How Families Make Their Way Into Your Heart: Exploring the Associations Between Daily Experiences Involving Family Members and Cardiovascular Health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye Won Chai ◽  
David M Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Family Members ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cardiovascular Outcomes ◽  
National Study ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Daily Experiences

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease is a critical public health issue and a growing body of literature on relationships and health point to individuals’ interactions and involvement with family members as significant correlates of cardiovascular outcomes. However, less is known about the implications of daily encounters with family members on cardiovascular health outcomes and how the associations vary across adulthood. Purpose The aims of this study were to examine the associations of positive and negative daily experiences with family members with comprehensive measures of cardiovascular health and to further explore how age moderates these associations. Methods This study used data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) II and MIDUS Refresher. The sample was composed of respondents who participated in two subprojects of MIDUS, namely the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE) and Biomarker Project (N = 1,312). Indices of cardiovascular health included inflammatory markers, autonomic functioning, and Life’s Simple 7 scores. Results Results showed that the associations between daily family experiences and cardiovascular outcomes differed by age. Having more daily negative experiences with family members was associated with better cardiovascular health outcomes among young adults and worse cardiovascular outcomes among older adults. Having more daily positive experiences was also associated with lower heart rate variability for older adults. Conclusions Results revealed that contrary to the general assumption that negative experiences have health-damaging effects, frequent involvement with family members in daily life, even negative ones, may be indicative of active engagement in life that could be health promoting for younger adults.

scholarly journals Positive Emodiversity Buffers the Association Between Stress and Depressive Symptoms

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 653-653
Author(s):  
Lizbeth Benson ◽  
Anthony Ong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Daily Diary ◽  
National Study ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Shannon's Entropy ◽  
Daily Experiences ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Optimal Functioning

Abstract Intensive measurements of individuals’ experiences allow for identifying patterns of functioning that may be markers of resilience, and whether such patterns differ across the life span. Using 8 daily diary reports collected in the second burst of the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE, n=848, age 34-84; 55%female), we examined whether positive emodiversity (Shannon’s entropy) attenuated the association between cumulative stressor exposure and depressive symptoms, and age-related differences therein. Results indicated age moderated the extent to which positive emodiversity attenuated the association between stress and depressive symptoms (b=0.11, p < .05). The attenuated association was strongest for younger adults with higher positive emodiversity, compared to those with lower positive emodiversity. For older adults, the association between stress and depressive symptoms was relatively similar regardless of their positive emodiversity. Implications pertain to for whom and in what contexts specific types of dynamic emotion experiences may promote optimal functioning and resilience.

scholarly journals The Role of Immigration in the Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults in the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-21
Author(s):  
Jane J. Lee ◽  
Hyun-Jun Kim ◽  
Karen Fredriksen Goldsen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Care Access ◽  
Bisexual And Transgender

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) aging research is growing around the globe. Yet, few studies have examined the interconnectedness of different populations and cultures. This study examines whether LGBT foreign-born older adults experience greater health disparities than their U.S.-born counterparts. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study: Aging with Pride from 2014, which assessed measures of health and well-being among LGBT adults aged 50 years and older ( n = 2,441). We compared sociodemographic characteristics, health-care access, health behaviors, and health outcomes between foreign-born and U.S.-born participants. Foreign-born LGBT older adults reported greater socioeconomic disadvantage and higher levels of experiencing barriers to health-care access than U.S.-born LGBT older adults. Groups did not significantly differ in health behaviors and health outcomes when controlling for sociodemographic factors. Greater understanding of the mechanisms that shape the relationship between migration and health among the LGBT population is warranted.

scholarly journals Positive Affect and Negative Emotional Responses to Daily Stressors

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 638-638
Author(s):  
Kate Leger ◽  
Susan Charles ◽  
David Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
National Study ◽  
Daily Stressors ◽  
Daily Experiences ◽  
Average State

Abstract Positive affect is beneficial for regulating negative emotional responses to stressful events. Yet, few studies have examined if positive affect may attenuate negative affect the following day. We examined how both trait positive affect and state positive affect are associated with next day stressor-related negative emotions. Participants (N = 1,588) from the National Study of Daily Experiences II (NSDE II) and the Midlife in the United States survey (MIDUS II) answered questions about stressors and emotion across eight days. People high on trait positive affect reported less negative affect the day following a stressor. On days when people experienced a stressor and higher than average state positive affect, they experienced less negative emotion the following day. This held true regardless of whether people were high or low on trait positive affect. Positive affect can help explain both who and when people will have attenuated emotional responses to stressful events.

