Experience of digital music services and digital self-efficacy among older adults: Enjoyment and anxiety as mediators

Abstract Adherence to health behaviors is often poor, including adherence to at-home technology-based interventions. This study (N=120) explored adherence to a cognitive training intervention delivered via computer tablet, assessed adherence over a 4.5 month period, explored how individual difference factors shaped adherence, and tested the efficacy of message framing manipulations (positive vs. negative framing) in boosting adherence. Individual difference factors predicted adherence, including variations in self-efficacy and belief in the efficacy of cognitive training. Overall message framing had little impact. However, during the final portion of the study in which participants were asked to play as much or as little as they wanted instead of following a schedule, participants who received positively framed messages engaged with the intervention more. Implications for predicting and boosting adherence to home delivered technology-based interventions will be discussed.

Download Full-text

Promoting Problem Solving About Health Management: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Evaluation of a Digital Health Intervention for Older Adults With Pre-Frailty and Frailty

Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1177/2333721420985684 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 233372142098568

Author(s):

Annie T. Chen ◽

Frances Chu ◽

Andrew K. Teng ◽

Soojeong Han ◽

Shih-Yin Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Health Management ◽

Digital Health ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Problem Solving Skills ◽

Health Related

Background: There is a need for interventions to promote health management of older adults with pre-frailty and frailty. Technology poses promising solutions, but questions exist about effective delivery. Objectives: We present the results of a mixed-methods pilot evaluation of Virtual Online Communities for Older Adults (VOCALE), an 8-week intervention conducted in the northwestern United States, in which participants shared health-related experiences and applied problem solving skills in a Facebook group. Methods: We performed a mixed-methods process evaluation, integrating quantitative and qualitative data, to characterize the intervention and its effects. We focus on four areas: health-related measures (health literacy and self-efficacy), participation, problem solving skills enacted, and subjective feedback. Results: Eight older adults with pre-frailty and frailty (age = 82.7 ± 6.6 years) completed the study. There was an upward trend in health literacy and health self-efficacy post-intervention. Participants posted at least two times per week. Content analysis of 210 posts showed participants were able to apply the problem solving skills taught, and exit interviews showed participants’ increased awareness of the need to manage health, and enjoyment in learning about others. Conclusion: This mixed-methods evaluation provides insight into feasibility and design considerations for online interventions to promote health management among vulnerable older adults.

Download Full-text

A Scenario-Based Investigation of Surrogate Decision Making for Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2469 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 703-703

Author(s):

Yuxin Zhao ◽

Benjamin Katz ◽

Pamela Teaster

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Decision Making ◽

Financial Management ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Surrogate Decision Making ◽

Insurance Company ◽

Surrogate Decision ◽

Critically Ill Adults ◽

Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Abstract Surrogate decisions involve complex, challenging choices; surrogate decision-makers make treatment decisions for approximately 40% of hospitalized adults and 70% of older adults, and up to 95% of critically ill adults of any age. The purpose of our study was to understand how people make decisions for others and how surrogate decision making is linked to people’s cognition, self-efficacy, and demographics, especially differences in acute (e.g., health and medical care, financial management, and end of life) versus general scenarios (spending time with family, contacting an insurance company on behalf of a family member). Participants were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. We collected data from 290 adult participants aged 18 years or older. On average, people reported a higher level of confidence in general versus acute scenario. The differences of confidence in scenario-based surrogate decision-making links to decision-makers’ cognition, self-efficacy, the experience of decision-making, the experience of caregiving, and demographic factors.

