The impact of widowhood on depression: findings from a prospective survey

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 1111-1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. B. CARNELLEY ◽  
C. B. WORTMAN ◽  
R. C. KESSLER

Background. We investigated the impact of widowhood on depression and how resources and contextual factors that define the meaning of loss modified this effect.Method. In a prospective, nationally representative sample of women in the US aged 54 or older we compared 64 women who were widowed in the 3 years between data collection waves with 431 women who were stably married over the time interval.Results. Those who became widowed reported more depression than controls for 2 years following the loss. However, this effect was confined to respondents whose husbands were not ill at baseline. Widowed women whose husbands were ill at baseline already had elevated depression in the baseline interview and did not become significantly more depressed after the death. Consistent with this result, women who were not depressed pre-bereavement were most vulnerable to depression following the loss of an ill spouse during the first year of widowhood.Conclusions. Results suggest that spouses' illness may forewarn wives of their impending loss and these women may begin to grieve before his death. Those forewarned women who are not depressed pre-bereavement may experience the most post-bereavement depression. Findings are discussed in light of previous, more methodologically limited studies.

Field Methods ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget Kelly ◽  
Marjorie Margolis ◽  
Lauren McCormack ◽  
Patricia A. LeBaron ◽  
Dhuly Chowdhury

The literature on factors that influence participation in qualitative research is lacking. We conducted an experiment with a nationally representative sample to test the impact of different incentive types and amounts on willingness to participate in a hypothetical qualitative interview. We randomized participants from an online panel to one of the five versions of a recruitment ad: no incentive, a nonmonetary incentive, US$25, US$50, or US$75 ( N = 4,136). All three monetary incentives resulted in greater willingness to participate than no incentive or a nonmonetary incentive. No differences emerged between no incentive and a nonmonetary incentive (drawing for noncash prize). Among those who had at least some willingness, US$75 produced more willingness than US$25. The US$50 and US$75 amounts did not differ. Results suggest incentives matter in achieving participation in qualitative research, but there may be diminishing returns. Nonmonetary incentives may not result in higher participation than no incentive at all.


2021 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2020-056288
Author(s):  
Jennifer Cornacchione Ross ◽  
Allison J Lazard ◽  
Jessica L King ◽  
Seth M Noar ◽  
Beth A Reboussin ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe US Food and Drug Administration requires six text-only warnings for cigar products, including cigarillos. Research has demonstrated the superiority of pictorial over text-only cigarette warnings, yet the relative effectiveness of pictorial warnings for cigarillos has not been examined. We examined the impact of pictorial cigarillo warnings compared with text-only warnings.MethodsData were collected from a nationally representative sample of US young adult (18–29) cigarillo users and susceptible non-users. Participants were randomised to one of three experimental conditions: text-only or one of two pictorial conditions (combined for analyses). For each warning, we assessed negative emotional reactions, cognitive elaboration (ie, thinking about cigarillo risks) and perceived message effectiveness (PME).ResultsParticipants (N=661) were 46.5% female, 64.7% white and 21.9% Hispanic; 34.1% reported past 30-day cigarillo use; 41.4% were lifetime users (excluding past 30-day use); and 24.4% were susceptible non-users. Pictorial warnings elicited more negative emotional reactions and higher PME than text-only warnings (p values<0.01), with interactions showing the largest effects for past 30-day users (emotional reactions: d=0.99, PME: d=0.63). For cognitive elaboration, there was no main effect of warning type, but an interaction revealed effects for past 30-day users (p<0.05, d=0.46).ConclusionsPictorial cigarillo warnings elicited greater negative emotional reactions and PME compared with text-only warnings. These effects and the effects on cognitive elaboration were strongest for past 30-day users. Our findings extend research on cigarette warnings to cigarillos, demonstrating that pictorial warnings are superior to text-only warnings for cigarillos in eliciting beneficial responses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Michael J. Pisani

The purpose of this study is to advance understanding of the Hispanic contribution to the engagement and production of the sharing and informal economies in the US. The study is situated within the domains of the sharing economy and informality within a broader frame of entrepreneurship. Specifically, Hispanic participation rates, rationale for engagement, and the major drivers of involvement in the production of the sharing and informal economies are analyzed. To evaluate this, data are reported from a nationally representative subsample of Hispanics derived from the US Federal Reserve Board’s Enterprising and Informal Work Activities Survey (EIWA) conducted in the late fall of 2015. The finding is that more than one-third of Hispanics engage in EIWA. Hispanics participate in EIWA primarily as a means to earn extra income or as a key avenue to earn a living. By choice, relatively affluent Hispanics have the largest stake in sharing and informal economies. However, it is the lowest income Hispanics that engage in EIWA out of necessity. The major drivers of EIWA participation among Hispanics are revealed. This is the first known study with a nationally representative sample of Hispanics focused on participation rates, rationale for engagement, and drivers of involvement in the production of new age sharing and informal economies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Zimmer

