Psychological well-being among older adults during the COVID-19 outbreak: a comparative study of the young–old and the old–old adults

ABSTRACTThe COVID-19 outbreak could be considered as an uncontrollable stressful life event. Lockdown measures have provoked a disruption of daily life with a great impact over older adults’ health and well-being. Nevertheless, eudaimonic well‐being plays a protective role in confronting adverse circumstances, such as the COVID-19 situation. This study aims to assess the association between age and psychological well-being (personal growth and purpose in life). Young–old (60–70 years) and old–old (71–80 years) community-dwelling Spaniards (N = 878) completed a survey and reported on their sociodemographic characteristics and their levels of health, COVID-19 stress-related, appraisal, and personal resources. Old–old did not evidence poorer psychological well-being than young–old. Age has only a negative impact on personal growth. The results also suggest that the nature of the COVID-19 impact (except for the loss of a loved one) may not be as relevant for the older adults’ well-being as their appraisals and personal resources for managing COVID-related problems. In addition, these results suggest that some sociodemographic and health-related variables have an impact on older adults’ well-being. Thus, perceived-health, family functioning, resilience, gratitude, and acceptance had significant associations with both personal growth and purpose in life. Efforts to address older adults’ psychological well-being focusing on older adults’ personal resources should be considered.

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Psychological well-being in relation to frailty: a frailty identity crisis?

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610212000269 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 24 (8) ◽

pp. 1347-1353 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Melissa K. Andrew ◽

John D. Fisk ◽

Kenneth Rockwood

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sex Education ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Purpose In Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Subjective Health ◽

Identity Crisis ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Psychological Well Being

ABSTRACTBackground: Frailty can be defined as the presence of multiple, interacting medical and functional problems. Frailty is associated with psychiatric conditions but its relation to psychological well-being is unclear. A “frailty identity crisis” has been proposed as a maladaptive response to the sense of self as health deficits accumulate. We evaluated this so-called identity crisis by investigating associations between well-being, frailty, and mortality in community-dwelling older Canadians.Methods: In this secondary analysis of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (N = 5,703; age 70+), frailty was defined by an index of 33 health deficits. Psychological well-being was measured using Ryff's 18-item scale, with six domains (autonomy, personal growth, environmental mastery, positive relations, purpose in life, and self-acceptance). Cognition was measured using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination. Associations between well-being, frailty, and mortality were measured using linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, education, cognition, and mental health.Results: For each additional frailty-defining deficit, the psychological well-being score worsened by 0.3 points (0.29, 95% CI: 0.22–0.36, p < 0.001), independent of age, sex, education, cognition, and mental health. Among the six domains of well-being, only “purpose in life” and “autonomy” were not associated with frailty (all others, p < 0.001). Worse psychological well-being was associated with five-year mortality independent of age, sex, education, frailty, and mental health; this association was not statistically significant when adjusting for baseline cognition.Conclusions: Frailty was associated with low levels of well-being. Psychological well-being impaired by a frailty identity crisis may play an important role in defining subjective health in older adults.

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Disparities in Basic Housing Needs as a Predictor of Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.2348 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 618-619

Author(s):

Meghan Custis ◽

Jeongeun Lee ◽

Natasha Peterson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Housing Quality ◽

Housing Conditions ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Environmental Press ◽

Home Modifications ◽

The Impact

Abstract Adequate housing and safe environments are among older adults’ foundational needs. Prior research suggests minority older adults face significant barriers to accessing affordable and appropriate housing. However, the effects of this environmental press on their psychological well-being are rarely addressed. This project examined racial disparities between minority and white older adults’ housing and environment conditions and the differential impact on their psychological well-being. Using nationally representative data from the National Health & Aging Trends Study (NHATS), older adults' reported rating of the quality of housing conditions, financial security, neighborhood security, and the interviewer’s rating of the home environment were analyzed. A total of 4,048 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and over were selected for analysis. The sample demographics are predominantly white (77.5%), female (61.4%), and residing in the community (82%). Results found minority older adults reported poorer housing conditions, fewer home modifications, and lower financial and neighborhood security, compared to white counterparts. The impact of housing quality was more detrimental to minority older adults’ psychological well-being, compared to white counterparts. These findings suggest a significant negative impact of home conditions on the psychological well-being of minority older adults. Home modifications are a viable option to increase or preserve functional status in the home, which could lessen the deleterious effects of environmental press on older adults’ psychological outcomes, especially minorities. This study’s findings provide information that bolsters our knowledge of housing and environment conditions, which are critical in efforts to reduce health disparities in late life.

