Religiosity and Adaptation in the Oldest-Old

Previous research has yielded mixed results with respect to the relationship between religiosity and adaptation in older adults. Most studies show that religiosity is stable over the life span, but that religiosity may or may not be related to such factors as physical and mental health, life satisfaction, and coping. This study adds to earlier investigations by including centenarians among the sample. The preliminary results of this research project support earlier findings that religiosity does not change significantly as one ages, although there is a trend in the results that suggests otherwise. The results also indicate a significant relationship between religiosity and physical health but no significant relationship between religiosity and mental health and life satisfaction. Religiosity and coping are strongly related, and there is the suggestion that religious coping mechanisms might be more important in the oldest-old.

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Attitude toward Aging Mediates the Relationship between Personality and Mental Health in Older Adults

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9050594 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 594

Author(s):

Teshome Sirak Bedaso ◽

Buxin Han

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Personality Factors ◽

Health Issues ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Potential Mediator ◽

The Relationship

This study aimed to examine attitude toward aging as a potential mediator of the relationship between personality factors and mental health in terms of depression and life satisfaction among older adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 438 Ethiopian elderly individuals aged 60 to 69. The results of the regression-based path analysis showed that after adjusting for demographic data, the relationship between agreeableness and depression in older adults was partially mediated by attitude toward aging. Likewise, attitude toward physical change due to aging and psychological growth subscales jointly mediated the correlation between neuroticism and depression. However, a significant direct path between neuroticism and depression persisted. On the contrary, openness had no significant direct association with depression apart from an indirect through psychosocial loss. The link between life satisfaction and agreeableness as well as openness to experience were partially mediated by psychosocial loss. Therefore, a person’s attitude toward aging and personality characteristics should be taken into consideration while designing interventions for managing mental health issues among older adults.

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Impact of Work Value Perception on Workers’ Physical and Mental Health: Evidence from China

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9081059 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1059

Author(s):

Fan Yang ◽

Yao Jiang ◽

Xiaohong Pu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Emerging Economies ◽

Ordered Probit ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Probit Regression ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Value Perception ◽

Work Value ◽

The Relationship

Research on the effect of work value perception on workers’ health, especially in emerging economies, is scarce. This study, therefore, explored how work value perception affects the physical and mental health of workers in China. We also examined the mediating role of life satisfaction in the relationship between work value perception and health. Taking a random sample of 16,890 individuals in China, we used ordered probit regression and instrumental variable ordered probit regression to test the links between work value perception and workers’ health based on existence, relatedness, and growth (ERG) theory. The results showed that work value perception significantly affected both the physical and mental health of workers; the results remained robust after solving the endogeneity problem. The subsample regression results showed that work value perception significantly affected the physical and mental health of female, male, married, unmarried, religious, and nonreligious workers. Furthermore, life satisfaction mediated the effect of work value perception on workers’ health. These results shed light on the relationship between work value perception and health and thus have implications for improving workers’ physical and mental health. This study can provide a reference for both governmental and corporate policymakers in emerging economies.

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The COVID-19 Pandemic and Psychosocial Outcomes across Age through the Stress and Coping Framework

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gnaa205 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jillian Minahan ◽

Francesca Falzarano ◽

Neshat Yazdani ◽

Karen L Siedlecki

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Coping Style ◽

Psychosocial Outcomes ◽

Well Being ◽

Stress And Coping ◽

Related Stress ◽

And Coping ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background and Objectives The emergence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the measures implemented to curb its spread may have deleterious effects on mental health. Older adults may be at increased risk for adverse psychosocial outcomes since opportunities to remain socially connected have diminished. Research is needed to better understand the impact of pandemic-related stress on mental health. The purpose of this study is three-fold: 1) to examine the influences of COVID-19 pandemic-related stress on depression, anxiety, and loneliness, 2) to assess the mediating role of coping style and social support, and 3) to investigate whether these relationships vary across age. Research Design and Methods Participants (N = 1,318) aged 18-92 years completed an online survey assessing pandemic-related stress, mental health, social support, coping, and their experiences with social distancing, during the initial implementation of social distancing measures in the United States. Results Social support and coping style were found to relate to psychosocial outcomes. Avoidant coping was the strongest mediator of the relationship between pandemic-related stress and psychosocial outcomes, particularly depression. Avoidant coping more strongly mediated the relationship between stress and depression in younger adults compared to older adults. Discussion and Implications Results were consistent with the stress and coping framework and recent work highlighting older adults’ resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings highlight the associations between positive coping behaviors and psychosocial well-being and indicate that older adults may use unique adaptive mechanisms to preserve well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Exploring the Relationship Between Internet Use and Mental Health Among Older Adults in England: Longitudinal Observational Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/15683 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (7) ◽

pp. e15683

Author(s):

