The Association Between Lifestyle Factors and COVID-19 Among Older Adults in Southern California: The Loma Linda Longevity Study

Amid a global aging trend, particularly notable in the U.S., there is a growing focus on achieving enhanced longevity and well-being. We evaluated the association between lifestyle factors (sleep, diet, and healthy lifestyle index) and COVID-19 infection in an older adult population in San Bernardino and Riverside counties in Southern California, the United States. A sample of 380 older adults ≥75 years old were surveyed cross-sectionally and self-reported lifestyle behaviors and COVID-19 infection. The results revealed that half the participants reported COVID-19 infection. Participants who slept less than 7 hours or more than 8 hours/night had higher odds of COVID-19 infection than those who slept 7-8 hours/night (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.55). Healthy lifestyle behaviors were significantly associated with reduced COVID-19 infection (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.92). In conclusion, adequate sleep and healthy lifestyle behaviors may be protective against COVID-19 infection among older adults and should be investigated further.

Cohort Differences in Depressive Symptoms and Life Satisfaction in 75- and 80-Year-Olds: A Comparison of Two Cohorts 28 Years Apart

Objectives: To examine birth cohort differences in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction in older men and women and the mechanisms underpinning the possible cohort differences. Methods: Two independent cohorts of Finnish men and women aged 75 and 80 were assessed in 1989-1990 (n = 617) and 2017-2018 (n = 794). They reported their depressive symptoms (CES-D), current life satisfaction, and evaluation of life until now. Results: The later-born cohort reported fewer depressive symptoms (8.6 ± 7.1 vs. 13.9 ± 8.3) and the differences were similar for the subdomains of depressive symptoms. The later-born cohort was more often mostly satisfied with life until now (90 vs. 70%) but not with the current life than the earlier-born cohort. Better self-rated health and education of the later-born cohort partly explain the cohort differences. Discussion: Older people in Finland report fewer depressive symptoms and they are more satisfied with their past life compared to their counterparts assessed 28 years ago.

The structure of mental well-being and its relationship with generativity in middle adulthood and the beginning of late adulthood

Previous studies have linked higher generativity with better mental well-being. However, most of these studies investigated the predictive role of generativity in well-being, while the converse relation, that is, how mental well-being contributes to generativity, has been ignored. This study first investigated the structure and stability of multidimensional mental well-being, that is, emotional (including happiness, life satisfaction, and positive and negative mood), psychological, and social well-being and the absence of depressive feelings, from age 42 to 61. Second, longitudinal associations between mental well-being and generativity were examined. The data ( n = 301) utilized in this study were drawn from the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development and were collected using self-report questionnaires and psychological interviews at the ages of 42, 50, and 61. Using structural equation modeling, the multidimensional structure of mental well-being showed partial strong factorial invariance and high stability from age 42 to 61. The associations between mental well-being (both the multidimensional factor and the single indicators) and generativity were tested using the random intercept cross-lagged panel model. Stable, trait-like associations were found between multidimensional, emotional, and psychological well-being and generativity. The longitudinal results showed that social well-being at age 42 predicted generativity at age 50. To conclude, multidimensional mental well-being seemed to remain stable from middle adulthood to the beginning of late adulthood. Furthermore, mental well-being and generativity may be linked at both the between- and within-person levels. In particular, social well-being appeared to be a resource through which individuals could increase their generativity.

Profiles of Mental Well- and Ill-Being Among Elite Athletes: Associations With Sport-Related Demands and Resources

The aim of the present study was to identify profiles of elite athlete mental well- and ill-being and study how the profiles (i.e., subgroups of athletes) differed in sport-related demands and resources. A total of 259 Finnish elite athletes (n = 170 active and n = 89 retired) completed quantitative self-report inventories. Through cluster analysis, four profiles of mental well- and ill-being were identified. Profile 1 was overrepresented by retired, older, and male athletes, and characterized by good mental well-being. Profile 2 consisted mainly of active athletes who reported mild risk for alcohol abuse. Profile 3 consisted mainly of women who displayed possible presence of an eating disorder. Profile 4 was typical of young athletes with mental ill-being. The balance between sport-related demands and resources appeared to be the healthiest in Profile 1 and worst in Profile 4. The present findings are beneficial for those who work with and/or provide psychological support to athletes.

