from previous research on gender and on widowhood and use two different measures-life satisfaction and happiness-to assess possible differences in this subjective outcome. We used data from the 2014 Health and Retirement Study on 692 widowed adults aged 65 and over (578 females and 114 males) and employed regression and postestimation analyses to examine whether and how gender influences their subjective well-being. Our findings show that gender did not affect overall levels of subjective well-being, regardless of measure. However, gender did influence the predictors, such as total household income, total wealth, and social support from children and friends, for life satisfaction and happiness somewhat differently. Our study highlights the importance of examining gender differences among older widows and widowers and also underlines the importance of introducing different measures of subjective well-being that might yield different yet valuable findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Geng
- Department of Sociology, 1757Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Yoon H, Park GR, Kim J. Psychosocial trajectories before and after spousal loss: Does gender matter? Soc Sci Med 2022; 294:114701. [PMID: 35007946 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Prior studies have suggested that spousal loss can have negative impacts on widowed persons' lives. However, few studies have examined whether time since spousal loss is related to changes in psychosocial outcomes and there are gender differences in psychosocial trajectories in response to spousal loss. OBJECTIVE This study examines the psychosocial trajectories (depressive symptoms and social engagement) of widowed individuals before and after spousal death. This study also investigates whether psychosocial adjustment trajectories, among individuals who experienced spousal loss, are gendered. METHODS This study uses data from 685 middle- and older-aged adults over seven waves (4284 person-observations) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing spanning 12 years between 2006 and 2018. This study estimates fixed effects models to account for observed and unobserved individual-level heterogeneity. Gender-stratified fixed effects regression models are used to investigate whether psychosocial changes associated with spousal loss differ by gender. RESULTS Psychosocial adjustment to spousal loss is strikingly gendered. Among men, depressive symptoms began to increase within the first year following spousal loss and continued through the fourth and subsequent years. In contrast, depressive symptoms among widows did not change significantly during and after bereavement. Similar patterns were found for social engagement. Among men, a decrease in frequency of social interactions and participation in social activities was found from the first year of spousal loss to the fourth and subsequent years. No such patterns were found for women. CONCLUSION Spousal loss is a life event that spurs tremendous psychosocial changes for widowed people. This study suggests that spousal loss-associated psychosocial changes occur over a long period of time and are greater in men than in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heesoo Yoon
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gum-Ryeong Park
- Department of Health, Aging & Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinho Kim
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Center for Demography of Health and Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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Expressive Flexibility and Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Social Support and Gender Differences. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19010456. [PMID: 35010716 PMCID: PMC8744810 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent research has emphasized the crucial role of expressive flexibility in mental health. This study extended prior studies by further exploring the mediating mechanism and possible gender differences underlying the association between expressive flexibility and mental health indexed by depression and life satisfaction based on the dual-factor model of mental health. Specifically, we explored whether social support mediated the association between expressive flexibility and depression as well as life satisfaction, and whether there were gender differences in these relationships. A total of 711 voluntary college students (mean age = 20.98 years, SD = 2.28; 55.70% women) completed a set of scales assessing expressive flexibility, perceived social support, depression, and life satisfaction. Results showed that expressive flexibility had a positive direct effect on life satisfaction and social support mediated this association. Social support also mediated the relationship between expressive flexibility and depression. The mediation effect of social support was robust and consistent in men and women whereas expressive flexibility had a stronger direct effect on depression in women compared to men. The present study contributes to clarifying the relationship between expressive flexibility and mental health from a more comprehensive perspective. Last, the strengths and limitations of this study were discussed.
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Life satisfaction among older adults in urban China: does gender interact with pensions, social support and self-care ability? AGEING & SOCIETY 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x20001877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
In urban China, the social welfare system and the family structure have changed dramatically, while gender norms are still deep-rooted, particularly among older adults. Under this social, demographic and cultural context, this study aims to take a gender-specific perspective to investigate whether and how gender moderates the roles of pensions, social support and self-care ability on older adults’ life satisfaction. Based on the survey data collected from 2,047 older adults aged 65 years and over in urban China in 2018, multiple linear regressions were applied to explore the moderation effects. The results show that the pension is important to older adults’ life satisfaction regardless of gender. For social support, the association between family support and life satisfaction is stronger for older men than for older women; interdependent social support, especially being a confidant, matters more to women than to men. The interaction between self-care ability and gender reveals some interesting patterns: self-care ability is found to have a positive association with women's life satisfaction but a negative association with men's. This study contributes to the existing literature by demonstrating how gender intertwines with the most important factors of older adult's life satisfaction in China – a society with strong gender norms and a patriarchal culture. These findings could be relevant to other Asian societies.
