What Predicts Older Adults’ Adjustment to Aging in Later Life? The Impact of Sense of Coherence, Subjective Well-Being, and Sociodemographic, Lifestyle, and Health-Related Factors

2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 641-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia von Humboldt ◽  
Isabel Leal ◽  
Filipa Pimenta
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Adjustment To Aging

Older Adults’ Adjustment to Aging: The Impact of Sense of Coherence, Subjective Well-being and Socio-demographic, Lifestyle and Health-related Factors

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S666-S667 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Von Humboldt ◽  
I. Leal
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Adjustment To Aging

IntroductionLiterature lacks of studies assessing correlates of adjustment to aging (AtA) among older populations.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to build a structural model to explore the predictors of adjustment to aging (AtA) in a community-dwelling older population.MethodsA community-dwelling sample of 1270 older adults aged between 75 and 102 years answered a questionnaire to determine socio-demographic (sex, age, professional and marital status, education, household, adult children, family's annual income, living setting and self-reported spirituality), lifestyle and health-related characteristics (perceived health, recent disease, medication and leisure). Several instruments were used to assert psychological variables, namely AtA, sense of coherence and subjective well-being. Structural equation modeling was used to explore a structural model of the self-reported AtA, encompassing all variables.ResultsSignificant predictors are self-reported spirituality (β = .816; P < .001), perceived health (β = .455; P < .001), leisure (β = .322; P < .001), professional status (β = .283; P < .001), income (β = .230; P = .035), household (β = -.208; P = .007), sense of coherence (β = -.202; P = .004) and adult children (β = .164; P = .011). The variables explain 60.6% of the variability of AtA.ConclusionsSelf-reported spirituality is the strongest predictor of AtA. This study emphasizes the need for deepening the variables that influence older adults’ AtA, in particular perceived health and further lifestyle-related characteristics, as being relevant for promoting aging well in later life, within a salutogenic context for health care.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

What predicts adjustment to aging among older women in breast cancer remission? The influence of subjective well-being, sense of coherence, and socio-demographic, lifestyle and health-related factors

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s288-s288
Author(s):  
S. von Humboldt ◽  
I. Leal ◽  
F. Carneiro
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Cancer Remission ◽  
Breast Cancer Remission ◽  
Adjustment To Aging

ObjectivesTo build a structural model to explore the predictors of adjustment to aging (AtA) reported by older women in breast cancer remission.MethodsOlder women in breast cancer remission (n = 214) aged between 75 and 94 years participated in this study. A questionnaire to determine socio-demographic (age, income, professional and marital status, education, household, living setting and self-reported spirituality), lifestyle and health-related characteristics (physical activity, leisure, perceived health, recent disease and medication), and measures to assess AtA, sense of coherence and subjective well-being, were employed. Structural equation modeling was used to explore a structural model of the self-reported AtA, encompassing all variables.ResultsPreliminary results indicated that self-reported spirituality (β = .397; P < .001), leisure (β = .383; P < .001), physical activity (β = .267; P < .001), perceived health (β = .211; P < .001), marital status (β = .173; P < .001), professional status (β = .156; P = .009), sense of coherence (β = .138; P < .001), and living setting (β = .129; P = .007), predicted AtA. The variables accounted for 79.2% of the variability of AtA.ConclusionSelf-reported spirituality and leisure were the strongest predictors of AtA. Our preliminary findings suggest that health care interventions with older women in breast cancer remission still living in the community may benefit from clearly including predictors of AtA, as these are essential for promoting older women’ s aging well.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Leisure Activities and the Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults in Croatia

GeroPsych ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Kaliterna Lipovčan ◽  
Tihana Brkljačić ◽  
Zvjezdana Prizmić Larsen ◽  
Andreja Brajša-Žganec ◽  
Renata Franc
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Financial Status

Abstract. Research shows that engagement in leisure activities promotes well-being among older adults. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between subjective well-being (flourishing) and leisure activities (total number of different activities in the previous year) in a sample of older adults in Croatia, thereby considering the variables of sex, marital status, financial status, and self-perceived health. The differences in the examined variables between the groups of older adults who reported to be engaged in new activities with those who did not were also examined. The sample of N = 169 older adults aged 60 years and above was drawn from a convenience sample of adult internet users in Croatia. Participants reported their self-perceived health and the number of leisure activities they engaged in over the previous year as well as completing the Flourishing Scale. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that older adults who were engaged in more various leisure activities, who perceived better financial status, and who were married reported higher levels of flourishing. A comparison of the two groups of older adults with and without engagement in leisure activities showed that those engaged in at least one leisure activity were more likely to be women, reported higher levels of flourishing, and perceived their own financial status as better. This study indicated that engaging in leisure activities in later life might provide beneficial effects for the well-being of older adults.