Association between successful aging transitions and depressive symptoms among older Korean adults: findings from the Korean longitudinal study of aging (2006-2018)

Background

The importance of SA (Successful aging) has been emphasized in recent years, with focus shifting towards attaining healthier aging rather than longevity. However, the influence of SA and its changes on mental health such as depression remains a relatively unexplored area in gerontology. Therefore, we investigated the longitudinal association between changes in SA and depressive symptoms in Korean older adults.

Methods

This study comprised a longitudinal sample of older adults aged ≥ 45 years, drawn from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006–2018). Changes in SA status was determined using the Rowe and Kahn model over two consecutive years. Using an adjusted generalized estimating equation model, we examined the association between changes in successful aging status, namely SA and NSA (Non-successful aging), and depressive symptoms.

Results

Compared to the SA→SA group, depressive symptom risk in the NSA→NSA and SA→NSA groups were higher in men [(OR, 1.16; 95 % CI, 1.13–1.18), (OR, 1.11; 95 % CI, 1.08–1.13), respectively] and in women [(OR, 1.15; 95 % CI, 1.13–1.18), (OR, 1.11; 95 % CI, 1.09–1.14), respectively]. Subgroup analysis of the dimensions of successful aging revealed that low or worsening criteria of successful aging status in men and women were associated with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Korean older adults who continuously failed to attain or maintain successful aging status had the highest risk of depressive symptoms. These results could further assist in establishing policies and interventions that promote successful aging and subsequently protect the mental health of the Korean older adult population.

The role of physical activity in the link between menopausal status and mental well-being

Objective:

To examine the relationship between menopausal status and mental well-being, and whether this relationship varies as a function of physical activity (PA).

Methods:

Based on a hormonal analysis and bleeding diary, women aged 47 to 55 were categorized as pre (n = 304), early peri (n = 198), late peri (n = 209), or postmenopausal (n = 387). Mental well-being was assessed using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. PA was self-reported and categorized as low, medium, and high. Associations between variables were analyzed using multivariate linear regression adjusted for age, marital and employment status, parity, self-reported mental disorder, use of psycholeptics and psychoanaleptics, and menopausal symptoms.

Results:

Depressive symptoms were lower amongst the pre than postmenopausal women (B = 0.07, confidence interval 0.01-0.13). Menopausal symptoms attenuated these associations. Menopausal status showed no associations with life satisfaction, or with positive or negative affectivity.

Women with high PA scored higher on positive affectivity, and the pre, early peri, and postmenopausal women scored higher on life satisfaction (B = 0.79, P < 0.001; B = 0.63, P = 0.009; B = 0.42, P = 0.009, respectively) and scored lower on depressive symptoms (B = −0.13, P = 0.039; B = −0.18, P = 0.034; and B = −0.20, P < 0.001, respectively) than their low PA counterparts. The pre and postmenopausal women with medium PA scored higher on life satisfaction (B = 0.54, P = 0.001; B = 0.038, P = 0.004, respectively) than those with low PA.

Conclusions:

Postmenopausal women reported marginally higher depressive symptoms scores compared with premenopausal women, but menopause was not associated with positive mental well-being. However, this association varies with the level of PA.

Video Summary:

Successful Aging and Mortality Risk: The Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2014)

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to examine the association of successful aging with mortality and further find gender differences in the effect of components of successful aging on mortality risks.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 3848 adults aged 65 and older from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2014) data.

MEASURES

Successful aging was defined as success in the following 7 components: absence of major disease, no depression, no freedom from disability, high cognitive and physical function, active social engagement, and satisfaction with life. All-cause mortality was measured by death certificate and family interview.

RESULTS

In both genders, the mortality rate was higher in the older adults who did not achieve successful aging than in their counterparts (men: hazard ratio [HR] = 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-2.43; and women: HR = 2.37, 95% CI 1.21-4.63). All components of no successful aging were associated with an increased risk of mortality except for no satisfaction with life in females. Mortality rates were predominant in major disease (HR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.54-2.25) and depressive symptoms (HR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.26-2.10) in males, and disability (HR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.68-2.57) and low physical functioning (HR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.79-2.98) were predominant in females.

CONCLUSION/IMPLICATION

We found that older Koreans who did not achieve successful aging had a higher risk of all-cause mortality than successful agers. There were gender differences in mortality risks across all components of successful aging.