scholarly journals Association Between Activity Diversity and Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Japanese: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 185-185
Author(s):  
Junta Takahashi ◽  
Shuichi Obuchi ◽  
Hisashi Kawai ◽  
Kaori Ishii ◽  
Koichiro Oka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Japanese Version ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Cardiovascular Health Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Indirect Contact

Abstract In addition to intensity and quality, diversity of activity will be an important factor to explain health outcomes among older adults. Few studies, though, examined an association between activity diversity and health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the association between activity diversity and frailty among community-dwelling older Japanese. Participants were community-dwelling older adults who participated in a cohort study, the “Otassya-Kenshin” in 2018 . The participants were asked frequency of 20 daily activities, inside/outside chores, leisure activities with/without physically, direct/indirect contact with friends and so on, in a week and activity diversity score were calculated using the formula of Shannon’s entropy. Frailty was defined by the Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria. The difference in diversity score between frail and non frail were examined by t-test. Logistic regression analysis with covariates, age, sex, economic status, living alone, BMI, Mini-Mental State Examination, and IADL was adopted to find association between activity diversity score and presence of frailty. Of 652 participants (age: 72.8±6.3, women: 60.6%) analyzed, 27 (4.1%) were defined as frail. Frailty group revealed significantly lower activity diversity score than non-frailty group (0.66±0.11 vs 0.75±0.08, P<0.01). 0.2 point of decrease in diversity score increase 5 times chance of frailty after controlling covariates. We found significant relationship between activity diversity and health outcome among older subjects. The activity diversity may provide additional information to number or intensity of activity.

scholarly journals Perceived Impediments to Completed Brain Autopsies Among Diverse Older Adults Who Have Signed a Uniform Anatomical Gift Act for Brain Donation for Clinical Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Suppl) ◽  
pp. 709-718
Author(s):  
Crystal M. Glover ◽  
Raj C. Shah ◽  
David A. Bennett ◽  
Robert S. Wilson ◽  
Lisa L. Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Research ◽  
Family Members ◽  
The United States ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Brain Donation ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data ◽  
Open Coding

Background: A small number of older adults in the United States who agree to brain donation for clinical research belong to diverse racial, ethnic, and economic groups. Those who agree, however, are less likely to have completed brain autopsies compared with older non-Latino Whites of higher socioeconomic status. As such, our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias remains limited in these underrepresented and understudied populations. Here, we examine perceived impediments to completed brain au­topsies among diverse older adults who have agreed to brain donation for clinical research.Methods: Participants (N=22) were older adults (mean age=77 years) who self-identified as African American (n=8), Latino (n=6), or White of lower income (n=8). All participants had previously agreed to brain donation via the Uniform Anatomi­cal Gift Act. Each participant took part in a one-time, semi-structured focus group. Data were analyzed using a Grounded Theory Approach with both Open Coding and Constant Comparative Coding.Results: Perceived impediments to com­pleted brain autopsies varied by group. Older African Americans and older Latinos expressed concern about a lack of follow-through by family members regarding their brain donation wishes. Older Whites of lower income indicated that their own un­certainty surrounding the processes of brain donation and brain autopsy might serve as an impediment.Discussion: Diverse older adults expressed different perceived impediments to hav­ing brain autopsies completed upon their death. Continuous education for diverse older adults and their family members re­garding brain donation for clinical research, including clear guidelines and processes, may facilitate completed brain autopsies among diverse older adults.Ethn Dis. 2020;30(Suppl 2):709-718; doi:10.18865/ed.30.S2.709

scholarly journals Daily Financial Thoughts and Indices of Mental and Physical Health: The Importance of Socioeconomic Status

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 391-392
Author(s):  
Jonathan Rush ◽  
Eric Cerino ◽  
Jacqueline Mogle ◽  
Robert Stawski ◽  
Susan Charles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Daily Diary ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
National Study ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Daily Experiences ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Abstract The current study examined the associations between daily financial thoughts, socioeconomic status (SES), and indices of emotional (positive and negative affect (PA/NA)) and physical health (physical symptoms and cortisol). Participants (N = 782) from the National Study of Daily Experiences, a subsample of the Midlife in the United States Refresher survey, completed daily diary interviews and provided saliva samples, from which cortisol was assayed. Participants who, on average, reported more daily financial thoughts also reported more NA, less PA, more physical symptoms, and had higher cortisol AUCg (all p’s < .05). These effects were more pronounced among people reporting lower SES. Daily fluctuations in financial thoughts also predicted daily fluctuations in NA, PA, and physical symptoms (all p’s <. 01). Again, these associations were more pronounced among people reporting lower SES. Results indicate that intrusive, daily financial thoughts may be one pathway explaining the link between SES and health outcomes.

