scholarly journals Alternatives to Aging Alone?: “Kinlessness” and the Importance of Friends Across European Contexts

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (8) ◽  
pp. 1416-1428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine A Mair
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Level Data ◽  
European Values Survey ◽  
European Values ◽  
Sources Of Support ◽  
Alternative Sources

Abstract Objectives Increasing numbers of older adults cross-nationally are without children or partners in later life and therefore likely have greater reliance on nonkin (e.g., friends). This pattern may be particularly pronounced in country contexts that emphasize friendship. This article hypothesizes that those who lack kin (e.g., children, partners) and/or who live in countries with a stronger emphasis on friendship have more friends in their networks. Although these hypothesized patterns are consistent with interdisciplinary literatures, they have not been tested empirically and therefore remain overlooked in current “aging alone” narratives. Method This study combines individual-level data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (Wave 6) with nation-level data from the European Values Survey to estimate multilevel negative binomial models exploring number of friends among those aged more than 50 years who lack kin across 17 countries. Results Older adults who lack kin or whose kin are unavailable report more friends in their networks, particularly in countries with a higher percentage of people who believe that friends are “very important” in life. Discussion This article challenges dominating assumptions about “aging alone” that rely heavily on lack of family as an indicator of “alone.” Future studies of “kinlessness” should consider the extent to which friendship is correlated with lack of kin, particularly in more socioeconomically developed countries. Previous research on “aging alone” may have overestimated risk in more privileged countries that already emphasize friendship, but underestimated risk in family-centered countries where “kinlessness” and alternative sources of support are less common.

Anti-Corruption Protests and University Students: Evidence from Russian Cities

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Olena Nikolayenko
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Political Regime ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Level Data ◽  
European Values Survey ◽  
European Values ◽  
The One

Abstract There are conflicting theoretical expectations regarding students' protest behaviour in contemporary autocracies. On the one hand, in line with a resource model of political participation, university students are more likely to protest than their peers without higher education. On the other hand, university students in autocracies might refrain from high-risk activism in exchange for their own financial well-being and career advancement. To address this debate, the article leverages data on anti-corruption protests organized by the opposition politician Alexei Navalny in March 2017. Results show that anti-corruption protests were larger in Russian cities with a larger university student population. Next, employing individual-level data from the fifth wave of the European Values Survey, multinomial logistic regression analysis demonstrates that university students participated in demonstrations at a higher rate than non-students of the same age. More broadly, these findings yield insights into subnational variation in mass mobilization in a repressive political regime.

scholarly journals Exploring the role of family ties on life satisfaction in later life in Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2-2019) ◽  
pp. 180-198
Author(s):  
Aïda Solé-Auró ◽  
Clara Cortina
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Protection Factor ◽  
Family Ties ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Level Data

We analyzed the relationship between family ties and the life satisfaction of people between the ages of 50 and 85 years in 13 European countries. We aim at determining the effects of partnership (being currently in a partnership) and parenthood (having remained childless). We use individual-level data from the sixth wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The analyses are restricted to respondents who are partnered or who have ever been married. We apply a multivariate analysis to examine the association of life satisfaction with family ties for men and for women. We add controls for age groups and education level, and we pay special attention to the role of individuals’ network size. Our findings indicate that in all countries, having no partner has the strongest and most negative association with life satisfaction. However, there was no clear association between not having children and life satisfaction across countries. We also find an important role of some protector variables, such as having a strong network which, in most countries, significantly increase one’s life satisfaction. We find that there is a relationship between individuals’ family situation and life satisfaction, but it is restricted to being in a partnership. The protection factor of having a partner improves one’s life satisfaction at older ages much more than protection by having children. This finding can reduce the concern about the long run implications of increasing childlessness among younger cohorts as it is not necessarily associated to a higher risk of low life satisfaction.

scholarly journals SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN MEXICO: IMPLICATIONS OF GENDER AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S215-S215
Author(s):  
Maria Monserud
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Studies in developed countries indicate that social activities can make a difference in mental health in later life. Yet, research on potential benefits of social activities for older adults in developing countries, including Mexico, has been scarce. This study uses the two most recent waves (2012, 2015) of the Mexican Health and Aging Study to investigate the impact of social activities on depressive symptoms among older men (n = 4, 749) and women (n = 6,527), aged 50+, in Mexico. The results of Ordinary Least Squares regressions indicate that it is important to differentiate among specific social activities in later life. Particularly, not only group-based but also solitary social activities were predictive of better mental health. Moreover, the findings demonstrate several gender differences and similarities. Participation in clubs, communication with relatives and friends, physical exercise, and watching television were beneficial for mental health among men, whereas volunteering, playing games, and making crafts were associated with fewer depressive symptoms among women. At the same time, reading as well as doing household chores were related to better mental health among older Mexicans, regardless of gender. Furthermore, this study shows that self-reported health, functional limitations, chronic conditions, and frequent pain might shape the implications of social activities for depressive symptoms among older adults in Mexico. The insights from this study can be helpful for intervention programs that are being developed to promote benefits of group-based and solitary social activities for mental health among older men and women with different levels of physical health.

