Older Adults' Gender, Age and Physical Activity Effects on Anxiety, Optimism, Resilience and Engagement

Aging well in an aging society: physical health in older lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults

Introduction

Older sexual minority people meet a double stigma in our society related to their sexual identity and chronological age. The present study explores how experiences of discrimination and prejudice, coming out, and personal resiliency influence physical health of older lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults.

Methods

Respondents were recruited through online advertisements and an online-based survey. The sample included 82 Italian cisgender LGB adults over 65 years: young older adults (65-70 years; 78%) and old-old adults (over 71 years; 22%). Regarding sexual orientation, the sample was composed of sexual minority women (n = 30; 37%) and sexual minority men (n = 52; 63%).

Results

ANOVAs' findings showed that sexual minority women described lower levels of physical health compared to sexual minority men. At the same time, old-old adults reported higher experiences of discrimination and prejudice compared to young older adults. Moreover, findings from hierarchical multiple regression analysis described that coming out, higher levels of personal resiliency, and fewer experiences of discrimination were predictors of physical health, regardless of age and sexual minority categories.

Conclusion

These findings seem to align with previous studies that underline the relevance of investigating aging well in sexual minority people. Knowledge and awareness of LGBTQ+ issues are necessary for recognizing the unique needs and resources of older LGB people for promoting a healthy aging process.

Physical Activity and Psychological Resilience in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Older adults face numerous unfavorable functional changes caused by aging, but many exhibit resilience, which helps them cope with challenges. Physical activity is positively associated with resilience. Therefore, this systematic literature review aimed to uncover the relationships between physical activity and resilience in older adults. We have analyzed three freely and openly available databases: (a) PubMed/Medline, (b) ScienceDirect, and (c) Google Scholar, which yielded 20 eligible articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most studies (14) were cross-sectional, three were longitudinal, and three others used mindfulness-based or endurance-enhancing physical activity interventions. Their results revealed increased resilience even after short-duration and low-frequency interventions. Cross-sectional research results also support the positive relationship between physical activity and resilience in older adults, suggesting that the relationship might depend on exercise volume. Still, further research is needed to design interventions, understand the mechanism(s) involved in altering resilience, and maximize physical activity's benefits in aging people.

Anxiety and depression among women with newly diagnosed vulvar cancer - A nationwide longitudinal study

INTRODUCTION

Our objective was to investigate the trajectories of anxiety, depression, emotional and social functioning in women with newly diagnosed vulvar cancer from the time of diagnosis to 12 months after treatment. A further aim was to identify risk factors for high levels of anxiety.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

PROVE (PROspective Vulvar Cancer Evaluation) is a nationwide longitudinal cohort study investigating quality of life in women with newly diagnosed vulvar cancer by the following validated patient-reported outcome measures at diagnosis, and 3 and 12 months after treatment: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30, and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Vulvar module VU34. Mean scores, changes over time and associations were analyzed by generalized estimated equations and log-linear regression models, adjusted for possible confounders.

RESULTS

Between 2019 and 2021, 105 (69%) women completed the questionnaires at all three time points. At diagnosis, 42% of the women reported elevated anxiety levels, decreasing significantly to 30% during the first 12 months. Insomnia, persisting vulvar symptoms and high information needs were significantly associated with a high level of anxiety (relative risk [RR] 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.7 for insomnia; RR 2.8, 95% CI 1.7-4.6 for vulvar symptoms, RR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5-4.9 for information needs). We found a trend towards a higher level of anxiety in younger women (<65 years: RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.5). Participants reported a low and stable prevalence of depression (14%) and high social functioning throughout the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with newly diagnosed vulvar cancer report a high level of anxiety at diagnosis. Despite a significant improvement, anxiety remains widely prevalent during the first year of follow-up. Targeting insomnia, vulvar symptoms and unmet needs may decrease anxiety during surveillance.

Association of physical activity with socio-economic status and chronic disease in older adults in China: cross-sectional findings from the survey of CLASS 2020 after the outbreak of COVID-19

BACKGROUND

In 2021, China had a population of 264·01 million individuals over the age of 60, indicating a high prevalence of chronic diseases. Among older adults, physical inactivity (PI) is a significant risk factor for chronic diseases. However, few studies have been conducted on the correlation of physical activity (PA) with the economic status, geography and chronic disease risks in Chinese elderly. The objectives of this study were to better understand the distribution of PA among older adults in China and its relationship with economic status, geography, and chronic disease risks.