Sabrina Sze Man Lam ◽

Stephen Jivraj ◽

Shaun Scholes

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Internet Use ◽

Information Access ◽

Moderating Effect ◽

The Internet ◽

Occupational Class ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Background There is uncertainty about the impact of internet use on mental health in older adults. Moreover, there is very little known specifically about the impact of particular purposes of internet use. Objective This study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationship between two distinct concepts of mental health with the frequency of internet use among older adults: the moderating role of socioeconomic position (SEP) and the association between specific purposes of internet use. Methods Longitudinal fixed and random effects (27,507 person-years) models were fitted using waves 6-8 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing to examine the relationship between different aspects of internet use (frequency and purpose) and two mental health outcomes (depression and life satisfaction). The potential moderating effect of SEP on these associations was tested using interaction terms. Results Infrequent internet use (monthly or less vs daily) was predictive of deteriorating life satisfaction (β=−0.512; P=.02) but not depression. Education and occupational class had a moderating effect on the association between frequency of internet use and mental health. The associations were stronger in the highest educational group in both depression (P=.09) and life satisfaction (P=.02), and in the highest occupational group in life satisfaction (P=.05) only. Using the internet for communication was associated with lower depression (β=−0.24; P=.002) and better life satisfaction (β=.97; P<.001), whereas those using the internet for information access had worse life satisfaction (β=−0.86; P<.001) compared with those who did not. Conclusions Policies to improve mental health in older adults should encourage internet use, especially as a tool to aid communication.

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Delaying Health Care Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations With Physical and Mental Health and Preventive Care

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1762 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 456-457

Author(s):

Felicia Wheaton ◽

Terika Scatliffe ◽

Matilda Johnson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Care ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽

Preventative Care ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

The Relationship ◽

Retirement Study

Abstract Health care is important for maintaining optimal physical and mental health. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many older adults have delayed or postponed care. Data from the special midterm release of the 2020 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used to examine the relationship between chronic conditions and delayed care, as well as between delayed care and mental health outcomes and preventative care among Americans aged 50+ (N=3,266). Approximately 30% of respondents said yes when asked “Since March 2020, was there any time when you needed medical or dental care, but delayed getting or did not get it at all?” Of those, 55% said their provider cancelled, closed or suggested rescheduling, 28.5% decided it could wait, and 20.8% were afraid to go. Results from OLS and logistic regression, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, indicate that those with lung disease and those with a heart condition had significantly higher odds of delaying care. Delaying care was associated with significantly higher odds of poor self-rated health and feeling depressed, as well as significantly higher average hopelessness, loneliness and negative affect and significantly lower average positive affect. Surprisingly, delaying care was not associated with receiving a flu shot, cholesterol test, colonoscopy, mammogram or prostate exam in the previous two years. It is likely that the full effects of delaying health care during the pandemic have yet to be felt and there is a need to study the implications of such delays.

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Physical and Mental Health Differences Reported by Three Age Groups of Older Adults With Diabetes

Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1177/23337214211055897 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 233372142110558

Author(s):

Jungjoo Lee ◽

Junhyung Kim ◽

Richard Holden

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Life ◽

Oldest Old ◽

Age Groups ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Health Differences ◽

Using Data ◽

Univariate Analyses

Most studies have classified older adults with diabetes into one group despite substantial variation in health status across different stages of late adulthood. In this study, we examined difference in self-reported physical and mental health among three age groups of older adults with diabetes. Using data from the 2016 National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, Wave 3, we classified 424 individuals diagnosed with diabetes into three age groups, young-old (YO): 50–64 years; middle-old (MO): 65–74; and oldest old (OO): 75+ years. A one-way multivariate analysis of covariance was used to assess group differences, followed by univariate analyses. The results indicate that the YO group reported significantly lower physical health and higher depression than the MO group and higher levels of loneliness than the MO and OO groups. These findings indicate that physical and mental health may differ among different age groups of older adults with diabetes and suggest that the YO might be more vulnerable to diminished physical and mental health than the other age groups.

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An Empirical Investigation of the Relationship between Spirituality, Coping, and Emotional Distress in People Living with HIV Infection and AIDS

Journal of Pastoral Care ◽

10.1177/002234099605000206 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 181-191 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Anton M. Somlai ◽

Jeffrey A. Kelly ◽

Seth C. Kalichman ◽

Gregg Mulry ◽

Kathleen J. Sikkema ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Empirical Investigation ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Coping Mechanisms ◽

Hiv And Aids ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

And Coping ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Relationship

Evaluates levels of psychological distress, coping mechanisms, and their relationship with the religious beliefs and spiritual practices of people (N=65) living with HIV and AIDS. Results of the research indicate a strong relationship for spiritual dimensions with mental health, psychological adjustment, and coping. Concludes that a blending of spiritual traditions and mental health approaches are needed to facilitate the coping of people living with HIV and AIDS.