scholarly journals Social Identification and Redistribution in Heterogeneous Federations: Evidence From Germany and Belgium

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 1177-1207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Holm ◽  
Benny Geys
Keyword(s):  
Social Identity Theory ◽  
General Social Survey ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Social Identification ◽  
Financial Flows ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Redistributive Taxation ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Local Politicians

Recent evidence of increasing income heterogeneity within developed countries has reignited debates concerning the redistribution of income and wealth. In this article, we contribute to this debate by assessing the role of individuals’ jurisdictional identification for their preferences toward intrafederation redistributive financial flows. Incorporating insights from social identity theory in a model of redistributive taxation, we show that federal, rather than local, identification can lead individuals to shift their redistribution preferences independent of their narrowly defined personal economic interests. Moreover, contrary to conventional wisdom, welfare state support will sometimes be decreasing in national identification. We empirically assess these predictions using individual-level data from the 2008 German General Social Survey (ALLBUS) and a 2013-2014 survey among Belgian local politicians. Our findings provide strong support for the model’s core predictions in both settings.

scholarly journals Motherhood after the age of 35 in Poland

2014 ◽  
pp. 7-28
Author(s):  
Anna Rybińska
Keyword(s):  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Transformation ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Life Trajectories ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Widespread Phenomenon ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Educational Professional

Postponing motherhood is a widespread phenomenon across developed countries, however only few studies look into very late motherhood in post-socialist countries using individual level data. In this study, I look at the context of the first childbirth in Poland in the midst of the political transformation of 1989. Employing sequence analysis I reconstructed life trajectories of women who experienced the transition to adulthood during the late 1980’s and the early 1990’s and have just completed their fertility histories. Individual data from the 2011 GGS-PL and the 2011 FAMWELL Survey were used. Comparing paths of mothers’ lives, I searched for differences in educational, professional and conjugal careers between women who gave birth before the age of 30 and after the age of 35. The results show how various life careers crisscross over the life course leading women to late motherhood.

scholarly journals DOES PHYSICAL FUNCTION RESPONSE TO INTENTIONAL WEIGHT LOSS IN OLDER ADULTS VARY BY SEX-GENDER?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S686-S687
Author(s):  
Kristen Beavers ◽  
Rebecca Neiberg ◽  
Daniel P Beavers ◽  
Eliza Dewey ◽  
Dalane Kitzman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Intentional Weight Loss ◽  
High Loss ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Baseline Bmi

Abstract The purpose of this study is to explore whether the effect of intentional weight loss on physical function in older adults varies by sex/gender. Individual level data from 1369 older, (67.7±5.4 years), obese (BMI: 33.9±4.4 kg/m2), adults (30% male, 21% African American) who participated in eight randomized controlled trials of weight loss were pooled. All studies were 5-6 months in duration and collected baseline demographic and pre/post gait speed (n=1296), short physical performance battery (SPPB; n=866), and grip strength (n=401) data. Treatment effects were generated by weight loss assignment [weight loss (WL; n=764) versus non-weight loss (NWL; n=605)], as well as categorical amount of weight change (high loss: >-7%, moderate loss: -7 to -3%, and weight gain/stability: <-3%). Analyses were adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, study, education, baseline BMI, and baseline value of the outcome measure of interest. Sex/gender stratified results were presented if the interaction term was p≤0.10. A sex/gender*weight loss assignment interaction was observed for SPPB (p=0.07), with women experiencing greater weight loss-associated improvement in SPPB score (WL: 0.42±0.08 versus NWL: 0.10±0.09; p=0.02) compared to men (WL: 0.30±0.11 versus NWL: 0.30±0.13). A sex/gender*weight loss amount interaction was observed for grip strength (p=0.05), with no difference observed across categories in women; however, greatest grip strength improvement was seen in men experiencing moderate weight loss compared to high loss and weight gain/stability categories. Weight loss-associated improvement in SPPB score is greater in women than men; grip strength gains in men are greatest among those achieving moderate weight loss.