METHODS

This study utilized data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) in 2020, post-COVID-19. The study employed a stratified, multistage, probabilistic sampling approach and included 11,396 adults over the age of 59 from 28 provinces in China. Data on demographics, the duration and intensity of PA, history of diseases and personalized factors influencing PA were collected via structured interviews by researchers. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis, employing a range of statistical methods including descriptive analysis, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, Bayesian networks, and chi-square tests.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PI among older adults over 59 in China is 28·82%. Significant regional differences were observed in the duration of PA at different intensities. Older adults residing in more economically developed areas were more likely to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and exhibited longer sedentary behavior. Economic status and urban-rural disparities consistently emerged as direct influential factors across all intensity types. Chronic disease risks were significantly lower in active older adults compared to inactive ones. Lack of social guidance, family support, and personal inclination towards sedentary behavior were the main personalized factors affecting PA among older adults, and these factors could be relatively easily modified.

CONCLUSIONS

Economic status, geography, and living areas (urban and rural) significantly influenced the distribution of physical activities in China. Particularly, economic status and living areas acted as direct factors. Older adults reaching the recommended standards for PA had significantly lower chronic disease risks, highlighting the importance of improving personalized factors which are crucial for promoting PA.

Exploring the Role of Resilience and Optimism during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older European Adults

This study examined how resilience and optimism were related to psychological well-being among older European adults during the early pandemic. The study used data sampled from the Eurofound COVID-19 survey conducted in 27 European countries during the first lockdown (April 2020). The study sample included 10,674 older adults (mean age = 69.71 ± 5.15, 68.6% women, 87.3% retired). Using structural equation modeling, the relationship between pandemic adversities, resilience, optimism, and well-being was investigated. Results indicated that resilience and optimism in part mediated the association between adversities and psychological well-being. Resilience and optimism have the potential to help older adults cope with stressful life events and other adversities. Future studies should more precisely explore the role of resilience and optimism, its formation, and the protective mechanisms that promote the psychological well-being of older adults.

Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the Sports Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2)

The main aim of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Sports Anxiety scale-2 (SAS-2). The study covered 396 athletes, ages ranging from 18 years to 35 years. The task and ego orientation in sport questionnaire (TEOSQ) and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used for validation of the scale. Cronbach's alpha for the somatic anxiety subscale was 0.88, for the worry subscale was 0.95, and for the concentration disruption was 0.86, respectively. The three-factor model and hierarchical model fits perfectly as CFI > 0.95, TLI > 0.95, and RMSEA < 0.08. Satisfactory results in measurement invariance show the use of the tool for any gender or athlete (high-performance, recreational) group. The internal consistency (α = 0.86-0.95) and the test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.87-0.90) were satisfactory. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between task orientation and total anxiety along with its three subscales, and a weak positive correlation between ego orientation and worry subscale. Meanwhile, a weak to moderate positive correlation was exhibited between total anxiety and its subscales with the STAI-T and STAI-S. Additionally, female, recreational, and female recreational athletes' groups had weak negative associations between worry and concentration disruption trait anxiety and task orientation, and a weak positive association between somatic anxiety and ego orientation.

Psychometrics of the Physical Resilience Scale in Older Adults Living with Dementia: Proxy Responses

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if proxies can complete the Physical Resilience Scale for older adults living with dementia. Methods: This was a descriptive study using Rasch analysis and baseline data from the Function Focused Care for Acute Care Using the Evidence Integration Triangle trial. The first 240 patients living with dementia were included in this analysis. Results: There was evidence of reliability based on person and item separation index. There was no evidence of Differential Item Functioning (DIF) between genders and a DIF by race on Item 7. Validity was supported based on items fitting the model with the exception of one item, and a significant relationship between physical resilience and pain and function. Discussion: There is some evidence that the Physical Resilience Scale is reliable and valid when completed by proxy reports. Future use should remove one of the items due to redundancy.

The para-hippocampal-medial frontal gyrus functional connectivity mediates the relationship between dispositional optimism and procrastination

Procrastination is a prevalent phenomenon throughout the world, which can lead to worse consequences across life domains, such as academic performance, mental health, and even public policy. Despite the evidence for the association between dispositional optimism and procrastination, the neural mechanisms underlying this link remain unexplored. To address this issue, we employed voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) methods to explore the underlying links between dispositional optimism and procrastination in a large sample (N=408). The self-report results showed that dispositional optimism was negatively associated with procrastination (r= -.30, p<.001). The VBM analysis indicated that dispositional optimism was positively correlated with gray matter volumes (GMV) in the right para-hippocampal (rPHC), and negatively correlated with GMV in the left cerebellum. Moreover, the functional connectivity analysis with the rPHC as a seed region revealed that rPHC-rMFC (right medial frontal gyrus) functional connectivity was negatively associated with dispositional optimism. Furthermore, the mediation analysis showed that the rPHC-rMFC connectivity partially mediated the relationship between dispositional optimism and procrastination. These results suggested that the rPHC-rMFC connectivity engaged in less task aversiveness by episodic prospection may underlie the association between dispositional optimism and procrastination, which provides a new perspective to understand the relationship between dispositional optimism and procrastination. DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Cross-Lagged Associations Between Physical Activity, Self-Rated Health, and Psychological Resilience Among Older American Adults: A 3-Wave Study

