Factorial Structure and Measurement Invariance of the PANAS in Spanish Older Adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Buz ◽  
Diana Pérez-Arechaederra ◽  
Ramón Fernández-Pulido ◽  
David Urchaga
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Internal Structure ◽  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Correlated Errors ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Age Related

AbstractDevelopmental theories suggest age-related changes in the structure of affect. Paradoxically, the internal structure of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988) has not been tested in Spanish older adults by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) despite it is the most widely used measure of emotional well-being in later life. The aim of this study was to examine competing models of the internal structure of the Spanish version of the PANAS, its measurement invariance, reliability, and external validity. Participants were a representative sample of 585 community-dwelling people aged 60 and over, who also completed depression, loneliness and life satisfaction measures. Results showed that the orthogonal two-factor model with correlated errors (RMSEA = .057, 90% CI [.051, .063], SRMR = .084, CFI = .97, NNFI = .97) was the best fitting solution. Measurement invariance analyses confirmed that the two-independent factor structure can be used across young-old and very old people, as well as in both males and females. It showed good reliability (PA: α = .93, NA: α = .83), criterion, convergent and discriminant validity (p < .01). Our discussion highlights the role of age and culture in the experience and expression of emotions.

The orientation to life questionnaire: Assessing older adults’ sense of coherence

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s289-s289
Author(s):  
S. von Humboldt ◽  
I. Leal
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Distributional Properties ◽  
Cross National

IntroductionGrowing literature suggests that the sense of coherence (SOC) positively influences well-being in later life.ObjectivesThis study reports the assessment the following psychometric properties: distributional properties, construct, criterion and external-related validities, and reliability, of the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OtLQ) in an cross-national population of older adults.MethodsWe recruited 1291 community-dwelling older adults aged between 75–102 years (M = 83.9; SD = 6.68). Convenience sampling was used to gather questionnaire data. The construct validity was asserted by confirmatory factor analysis, convergent and discriminant validity. Moreover, criterion and external-related validities, as well as distributional properties and reliability were also tested.ResultsData gathered with the 29-items OtLQ scale showed overall good psychometric properties, in terms of distributional properties, construct, criterion and external-related validities, as well as reliability. Three factors were validated for the OtLQ scale: (a) comprehensibility; (b) manageability; and (c) meaningfulness.ConclusionWe validated the 3-factor OtLQ scale, which produced valid and reliable data for a cross-national sample with older adults. Hence, it is an adequate instrument for assessing sense of coherence among older people in health care practice and program development contexts.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Rising above It: Status Ambivalence in Older Adults

Gerontology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 576-588
Author(s):  
Deirdre A. Robertson ◽  
David Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Social ◽  
Implicit And Explicit

Background: Social status is the standing of a person or group in the social hierarchy, and is perceived to change across the life span from low social status in early life, to peak in midlife, and to a decline thereafter. As threats to subjective social status are known to be detrimental to individuals’ health, it is important to better understand how older adults perceive themselves and others in terms of age-related social status. Objective: We examined status ambivalence – the potential discrepancy between how older adults’ perceive social status for themselves compared to older adults in general. Method: Study 1 used qualitative data from 37 semi-structured interviews with older adults to assess perceptions of social status. Study 2 used quantitative survey data from 114 older adults who completed explicit and implicit measures of social status. Results: Study 1 (n = 37, meanage = 71.72, SDage = 5.69; 81.1% women) provided preliminary evidence for status ambivalence such that older adults reported unequivocal low social status for other older adults but a more ambivalent perception of their own social status. Study 2 (n = 114, meanage = 64.32, SDage = 8.98, 57.9% women) compared implicit and explicit measures of social status revealing that older adults consistently perceive older adults to have low social status but again show a more ambivalent perception of their own social status. Conclusion: We discuss status ambivalence as a potential protective mechanism in the context of negative societal perceptions of age-related social status that may be important for well-being in later life.

scholarly journals 347 Numeracy Performance and the Relationship to Age and Retirement among Community-Dwelling Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii17-iii65
Author(s):  
Maureen Mickus ◽  
Craig Carpenter ◽  
Scott Loveridge
Keyword(s):  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intellectual Stimulation ◽  
Telephone Surveys ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Financial Need ◽  
Alternative Choice

Abstract Background Remaining in the workforce in later life may be based on financial need, role fulfillment or opportunities for social participation. Employment can also provide intellectual stimulation, including the use of everyday math skills. Normal age-related decline in numeracy performance has been documented, but the role of retirement in the capacity to perform these functions is less understood. This research uses population-based telephone surveys to analyze whether the interaction of age and retirement influences the ability of community-dwelling adults to calculate simple math problems. Methods Data was drawn from three independently sampled surveys in 2006 (n=991), 2010 (n=1,023) and 2014 (n=997). In addition to standard demographic questions, the survey measured individuals’ ability to perform basic computations. Three questions were asked regarding temporal (now or 5 years later) preferences about jobs, a community bond, and an inheritance payout. Respondents were then asked to calculate the amount needed to select the other option instead. Deficient numeracy performance was defined as either no response or an irrational choice (e.g. a lesser amount of inheritance with the alternative choice.) Results Approximately 30% of persons age 65+ chose not to perform the follow-up calculations for these questions. Moreover, a 1% increase in age decreased the likelihood of rationally calculating the discount rate by between 0.15 and 0.25 percentage points, depending on the scenario. A sharp decline in numeracy was observed starting at age 66 with the addition of an age x retirement interaction, even when controlling for key variables such as education and income. Conclusion Retirement may reduce the opportunity for intellectual challenges afforded in the workplace and consequently, the ability to perform math calculations may decline. Alternatively, decisions to retire may be due to declining health, including cognitive impairments. The timing of retirement has major implications for public policy. Future research more deeply exploring the causal influence of retirement on health and well-being is warranted.