Download Full-text

Caregiver status and illness self-efficacy during the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults with chronic conditions

Aging & Mental Health ◽

10.1080/13607863.2021.1901260 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Courtney A. Polenick ◽

Lianlian Lei ◽

Annie N. Zhou ◽

Kira S. Birditt ◽

Donovan T. Maust

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Chronic Conditions

Download Full-text

Associations of Social Support and Self-Efficacy With Quality of Life in Older Adults With Diabetes

Journal of Gerontological Nursing ◽

10.3928/00989134-20151008-44 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 41 (12) ◽

pp. 21-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Pamela G. Bowen ◽

Olivio J. Clay ◽

Loretta T. Lee ◽

Jason Vice ◽

Fernando Ovalle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Self Efficacy

Download Full-text

Love Hurts: The Influence of Social Relations on Exercise Self-Efficacy for Older Adults with Osteoarthritis

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.16.4.465 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 465-483 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Kelly A. Cotter ◽

Aurora M. Sherman

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Relations ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Well Being ◽

Equation Model ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Strain

Exercise self-efficacy is a powerful predictor of physical activity behavior, which enhances health and well-being for older adults. Social relations have been proposed as influential precursors for exercise self-efficacy. In a longitudinal study of 160 older adults with osteoarthritis (76.9% women), the authors found that social support (but not social strain) significantly predicted exercise self-efficacy in a structural equation model examining cross-sectional data: χ2(178, N = 160) = 264.57, p < .01; RMSEA = .06; CFI = .92; TLI = .90. When data were examined longitudinally, however, social strain (but not social support) significantly predicted lower exercise self-efficacy 1 year later: χ2(233, N = 160) = 288.64, p < .01; RMSEA = .04; CFI = .96; TLI = .95. Results support the negativity effect, suggesting that social strain might be the more potent aspect of social relations and should be the target of interventions.

Download Full-text

Which Psychosocial Factors Best Predict Cognitive Performance in Older Adults?

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617714000186 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 20 (5) ◽

pp. 487-495 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Laura B. Zahodne ◽

Cindy J. Nowinski ◽

Richard C. Gershon ◽

Jennifer J. Manly

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Psychosocial Factors ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Psychosocial Variables

AbstractNegative affect (e.g., depression) is associated with accelerated age-related cognitive decline and heightened dementia risk. Fewer studies examine positive psychosocial factors (e.g., emotional support, self-efficacy) in cognitive aging. Preliminary reports suggest that these variables predict slower cognitive decline independent of negative affect. No reports have examined these factors in a single model to determine which best relate to cognition. Data from 482 individuals 55 and older came from the normative sample for the NIH Toolbox for the Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function. Negative and positive psychosocial factors, executive functioning, working memory, processing speed, and episodic memory were measured with the NIH Toolbox Emotion and Cognition modules. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling characterized independent relations between psychosocial factors and cognition. Psychosocial variables loaded onto negative and positive factors. Independent of education, negative affect and health status, greater emotional support was associated with better task-switching and processing speed. Greater self-efficacy was associated with better working memory. Negative affect was not independently associated with any cognitive variables. Findings support the conceptual distinctness of negative and positive psychosocial factors in older adults. Emotional support and self-efficacy may be more closely tied to cognition than other psychosocial variables. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–9)

Download Full-text

Joking about cancer as an avoidance strategy among US adults

Health Promotion International ◽

10.1093/heapro/dax087 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 420-428 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nick Carcioppolo ◽

Kevin K John ◽

Jakob D Jensen ◽

Andy J King

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Older Adults ◽

Mediation Analysis ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Moderated Mediation ◽

Fear Appeals ◽

Fear Appeal ◽

Biological Sex ◽

Avoidance Strategies ◽

Avoidance Strategy

Summary Findings from years of research on fear appeals suggest that individuals with low efficacy utilize avoidance strategies when they perceive a significant threat—a process called fear control. Some research suggests that joking could be an avoidance strategy. The current study identifies conditions in which people are more likely to joke about colorectal cancer and explores how this behavior may be associated with screening avoidance. Older adults (N = 209) recruited from eight different worksites completed a survey measuring fear appeal constructs and enactment of colorectal cancer-related joking. Results of a moderated mediation analysis suggest that men were more likely to joke about colorectal cancer than women, particularly if they perceived significant threat but had limited self-efficacy, signifying fear control. Results support prior fear appeal research, suggesting that an increase in joking behavior concerning colorectal cancer may be indicative of screening avoidance, and describe belief-based mechanisms that explain differences between biological sex and joking.

Download Full-text