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Elmståhl S, Sanmartin Berglund J, Fagerström C, Ekström H. The Life Satisfaction Index-A (LSI-A): Normative Data for a General Swedish Population Aged 60 to 93 Years. Clin Interv Aging 2020; 15:2031-2039. [PMID: 33173284 PMCID: PMC7648516 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s275387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE OF STUDY To gain Swedish norm value for the Life Satisfaction Index-A (LSI-A) in a population 60-93+ years old stratified for sex and age and to relate these norm values with respect to number of chronic diseases and functional impairment. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study population included a random sample of 2656 men (45.7%) and 3159 (54.3%) women from the longitudinal national studies' "Good Aging in Skåne" (GÅS) and SNAC-B, both part of the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care (SNAC). Data on Neugartens Life Satisfaction Index-A (LSI-A), medical history, activities of daily life (ADL) and socio-demographics were collected through structured interviews and questionnaires. RESULTS Men scored significantly higher than women; 28.5, sd=6.9, and 27.3, sd=6.6, respectively, out of maximum 40 points. For both genders the scores decreased with age, mean score 6.0 points, lower for men and 7.1 points lower for women between 60 and 93+ years. The highest score was noted for healthy individuals where both men and women scored 29.5 points, sd=6.2. Increased number of chronic diseases and dependency in ADLs were associated with lower LS. CONCLUSION Norm values here presented may facilitate assessments and evaluation of life satisfaction in the general elder population and as reference values to clinical trials. Female sex, rising age, morbidity and impaired functional ability were all associated with impaired LS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sölve Elmståhl
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Cecilia Fagerström
- Blekinge Institute of Technology, Department of Health, Karlskrona, Sweden
- Department of Health and Caring Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Henrik Ekström
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Raza SA, Qazi W, Umer B, Khan KA. Influence of social networking sites on life satisfaction among university students: a mediating role of social benefit and social overload. HEALTH EDUCATION 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/he-07-2019-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PurposeSocial media experience a rapid rise in recent years and steep into almost every aspect of people's lives by altering their lifestyles and creating an impact on their wellbeing. The purpose of the present study is to examine the influence of SNSs on life satisfaction among university students by first exploring what are the key gratifications which motivates them to engage in SNSs and then focusing on the psychological outcomes including social overload and social benefit from using SNSs that affects life satisfaction among the university students.Design/methodology/approachTheory of social influence and uses and gratifications theory were used in this study to examine the motivations for using SNSs, and the impact of psychological outcomes associated with SNSs usage, i.e. social benefit and social overload on life satisfaction among university students of Pakistan. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling is used to analyze the data.FindingsThe outcomes indicate that the need for maintaining interpersonal interconnectivity, entertainment value and social enhancement value derives the students' participation in social networking sites through which they encounter social benefit and social overload. The presence of social benefit enhances life satisfaction while social overload results in decreasing life satisfaction of students. Using social networking sites influences life satisfaction in the presence of social overload and social benefit while there is no direct influence of social networking sites on life satisfaction was evidenced.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study investigated the needs that drive the use of social media through the lens of UGT & Social influence approach. The other potential determinants of social media usage intention should be analyzed by employing variables of the other models.In this study social media was examined as a general platform used by the university students of Pakistan. In future researches the driving needs should be examined in the context of specific social networking sites.Practical implicationsThe presented findings embraces the implications for the authorities of higher education institutions and policy makers as it provides the useful insights about student 2019s motivations and participation behavior in SNSs which would help in developing strategies for desirable results.Social implicationsEducational institutions can utilize the research findings by incorporating social media tools in the academic system, student's interaction with their mentors will lead towards enhanced involvement of students and intellectual skills along with upgraded academic performance which will positively influence life satisfaction of the students.Originality/valueThe scarcity of findings was observed in the local environment specifically in the context of SNSs usage and well-being of the higher education students. This study addresses the motivational factors of SNSs usage and their psychological outcomes simultaneously and focused on the investigation of social media usage drivers and its outcomes among the university students of Pakistan.
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Takebayashi Y, Hoshino H, Kunii Y, Niwa SI, Maeda M. Characteristics of Disaster-Related Suicide in Fukushima Prefecture After the Nuclear Accident. CRISIS 2020; 41:475-482. [PMID: 32141328 PMCID: PMC8208296 DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Abstract.Background:
Suicide is a major concern after the 2011 earthquake and
nuclear accident in Fukushima. Aims: This study
delineates characteristics of the disaster-related suicides
in Fukushima. Method: Data
provided by the Fukushima Prefectural Police and data
published by the Fukushima or Japanese Government were
analyzed. Numbers of disaster-related suicides and evacuees
were compared among the three prefectures affected. Age,
sex, occupation, and means for disaster-related suicides in
Fukushima were compared with overall suicides in Fukushima
or Japan. History of medical treatment, changes in job and
family structure after the disaster, and signs of
contemplation were examined within the disaster-related
suicides of Fukushima. Results: While
other prefectures have experienced a drop in
disaster-related suicides, Fukushima has not.
Age-standardized disaster-related suicide rates were
remarkably higher in men than in women. Moreover,
disaster-related suicide rates in Fukushima were higher in
women in their 50s and 80s as compared with overall suicide
rates in Fukushima or Japan. Limitations: No detailed comparisons were made between disaster-related and non-disaster-related suicides. Conclusion: Disaster-related suicide rates were higher in men than in women. Also, it was found that the disaster-related suicide rates of elderly women were higher compared with overall suicide rates in Japan and Fukushima. In addition, many who died by suicide showed signs of contemplation before the attempt and had started psychiatric treatment. Improvement of suicide risk assessment skills for mental health professionals and gatekeeper training among residents will be essential to prevent disaster-related suicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitake Takebayashi
- Department of Health Risk Communication, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hoshino
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yasuto Kunii
- Department of Psychiatry, Aizu Medical Center, Fukushima Medical University, Aizuwakamatsu, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Niwa
- Department of Psychiatry, Aizu Medical Center, Fukushima Medical University, Aizuwakamatsu, Japan
| | - Masaharu Maeda
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
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Bertelli-Costa T, Neri AL. Life satisfaction and participation among community-dwelling older adults: Data from the FIBRA study. J Health Psychol 2019; 26:1860-1871. [DOI: 10.1177/1359105319893020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the association between participation in four domains of physical activity, social activities, and global life satisfaction among 2344 community-dwelling older adults (72.3 ± 5.5 years; 65.6% female) in Brazil. Comparison analyses were performed on the frequencies, and statistical analysis also included univariate and hierarchical logistic regression analysis. Of all the physical activity domains analyzed, only leisure-time physical activity was found to be associated with global life satisfaction. There was also a positive association between global life satisfaction and social activity participation. We conclude that the specific domain in which activity is performed interferes with one’s perception of his or her life.