scholarly journals Loving Others: The Impact of Compassionate Love on Later-Life Psychological Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 480-481
Author(s):  
Eva Kahana ◽  
Tirth Bhatta ◽  
Boaz Kahana ◽  
Nirmala Lekhak
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Compassionate Love ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Existing scholarship in social gerontology has surprisingly paid little attention to broader loving emotions, such as compassionate and altruistic love, as potentially meaningful mechanisms for improving later life psychological well-being. This study examined the influence of feeling love toward other persons and experiencing love from others on later life psychological well-being. We conducted a 3-wave longitudinal study of a representative sample of 340 ethnically heterogeneous community dwelling older residents of Miami, Florida. The increase in feeling of being loved (β=-1.53, p&lt;0.001) and love for others (β=-1.43, p&lt;0.001) led to decline in odds of reporting greater level of depressive symptoms over time. The odds of reporting higher level of positive affect were significantly greater for older adults who reported feeling loved by others (β=1.16, p&lt;0.001) and expressed love for other people (β=1.18, p&lt;0.01). Older adults who felt loved had 0.92-point lower ordered log odds of reporting higher negative affect than those who reported lower level of love. The impact of compassionate love on depressive symptoms and negative affect remained statistically significant even after adjustment for altruistic attitudes and emotional support. The influence of loving emotions on positive affect was, however, explained by altruistic attitudes and emotional support. Our findings underscore the powerful influence of both receiving and giving love for the maintenance of later life psychological well-being. We offer support for the expectation that love is a significant force in the lives of older adults that transcends intimate relationships.

scholarly journals Self-reported Vision Impairment and Subjective Well-being in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Mediation Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 589-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoling Xiang ◽  
Vicki A Freedman ◽  
Khushali Shah ◽  
Rita X Hu ◽  
Brian C Stagg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Activity Limitations ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Poor Vision ◽  
Longitudinal Mediation ◽  
Participation Restrictions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Vision impairment (VI) in older adults is associated with declines in well-being. However, the pathways through which poor vision leads to declines in well-being have not been well-described. The purpose of this study was to determine whether activity limitations and social participation restrictions mediate the impact of self-reported VI on subjective well-being. Methods The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) is a nationally representative longitudinal study of Medicare beneficiaries 65 and older that includes detailed measures of the disablement process. A longitudinal mediation model was conceptualized linking self-reported VI and subjective well-being. Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediating effects of activity limitations and social participation restrictions while adjusting for relevant covariates. Results The final sample included 5,431 respondents. At baseline, 8.0% of Medicare beneficiaries had self-reported VI. Subjective well-being scores were significantly lower among respondents with self-reported VI (15.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.2, 16.2) compared with those without VI (17.6; 95% CI: 17.5, 17.7). Self-reported VI had a significant indirect effect on subjective well-being through limiting mobility (β = −0.04; 95% CI: −0.07, −0.03) and household activities (β = −0.05; 95% CI: −0.08, −0.03), but not self-care limitations (β = 0.0; 95% CI = 0.0, 0.0) or participation restrictions (β = 0.0; 95% CI = −0.01, 0.00). Total indirect effects from all mediation paths accounted for 42% of the effect of VI on well-being. Conclusions Mobility and household activity limitations are significant mediators that explain a considerable portion of the impact of poor vision on well-being. Interventions to promote successful accommodation may result in greater overall well-being for older adults with poor vision.

Self-compassionate Aging: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. e311-e324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Brown ◽  
Jeff C Huffman ◽  
Christina Bryant
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Abstract Background and Objectives There is considerable heterogeneity in experiences of aging, with some experiencing greater well-being and adapting more successfully to the challenges of aging than others. Self-compassion is a modifiable psychological skill that might help explain individual differences in well-being and adjustment in later life. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on self-compassion and well-being outcomes in studies of older adults aged 65 and older. Research Design and Methods This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, using databases PsycINFO, Medline, and Embase. The search term self-compassion was paired with terms relating to well-being, psychological symptoms, and adjustment. Meta-analysis was used to synthesize results on the relationship between self-compassion and four outcomes including depression, anxiety, hedonic well-being, and eudaimonic well-being. Results Eleven studies met inclusion criteria for this review. Meta-analysis revealed that self-compassion was associated with lower levels of depression (r = −.58, 95% CI [−.66, −.48]) and anxiety (r = −.36, 95% CI [−.60, −.07]), and higher levels of hedonic (r = .41, 95% CI [.15, .62]) and eudaimonic (r = .49, 95% CI [.41, .57]) well-being. Further, three studies found self-compassion weakened the impact of physical symptoms on well-being outcomes. Discussion and Implications We found preliminary evidence that self-compassion is associated with well-being outcomes in older adults, and that self-compassion may buffer the psychological sequelae of health symptoms in later life. Higher quality studies with uniform outcome measures are needed to replicate and extend these results.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document