Purpose – The US Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 introduced optional prescription drug coverage, beginning in 2006, widely known as Medicare Part D. This paper uses up-to-date nationally representative survey data to investigate the impact of Part D not only on drug spending and consumption, but also on the composition of drug consumption. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Specifically, the paper investigates whether Part D impacted the number of therapeutic classes for which drugs were prescribed, and also whether Part D lead to increased usage of drugs for specific medical conditions that typically receive drug-intensive therapies. Findings – In addition to confirming findings from previous studies, this paper shows that Part D increased the number of therapeutic classes to which seniors receive drugs by approximately four classes. Part D also lead to increased usage of drugs used to treat upper respiratory disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Originality/value – While mostly concurring with previous studies on the spending impacts of Part D, this paper is the first to shed light on other impacts of Part D, specifically with respect to its impact on therapeutic classes for which drugs are prescribed.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2098
Author(s):  
Francisca de Castro Mendes ◽  
Kirstie Ducharme-Smith ◽  
Gustavo Mora-Garcia ◽  
Saleh A. Alqahtani ◽  
Maria Stephany Ruiz-Diaz ◽  
...  

Increasing epidemiological evidence suggests that optimal diet quality helps to improve preservation of lung function and to reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk, but no study has investigated the association of food insecurity (FI) and lung health in the general population. Using data from a representative sample of US adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2012 cycles, we investigated the association between FI with lung function and spirometrically defined COPD in 12,469 individuals aged ≥ 18 years of age. FI (high vs. low) was defined using the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Security Scale). Population-weighted adjusted regression models were used to investigate associations between FI, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), their ratio, and spirometrically defined restriction (FVC below the lower limit of normal) and airflow obstruction (COPD). The prevalence of household FI was 13.2%. High household FI was associated with lower FVC (adjusted β-coefficient −70.9 mL, 95% CI −116.6, −25.3), and with higher odds (OR) of spirometric restriction (1.02, 95% CI 1.00, 1.03). Stratified analyses showed similar effect sizes within specific ethnic groups. High FI was associated with worse lung health in a nationally representative sample of adults in the US.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esme Fuller-Thomson ◽  
Kaitlyn E. N. Howden ◽  
Lilia R. Fuller-Thomson ◽  
Senyo Agbeyaka

Factors associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among never-smokers have received little research attention. One potential risk factor for COPD is obesity, which is of particular importance in light of the global obesity epidemic. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between COPD and levels of obesity in a nationally representative sample of non-Hispanic white never-smokers. Data were drawn from the 2012 Center for Disease Control’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Pearson’s chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted in a large nationally representative sample of non-Hispanic white respondents aged 50 and over (76,004 women; 37,618 men) who reported that they had never smoked. A dose-response relationship was observed for both men and women: the prevalence of COPD increased from 2.5% in men and 3.5% in women who were of a healthy weight (BMI < 25) to 7.6% in men and 13.4% in women who had a BMI of 40 or higher. Even after adjusting for 7 potential confounds (e.g., age, education, and income), the odds of COPD were 3.21 higher for men (95% CI = 2.46, 4.20) and 4.00 higher for women with class III obesity (95% CI = 3.52, 4.55) in comparison with those of healthy weight. Regular screening for COPD is warranted in never-smoking obese patients who are aged 50 and over. Future research is needed to investigate plausible mechanisms for this association, including (1) the role of chronic inflammation associated with obesity and (2) the impact of central obesity on respiratory system mechanics.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Mochari-Greenberger ◽  
Amytis Towfighi ◽  
Lori Mosca

Background: Early treatment is associated with better clinical outcomes in stroke, but women must recognize the warning signs of a stroke to reduce delays in treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate contemporary knowledge of stroke warning signs and intent to call 9-1-1 first if warning signs occur, among a nationally representative sample of women, overall and by race/ethnic group. Methods: A study of cardiovascular disease awareness and knowledge was conducted by the American Heart Association in 2012 among English speaking US women > 25 years identified through random digit dialing (N=1,205; 54% white, 17% black, 17% Hispanic, 12% other). Demographic data, including race/ethnic group, were evaluated using standardized categorical questions. Knowledge about warning signs of stroke, and what to do first if experiencing signs of a stroke, was assessed by standardized unaided questions. Data were weighted to reflect the US population of women based on the US Census Bureau’s March 2011 Current Population Survey, overall and within ethnic strata. Results: In 2012, half of women surveyed (51%) identified sudden weakness/numbness of face/limb on one side as a stroke warning sign; this did not vary by race/ethnic group. Loss of/trouble talking/understanding speech was identified by 44% of women, and more frequently among white versus Hispanic women (48% vs. 36%; p<.05). Fewer than one in four women identified sudden severe headache (23%), unexplained dizziness (20%), or sudden dizziness/loss of vision (18%) as warning signs, and one in five (20%) did not know one stroke warning sign; these results did not vary by race/ethnicity. The majority of women said that they would call 9-1-1 first if they thought they were experiencing signs of a stroke (84%), and this did not vary among black (86%), Hispanic (79%), or white/other (85%) women. Conclusions: Knowledge of stroke warning signs was low among a nationally representative sample of women, especially among Hispanics. In contrast, knowledge to call 9-1-1 when experiencing signs of stroke was high. These data suggest effort to improve recognition of the warning signs of stroke has potential to reduce treatment delay and improve outcomes among women.


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