scholarly journals ANTIDEPRESSANT USE AND MORTALITY RISK IN OLDER ADULTS WITH HISTORY OF STROKE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S269-S269
Author(s):  
Madison B Lenox ◽  
Victor Tran ◽  
Grace Tworek ◽  
Andrew Solow ◽  
Diana Hincapie
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Lower Mortality ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Cognitive Limitations ◽  
History Of ◽  
Antidepressant Use

Abstract The American Stroke Association reports stroke as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, with 66% of hospitalized cases being older adults. Recovery from stroke is a public health issue, as post-stroke depression (PSD) is a significant concern. Approximately 20-23% of stroke survivors identified co-occurring diagnoses, which are associated with physical, functional, and cognitive limitations and increased mortality risk. Antidepressant use has exhibited its efficacy in treating PSD. This study explores the association between antidepressant use and mortality risk in older adults with history of stroke. Older adults aged 65 and older (N=3631, 55.4% female, 72.6% Caucasian, Mage=79.64 years, SDage=7.29 years, MEd=14.55 years, SDEd=8.269 years) with history of stroke were selected from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center database to explore the association between antidepressant use and mortality. A chi-squared test of independence was calculated comparing antidepressant use and mortality rates. A significant association was found (χ2 (1) = 15.933, p < .001) between current antidepressant use and mortality. Findings suggest antidepressant use is associated with lower mortality rates in subjects with a history of stroke. Implications include highlighting the role psychologists play in the early identification of PSD and early antidepressant intervention post-stroke to increase life longevity. Although findings only infer association, they demonstrate evidence for the link between PSD, antidepressant use, and lower mortality rates. Future directions include exploring other forms of depression treatment and mechanisms of antidepressant use. Limitations include examining potential moderators (e.g., gender, SES, type of stroke), and substance use within this population.

scholarly journals “The support has been brilliant”: experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients attending two high performing cancer services

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma V. Taylor ◽  
Marilyn Lyford ◽  
Michele Holloway ◽  
Lorraine Parsons ◽  
Toni Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Cultural Safety ◽  
National Study ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Cancer Services

Abstract Background Improving health outcomes for Indigenous people by providing person-centred, culturally safe care is a crucial challenge for the health sector, both in Australia and internationally. Many cancer providers and support services are committed to providing high quality care, yet struggle with providing accessible, culturally safe cancer care to Indigenous Australians. Two Australian cancer services, one urban and one regional, were identified as particularly focused on providing culturally safe cancer care for Indigenous cancer patients and their families. The article explores the experiences of Indigenous cancer patients and their families within the cancer services and ascertains how their experiences of care matches with the cancer services’ strategies to improve care. Methods Services were identified as part of a national study designed to identify and assess innovative services for Indigenous cancer patients and their families. Case studies were conducted with a small number of identified services. In-depth interviews were conducted with Indigenous people affected by cancer and hospital staff. The interviews from two services, which stood out as particularly high performing, were analysed through the lens of the patient experience. Results Eight Indigenous people affected by cancer and 23 hospital staff (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) were interviewed. Three experiences were shared by the majority of Indigenous cancer patients and family members interviewed in this study: a positive experience while receiving treatment at the cancer service; a challenging time between receiving diagnosis and reaching the cancer centre; and the importance of family support, while acknowledging the burden on family and carers. Conclusions This article is significant because it demonstrates that with a culturally appropriate and person-centred approach, involving patients, family members, Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, it is possible for Indigenous people to have positive experiences of cancer care in mainstream, tertiary health services. If we are to improve health outcomes for Indigenous people it is vital more cancer services and hospitals follow the lead of these two services and make a sustained and ongoing commitment to strengthening the cultural safety of their service.

scholarly journals Heart Rate Response to a Timed Walk and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study

Cardiology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saket Girotra ◽  
Dalane W. Kitzman ◽  
Willem J. Kop ◽  
Phyllis K. Stein ◽  
John S. Gottdiener ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Heart Rate Response ◽  
Cardiovascular Outcomes ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Cardiovascular Health Study
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