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Exploring the Relationship Between Internet Use and Mental Health Among Older Adults in England: Longitudinal Observational Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.15683 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Sabrina Sze Man Lam ◽

Stephen Jivraj ◽

Shaun Scholes

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Internet Use ◽

Information Access ◽

Moderating Effect ◽

The Internet ◽

Occupational Class ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

BACKGROUND There is uncertainty about the impact of internet use on mental health in older adults. Moreover, there is very little known specifically about the impact of particular purposes of internet use. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationship between two distinct concepts of mental health with the frequency of internet use among older adults: the moderating role of socioeconomic position (SEP) and the association between specific purposes of internet use. METHODS Longitudinal fixed and random effects (27,507 person-years) models were fitted using waves 6-8 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing to examine the relationship between different aspects of internet use (frequency and purpose) and two mental health outcomes (depression and life satisfaction). The potential moderating effect of SEP on these associations was tested using interaction terms. RESULTS Infrequent internet use (monthly or less vs daily) was predictive of deteriorating life satisfaction (β=−0.512; P=.02) but not depression. Education and occupational class had a moderating effect on the association between frequency of internet use and mental health. The associations were stronger in the highest educational group in both depression (P=.09) and life satisfaction (P=.02), and in the highest occupational group in life satisfaction (P=.05) only. Using the internet for communication was associated with lower depression (β=−0.24; P=.002) and better life satisfaction (β=.97; P<.001), whereas those using the internet for information access had worse life satisfaction (β=−0.86; P<.001) compared with those who did not. CONCLUSIONS Policies to improve mental health in older adults should encourage internet use, especially as a tool to aid communication.

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Do Happy Children Become Happy Adults?

Journal of Humanity and Society (İnsan & Toplum Dergisi) ◽

10.12658/m0437 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 69-96

Author(s):

Tayfun Doğan ◽

Fatma Tuba Aydın

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Psychological Theories ◽

Adverse Childhood ◽

The Relationship ◽

Happiness Level ◽

Oxford Happiness Questionnaire

Many psychological theories emphasize the significance of early childhood events. A review of the literature reveals that studies concentrate on the consequences of adverse childhood experiences on the physical and mental health of individuals. A few studies have so far examined the effects of positive childhood experiences on mental health. This research aims to investigate the relationship between positive childhood experiences and happiness. 695 adults (488 female and 207 male) participated in the study. Positive Childhood Experiences Scale served to gather the data regarding the childhood experiences, and The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire is employed to measure the happiness of the participants. According to the results of this study, a positive correlation was found between positive childhood experiences and happiness. Positive childhood experiences explain 23% of happiness and 24% of life satisfaction. In parallel to positive childhood experiences points, the happiness and life satisfaction of the participants also increases. According to the happiness level of participants, those who inform to be very happy have higher levels of positive childhood experiences in comparison to those who feel a moderate level of happiness or declare to be unhappy. The results are discussed in the context of the literature.

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Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Psychosocial Outcomes across Age: A Stress and Coping Framework

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3458 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 944-945

Author(s):

Jillian Minahan ◽

Francesca Falzarano ◽

Neshat Yazdani ◽

Karen Siedlecki

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Psychosocial Outcomes ◽

Well Being ◽

Stress And Coping ◽

Related Stress ◽

And Coping ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Abstract The emergence of COVID-19 and the measures implemented to curb its spread are anticipated to have long-term implications for mental health. Older adults may be at increased risk for adverse mental health outcomes as opportunities to remain socially connected have diminished. Further research is needed to better understand the impact of pandemic-related stress on mental health. Utilizing the stress and coping framework, the purpose of this study is three-fold: 1) to examine the influences of COVID-19-related stress on depression, anxiety, and loneliness, 2) to assess the mediating role of coping style and social support, and 3) to investigate whether these relationships vary across age. Participants (N = 1,318) between the ages of 18-92 years completed an online survey, assessing pandemic-related stress, mental health, social support, coping, and their experiences with social distancing, during the initial implementation of social distancing measures in the United States. Stress, social support, and coping style were related to psychosocial outcomes. Results suggested that avoidant coping mediated the relationship between pandemic-related stress and psychosocial outcomes, particularly depression. Avoidant coping more strongly mediated the relationship between stress and depression in younger adults compared to older adults. Results were consistent with the stress and coping framework and recent work highlighting the older adults’ resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings highlight the associations between positive coping behaviors and psychosocial well-being and indicate that older adults may use unique adaptive mechanisms to preserve well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Download Full-text