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Determinants of life satisfaction and self-perception of ageing among elderly people in China: An exploratory study in comparison between physical and social functioning. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2019; 84:103910. [DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2019.103910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Wong DFK, Ng TK, Zhuang XY. Caregiving burden and psychological distress in Chinese spousal caregivers: gender difference in the moderating role of positive aspects of caregiving. Aging Ment Health 2019; 23:976-983. [PMID: 29781713 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2018.1474447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: This study endeavors to advance the current literature by examining the gender differences in the caregiving experiences and the stress-buffering role of positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) among Chinese spousal caregivers of frail elders in Hong Kong. Method: Forty-nine husband caregivers and 121 wife caregivers of frail elders in Hong Kong (N = 170) responded to the Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC) scale, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21), and demographic questions. These spousal caregivers were diverse in age, and their care receivers were diverse in terms of age and health condition. Results: As predicted, there were significant gender differences in the moderating effects of PAC on the relationships of caregiving burden to depression, anxiety, and overall psychological distress. While PAC significantly buffered the effects of caregiving burden on depression, anxiety, and overall psychological distress for wife caregivers, the moderating effects of PAC were not significant for husband caregivers. Unexpectedly, wife caregivers reported lower PAC, higher caregiving burden, and higher psychological distress. Conclusion: As these findings suggest that PAC is lower but more beneficial for Chinese wife caregivers than Chinese husband caregivers, helping professionals are recommended to use strengths-based interventions that target PAC when working with Chinese wife caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fu Keung Wong
- a Department of Social Work and Social Administration , The University of Hong Kong , Pokfulam , Hong Kong
| | - Ting Kin Ng
- a Department of Social Work and Social Administration , The University of Hong Kong , Pokfulam , Hong Kong
| | - Xiao Yu Zhuang
- a Department of Social Work and Social Administration , The University of Hong Kong , Pokfulam , Hong Kong
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Liu BCP, Leung DSY, Warrener J. The Interaction Effect of Gender and Residential Environment, Individual Resources, and Needs Satisfaction on Quality of Life Among Older Adults in the United Kingdom. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2019; 5:2333721419878579. [PMID: 31598541 PMCID: PMC6764038 DOI: 10.1177/2333721419878579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To examine the difference in gender and its impact on selected quality-of-life (QoL) domains of Social Production Function theory among older adults in England. Method: Based on an annual national adult social care service user survey conducted in the United Kingdom in 2016. QoL was assessed by a single-item construct, and independent variables were home design, access to information and local area, self-rated health, perceived pain/discomfort, perceived anxiety/depression, activities of daily living, use and satisfaction of formal and informal care, and demographic variables. Results: A total of 28,955 respondents aged 65+ years were interviewed. Multinomial logistic regression analysis found four interaction effects for predicting a very good/good QoL: (a) Female receiving non-co-residing informal care (odds ratio [OR] = 1.501, p < .01), (b) female feeling safe (OR = 1.499, p < .01), (c) female feeling satisfied with social contact with people (OR = 1.465, p < .05), and (d) female being helped in the use of time (OR = 1.370, p < .05). Conclusion: Findings suggest gender differences in QoL as men and women are heterogeneous with different health and disease patterns, health-/help-seeking behaviors, roles and responsibilities, and levels of resilience, needs, risks, and access and control resources. Practitioners should adopt a gender-specific assessment and personalized interventions to promote gender equality, empowerment, and long-term sustainable development for an aging society.
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The Mediating Effects of Resilience, Morale, and Sense of Coherence Between Physical Activity and Perceived Physical/Mental Health Among Japanese Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Aging Phys Act 2018; 26:544-552. [PMID: 29252081 DOI: 10.1123/japa.2017-0265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the mediating effects of resilience, morale, and sense of coherence on the relationship between physical activity and respondents' perceived physical/mental health and depression among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. The study included 369 participants with an average age of 74 years from Kasuishimohara District in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. They completed a survey that included the Resilience Scale, the Sense of Coherence Scale, the Medical Outcomes Short Form 8, the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form), and a demographic questionnaire. The results of the path mediation analyses revealed that resilience and morale fully mediated the relationship between physical activity and perceived physical/mental health and depression. However, sense of coherence was not a significant mediator. Some intervention programs are suggested to maximize the effects of physical activity on one's well-being. At-risk populations who need such programs are also discussed.
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Bernfort L, Gerdle B, Husberg M, Levin LÅ. People in states worse than dead according to the EQ-5D UK value set: would they rather be dead? Qual Life Res 2018; 27:1827-1833. [PMID: 29616427 PMCID: PMC5997722 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-018-1848-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) measure health by combining length and quality of life. QALYs constitute the effect side of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, describing the results of health economic evaluations. The objectives of this study were to (1) investigate the prevalence of states worse than dead (SWD) when using the EuroQol-5D UK value set, and (2) to study to what extent SWDs are reasonable with a starting point in experience-based valuations of health states. Methods Data from a Swedish cross-sectional population survey were used. The survey was directed to 10,000 persons 65 years and older and its primary aim was to investigate the prevalence and consequences of chronic pain. The survey included questions reflecting life situation and well-being. Some of these were used in order to characterise people in SWD. Results SWD were found in 1.8% of the 6611 respondents. The prevalence of SWD increased with advancing age and was more common among women than men. The control questions used indicated that most of the persons being in SWD according to the EQ-5D UK value set most probably would not judge themselves to be in a SWD. Conclusions Though negative QALY-weights are not very common, they constitute a non-negligible part of health states in a Swedish population 65 years and older. Prevalence of SWD is higher among women than men and increases with age. From responses to other questions on well-being and life situation, there is reason to doubt the reasonableness of experience-based negative QALY-weights in many cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Bernfort
- Division of Health Care Analysis, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, 58183, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Björn Gerdle
- Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Magnus Husberg
- Division of Health Care Analysis, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, 58183, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lars-Åke Levin
- Division of Health Care Analysis, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, 58183, Linköping, Sweden
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Recksiedler C, Loter K, Klaas HS, Hollstein B, Perrig-Chiello P. Social Dimensions of Personal Growth following Widowhood: A Three-Wave Study. Gerontology 2018; 64:344-360. [PMID: 29402839 DOI: 10.1159/000485916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Losing one's spouse is one of the most stressful life events in old age, yet research on positive consequences of overcoming critical life events describes experiences of personal growth for survivors. OBJECTIVE Because prior studies conceptualized personal growth as a stable accomplishment of an individual, our study challenges this assumption by examining trajectories of personal growth and its links to two aspects of social support. We assume that personal growth is boosted by heightened levels of loss-related social support seeking during early years of widowhood. However, toward the later stages in the bereavement process, we expect personal growth to be fostered by perceived social embeddedness. DATA AND METHOD Data stem from a survey on relationships in later life conducted in 2012, 2014, and 2016 in Switzerland. The final analytical sample consisted of 508 individuals aged 50+ years, who were on average 73 years old and widowed for about 3 years at baseline. Longitudinal explorative factor analyses yielded a 3-factorial solution for personal growth. Random-effects group-specific growth curves were used to examine the trajectories of personal growth and its subdimensions, by different levels of loss-related social support seeking and embeddedness in a supportive network, over the first 8 years of widowhood. Our analyses included time-invariant and time-varying covariates. RESULTS On average, our findings point to a stable trajectory of personal growth after having become widowed in later life. Group-specific analyses, however, showed different courses in the trajectories for specific subdimensions of personal growth - particularly for spiritual change and appreciation of life. Average marginal effects also yielded group differences by loss-related support seeking in the level of personal growth over time, which highlight the importance of social support seeking, rather than social embeddedness, at all stages of the bereavement process. CONCLUSION Findings underline the importance of a longitudinal and linked-lives perspective on personal growth and point to different pathways regarding its various subdimensions. Future research should further examine the validity of personal growth scales for other populations and consider the possibility to experience personal growth already during the anticipation of a traumatic event (e.g., in the case of long-term caretaking).