scholarly journals Age Moderates Perceived COVID-19 Disruption on Well-Being

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 &lt; .05, R2 = .22] and negative affect [F(5, 154) = 4.91, p &lt; .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.

scholarly journals Religiosity and Perceived Social Support Enhance Older Adults’ Resilience after the 2016 Flood

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 929-929
Author(s):  
Katie Cherry ◽  
Matthew Calamia ◽  
Emily Elliott ◽  
Angelina Cantelli
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Severe Weather ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Age Related

Abstract In 2016, catastrophic flooding destroyed homes and property across south Louisiana. This study is part of a larger program of research that addresses the role of prior hurricane and flood experiences on current health and well-being in later life. Participants were predominately middle-aged and older adults who varied in current and prior severe weather experiences (M age=49.6 years, age range 18-88 years). All were tested during the immediate aftermath of the 2016 flood (Wave 1; N=223) and most participated in a follow-up assessment 9 (+/- 3) months later (Wave 2; N=202). Cherry et al. (2021) reported that greater flood stressors at Wave 1, such as displacement, flood-related losses, and damage to homes and property, were associated with more symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that age, religiosity, and perceived social support would be positively associated with post-flood resilience at the Wave 2 follow-up. Results indicated that age was positively associated with religiosity and resilience, and negatively correlated with symptoms of PTSD. Additionally, faith community involvement, non-organizational religiosity, and religious beliefs and practices were all significantly correlated with post-flood resilience. Perceived social support was positively associated with resilience, and inversely correlated with PTSD symptoms. These data suggest that religiosity and perceived social support are valuable resources that foster post-disaster resilience among middle aged and older adults. Implications of these data for current views on age-related strengths and vulnerabilities after severe weather events are discussed.

scholarly journals Development of a Comprehensive Chinese Successful Aging Scale: Incorporating the Viewpoints of Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 215-216
Author(s):  
Edwin K H Chung ◽  
Dannii Yeung
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Initial Item ◽  
Civic Awareness ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Inspiring by Martinson and Berridge’s (2015) systematic review, the current definition of successful aging (SA) fails to acknowledge the laypeople’s conceptualization of SA. Adopting a mixed-method approach, two studies were conducted with the aim of soliciting older adults’ perceptions of SA and to develop a multidimensional instrument for assessing SA. Study 1 was a qualitative study and 27 community-dwelling older adults (Mage=68.07 years, SD=7.10, range=60–83; 56.3% females) were interviewed. Interview transcripts were analyzed, and seven themes were emerged. An initial item pool for the Successful Aging Scale (SAS) was then established based on these themes as well as those in the SA literature, such as acceptance and independence. Study 2 was a survey study which was conducted among 414 community-dwelling older adults (Mage=64.50 years, SD=4.01, range=60–82; 55.3% females) to identify optimal items for constitution of the SAS. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 12-factor solution, accounting for 62% of the variance. The 12 factors are adequate health, perceived constraints, flexible attitudes toward life, acceptance of age-related change, life embracement, active engagement, harmonious family, supportive friendship, civic awareness, social contribution, living independently, and adaptive coping strategies. The 12 factors exhibit similar strength of associations with most of the well-being measures, but certain factors show stronger correlation with depressive symptoms and social relationship, suggesting the uniqueness of each factor. Overall, the SAS demonstrates promising psychometric properties. These findings disclose that the older adults’ perceptions of SA could cover broader dimensions than those in Rowe and Kahn’s model (1997).

Volunteering, Self-Perceptions of Aging, and Mental Health in Later Life

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Huo ◽  
Lisa M Soederberg Miller ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Siwei Liu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Panel Model ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives Scholars argue that volunteering enhances social, physical, and cognitive activities that are increasingly valued as people age, which in turn improves older adults’ well-being via a host of psychosocial and neurobiological mechanisms. This study explicitly tested older adults’ self-perceptions of aging as a mechanism underlying the mental health benefits of volunteering. Research Design and Methods Using 2-wave data from the Health and Retirement Study (2008/2010 for Wave 1 and 2012/2014 for Wave 2), we analyzed reports from a pooled sample of older adults aged 65 or older (N = 9,017). Participants reported on demographic characteristics, volunteer work (did not volunteer, 1–99 h/year, 100+ h/year), self-perceptions of aging, and depressive symptoms. We estimated an autoregressive cross-lagged panel model. Results Volunteering for 100 h or more per year was associated with older adults’ more positive and less negative self-perceptions of aging in the subsequent wave (i.e., 4 years later), which in turn predicted fewer depressive symptoms. Discussion and Implications This study suggests the promising role of volunteering in shaping older adults’ self-perceptions of aging on a sustained basis and refines our understanding of the benefits volunteering brings. Findings shed light on future interventions aimed at improving older adults’ adjustment to age-related changes and lessening ageism in society.

