Relationship between financial well-being, life satisfaction, and cognitive function among low-income community-dwelling older adults: the moderating role of sex

What drives low-income older adults' intention to use mobility applications?

AIM

Mobility applications have the potential to support low-income older adults in facing mobility challenges. However, there is a generally lower uptake of technology in this segment. To understand factors affecting the intention to use a mobility app, we drew upon the Protection Motivation Theory, and tested a model of low-income older adults' technology adoption.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted across seven states in Malaysia among community-dwelling low-income older adults aged ≥60 years old (n = 282). Measurement items were adapted from pre-validated scales and 7-point Likert Scales were used. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was utilized to assess the hypothesized model.

RESULTS

Mobility technology awareness was found to shape an individual's threat and coping appraisals associated with their intention to use a mobility app. The decision of a low-income older adult to adopt a mobility app as a protective action is not a direct function of threat and coping appraisals but is indirect, and mediated by the underlying cost-benefit perceptions of non-adoption and adoption of the mobility app. In terms of technology perceptions, perceived usefulness is a significant predictor, but not perceived ease of use.

CONCLUSIONS

This study entails a new model by uncovering the psychological factors encompassing mobility technology awareness, threat-coping appraisals, and cost-benefit perceptions on Technology Acceptance Model studies. These insights have important implications for the development and implementation of a mobility app among low-income older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 342-350.

Subjective well-being patterns in older men and women without someone to confide in: a latent class analysis approach

Objective

This study aimed to identify the latent subtypes of subjective well-being (SWB) and associated factors in older adults without a confidant in China.

Methods

The data came from the most recent (seventh) wave (2018) of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). This cross-sectional study included 350 older adults who lacked a close confidant. We utilized latent class analysis and multiple logistic regression models to examine the latent SWB subtypes and associated factors.

Results

Three distinct patterns of SWB were identified: the very low SWB class (32%), the medium-low SWB class (46%), and the low evaluative and high affective SWB class (22%). The results indicated that compared to the low evaluative and high affective SWB class, respondents who self-rated their health as not good, currently drank alcohol and rated their financial status as poor/very poor were more likely to be in the very low SWB class, while those who participated in social activities were less likely to be in the very low SWB class. Respondents who had limitations in instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) and rated their financial status as poor/very poor were more likely to be in the medium-low SWB class. However, gender did not affect SWB patterns.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight awareness of the heterogeneity of SWB in older adults without close confidants and provide valuable information for the development of tailored intervention programs to improve their well-being.

Profiles of older adults according to their life and food-related life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic: the importance of the social environment

Introduction

Older adults are a highly heterogeneous population, as individuals of the same age can show considerable variations in personal characteristics and living conditions. Risk and protective factors for older adults' subjective wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic can be explored by examining how life satisfaction, food-related life satisfaction, and associated variables coexist among these individuals. On this basis, this study aimed to identify older adult profiles based on their levels of life and food-related life satisfaction; to characterize these profiles by diet quality, social support, financial wellbeing, and sociodemographic characteristics; and to identify variables associated with higher life and food-related life satisfaction.

Methods

The sample included 1,371 institutionalized and non-institutionalized individuals over the age of 60, from four cities in Chile. Participants answered a survey, either online or face to face, with questions about life and food-related life satisfaction, perceived social support from family, friends, and others, food quality, financial wellbeing/distress, sociodemographic characteristics, and prior COVID-19 infection.

Results

Using a latent profile analysis, we identified three profiles of older adults: Profile 1: Unsatisfied with their life, somewhat satisfied with their food-related life (5.40%); Profile 2: Somewhat satisfied with their life, satisfied with their food-related life (65.06%); Profile 3: Extremely satisfied with their life and food-related life (29.54%). Profiles differed by residence (institutionalized vs. independent), age, marital status, social support, financial wellbeing, COVID-19 infection, and city of residence.

Discussion

The patterns of association between life and food-related satisfaction and related variables indicate conditions of vulnerability and protection related to living conditions, the social dimensions of food consumption, and social support. These results underscore the need for identifying groups of older adults based on diverse characteristics and conditions outside of chronological age.

Association between self-reported oral health and cognitive function among the community-dwelling elderly in Jinan, China: the mediating effect of life satisfaction

Background

Deterioration of self-reported oral health and decline in cognitive function are two main adverse health outcomes experienced by the older adults. Little evidence was found on the psychosocial mechanism between self-reported oral health and cognitive function. This study explores the association between self-reported oral health and cognitive function and examines the mediating effect of life satisfaction among the community-dwelling elderly in Jinan, China.

Methods

A total of 512 older individuals (60+) were included in the study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination scale (MMSE), and self-reported oral health was measured using the Chinese version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between self-reported oral health, life satisfaction, and cognitive function. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the possible effect of covariates. Structural equation modelling and Bootstrap analyses were conducted to verify the mediating role of life satisfaction.