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Recksiedler
- Institute of Social Sciences and NCCR LIVES, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Loter
- Institute of Sociology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Hannah S Klaas
- NCCR LIVES, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Musalek C, Kirchengast S. Grip Strength as an Indicator of Health-Related Quality of Life in Old Age-A Pilot Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14121447. [PMID: 29186762 PMCID: PMC5750866 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14121447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Over the last century life expectancy has increased dramatically nearly all over the world. This dramatic absolute and relative increase of the old aged people component of the population has influenced not only population structure but also has dramatic implications for the individuals and public health services. The aim of the present pilot study was to examine the impact of physical well-being assessed by hand grip strength and social factors estimated by social contact frequency on health-related quality of life among 22 men and 41 women ranging in age between 60 and 94 years. Physical well-being was estimated by hand grip strength, data concerning subjective wellbeing and health related quality of life were collected by personal interviews based on the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires. Number of offspring and intergenerational contacts were not related significantly to health-related quality of life, while social contacts with non-relatives and hand grip strength in contrast had a significant positive impact on health related quality of life among old aged men and women. Physical well-being and in particular muscle strength—estimated by grip strength—may increase health-related quality of life and is therefore an important source for well-being during old age. Grip strength may be used as an indicator of health-related quality of life.
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Abstract
Abstract. The present research investigates the relation between different domain satisfactions (e.g., health, income, etc.) and overall life satisfaction. Based on theorizing on the differences between positive and negative information, we assumed that specific domain satisfactions particularly are correlated with overall life satisfaction when the specific domain satisfactions (a) are low rather than high and (b) have declined rather than increased. Relying on a nationally representative sample of the German population (Socio-Economic Panel), we tested these considerations with both a cross-sectional and a longitudinal design. The findings strongly support that the more negative the domain satisfaction the more pronounced was the relation between domain and overall life satisfaction – both when negativity was assessed relative to other domains as well as when negativity was assessed relative to prior satisfaction with the same domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Engel
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim, Germany
| | - Herbert Bless
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim, Germany
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Koster N, de Maat DA, Schreur M, van Aken MAG. How borderline personality characteristics affect adolescents’ life satisfaction: The role of rejection sensitivity and social relations. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/17405629.2017.1321983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nagila Koster
- Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Donna A. de Maat
- Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marry Schreur
- Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel A. G. van Aken
- Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Lim HJ, Min DK, Thorpe L, Lee CH. Multidimensional construct of life satisfaction in older adults in Korea: a six-year follow-up study. BMC Geriatr 2016; 16:197. [PMID: 27894258 PMCID: PMC5126851 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-016-0369-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aging raises wide-ranging issues within social, economic, welfare, and health care systems. Life satisfaction (LS) is regarded as an indicator of quality of life which, in turn, is associated with mortality and morbidity in older adults. The objective of this study was to identify the relevant predictors of life satisfaction and to investigate changes in a multidimensional construct of LS over time. Methods This analysis utilized data from the large-scale, nationally representative Korean Retirement and Income Study (KReIS), a longitudinal survey conducted biennially from 2005 to 2011. Outcome measures were degree of satisfaction with health, economic status, housing, neighbor relationships, and family relationships. GEE models were used to investigate changes in satisfaction within each of the five domains. Results Of a total 3531 individuals aged 65 or older, 2083 (59%) were women, and the mean age was 72 (s.d = ±6) years. The majority had a spouse (60.8%) and lived in a rural area (58%). Analysis showed that physical and mental health were consistently and significantly associated with satisfaction in each of the domains after adjusting for potential confounders. Living in a rural area and living with a spouse were related to satisfaction with economic, housing, family relationships, and neighbor relationships compared to living in urban areas and living without a spouse; the only outcome that did not show relationship to these predictors was health satisfaction. Female and rural residents reported greater economic satisfaction compared to male and urban residents. Living in an apartment was associated with 1.32 times greater odds of economic satisfaction compared to living in a detached house (95% CI: 1.14–1.53; p < 0.0001). Economic satisfaction was also 1.62 times more likely among individuals living with a spouse compared to single households (95% CI: 1.35–1.96; p < 0.0001). Financial stress index value was found to be a significant predictor of satisfaction with family relationships. Conclusions Our study indicates that a single domain of LS or overall LS will miss many important aspects of LS as age-related LS is multi-faceted and complicated. While most studies focus on overall life satisfaction, considering life satisfaction as multidimensional is essential to gaining a complete picture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Ja Lim
- Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.
| | - Dae Kee Min
- Department of Information Statistics, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Lilian Thorpe
- Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Chel Hee Lee
- Clinical Research Support Unit, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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Rubio L, Dumitrache C, Cordon-Pozo E, Rubio-Herrera R. Coping: Impact of Gender and Stressful Life Events in Middle and in Old Age. Clin Gerontol 2016; 39:468-488. [PMID: 29471775 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2015.1132290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study seeks to identify different life events that participants considered stressful and to study the joint effect of gender, age group, and main stressful life events on the use of different coping strategies. METHODS The sample comprised 243 men and women, 55 to 99 years old, who attended senior activity centers. Analyses were conducted using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). RESULTS Three main categories of stressful life events were identified: health problems, family problems, and other problems. Significant main effects of gender and stressful life events, and marginal effects of age group on coping strategies were found. Furthermore, an interaction between gender and age group, and also between gender and stressful life events emerged in some of the coping strategies analyzed. CONCLUSIONS Age, gender or type of stressful situation impact on the coping strategies used by older people. Older men and women were found to use different strategies depending upon the situation they are facing and upon their age group. The results may prove useful to practitioners and clinicians who directly work with older people and may help clinicians provide effective coping strategies to address the specific life events that older adults find stressful.