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REACTIVITY TO THE MEASUREMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2593 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S705-S705

Author(s):

Steve Amireault ◽

Elliot M Friedman ◽

Mary K Huffman

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Purpose In Life ◽

Block Size ◽

Well Being ◽

Medium Size ◽

Retirement Home ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Gerontological Research ◽

Measurement Reactivity

Abstract Although it is known that measurement reactivity can yield medium-sized effects (Cohen’s d = .50) on anxiety, its effects on psychological well-being (PWB) measures (e.g., purpose in life, personal growth) are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate reactivity to the measurement of PWB in older adults. Ninety-four adults aged 60 ≥ years (mean = 75) were recruited from a fitness center, retirement home and community center in Indiana. All participants received a questionnaire via postal mail at baseline (T1) and 2-3 weeks later (T2). Using block randomization (block size = 16), older adults were randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to one of two conditions: PWB measures assessed at T1 and T2; and PWB measures were at T2 only. Purpose in life and personal growth were assessed using Ryff’s PWB scales. Multiple imputation analysis was conducted to account for attrition at T2 (18%), and all participants were analyzed according to the condition they were originally assigned. ANCOVA, controlling for recruitment sites, revealed that purpose in life (p = .03), but not personal growth (p = .08), T2 scores were on average lower when PWB was measured twice compared to those when PWB was measured once. The detected difference in purpose in life T2 scores was of medium size (d [95%CI] = - .50 [-.95, -.04]). This finding suggests that initial or later scores might be biased – a problematic finding because if ignored, measurement reactivity has the potential to affect conclusions drawn from gerontological research that focuses on PWB.

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Depression and Psychological Well-Being as Distinct Constructs: Mutually Exclusive Associations With Biomarker

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.808 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 251-251

Author(s):

Kheng Siang Ted Ng ◽

Shu Cheng Wong ◽

Glenn Wong ◽

Ee Heok Kua ◽

Anis Larbi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Factor Score ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

The Other ◽

Factor Scores ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Despite increasing emphasis on assessing the mental health of older adults, there has been inconclusive evidence on whether depression and psychological well-being (PWB) are fundamentally distinct constructs or representations of the opposite ends of the mental health spectrum. To instantiate either hypothesis, investigation of the associations between mental health scales and biomarkers have been proposed. First, we assessed depressive symptoms and PWB in community-dwelling older adults (N=59, mean age=67) using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Ryff’s Scale of PWB (comprising six sub-scales). We measured a wide range of immune markers employing ELISA and flow cytometry. Subsequently, we used principal component analysis (PCA) to aggregate and derived biomarker factor scores. Lastly, multiple linear regressions were performed to examine the associations between the scales and the derived biomarker factor scores, controlling for covariates. PCA extracted six biomarker factors. Biomarker factor score 1 was significantly associated with PWB (β=-0.029, p=0.035) and the PWB sub-scale, self-acceptance (β=-0.089, p=0.047), while biomarker factor score 4 was significantly associated with the PWB sub-scale, purpose in life (β=-0.087, p=0.025). On the other hand, biomarker factor 6 was significantly associated with SDS (β=-0.070, p=0.008). There were mutually- exclusive associations between the scales with biomarker factor scores, supporting the hypothesis of distinct constructs. Our findings expanded the biomarkers of depression and PWB, deepening understanding of the biological underpinnings of depressive symptoms and PWB. These findings have implications in field work, since researchers could not infer one construct from the other, the examination of both constructs are essential.

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DOES CHANGE IN INTERNET USE PREDICT PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG OLDER ADULTS?

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1189 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S326-S326

Author(s):

Ronald W Berkowsky

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Internet Use ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

The Internet ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Internet Users ◽

Additional Control ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Previous work focusing on the relationship between Internet use and quality of life among older adults (aged 65+) has found evidence of various positive impacts. This project expands upon this work by examining the relationship between Internet use and measures of psychological well-being (PWB) including autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. The analytic sample is derived from two waves of data (Time 1 = 2004, Time 2 = 2011) taken from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study and includes a sample of older adults aged~65 at Time 1 (N = 4943). Participants were separated into four categories: those who did not use the Internet at Time 1 or 2, those who used the Internet at Time 1 only, those who used the Internet at Time 2 only, and those who used the Internet at both Time 1 and 2. Regression analyses were performed with the Time 2 PWB measures as the outcomes and the Internet use categories as the primary predictors. Results indicate that while continuous Internet users typically reported higher PWB scores compared to non-users, those who stopped use between Time 1 and 2 also reported higher scores and those who started use between Time 1 and 2 reported lower scores. These results generally held when introducing Time 1 PWB measures as controls, suggesting changes in Internet use may affect PWB but not necessarily in the predicted directions. Additional control variables, potential explanations, and implications for future research are discussed.