scholarly journals CORRELATES OF LONELINESS AMONG OLDER ASIAN IMMIGRANTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S629-S629
Author(s):  
Yihan Wang ◽  
Bongki Woo ◽  
Nan Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Korean Immigrants ◽  
Asian Immigrants ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Loneliness is a prevalent social concern among older adults, which calls for attention as a condition itself and its influence on mental and physical conditions. However, limited efforts have been made to understand loneliness, particularly among immigrant older adults. Guided by the ecological perspective, the present study contributes to the literature by providing a systematic review of the prevalence and individual-, household-, and community-level correlates of loneliness among Asian older immigrants, one of the fast-growing immigrant population. Following the PRISMA guideline, we systematically searched eight electronic databases to identify relevant empirical research articles. Of the 828 articles identified, ten articles met the inclusion criteria. Majority of these articles focused on older Chinese and Korean immigrants. On the individual level, migration grief, longer length of residence, and weaker ethnic attachment were linked to higher level of loneliness, indicating that immigration can be a challenging experience for later life well-being of Asian older adults. Other identified correlates include mental and functional impairment and worsening health changes. On the household level, while living alone was a commonly identified correlate of loneliness, those who live with family also reported loneliness when they have fewer interactions with their family members. On the community-level, smaller social network and lack of social support and interactions were correlates of loneliness. The findings of the present study are helpful for identifying older Asian immigrants who may be at risk of loneliness and implicates that the efforts to mitigate the loneliness need to be made at various ecological levels.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic Inequalities in Home-Care Use Across Regional Long-term Care Systems in Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ginevra Floridi ◽  
Ludovico Carrino ◽  
Karen Glaser
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequalities ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Individual Level

Abstract Objectives We examine whether socioeconomic inequalities in home-care use among disabled older adults are related to the contextual characteristics of long-term care (LTC) systems. Specifically, we investigate how wealth and income gradients in the use of informal, formal, and mixed home-care vary according to the degree to which LTC systems offer alternatives to families as the main providers of care (“de-familization”). Method We use survey data from SHARE on disabled older adults from 136 administrative regions in 12 European countries and link them to a regional indicator of de-familization in LTC, measured by the number of available LTC beds in care homes. We use multinomial multilevel models, with and without country fixed-effects, to study home-care use as a function of individual-level and regional-level LTC characteristics. We interact financial wealth and income with the number of LTC beds to assess whether socioeconomic gradients in home-care use differ across regions according to the degree of de-familization in LTC. Results We find robust evidence that socioeconomic status inequalities in the use of mixed-care are lower in more de-familized LTC systems. Poorer people are more likely than the wealthier to combine informal and formal home-care use in regions with more LTC beds. SES inequalities in the exclusive use of informal or formal care do not differ by the level of de-familization. Discussion The results suggest that de-familization in LTC favors the combination of formal and informal home-care among the more socioeconomically disadvantaged, potentially mitigating health inequalities in later life.

Is confidence in major companies rooted in generalized social trust, or regulatory quality, or both?

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-303
Author(s):  
Markus Leibrecht ◽  
Hans Pitlik
Keyword(s):  
Social Trust ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Economic Regulation ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Macroeconomic Performance ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Business Regulation ◽  
Regulatory Quality ◽  
Level Data ◽  
European Values

AbstractWhile confidence in the business sector is crucial for well-functioning markets, there is surprisingly little empirical work on its sources. Available research recognizes generalized social trust and macroeconomic performance (especially unemployment and economic growth) as major forces explaining confidence in institutions and organizations in general. By assuming that confidence in companies hinges on rules, formal procedures, and practices that shape how organizations function, economic regulation is frequently advocated to foster confidence in companies, not least as it is supposed to reduce the scope for opportunistic behavior. Based on individual-level data from World Values Survey/European Values studies and economic regulation data from the Economic Freedom of the World project we investigate statistical associations of confidence in major companies with generalized social trust and macroeconomic performance as well as the intensity and quality of business regulation. From an economic policy perspective our findings suggest that confidence in the business sector can be facilitated by an implicit guarantee from governments of fair and impartial treatment.

scholarly journals Co-occurrence of anxiety and depression amongst older adults in low- and middle-income countries: findings from the 10/66 study

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (10) ◽  
pp. 2047-2056 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Prina ◽  
C. P. Ferri ◽  
M. Guerra ◽  
C. Brayne ◽  
M. Prince
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Diagnostic System ◽  
Later Life ◽  
World Health ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Computer Assisted

BackgroundThere is relative little information about the prevalence and risk factors of co-morbid anxiety and depression in later life. These disorders are often associated with worse response to treatment than either condition alone, and researching their epidemiology in diverse settings is vital to policy makers. We therefore investigated the co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive syndromes amongst older adults living in developing countries and measured the separate and joint effect of these two disorders on levels of associated disability.MethodThe 10/66 study carried out cross-cultural surveys of all residents aged 65 years or over (n=15021) in 11 sites in seven countries (People's Republic of China, India, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico and Peru). Anxiety was measured by using the Geriatric Mental State Examination and the Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy diagnostic system. Depression was assessed according to International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) and EURO-D criteria. Disability was measured by using the World Health Organization's Disablement Assessment Scale Version II. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were used to investigate the association of common mental disorders and disability.ResultsThe prevalence of co-occurring anxiety and depression (with the exclusion of subthreshold disorders) ranged between 0.9% and 4.2% across sites. Gender, socio-economic status, urbanicity and physical co-morbidities were associated with the different co-morbid states. Having both disorders was linked to higher disability scores than having anxiety or depression alone.ConclusionsGiven the close association of co-morbid anxiety and depression with disability, new policies to improve prevention, recognition and treatment will be needed to adapt to ageing populations and their mental health needs.

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