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Rai R, Jongenelis M, Pettigrew S, Jackson B, Newton RU. Identifying modifiable factors associated with health optimism in older adults. Aging Ment Health 2019; 23:376-384. [PMID: 29271666 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1416589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite the documented importance of health optimism for enhancing health outcomes, very little work has been done to examine who experiences health optimism and under what conditions. The present study sought to identify modifiable factors associated with health optimism that could constitute the focus of future intervention efforts designed to promote health optimism among older people. DESIGN Participants were 453 (44% males) community-based Western Australians aged 60+ years (M = 70.39 years, SD = 6.06). Participants completed questionnaires to assess sociodemographic characteristics and provided information relating to physical and psychological health status. RESULTS Almost a quarter of participants (24%; n = 108) were classified as health optimists. Results from a multivariate regression analysis found quality of life, psychological well-being, and age to be directly and positively associated with health optimism. A subsequent path analytic model found depression (negatively) and self-efficacy (positively) to be indirectly associated with health optimism via both psychological well-being and quality of life. CONCLUSION These findings extend the limited evidence on health optimism in older adults by identifying various modifiable factors that may constitute potential areas of focus for future interventions designed to enhance health outcomes via the fostering of health optimism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajni Rai
- a School of Psychology , Curtin University , Bentley , Australia
| | | | - Simone Pettigrew
- a School of Psychology , Curtin University , Bentley , Australia
| | - Ben Jackson
- b School of Human Sciences , The University of Western Australia , Perth , Australia
| | - Robert U Newton
- c School of Medical and Health Sciences , Edith Cowan University , Joondalup , Australia
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Meek KP, Bergeron CD, Towne SD, Ahn S, Ory MG, Smith ML. Restricted Social Engagement among Adults Living with Chronic Conditions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E158. [PMID: 29351193 PMCID: PMC5800257 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Background: Social engagement is key to health and quality of life. Little is known about social engagement patterns of middle-aged and older adults who live with one or more chronic illnesses. This study investigated social engagement restrictions among middle-aged and older adults with chronic conditions and factors associated with these restrictions. Methods: Cross-sectional representative data from the National Council on Aging Chronic Care Survey were examined for relationships between social engagement restrictions and chronic conditions, health status, support, quality of life implications, self-care barriers, caregiving, and demographics. Associations were tested using bivariate analyses and binary logistic regression. Results: Participants were 793 middle-aged (age 44-64) and older adults (age 65+) with one or more chronic conditions. Factors associated with social engagement restrictions included having higher education, receiving care, having more physician visits and hospitalizations, being disabled, being unemployed, and having higher Emotional and Physical Problems Scale scores. Conclusions: Findings reveal the prevalence of social engagement restrictions among middle-aged and older adults with chronic conditions. Results highlight the importance of promoting research, assessments, and interventions to increase social engagement among this aging population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla P Meek
- College of Public Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Caroline D Bergeron
- Bexar County Community Health Collaborative, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA.
- Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Samuel D Towne
- Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
- School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
- Southwest Rural Health Research Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - SangNam Ahn
- Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
- School of Public Health, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA.
| | - Marcia G Ory
- Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
- School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Matthew Lee Smith
- College of Public Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
- Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
- School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Filippi MK, Pacheco J, James AS, Brown T, Ndikum-Moffor F, Choi WS, Greiner KA, Daley CM. American Indian Men's Perceptions of Breast Cancer Screening for American Indian Women. JOURNAL OF HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2014; 7:25-34. [PMID: 25995972 PMCID: PMC4435610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Screening, especially screening mammography, is vital for decreasing breast cancer incidence and mortality. Screening rates in American Indian women are low compared to other racial/ethnic groups. In addition, American Indian women are diagnosed at more advanced stages and have lower 5-year survival rate than others. To better address the screening rates of American Indian women, focus groups (N=8) were conducted with American Indian men (N=42) to explore their perceptions of breast cancer screening for American Indian women. Our intent was to understand men's support level toward screening. Using a community-based participatory approach, focus groups were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a text analysis approach developed by our team. Topics discussed included breast cancer and screening knowledge, barriers to screening, and suggestions to improve screening rates. These findings can guide strategies to improve knowledge and awareness, communication among families and health care providers, and screening rates in American Indian communities.
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Evers KE, Castle PH, Fernandez AC, Prochaska JO, Prochaska JM, Paiva AL. The Functional Well-Being Scale: a measure of functioning loss due to well-being-related barriers. J Health Psychol 2013; 20:113-20. [PMID: 24058103 DOI: 10.1177/1359105313500094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to develop the Pro-Change Functional Well-Being Scale, a measure that provides an informative evaluation of general functioning loss due to well-being-related barriers. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses on data from 642 individuals supported a one-factor solution with good model fit. A strong positive correlation existed between the Pro-Change Functional Well-Being Scale and Well-Being Assessment for Productivity. Initial construct validity was demonstrated by predictable relationships between functioning loss and other measures of health and well-being. This initial psychometric evidence suggests that the Pro-Change Functional Well-Being Scale is a reliable and valid assessment of functioning loss due to common well-being-related barriers.
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Ruthig JC, Hanson BL, Pedersen H, Weber A, Chipperfield JG. Later life health optimism, pessimism and realism: psychosocial contributors and health correlates. Psychol Health 2011; 26:835-53. [PMID: 21432733 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2010.506574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Prior research has established positive outcomes of health optimism (appraising one's health as good despite poor objective health (OH)) and negative outcomes of health pessimism (appraising health as poor despite good OH), yet little is known about their contributors. We examined the role of psychosocial factors (life event stress, depression, dispositional optimism, perceived social support) in health realism (appraising health in accordance with OH), optimism and pessimism among 489 older men and women. We then accounted for the psychosocial factors when examining multiple health correlates of health realism, optimism and pessimism. Controlling for age, gender and income, regression results indicate that depression and social support were associated with less health optimism, while dispositional optimism was associated with greater health optimism among those in poor OH. Dispositional optimism was associated with less health pessimism and life event stress was associated with greater pessimism among those in good OH. Beyond the effects of the psychosocial factors, structural equation model results indicate that health optimism was positively associated with healthy behaviours and perceived control over one's health; health pessimism was associated with poorer perceived health care management. Health optimism and pessimism have different psychosocial contributors and health correlates, validating the health congruence approach to later life well-being, health and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelle C Ruthig
- Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, 319 Harvard Street, Stop 8380, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA.
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