The current study examined the reciprocal association between psychological resilience, physical activity, and self-rated health in older America adults. A 3-wave cross-lagged panel design was employed using data sampled from the Health and Retirement Study 2010, 2014, and 2018. In total, 8380 older adults, age ranged between 56 and 95 years at the baseline (mean age = 68.06, SD = 7.77), were analyzed. Using structural equation modeling, standardized path coefficients were estimated to determine the relationship between physical activity, self-rated health, and psychological resilience across 2 follow-up points. Cross-lagged analysis revealed that higher levels of physical activity at T1 and T2 were significantly associated with higher levels of self-rated health at T2 and T3, respectively. Self-rated health at T1 and T2 were significantly associated with physical activity at T2 and T3, respectively. Self-rated health and psychological resilience were positively related to one another at each time point. However, relationship between physical activity and psychological resilience was complex across time. Study findings support reciprocal prospective relationship between physical activity and self-rated health and the relationship between self-rated health and psychological resilience.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) probability among parents who live in Kandahar, Afghanistan and lost at least a child to armed conflict

The last 4 decades of conflict in Afghanistan resulted in incalculable deaths, injuries, and millions of displacements. Although there are routine reports on casualties of the warfare, the information on its long-term psycho-social sequelae is somehow discounted. This study aimed to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) probability and its associated factors among parents who live in Kandahar, the southern province of Afghanistan, and lost at least one child to armed conflict. We conducted a health-facility-based cross-sectional study involving 474 bereaved parents in Kandahar province from November/2020 to January/2021. The questionnaire was composed of sections on socio-demographic characteristics and mental and medical histories of the parent, features of the traumatic event and the time elapsed since then, age and gender of the lost child, and PCL-5. We performed multivariable logistic analysis to determine factors associated with PTSD probability in such parents. A staggering number of the parents (430; 90.72%) scored > 33 on PCL-5 denoting presence of probable PTSD. We noticed that several attributes of the bereaved parents (rural residence [AOR = 3.71 (95% CI 1.37-9.97)], older age [AOR = 2.41 (95% CI 1.03-5.57)], experiencing more than one traumatic event [AOR = 2.91 (95% CI 1.05-7.94)], pre-existing medical condition [AOR = 3.5 (95% CI 1.55-8.05)], and losing a < 5-years-old child [AOR = 2.38 (95% CI 1.16-4.70)] were significantly associated with PTSD probability. We assert that a very high number of bereaved parents are susceptible to probable PTSD. This finding signifies the eminent necessity of mental health services in such settings and provides implicit insights to relevant humanitarian assistance providers.

A multidimensional approach to the resilience in older adults despite COVID-19

Researchers have mainly focused on aging risk factors and COVID-19 consequences. However, older adults have proved their ability to overcome adversities along their life. Resilience is a protective variable that dampens the impact of stress. Based on MacLeod’s et al. (2016) approach, we aimed to analyze the relationship between older adults’ resilience and COVID-19 related-stressors as well as their physical, mental, and social characteristics. Eight hundred eighty-nine people aged 60 and over participated in this study. Older participants, women, having better perceived health and not losing a loved one because of the virus were associated with more resilience. Moreover, higher levels of gratitude, personal growth, life purpose and lower levels of depression were associated with greater scores in resilience. This study offers a change of perspective in which aging is perceived from a positive viewpoint by focusing on easily accessible resources that may help older adults to cope with adverse situations.

