Living Well in Later Life: The Influence of Sense of Coherence, and Socio-Demographic, Lifestyle and Health-Related Factors on Older Adults’ Satisfaction with Life

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 631-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia von Humboldt ◽  
Isabel Leal ◽  
Filipa Pimenta
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Living Well ◽  
Health Related

Predictors of satisfaction with life among older adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S177-S178
Author(s):  
S. Von Humboldt ◽  
I. Leal
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Health Related

IntroductionIncreasing longevity brings challenges for older adults’ satisfaction with life (SWL).AimsThis study aims at exploring a structural model of predictors of SWL in a cross-national sample of older adults.MethodsA community-dwelling sample of 1234 older adults was assessed regarding SWL, sense of coherence (SOC) and socio-demographic, lifestyle and health-related characteristics. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate a structural model of the self-reported SWL, comprising SOC, socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, education, marital and professional status, household, adult children, income, living setting and religion), lifestyle and health-related characteristics (physical activity, recent disease and medication).ResultsSignificant predictors are SOC (β = .733; P < .001), religion (β = .725; P < .001), income (β = .551; P < .001), adult children (β = .546; P < .001), education (β = –.403; P < .001), living setting (β = –.292; P < .001) and medication (β = –.197; P < .001). The variables accounted for 24.8% of the variability of SWL. Moreover, differences between the four nationality groups (F(3, 671) = 3.671, P = .066) were not found concerning SWL.ConclusionsSense of coherence is the strongest predictor of self-reported SWL. Other predictors are religion, income, adult children, education, living setting and medication. The four nationalities did not present significant differences, concerning SWL. This study highlights the factors that influence older adults’ SWL, namely, SOC, religion and income, as promoters of aging well, within a salutogenic model of health for older populations.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Staying well in old age: Predicting older adults’ wellness

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Von Humboldt ◽  
Isabel Leal ◽  
Filipa Pimenta
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Health Related

In an ageing world, the potential for ageing well in older people is still relatively unexplored. Literature has suggested that a sense of coherence (SOC) is an important factor with regard to retaining a good quality of life in old age. To explore whether satisfaction with life (SWL), as well as sociodemographic, health- and lifestyle-related variables, are predictors of SOC in a community-dwelling sample of older adults and to assess significant differences in SOC amongst the four nationalities studied. Cross-national research encompassing a community-dwelling sample of 454 older adults aged 75 years and above was undertaken. Sense of coherence was assessed using the Orientation to Life Questionnaire and Satisfaction with Life (SWL) was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Structural equation modelling was used to investigate a structural model of the self-reported SOC, comprising sociodemographic variables (age, gender, marital status, professional status, educational level, family’s annual income and standard of living arrangements), as well as SWL, lifestyle and health-related (physical activity and recent disease) characteristics. Significant predictors were physical activity (β = 0.804; p < 0.001), recent disease (β = 0.501;p < 0.001) and SWL (β = 0.07; p = 0.004). These variables accounted for approximately 57.5% of the variability of SOC. Moreover, differences with regard to SOC were also found amongst the four nationality groups (F(3) = 5.204; p = 0.002). Physical activity is the strongest predictor of self-reported SOC. Other predictors are the absence of a recent disease and SWL. The four nationalities presented significant differences with regard to SOC. This study highlighted the need for understanding the potential factors (in particular physical activity and further health-related characteristics) that impact on older adults’ SOC.In ’n wêreld wat aan die verouder is, is die potensiaal van bejaardes om goed te verouder steeds relatief onbekend. ’n Toenemende literatuurbasis stel voor dat koherensiesin belangrik is om ’n goeie lewensgehalte vir bejaardes te verseker. Om te verken of lewenstevredenheid, sosio-demografiese, gesondheids- en lewenstylverwante veranderlikes voorspellers is van die koherensiesin in ’n steekproef van bejaardes wat nie in tehuise woon nie, asook om die beduidende verskille tussen die vier nasionaliteite met betrekking tot die koherensiesin te evalueer. Kruis-nasionale navorsing bestaande uit ’n steekproef van 454 volwassenes, 75 jaar of ouer, wat nie in tehuise woon nie. Koherensiesin is met behulp van die lewensoriëntasievraelys beoordeel en lewenstevredenheid is met behulp van die lewenstevredenheidskaal gemeet. Strukturele vergelykingsmodellering is gebruik om ’n strukturele model van die self-gerapporteerde koherensiesin te ondersoek. Die model bestaan uit sosio-demografiese veranderlikes (ouderdom, geslag, huwelikstatus, professionele status, opvoedkundige vlak, gesin se jaarlikse inkomste en lewensomstandighede), asook lewenstevredenheid, lewenstyl- en gesondheidsverwante (fisiese aktiwiteitsvlak en onlangse siekte) eienskappe. Beduidende voorspellers is fisiese aktiwiteitsvlak (β = .804; p < 0.001), onlangse siekte (β = .501; p < 0.001) en lewenstevredenheid (β = .07; p = 0.004). Die veranderlikes verklaar onderskeidelik 57.5% van die wisselvalligheid van die koherensiesin. Verder is daar ook verskille tussen die vier nasionaliteite met betrekking tot koherensiesin (F(3) = 5.204; p = 0.002) gevind. Fisiese aktiwiteitsvlak is die sterkste voorspeller van self-gerapporteerde koherensiesin. Ander voorspellers is lewenstevredenheid en die afwesigheid van onlangse siekte. Die vier nasionaliteite het duidelike verskille ten opsigte van koherensiesin getoon. Hierdie studie beklemtoon die noodsaaklikheid om die potensiële faktore − veral fisiese aktiwiteitsvlak en verdere gesondheidsverwante eienskappe − wat bejaardes se koherensiesin beïnvloed, te verstaan.