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Spahni S, Bennett KM, Perrig-Chiello P. Psychological adaptation to spousal bereavement in old age: The role of trait resilience, marital history, and context of death. DEATH STUDIES 2016; 40:182-190. [PMID: 26745606 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2015.1109566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This research examined the effect of marital status and gender on various indicators of psychological adaptation, namely depressive symptoms, loneliness, and life satisfaction. It further explores the role of trait resilience, marital history, and context of death for predicting these outcomes in bereaved individuals. Four hundred eighty widowed individuals aged between 60 and 89 were compared with 759 married peers. Main effects were found for marital status and gender for all indicators. The regression analyses illustrate the multifaceted structure of psychological adaptation. Trait resilience is a key factor in adapting to spousal bereavement, whereas marital history and the context are secondary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Spahni
- a Department of Psychology , University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Kate M Bennett
- b Department of Psychological Sciences and School of Psychology , University of Liverpool , Liverpool , UK
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Li C, Chi I, Zhang X, Cheng Z, Zhang L, Chen G. Urban and rural factors associated with life satisfaction among older Chinese adults. Aging Ment Health 2015; 19:947-54. [PMID: 25407598 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2014.977767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study compared urban and rural factors associated with life satisfaction among older adults in mainland China. METHOD Study data were extracted at random from 10% of the Sample Survey on Aged Population in urban/rural China in 2006 for 1980 participants aged 60 and older, including 997 from urban cities and 983 from rural villages. RESULTS In this study, 54.6% of urban older adults and 44.1% of rural older adults reported satisfaction with their lives. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that financial strain, depressive symptoms, filial piety, and accessibility of health services were significantly associated with life satisfaction for both urban and rural participants, but age and financial exchange with children were only associated with life satisfaction among urban older adults. CONCLUSION Findings are consistent with some previous studies that indicated the importance of financial strain, depressive symptoms, filial piety, and accessibility of health services to life satisfaction among the older adults in both urban and rural areas. This study also demonstrated the importance of age and family financial exchange to the life satisfaction of urban older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengbo Li
- a School of Journalism and Communication , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China
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Intergenerational support and depression among Chinese older adults: do gender and widowhood make a difference? AGEING & SOCIETY 2015. [DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x15001403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACTUsing four-wave panel data of 1,327 older adults in rural China, this study examined potential gender and marital status differences in the relationships between three forms of intergenerational support (monetary, instrumental and emotional support) and the level of depression of the older adults. Results from a pooled time-series fixed-effects model showed that receiving and providing monetary support had a comparable beneficial effect on mothers and fathers, but mothers benefited more psychologically than fathers from closer relationships with their children. Exchanges in instrumental support was not related to either mothers' or fathers' level of depression. Widowhood further affected the gendered relationships between support and depression in that recently widowed fathers had a significantly higher level of depression when they received more monetary support from their children. In contrast, providing monetary support to children was associated with a significantly higher level of depression among recently widowed mothers. We explained the findings in the context of familial and gender norms in the Chinese culture and temporal needs for family support that link with bereavement coping stages among older adults. We argued that the gender and marital status patterns observed in this study are attributive to more fundamental differences in men's and women's social positions in the Chinese society.
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Yan E, Chan KL, Tiwari A. A systematic review of prevalence and risk factors for elder abuse in Asia. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2015; 16:199-219. [PMID: 25380662 DOI: 10.1177/1524838014555033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The number of older victims of domestic violence is expected to increase drastically in Asia as many countries are experiencing rapid population aging. In 2012, 11% of the population in Asia were aged 60 years and over. This is expected to rise to 24% by 2050. This article discusses the unique features of Asian cultures that are relevant to the understanding of elder abuse and summarizes the existing literature looking at the prevalence and risk factors of such abuse in Asian populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsie Yan
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Ko-Ling Chan
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Agnes Tiwari
- School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
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Abstract
ABSTRACTOver the last few decades, increasing attention has been paid to the issue of wellbeing among older people, and life satisfaction has been used as an indicator to evaluate older people's life conditions. This paper sheds some light on this topic with reference to Italy, a country characterised by an increasing ageing population. The aim is to examine life satisfaction among people aged 65 and older and its predictors. We adopt a gender approach to examine whether – as suggested by the literature – older men and women have different sources of satisfaction. We test this hypothesis in Italy, a country still characterised by an unbalanced public and private gender system. In doing this, we also control whether living arrangements – specifically living alone – influence the determinants of life satisfaction of older men and women. The data used are from the cross-sectional surveys ‘Aspects of Daily Life’, undertaken in Italy by the National Statistical Institute. The results do not show clear gender differences in the determinants of life satisfaction, with only some slight gender differences among those living alone. This suggests that the social and cultural environment may play a relevant role for older people's life satisfaction.
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Powers SM, Bisconti TL, Bergeman CS. Trajectories of social support and well-being across the first two years of widowhood. DEATH STUDIES 2014; 38:499-509. [PMID: 24845999 PMCID: PMC4160735 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2013.846436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The death of a spouse can be one of the most challenging events an older adult can face, yet many exhibit resilience. The present study examined the trajectories of structural and functional social support components, depression, and life satisfaction across the first two years of widowhood. The majority of structural and functional support trajectories exhibited stability across the first two years postloss. However, emotional support and support provided by family members did display a slight decline across time. Depression showed a linear pattern across time (e.g., decline in depressive symptomology) and life satisfaction demonstrated evidence of a one-year anniversary effect.