Validation of Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) among Polish athletes and the relationship between anxiety and goal orientation in sport

This study aims to assess the validity and reliability of the Polish version of the Sport Anxiety Scale-2, as well as to determine the relationship between anxiety and goal orientation among high-performance and recreational athletes. A total of 519 athletes aged M = 22.83 (SD = 4.92) participated in the study, including 266 males and 253 females. 242 athletes trained professionally and 277 recreationally. The Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) was used to assess anxiety levels, while the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) and the Perception of Success Questionnaire (POSQ) enabled to assess athletes’ goal orientation. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit of the model to the data for the Polish version of the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (CFI = 0.945, RMSEA = 0.072). The models obtained during analysis of high-performance and recreational athletes, women and men, also presented a satisfactory fit to the data (CFI 0.932–0.946). The configural, metric, scalar and strict measurement invariances were demonstrated for high-performance and recreational athletes as well as among women and men. High internal consistency coefficients (alpha 0.81–0.91) and a high test–retest reliability indexes were reported (ICC 0.74–0.87). Women presented higher level of competitive anxiety than men. A positive relationship between competitive anxiety and athletes’ ego orientation was also presented. This relationship concerned particularly women practicing sport recreationally.

The Mediating Effect of Coping Style on Physical Activity and Negative Affect Caused by Public Health Emergencies: Evidence from Chinese College Students

In this study, we explored the relationship between physical activity (PA), coping style (CS) and negative affect caused by public health emergencies (PHENA), to examine if CS can play a mediating role between PA and PHENA, and analyzed the different effects of positive coping (PC) and negative coping (NC). Using the method of random sampling, 700 students from four universities in Beijing and Shanghai were recruited to complete questionnaires about PA, CS and PHENA. Data collection was conducted through online and offline questionnaires. Firstly, there is a significant correlation between PA, CS and PHENA. Secondly, PA can negatively predict PHENA, and PA has positive impact on PC and negative impact on NC. Thirdly, the mediating role of NC related to PHENA is significant, the mediating role of PC related to PHENA is not significant. College students’ participation in physical activity can reduce the probability of adopting negative coping mechanisms, thereby alleviating the PHENA.

Influence of Psychological Factors in Federated Futsal and Lifeguard Athletes, Differences by Gender and Category

This research aims to analyse the differences in optimism, resilience, engagement and competitive anxiety as a function of the sport modality practiced in lifeguarding (individual sport) and futsal (team sport); the sport category by age (cadet or youth) and gender. The LOT-R optimism questionnaire, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and the Competitive Anxiety Scale (SAS-2) were applied to a sample of 189 participants (139 men and 50 womwn) aged between 14 and 17 years. The following statistical tests are performed: Cronbach's alpha, Pearson's linear correlation, Student's t-test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene's test and multivariate linear regression. The data indicate that there are significant gender differences in total anxiety (p <0.001) and all its dimensions (somatic, worry, worry-free), also in optimism and pessimism (p < 0.001), as well as in total engagement (p = 0.051) and the absorption dimension (p < 0.001). When comparing the sample by sport categories, there are statistically significant differences in somatic anxiety (p = 0.036) and deconcentration (p = 0.034), as well as in LOT-total (p ≤ 0.001) and pessimism (p ≤ 0.001). In relation to the sport modalities, lifeguards show more anxiety 38.39 (0.49) and more commitment 4.58 (0.87) while futsal athletes reach higher scores in deconcentration 8.45 (2.29). It is concluded that the variables of commitment and resilience had a statistically significant positive effect, and the category of <16 years had a statistically significant negative effect, so the lower the category, the higher the optimism.

A 16-week concurrent exercise program improves emotional well-being and emotional distress in middle-aged women: the FLAMENCO project randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the influence of a supervised concurrent exercise program on emotional well-being and emotional distress in middle-aged women.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial included 150 middle-aged women recruited for the FLAMENCO project. Participants were allocated into counseling (n = 75) or exercise (n = 75) groups. The counseling group attended conferences on healthy lifestyle (including diet and physical activity topics). The exercise group followed a 60-min concurrent (aerobic + resistance) exercise training 3 days/wk for 16 weeks. Emotional health was assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in two diverse timeframes, state (PANAS-S) and trait (PANAS-T) ranging from 10 to 50, where higher scores reflect greater affective emotional health/experience (positive affect subscale) and greater emotional distress (negative affect subscale). The differences between the counseling and exercise groups in PANAS were analyzed by linear regression.

RESULTS

The total number of women for the per-protocol analyses was 111 divided into the counseling (n = 53) and exercise (n = 58) groups. After adjusting for body mass index and Mediterranean diet adherence, PANAS-S and PANAS-T-positive affect scores increased by 3.81 and 3.02, respectively, in the exercise group whereas they decreased by 0.15 and increased by 0.51 in the counseling group (both, P < 0.05). PANAS-T negative affect decreased by 4.10 in the exercise group whereas only decreased by 0.9 in the counseling group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A 16-week concurrent exercise program improved emotional experience in middle-aged women. Specifically, women in the exercise group significantly improved their emotional well-being and emotional distress through greater changes in positive affect and negative affect compared with the counseling group.