scholarly journals Contributors to and Consequences of Poor Sleep in Older Adults: Biopsychosocial Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 578-578
Author(s):  
Adam Spira ◽  
Katie Stone
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
Ecological Momentary

Abstract Sleep is a significant contributor to health and wellbeing across the lifespan, especially in later life. Poor sleep is common among older adults and can be both a risk factor for and consequence of numerous physical and mental health-related outcomes. In this symposium, we will present novel results from four studies that will advance understanding of the biological, psychological, and social factors that may contribute to or result from poor sleep in older adults. Specifically, Study 1 will present findings tying objectively measured sleep to performance on cognitive tasks administered using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in the day-to-day lives of older adults with or without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Study 2 will examine associations of personality dimensions and facets with insomnia symptoms in well-functioning older adults. Study 3 will examine psychological pathways linking parent-child relationships to subjective and objective sleep characteristics among older parents. Finally, study 4 will examine use patterns of cannabis for the treatment of sleep problems in older adults, and the ways in which this might differ from patients using cannabis for other reasons (e.g., pain). Together, this symposium will highlight novel links of an array of factors with sleep health in the aging population and their implications for prevention. Sleep, Circadian Rhythms and Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

scholarly journals Developing a recovery-focused therapy for older people with bipolar disorder: a qualitative focus group study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e049829
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Tyler ◽  
Fiona Lobban ◽  
Rita Long ◽  
Steven H Jones
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Older People ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Age Related Changes

ObjectivesAs awareness of bipolar disorder (BD) increases and the world experiences a rapid ageing of the population, the number of people living with BD in later life is expected to rise substantially. There is no current evidence base for the effectiveness of psychological interventions for older adults with BD. This focus group study explored a number of topics to inform the development and delivery of a recovery-focused therapy (RfT) for older adults with BD.DesignA qualitative focus group study.SettingThree focus groups were conducted at a university in the North West of England.ParticipantsEight people took part in the focus groups; six older adults with BD, one carer and one friend.ResultsParticipant’s responses clustered into six themes: (1) health-related and age-related changes in later life, (2) the experience of BD in later life, (3) managing and coping with BD in later life, (4) recovery in later life, (5) seeking helping in the future and (6) adapting RfT for older people.ConclusionsParticipants reported a range of health-related and age-related changes and strategies to manage their BD. Participants held mixed views about using the term ‘recovery’ in later life. Participants were in agreement that certain adaptations were needed for delivering RfT for older adults, based on their experience of living with BD in later life. The data collected as part of the focus groups have led to a number of recommendations for delivering RfT for older adults with BD in a randomised controlled trial (Clinical Trial Registration: ISRCTN13875321).

scholarly journals A Health-Related Satisfaction with Life Scale Measure for Use with Cross-National Older Adults: A Validation Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia von Humboldt ◽  
Isabel Leal
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Validation Study ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Item Analysis ◽  
Criterion Validity ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Life Scale ◽  
Health Related

Objectives: Literature suggests some inconsistent results in the validity and reliability of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SwLS) in older samples. The objective was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the SwLS in a cross-cultural sample of older adults.Methods: This is a validation study to assess the psychometric properties of the SWLS in a sample of 1291 older adults 75 years of age or older, cross-culturally diverse and living in the community. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed. Item analysis and reliability, were also assessed.Results: The systematic procedure used in the SwLS validation points to a good level of psychometric properties, such as reliability, construct, criterion validity, external validity and divergent criterion validity, suggesting that the SwL is assessing a construct different from the ones evaluated by PANAS and OtLQ.Conclusion: The SwLS has demonstrated reliability, validity, and reproducibility for use in measuring health-related satisfaction with life among older adults in policy programs and interventions in community settings.

scholarly journals Social and Health‐Related Factors Associated with Enrollment in Medicare Advantage Plans in Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-320
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Maricruz Rivera‐Hernandez ◽  
Amol M. Karmarkar ◽  
Lin‐Na Chou ◽  
Yong‐Fang Kuo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Medicare Advantage ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Health Related
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