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Yun O, Kim M, Chung SE. The sexuality experience of older widows in Korea. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2014; 24:474-483. [PMID: 24406484 DOI: 10.1177/1049732313518978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Sexuality plays an important role in elders' lives. However, few studies exist concerning the essential meaning crucial for the overall understanding of sexuality in later life. In this study we explored the experience of what sexuality implied and meant to older widows using the descriptive phenomenological approach. Purposive sampling yielded 10 elderly women who were in sexual relationships. We collected data through in-depth interviews with participants and conducted a thematic analysis. The findings were classified into eight themes: trying to find another side of herself, starting a romantic relationship, invigorating life, displaying femininity, being concerned about the perceptions of others, enjoying sexual freedom, feeling the limit of sexual intimacy, and facing up to reality. The sexual lives of older widows entailed a process of recovering their femininity, self-achievement, and self-esteem, which helped them to live independent lives by developing more active and flexible attitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Okjong Yun
- 1International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka, Japan
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Abstract
In 2008, South Korea launched a Basic Old-Age Pension program, which provides income support for the bottom 60% of the population, and a universal Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) program. We investigate the effect of both policies on subjective well-being of the elderly. We use panel data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, with the 2006 data representing the “pretreatment” and the 2008 data the “posttreatment” situations. We use regression methods for purposes of inferring program impacts. Our findings suggest that satisfaction with economic status was slightly improved by LTCI alone, and by LTCI and basic old-age pension in combination, depending on the estimator used. We found no policy impacts on satisfaction with health conditions. The benefits provided by the two programs may be insufficient to raise well-being in the population as a whole; alternatively, the outcomes may have been measured too soon after the policies were implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Seung Lee
- Aging Studies Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Douglas A. Wolf
- Aging Studies Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
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Shen Y, Yeatts DE. Social Support and Life Satisfaction among Older Adults in China: Family-Based Support versus Community-Based Support. Int J Aging Hum Dev 2013; 77:189-209. [DOI: 10.2190/ag.77.3.b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Family-based support has been the traditional care arrangement for the elderly in China. With the maturing of its “one child per couple” policy and the changing scenarios of family structure and cultural norms, these traditional care arrangements for the Chinese elderly are becoming dismantled. Centers and associations within the community have gradually become the major infrastructures to provide old age service and support in China. This study examined the effects of family-based and community-based support on life satisfaction among older Chinese adults, using data from the pilot survey of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2008. A series of multilevel models were assessed with statistical package SAS 9.2 among 1,398 Chinese adults aged 45 or older. The results suggest that even with the inclusion of community-based support, family-based support variable, the perceived future help from family members, still significantly predicted the life satisfaction among older Chinese adults.
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An Analysis on the Correlation and Gender Difference between College Students' Internet Addiction and Mobile Phone Addiction in Taiwan. ISRN ADDICTION 2013; 2013:360607. [PMID: 25938115 PMCID: PMC4392944 DOI: 10.1155/2013/360607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study is aimed at constructing a correlative model between Internet addiction and mobile phone addiction; the aim is to analyse the correlation (if any) between the two traits and to discuss the influence confirming that the gender has difference on this fascinating topic; taking gender into account opens a new world of scientific study to us. The study collected 448 college students on an island as study subjects, with 61.2% males and 38.8% females. Moreover, this study issued Mobile Phone Addiction Scale and Internet Addiction Scale to conduct surveys on the participants and adopts the structural equation model (SEM) to process the collected data. According to the study result, (1) mobile phone addiction and Internet addiction are positively related; (2) female college students score higher than male ones in the aspect of mobile addiction. Lastly, this study proposes relevant suggestions to serve as a reference for schools, college students, and future studies based on the study results.
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Lin HW, Tung HJ. Using Changes in Life Satisfaction and Health to Predict the Survival Status Among Older Men and Women in Taiwan. J Women Aging 2013; 25:227-41. [DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2013.791600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Cheng ST, Chan TWS, Li GHK, Leung EMF. Childlessness and Subjective Well-being in Chinese Widowed Persons. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2013; 69:48-52. [PMID: 23804430 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbt049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sheung-Tak Cheng
- Correspondence should be addressed to Sheung-Tak Cheng, Department of Psychological Studies, Hong Kong Institute of Education, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong. E-mail:
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Oshio T. Gender differences in the associations of life satisfaction with family and social relations among the Japanese elderly. J Cross Cult Gerontol 2012; 27:259-74. [PMID: 22648323 DOI: 10.1007/s10823-012-9169-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in the associations of life satisfaction with family and social relations among the Japanese elderly. Ordered logit models were estimated to explain life satisfaction with a rich set of explanatory variables, using micro data of 3,277 elderly Japanese adults (1,679 men and 1,598 women) collected from the first-wave sample from the Japanese Study of Aging and Retirement (JSTAR). This study found that men are less satisfied with life when living without their spouse; women are less satisfied with life when they live and/or have close relations with their parents-in-law; coresidence with an unmarried son is negatively associated with life satisfaction for both men and women; and, a larger number of friends and social activities enhance life satisfaction for women but not for men. Men are more sensitive than women to overall family relations, while the relative importance of social relations is higher for women. These results confirmed gender differences in the associations of life satisfaction with family and social relations in Japan-a nation characterized by a gender-asymmetric society and multi-generational family settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Oshio
- Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University, 2-1 Naka, Kunitachi, Tokyo, 186-8603, Japan.
