The Art of Living Well and the Gaining of Practical Wisdom in Later Life: Perspectives for Undertaking Future Work in the Intergenerational Field

Objective Examine the association between personality measures and perceived mental fatigability. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis in N=1670 men, age 84.3±4.1 years. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the covariate adjusted association between personality measures (conscientiousness, optimism, goal reengagement, and goal disengagement) and perceived mental fatigability (measured with the validated 10-item Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale, PFS). Results One standard deviation lower conscientiousness (β=−0.91, p<.0001) and optimism (β=−0.63, p<.0001), and higher goal reengagement (β=0.51, p=.01) scores were independently associated with higher PFS Mental scores adjusted for age, cognitive function, self-reported health status, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbance, physical activity, and goal disengagement. Discussion Lower conscientiousness, optimism, and higher goal reengagement were linked with more severe perceived mental fatigability in older men. Personality traits may potentially contribute to early risk assessment for fatigability in later life. Future work should be longitudinal in nature and include personality assessments to confirm the temporality of the relationships observed.

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Living Well With Chronic Pain in Later Life: The Role and Meaning of Activity and Involvement

Activities Adaptation & Aging ◽

10.1080/01924788.2015.1063329 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 200-213 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jane C. Richardson ◽

Andrew J. Moore ◽

Miriam Bernard ◽

Kelvin P. Jordan ◽

Julius Sim

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Later Life ◽

Living Well

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A comprehensive, interdisciplinary view of inner speech may be a unique lens through which we can better understand living with aphasia and aphasia recovery

10.31234/osf.io/548ku ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Brielle C Stark ◽

Julianne M Alexander

Keyword(s):

Therapy Response ◽

Inner Speech ◽

Self Awareness ◽

Personal Factors ◽

Living Well ◽

Narrow View ◽

Phonetic Features ◽

Overt Speech ◽

Future Work ◽

Aphasia Recovery

Purpose: While behavioral aphasia therapy is beneficial (Brady et al., 2016), we do not fully understand factors that predict therapy response, or that contribute to extra-linguistic aspects of living with aphasia (e.g., psychosocial). The purpose of this Viewpoint is to postulate that inner speech – the ability to talk to oneself in one’s head – may be an important factor. However, prior work evaluating inner speech in aphasia has been limited in scope. Here, we innovatively draw from interdisciplinary evidence to discuss a more comprehensive view of inner speech and propose how evaluating a multidimensional inner speech may be meaningful in understanding living with aphasia and aphasia recovery. Methods: We give an interdisciplinary overview of inner speech, as it relates to aphasia. Results: Research with persons with aphasia shows that inner speech can be relatively spared in comparison to overt speech. However, this research has taken a narrow view of inner speech, defining inner speech as a covert ‘voice’ drawn upon during experimental tasks, such as object naming, rhyme decisions, or tongue twisters. Cross disciplinary research evaluating inner speech has identified its multidimensionality (specifically, dimensions of intentionality, condensation, and dialogality). Inner speech evaluated across these dimensions in neurotypical populations has shown that inner speech can be related to personal factors like self-awareness; retain phonetic features but also be like ‘thinking in pure pictures; and be both monologic and dialogic. Conclusions: Quantifying a multidimensional inner speech in aphasia will enable future work elaborating on factors related to extra-linguistic and linguistic processes of recovery, as well as living well with aphasia.

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