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Age Moderates Perceived COVID-19 Disruption on Well-Being

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gnaa106 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Amy Knepple Carney ◽

Allyson S Graf ◽

Grace Hudson ◽

Ellen Wilson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Large Scale ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Age Related ◽

Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives It is not fully understood how large-scale events affect well-being. Older adults showed the highest levels of resilience following the September 11th (9/11) terrorist attacks, but during the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak, there were no age-related differences in well-being. The current study examined the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) disruption on well-being throughout adulthood. Research Design and Methods Perceived stress and affect were examined in 166 community-dwelling adults (Mage = 35.65; SD = 15.53; range = 18–79) in relation to the perceived disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic to their lives. Results A significant moderation was found for age and COVID-19 disruption on perceived stress [F(5, 153) = 8.88, p < .05, R2 = .22] and negative affect [F(5, 154) = 4.91, p < .05, R2 = .14], but not for positive affect. For participants over 50, those who rated COVID-19 as a low or high disruption had similar scores on stress and negative affect, but with younger aged participants, perceiving high disruption corresponded with higher levels of stress and negative affect. Discussion and Implications Findings are consistent with the strength and vulnerability integration (SAVI) model, wherein older adults try to maintain positive emotional well-being, with middle-aged and older adults in the current study having experienced less negative impact on well-being. Middle-aged and older adults may be better able to regulate negative emotions from COVID-19 than younger adults. SAVI proposes a greater negative impact on older adults when they experience sustained stressors; as the challenges with COVID-19 continue, further data will need to be examined.

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O perspectivă socială a stării de bine: emergența eudaimoniei și a scopului în viața în mediul organizațional

10.47040/sd0000041 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (1-2) ◽

pp. 55-71

Author(s):

Adrian Vlad Ursu

Keyword(s):

Transformational Leadership ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Organizational Identification ◽

Environmental Control ◽

Purpose In Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Cognitive Factors ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

The Relationship

This paper aims to investigate the psychological well-being in relation to group socio-cognitive factors at work. Data was collected on a sample of 133 participants that were employed and had a manager at the time of filling in the scales. The results support the mediation role of trust between transformational and organizational identification. Organizational identification totally mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and psychological well being and its subscales: purpose in life, positive relationships with others, environmental control. The relationship between transformational leadership and self acceptance, personal growth and positive relations with other was mediated by the trust in coworkers.

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O perspectivă socială a stării de bine: emergența eudaimoniei și a scopului în viața în mediul organizațional

10.47040/sd/sdpsych.v6i1-2.39 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (1-2) ◽

pp. 55-71

Author(s):

Vlad Adrian Ursu

Keyword(s):

Transformational Leadership ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Organizational Identification ◽

Environmental Control ◽

Purpose In Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Cognitive Factors ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

The Relationship

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Elder Mistreatment and Psychological Well-Being among Older Americans

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17207525 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (20) ◽

pp. 7525

Author(s):

Ronald W. Berkowsky

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Well Being ◽

Ordinary Least Squares ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Least Squares Regression ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Elder Mistreatment ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Older Americans

Elder mistreatment is a major public health issue both in the US and around the globe. While extensive research has elucidated the association between elder mistreatment and health in older adults, little is known about the relationship between elder mistreatment and more eudaimonic measures of psychological well-being. Using data from the 2011 wave of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, this project examined the association between older adults’ experience with varied forms of elder mistreatment and eudaimonic dimensions of psychological well-being including autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. Ordinary least squares regression analyses found significant associations between experiences of elder mistreatment and psychological well-being. In particular, older adults who reported feeling that someone was too controlling over their daily lives and older adults who reported making donations to organizations they later worried were not legitimate reported significantly lower scores on all six psychological well-being dimensions. The results of this study suggest the negative effects of elder mistreatment can extend to more eudaimonic feelings of well-being, and programs designed to treat victims of elder mistreatment should incorporate strategies that help strengthen psychological well-being.

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