scholarly journals Measuring (Non)Essentialist Beliefs About the Process of Aging

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Weiss ◽  
Manfred Diehl
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Objectives We validated an aging mindset measure that captures beliefs about the process of aging. Specifically, we introduce a brief 4-item and an extended 10-item measure assessing (non)essentialist beliefs about aging. Methods We report findings from one longitudinal and one cross-cultural study, including young, middle-aged, and older adults between 18 and 88 years. The studies established (retest) reliability and measurement invariance as well as convergent and discriminant validity of the measures. Results First, in a longitudinal study (N = 124, 50–84 years) including 4 measurement occasions, we showed that the 4-item scale assessing (non)essentialist beliefs about aging has good retest reliability and convergent as well as discriminant validity (e.g., awareness of age-related change). Second, in a large cross-cultural sample (N = 1,080, 18–82 years) of participants in the United States and Germany, we established an extended 10-item measure of (non)essentialist beliefs about aging, providing support for a 2-factor structure as well as measurement invariance across samples within and across countries (the United States and Germany), age groups (young, middle-aged, and older adults), as well as across men and women. Discussion Our results highlight the importance of distinguishing between fixed versus malleable aging beliefs in research on aging and life-span development.

scholarly journals Transitions in loneliness in later life: the role of social comparisons and coping strategies

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Deborah Morgan ◽  
Vanessa Burholt ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Social Comparisons ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Study ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Adaptive Consequences

Abstract This study explored the coping strategies and social comparisons used by older adults on different loneliness trajectories (decreased loneliness, stable loneliness and degenerating loneliness). The adaptive consequences of social comparison in later life are recognised as an important strategy for preserving life satisfaction regardless of age-related losses. Coping strategies are also important in managing loneliness. Narrative interviews were conducted with lonely older adults (N = 11) who had participated in Wave One of the Maintaining Function and Well-being in Later Life Study Wales (CFAS Wales). The study found key differences in the coping strategies employed by older adults on different loneliness trajectories. Differences in coping styles between those who reported decreased loneliness and those who were chronically lonely stemmed from perceptions as to whether loneliness was modifiable or not. Different types of social comparison were also found to modulate the loneliness experience. The findings indicate that higher-order strategies (problem, emotional and meaning focused) are not distinct entities but are part of a dynamic process. The management of loneliness in later life may be dependent on several factors, including older adults’ interpretations of the cause of loneliness. These interpretations will have implications for interventions aimed at alleviating chronic loneliness, where the focus may have to be on changing older adult's perceptions of unmodifiable loneliness.

scholarly journals Age differences in cognitive control of emotional memory: metacognitive aspects and neural correlates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Nicole Gallant
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Emotional Memory ◽  
Directed Forgetting ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Related Potentials

Previous research has identified a divergent trajectory for the aging brain, characterized by declines in cognition and preservation in emotional processing. According to the socioemotional selectivity theory, reduced time horizons in later life cause a motivational shift to prioritize emotional goals, such as positive well-being. In service of these goals, older adults devote more cognitive effort to attend to and remember positive information; however, whether they can exert control over such information once it enters memory is not well understood. The primary aim of this dissertation was thus to examine age-related changes in cognitive control of emotional memory including its underlying metacognitive and neural components. In three experiments, young and older adults completed a cue- or value-based version of the item-directed forgetting task for positive, negative, and neutral words. Results consistently demonstrated that young and older adults could strategically control encoding of emotional information, by prioritizing relevant over irrelevant words in memory. This was evident when encoding was directed by to-be-remembered (TBR) or to-be-forgotten (TBF) cues as well as by numeric points that signaled a gain or loss of value (+10 vs. -10). Extending previous research on metacognition and aging, results indicated age invariance in prospective judgments of learning made during the encoding of TBR and TBF words that varied in emotion. In contrast, age groups differed when retrospectively monitoring the source of words. Whereas young adults’ source monitoring was not influenced by emotion or cues, older adults tended to attribute positive items to sources that were higher in value for memory (TBR or +10 cues), consistent with an age-related bias to prioritize positivity. Finally, age differences in event-related potentials underlying encoding of TBR and TBF words provided evidence that older adults may recruit additional resources in frontal regions of the brain to facilitate task performance. Moreover, in line with behavioural results, the ERP signatures of directed forgetting were not modulated by emotion. Altogether, this dissertation demonstrates that cognitive control over emotional memory is intact in later life; however, it highlights important age differences in the metacognitive and neural correlates of this ability.

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