scholarly journals Negative Life Events and Age-Related Decline in Mastery: Are Older Adults More Vulnerable to the Control-Eroding Effect of Stress?

2008 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. S162-S170 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Cairney ◽  
N. Krause
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Age Related

The associations between family characteristics and depressive symptoms in older adults: a community-based survey in rural China

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1226-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanhong Gong ◽  
Xiaopiao Wen ◽  
Chaoping Guan ◽  
Zhiqing Wang ◽  
Yuan Liang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
Negative Life Event ◽  
The Past

ABSTRACTBackground: The aim of the current study was to investigate the associations between family characteristics and depressive symptoms, and provide new evidence and recommendations for prevention and intervention in the depressive symptoms of older adults.Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted door-to-door, utilizing a sample of 1,317 individuals aged 60 years and above in rural China. The five family characteristic variables recorded were: living with spouse, living with descendant, support of family members, self-reported family economic status in the previous year, and family-related negative life events that occurred anytime in the past with a continuous psychological effect during the past 12 months. Gender, age, years of schooling, and self-rated physical health status were taken as potential confounders. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine independent effects on depressive symptoms.Results: In addition to the potential confounders, only family-related negative life events, support of family members, and self-reported family economic status had significant effects on depressive symptoms in older adults. Experiencing a family-related negative life event was the most significant variable (OR = 11.70, 95% CI: 7.72–17.73), the second was support of family members (OR = 6.93, 95% CI: 3.26–14.70), while family economic status was less important than support of family members (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.08–5.25).Conclusion: This study, from the perspective of family characteristics on depressive symptoms in older adults, showed a strong correlation between being exposed to harmful family environments and depressive symptoms among the elderly. Efforts to address family risk factors and strengthen family cohesiveness deserve a higher priority, given the importance of these factors, compared with other efforts such as promoting economic development.

scholarly journals Negative Life Events, Social Ties, and Depressive Symptoms for Older Adults in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 580-580
Author(s):  
Hangqing Ruan ◽  
Feinian Chen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Old Age Support ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
Different Types

Abstract Negative life events are considered important risk factors of depression among older adults. An overwhelming amount of literature suggests that individuals with the most supportive social relations tend to make a better recovery from stressful life events. As for which types of ties matter the most, whether being family, relatives, friends or the broader community, existing literature is much less consistent and has documented varying effects across different contexts. This study is set in China, which traditionally relies on family systems and filial obligations for old-age support. Using two waves of data from China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey, we examine the protective effect of different types of social relations on depressive symptoms, including those who are living in the household, children who live close by or far away, as well as their ties with family, relatives, and friends.

scholarly journals Negative Life Events and Avoidant Coping are Associated with Poorer Long-Term Outcome in Older Adults Treated for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. jep.003110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine R. Ayers ◽  
Andrew Petkus ◽  
Lin Liu ◽  
Thomas L. Patterson ◽  
Julie Loebach Wetherell
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Avoidant Coping ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome

The objective of this investigation was to explore predictors of long-term outcome following treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in older adults. A small sample of older adults (N = 27) were randomized into a modular cognitive behavioral therapy protocol or enhanced community treatment for 12 weeks and followed for one year. Results from random effects regression models indicated that baseline levels of anxiety symptoms, avoidant coping, and negative life events are significantly associated with anxiety across follow-up. These preliminary data suggest that negative life events and avoidant coping may merit further investigation as predictors of long-term treatment outcome in geriatric GAD.

Negative old-age life events and well-being in later life: the moderating and mediating role of loneliness

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Lise Switsers ◽  
Eva Dierckx ◽  
Joan Domènech-Abella ◽  
Liesbeth De Donder ◽  
Sarah Dury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Events ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Emotional Loneliness

ABSTRACT Objectives: Although older adults often experience negative life events or loss experiences, they rarely experience large decreases in their quality of life or well-being. Emotionally satisfying relationships in older adults may serve as a protective factor that reduces the impact of negative events in decreasing well-being. The availability of these close social contacts is essential, and their potential for alleviating feelings of loneliness after negative events could have an important role in promoting well-being. The aim of this study was to test the hypothetical moderation and mediation effects of social and emotional loneliness on the occurrence of negative old-age life events and well-being in later life. Design: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted as part of the Detection, Support and Care for older people – Prevention and Empowerment research project (2015–2018). Setting: Participants were community-dwelling older adults in Flanders (Belgium). Participants: The sample composed of 770 participants aged 60 years and over. Measurements: Participant demographics, social and emotional loneliness, and subjective well-being were measured. Moderation and mediation analyses were performed using the regression-based approach as conducted by Hayes and Rockwood (2017). Results: Results indicated that a low degree of (social) loneliness is a protective, moderating factor and (emotional) loneliness is a mediating factor on the effects of negative life events on well-being in later life. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of emotionally and socially satisfying social contacts in order to maintain positive subjective well-being in later life when negative life events may occur.