Results

The mean MMSE score was 25.65 ± 4.42. Better self-reported oral health was significantly associated with a higher level of life satisfaction, and those with higher life satisfaction experienced better cognitive function. Age, educational level and source of living expenses were found to be cofounding variables. Life satisfaction partially mediated the effect of self-reported oral health on cognitive function (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.010 to 0.075). The mediating effect of life satisfaction accounted for 24% of the total effect.

Conclusion

The level of cognitive function was relatively high. Self-reported oral health was positively associated with cognitive function, and the mediating effect of life satisfaction was proven to exist in the community-dwelling older individuals. Early screening for oral diseases and a greater focus on life satisfaction are recommended.

The Moderating Roles of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Religiosity on the Relationship between Social Networks and Flourishing: A Study on Community-Dwelling Widowed Older Adults in Malaysia

Widowhood affects the social networks and well-being of older adults. Religion might moderate the relationship between a stressor and well-being. This study aimed to identify the moderating roles of intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity on the relationship between social networks and flourishing among widowed older people and whether this relationship varied across gender. This study involved 655 community-dwelling widowed older Malaysians from Wave 1 (2012-2013) of "Identifying Psychosocial Risks and Quantifying the Economic Costs of Age-Related Cognitive Decline among Older Malaysians" in Peninsula Malaysia. The moderated hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the moderating roles of religiosity. Results showed that the moderating effect of religiosity on the relationship between social networks and flourishing was only observed for extrinsic religiosity, not intrinsic religiosity. In terms of gender differences, extrinsic religiosity moderated the relationship between social networks, flourishing only among widows but not widowers. Widows with low levels of extrinsic religiosity should join activities or programs that could expand their social networks to promote higher well-being despite widowhood.

The Individual and Combined Effects of Social Networks and Loneliness on Life Satisfaction among Community-Dwelling Residing Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study

Social networks and loneliness are correlates of life satisfaction in old age. However, the evidence of the combined effects of social isolation and loneliness on life satisfaction is lacking; therefore, this study also aimed to investigate the combined effects of social networks and loneliness on life satisfaction in Malaysian older adults. Data from two waves of the "Neuroprotective Model for Healthy Longevity among Malaysian Older Adults" study were extracted. The first wave of data collection was completed in February 2013, while the second wave was conducted three years after the first wave. The main statistical analysis used was multivariable logistic regression. For individual effect, social networks (B = 0.375, p = 0.007), but not loneliness (B = -0.178, p = 0.368) significantly determined life satisfaction. Increasing social network size causes increasing life satisfaction. For combined effects, those in "the lone farmers" group (B = 0.279, p = 0.044) and "the majority" group (B = -0.413, p = 0.004) were linked to life satisfaction. Social engagement in older people is important for wellbeing in later life. Therefore, community programs and investing in a quality relationship should be encouraged to obtain adequate support and ultimately promote higher life satisfaction.

Multidimensional Assessment of Subjective Well-Being and Risk of Dementia: Findings from the UK Biobank Study

This study aimed to examine the associations between subjective well-being (SWB) and risk of all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VD). We adopted a multidimensional approach to SWB that included the level and breadth of SWB, the latter indicating the extent to which SWB spreads across life domains. Participants (N=171,197; mean age=56.78; SD=8.16 years) were part of the UK Biobank and were followed up to 8.78 years. Domain-general and domain-specific SWB were measured by single items, and the breadth of SWB was indexed with a cumulative score of satisfaction across domains. Dementia incidence was ascertained through hospital and death records. Cox regression was used to examine the association between SWB indicators and risk of all-cause dementia, AD, and VD. General happiness, health and family satisfaction, and satisfaction breadth (satisfaction in multiple domains) were associated with lower risk of all-cause dementia. The associations held after accounting for socio-demographics, health, behavioral, and economic covariates, and depressive symptoms. Health satisfaction and the breadth of satisfaction were also associated with lower risk of AD and VD, with a pattern of slightly stronger associations for VD compared to AD. Some life domains (e.g., health) may be more fruitfully targeted to promote well-being and help protect against dementia, but it is also important to enhance well-being across multiple domains to maximize the protective effects.

Life Satisfaction Prevents Decline in Working Memory, Spatial Cognition, and Processing Speed: Latent Change Score Analyses Across 23 Years

Background

Within-person growth in life satisfaction (LS) can protect against declines in cognitive functioning, and, conversely, over time. However, most studies have been cross-sectional, thereby precluding causal inferences. Thus, we used bivariate dual latent change score modeling to test within-person change-to-future change relations between LS and cognition.

Method

Community adults completed in-person tests of verbal working memory (WM), processing speed, spatial cognition, and an LS self-report. Five waves of assessment occurred across 23 years.

Results

Reduction in LS predicted future decreases in spatial cognition, processing speed, and verbal WM (|d | = 0.150–0.354). Additionally, depletion in processing speed and verbal WM predicted a future decrease in LS (d  = 0.142–0.269). However, change in spatial cognition did not predict change in LS (|d | = 0.085).

Discussion

LS and verbal WM and processing speed predicted one another across long durations. Evidence-based therapies can be augmented to target LS and cognition.