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Ng SH, Cheung CK, Chong AML, Woo J, Kwan AYH, Lai S. Aging well socially through engagement with life: adapting Rowe and Kahn's model of successful aging to Chinese cultural context. Int J Aging Hum Dev 2012; 73:313-30. [PMID: 22474914 DOI: 10.2190/ag.73.4.c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although aging well socially (engagement with life) is as important as aging well personally (illness avoidance and functioning) (Rowe & Kahn, 1998), it has received less research attention. A caring (CE) and a productive (PE) form of engagement were derived from an analysis of Chinese cultural meanings of engagement, and combined with illness avoidance and functioning to form a 4-factor model. Confirmatory factor analysis based on 2970 Hong Kong Chinese (40 to 74 years) showed a good model fit that was replicated a year later with 2120 of the original sample. Further analysis led to a more parsimonious model where illness avoidance and functioning converged into a single second-order factor whereas CE and PE remained as distinct first-order factors. The results supported the differentiation of Rowe and Kahn's engagement with life component into caring and productive engagements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sik Hung Ng
- Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, China.
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Chong AML, Cheung CK, Woo J, Kwan AYH. Availability, use, and cultivation of support networks as predictors of the well-being of middle-aged and older Chinese: a panel study. ScientificWorldJournal 2012; 2012:978036. [PMID: 22645494 PMCID: PMC3354748 DOI: 10.1100/2012/978036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 12/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the impact of the availability, use, and cultivation of a support network on the well-being of community-dwelling, middle-aged, and older Chinese. METHODS A total of 2,970 Hong Kong Chinese aged 40-74 years were interviewed using a structured questionnaire in 2004. Out of the original group of interviewees, 2,120 (71.4%) were interviewed again in 2005. RESULTS Structural equation modeling revealed a good fit of the model employing Wave 1 support network data and demographic characteristics to predict Wave 2 well-being. As hypothesized, the availability of important social ties and the cultivation of one's support networks were found to predict well-being one year later, but not the use of support networks to meet emotional, financial, or companion needs after controlling for demographic variables and baseline well-being. DISCUSSION Cultivating support networks can be interpreted as positive and active coping. Such cultivation is in line with what socioemotional selectivity theory predicts; specifically, when people age, they become more selective and concentrate on strengthening their relationship with those they are emotionally close to. We argue that network cultivation deserves more attention in theory, practice, and research to strengthen the resilience and adaptability of individuals approaching and experiencing old age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Ming Lin Chong
- Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Tatchee Avenue, Hong Kong.
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Kim EJ, Kim Y. Predictors of Successful Aging in Korean Older Women Based on Successful Aging Theory (SAT). KOREAN JOURNAL OF WOMEN HEALTH NURSING 2011; 17:378-387. [PMID: 37697542 DOI: 10.4069/kjwhn.2011.17.4.378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to explore predictors of successful aging in older Korean women based on a recent mid-range nursing theory, the Successful Aging Theory (SAT). METHODS This study utilized a descriptive correlational design. The convenience sample was composed of 174 older women living in the community. Successful aging was measured using the Successful Aging Inventory (SAI). Transcendence was measured using the Self-transcendence Scale (STS). Adaptation was measured using the Coping behavior scale. Stepwise multiple regression was used to identify significant predictors of successful aging. RESULTS Transcendence, adaptation, and religion were shown to be predictive of successful aging. This regression model explained 56% of the variance in successful aging. The factor with the highest influence was transcendence which explained 52% of the variance. CONCLUSION Gerotranscendence-promoting interventions can be an important consideration in caring for older Korean women. Adaptation and spirituality should be included in a holistic aging care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Joo Kim
- Department of Nursing, Daejeon University, Korea
| | - Younghee Kim
- Department of Nursing, Daejeon University, Korea
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Understanding ageing in sub-Saharan Africa: exploring the contributions of religious and secular social involvement to life satisfaction. AGEING & SOCIETY 2010. [DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x10001005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACTRapid urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa is believed to have weakened the traditional family ties which sustained older people in the past, but there is little empirical evidence about how older people today perceive their ageing experience in sub-Saharan Africa. The international gerontology literature demonstrates that, apart from financial wellbeing and health status, religious and secular forms of social involvement are key predictors of life satisfaction in older ages. No formal analysis, however, exists on the effects of religious and non-religious social involvement on the subjective wellbeing of older people in sub-Saharan nations. This study sought to fill this gap by examining the relationship between religious identity, religiosity, and secular social engagement using survey data from a sample of 2,524 men and women aged 50 or more years living in informal settlements of Nairobi City. We found significant differences in life satisfaction between Moslems, Catholics and non-Catholic Christians. Secular social support, personal sociability and community participation had positive effects on subjective wellbeing. In this context, we also observed that next to health status, the social involvement of older people was very important for life satisfaction.
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Thanakwang K. Social relationships influencing positive perceived health among Thai older persons: a secondary data analysis using the National Elderly Survey. Nurs Health Sci 2010; 11:144-9. [PMID: 19519700 DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-2018.2009.00438.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the associations between social relationships and positive perceived health among Thai older persons. The data were taken from the 2002 National Elderly Survey in Thailand. The sample of this study included 24 664 elders aged > or = 60 years. Multiple logistic regression models were employed in this secondary analysis of the national database. The findings revealed that friendship networks, informational and emotional support, and social engagements are positively associated with good perceived health. In addition, for individual pathways, the more that elders engage with regular exercise, prepare for healthy aging, and enjoy psychological well-being, the better they perceive their health to be. There was strong evidence that friendship interactions, social support, and healthy behaviors have a significant association with perceived good health. Health-care professionals should target the promotion of friendship networks, social support, and health-promoting behaviors, especially focusing on the oldest old, uneducated, poor, and elders with a disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kattika Thanakwang
- Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
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Waddell EL, Jacobs-Lawson JM. Predicting Positive Well-Being in Older Men and Women. Int J Aging Hum Dev 2010; 70:181-97. [DOI: 10.2190/ag.70.3.a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of background, psychological, and social variables on older adults' well-being, and how this may differ for men and women. Participants included 800 adults from the 2002 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), aged 60 to 101 years old ( M = 71.22, SD = 8.46), who completed the optional positive well-being module. Gender-based regression models revealed that for men, marital status, self-rated health, and depression were significant predictors and accounted for 32% of the variability in positive well-being. Similar to men, self-rated health and depression were significant predictors of well-being for women. Additional significant predictors for women included age, the importance of religion, and volunteer work. Combined, these variables explained 35% of the variance in women's positive well-being. These results can help us understand which variables are important to target when developing interventions to improve the well-being of older men and women.