Effect of Life Events, Social Supports, and Personality on Mental Status in Later Life

2017 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyuho Lee ◽  
Marissa Holst ◽  
Peter Martin ◽  
Leonard W. Poon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Mental Status ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Social Supports ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Old Adults ◽  
Study Results

The goal of this study was to explore the influences of proximal and distal life events on mental status in later life. Additionally, life events were categorized into positive and negative experiences. Data from 208 older adults over 80 years of age from the Georgia Centenarian Study were included in this study. Results from a series of blockwise regression analyses indicated that the number of distal negative life events that older adults had experienced was a predictor of older adults’ better mental status. Oldest-old adults’ age, education, social supports, and social provision were also associated with their cognition. Cumulative negative life events may protect people in cognitive function as implicated by our results.

scholarly journals Which categories of social and lifestyle activities moderate the association between negative life events and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in Japan?

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuriko Katsumata ◽  
Asuna Arai ◽  
Kozo Ishida ◽  
Masashi Tomimori ◽  
Romeo B. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Significant Variable ◽  
Human Relationships ◽  
Lifestyle Activities

ABSTRACTBackground: Social and lifestyle activities may serve as potential moderators of the association between negative life events (NLEs) and depressive symptoms among older adults. In this study, we examined whether social and lifestyle activities moderate the association between NLEs and depressive symptoms among older adults, and which activities are significant moderators.Methods: The data came from a community-based sample of non-institutionalized adults aged 65 years or older. Of the 731 eligible older adults, 682 completed the Japanese version of the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale. We measured 15 specific negative life events as well as 17 social and lifestyle activities which were grouped into four categories.Results: Specific NLEs pertaining to human relationships, physical condition and financial status were all or were mostly associated with depressive symptoms. Significant moderating roles of social and lifestyle activities on the association of NLEs with depressive symptoms were observed between “loss of a significant other” and “contact with family members and friends” (β = −0.282, SE = 0.091, p = 0.002); “change in human relationships” and “contact with family members and friends” (β = −0.270, SE = 0.137, p = 0.048); and “change in human relationships” and “community involvement” (β = −0.344, SE = 0.133, p = 0.010).Conclusions: The most statistically significant variable moderating the associations between negative life events and depressive symptoms was “having frequent contact with family members”. Depressive symptoms arising from troublesome interpersonal relationships in one's proximal network might be moderated by positive interpersonal relationships.

scholarly journals Depressive symptoms and time perspective in older adults: associations beyond personality and negative life events

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 1674-1683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Åström ◽  
Michael Rönnlund ◽  
Rolf Adolfsson ◽  
Maria Grazia Carelli
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Time Perspective ◽  
Negative Life Events

scholarly journals Direct and Moderating Causal Effects of Network Support on Sleep Quality: Findings From the UC Berkeley Social Network Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Child ◽  
Emily H Ruppel ◽  
Mia Zhong ◽  
Leora Lawton
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Network Support ◽  
Falling Asleep

Abstract Background Sleep is an important, restorative behavior for health, yet many adults report troubled sleep. The existence of a support network may be beneficial for sleep quality, including as a buffer for stressful events, yet few studies have examined these relationships longitudinally. Purpose To examine the causal effect of changes in personal network support on sleep quality both directly and as a buffer of negative life events among young and older adults. Methods The UC Berkeley Social Network survey collected data from young (21–30 year old, n = 475) and late middle-age (50–70 year old, n = 637) adults across three waves between 2015 and 2018. Participants reported on personal network characteristics, negative life events, and number of nights with trouble falling and staying asleep. Fixed effects models are used to examine causal relationships among each age cohort. Results Direct effects of network support on sleep quality were observed among older adults. Insufficient practical support predicted higher rates of trouble falling asleep (incident rate ratio [IRR] = 1.40, p < .01), while a desire for more social companions predicted lower rates of trouble staying asleep (IRR = 0.81, p < .01). Buffering effects of network support on sleep quality were observed among young adults. Changes in partnership status buffer the negative effects of the death of a close tie on trouble falling asleep (IRR = 0.75, p < .01) and persistent difficulties paying bills on trouble staying asleep (IRR = 0.45, p < 0.001) among young adults. Conclusions This study provides evidence for the direct and buffering role of network support on sleep quality. Our results indicate that efforts to improve sleep quality should address personal networks and the support they provide, perhaps especially during times of stress for younger adults.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document