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Cheng ST, Siankam B. The impacts of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and socioeconomic development on the living arrangements of older persons in sub-Saharan Africa: a country-level analysis. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2009; 44:136-147. [PMID: 19543825 DOI: 10.1007/s10464-009-9243-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates whether socioeconomic development and the HIV/AIDS pandemic are associated with living arrangement patterns in older persons in 23 sub-Saharan African countries. Country-level aggregate data were taken from previous household surveys and information provided by the United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization. Results showed that 13.5% of older persons (aged 60 years or over) were living with grandchildren but not adult children (i.e., skipped generation households). Countries higher in HIV/AIDS prevalence had more skipped generation households, and also more older persons living with spouse only and fewer older persons living with other relatives. Countries with higher socioeconomic development had fewer older persons living with children younger than 25 years old and more living with spouse only or with other relatives and unrelated persons. The pandemic and socioeconomic development combine to accelerate the breakdown of the extended family structure so that older persons are less and less likely to reside with, and to receive support from, their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheung-Tak Cheng
- Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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Hsu HC. Physical function trajectories, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction among the elderly in Taiwan. Aging Ment Health 2009; 13:202-12. [PMID: 19347687 DOI: 10.1080/13607860802342201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of physical function trajectories on emotional health and subjective well-being among the elderly in Taiwan. METHODS Data was from a 6-year nation-representative panel for analysis. Physical function trajectories were categorized as independent, declined, disabled, improved, fluctuating, died well and died disabled. The effects of physical function trajectories on depressive symptoms and life satisfaction were examined by controlling for demographics, chronic disease, cognitive function and social support. Mixed linear modeling was used for analysis. RESULTS Among the physical trajectory groups, differences were shown between depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. An increase in the difficulty of physical function also increases depressive symptoms and reduces life satisfaction. The died-well group showed a difference from the independent group in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction, but these who died without disability did have better emotional health and subjective well-being than the disabled survivors. CONCLUSION Coping strategies and supporting resources to help the disabled elderly to improve their successful aging is suggested in future research and health policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Chuan Hsu
- Department of Health Care Administration, Asia University, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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Berg AI, Hoffman L, Hassing LB, McClearn GE, Johansson B. What matters, and what matters most, for change in life satisfaction in the oldest-old? A study over 6 years among individuals 80+. Aging Ment Health 2009; 13:191-201. [PMID: 19347686 DOI: 10.1080/13607860802342227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study investigates whether markers of life satisfaction identified in a cross-sectional study-quality of social network, self-rated health, depressive symptoms, locus of control and widowhood, in addition to financial satisfaction and the personality traits of extraversion and neuroticism-predict change in life satisfaction (LSI-Z) across four measurement occasions during a 6-year period in individuals aged 80+. METHOD Data were drawn from the Swedish OCTO-Twin-study of individuals aged 80 and older. RESULTS Growth curve analysis showed a relatively consistent significant linear decline in life satisfaction, but certain markers predicted change in life satisfaction. The loss of spouse, in particular in men, and higher levels of depressive symptoms were related to lower levels of life satisfaction over time. CONCLUSION The results from the study question the notion of a life-long stability of life satisfaction.
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Kirchengast S, Haslinger B. Gender differences in health-related quality of life among healthy aged and old-aged Austrians: cross-sectional analysis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 5:270-8. [PMID: 18727993 DOI: 10.1016/j.genm.2008.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/07/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although they experience lower mortality rates and lower rates of several chronic diseases than do their male counterparts, aging women are more likely to experience functional impairment in mobility and a general diminished health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The determinants of these gender differences have been the subject of controversy. OBJECTIVE This study analyzed gender differences in HRQoL in relation to social and biomedical factors such as age, marital status, educational level, and living arrangements. METHODS Participants were recruited via snowball sampling. All were healthy and lived independently in private homes. Data were obtained from personal interviews, based on a 30-item questionnaire, in the private homes of the participants. Additionally, HRQoL was assessed by means of the abbreviated version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) 26-item questionnaire, which contains 1 general health item, 1 general QoL item, and 24 specific items covering 4 broad domains: physical (DOM I), psychological (DOM II), social (DOM III), and environmental (DOM IV). RESULTS The participants (98 women, 62 men) enrolled in the study ranged in age from 57 to 95 years (mean [SD] age: 71.8 [8.6] years). The younger age group (aged 57-70 years) comprised 54 women and 25 men, and the older age group (aged >70 years) comprised 44 women and 37 men. Women aged < or =70 years rated their health and QoL significantly higher than did men in the same age group (P = 0.02). These women rated physical capacity (DOM I), social relationships (DOM III), and environment (DOM IV) higher, but not statistically significantly different, than did same-aged men. Women and men exhibited nearly identical psychological health (DOM II) values. Physical capacity (DOM I) differed significantly between women and men aged >70 years (P = 0.03). Women aged >70 years rated their QoL lower than their male counterparts did, although not significantly so. These women depended more on medical treatment, felt significantly less safe in everyday life (P = 0.03), and were less satisfied with themselves. The results of the multiple regression analyses suggest that gender may have a significant impact on general QoL for both age groups (P < 0.01 for the younger age group; P > 0.04 for the older age group). In these analyses, gender also had a significant impact on 2 domains, physical capacity and social relationships (P < 0.02 for both domains), among the participants of the younger age group. CONCLUSION Depending on the age group (< or =70 vs >70 years) in this small sample of Austrian women and men, gender influenced HRQoL.
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the factors that affect an individual's happiness while transitioning into retirement. Recent studies have found that workers often view the idea of gradual retirement as a more attractive alternative than a “cold turkey” or abrupt retirement. However, there is very little evidence as to whether phasing or cold turkey makes for a happier retirement. Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study, the authors explored what shapes the change in happiness between the last wave of full employment and the first wave of full retirement. The results suggest that what matters is not the type of transition (gradual retirement or cold turkey) but whether people perceive the transition as chosen or forced.
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