scholarly journals Is Volunteering an Equalizer? A Quasi-Experimental Study Using Propensity Score Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 36-36
Author(s):  
Seoyoun Kim ◽  
Cal Halvorsen
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Propensity Score Analysis ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Voluntary Activity ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Reported Health

Abstract Formal volunteering in later life has been extolled as beneficial for both physical and mental health. However, research points to potential selection bias, in that older adults with key advantages, such as higher wealth, are more likely to volunteer and reap its benefits. As such, we test two competing propositions: Volunteering may act as an equalizer if it benefits the health of the least wealthy the most, or it may further exacerbate disparities if it benefits the health of the wealthiest the most. To that end, we analyzed data from the 2012 and 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (N≈15,000). First, we used relevant covariates (e.g., sociodemographic characteristics, informal volunteering, and health) in 2012 to predict volunteering in 2014, developing the propensity score weights from these results. We then performed several regression analyses to assess the influence of volunteering on self-reported health and depressive symptoms among the general population (ATE) and volunteers themselves (ATT), while comparing the findings for the highest and lowest wealth quintiles. We found that volunteering enhanced self-reported health and reduced depressive symptoms. Further, those in the highest quintile experienced significantly fewer depressive symptoms from volunteering while those in the lowest quintile did not, albeit with no significant differences between the two coefficients. The study enhances the nuanced understanding of volunteering and health while suggesting that unmeasured factors felt strongest among the least wealthy—such as financial distress, discrimination, or lack of organizational support—may attenuate the benefits of voluntary activity.

scholarly journals DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY NOW, PET OWNERS: THE RELATION BETWEEN PET OWNERSHIP AND ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN LATE LIFE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S165-S165
Author(s):  
Courtney J Bolstad ◽  
Carolyn E Adams-Price ◽  
Michael R Nadorff
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Pet Owners ◽  
Reported Health

Abstract Pets can provide older adults a means of social support, which can combat problems faced in later life including loneliness, anxiety, and depression. However, current research findings in this area are mixed. The current study explored the differences in anxiety and depression between pet owners and non-pet owners and how pet ownership was associated with these symptoms after accounting for other established correlates. We hypothesized pet owners would endorse fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression than non-pet owners and owning a pet would be associated with these symptoms even after accounting for other common correlates. Participants included 608 older adults aged 70 to 95 that were included in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging. As hypothesized, results indicated that pet owners endorsed significantly fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression than non-pet owners. Hierarchical regressions indicated that owning a pet explained a significant amount of variance in anxiety symptoms even after controlling for depression, self-reported health, and demographics. However, owning a pet did not have a significant association with depressive symptoms after accounting for anxiety, self-reported health, and demographics. These results suggest that lower rates of anxiety and depression are related to owning a pet and that pet ownership is associated with fewer anxiety symptoms, but not depressive symptoms, independent of several established correlates of anxiety. Future research is needed to determine the specific mechanisms of pet ownership that comprise this relationship as well as whether pet ownership may longitudinally reduce or buffer against anxiety in late life.

The High Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Its Correlates With Older Hmong Refugees in the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 660-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai S. Yang ◽  
Jan E. Mutchler
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Hopkins Symptom Checklist ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Reported Health

Objective: We estimate depressive symptoms in a sample of older Hmong refugees in the United States, and investigate factors shaping risk of depression in this population. Method: Data were collected in California and Minnesota ( N = 127). The study sample included Hmong immigrants aged 55 and over. The measure of depression used is the Hopkins Symptom Checklist–10 (HSCL-10) inventory. Linear regression models were used to identify significant correlates of depressive symptoms. Results: More than 72% of the participants indicated being symptomatic of depression, as reflected by having a HSCL-10 score of 1.85 or higher. Self-reported health was a risk factor for depression. Protective factors from depression were larger household size and older age of arrival into the United States. Discussion: This study updated knowledge about the mental health status of Hmong refugees, who are now at later life. Our findings suggest that depression may be a lifelong experience in this high risk population.

scholarly journals A Case Study About Why It Can Be Difficult To Test Whether Propensity Score Analysis Works in Field Experiments

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
William R. Shadish ◽  
Peter M. Steiner ◽  
Thomas D. Cook
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Propensity Score Analysis ◽  
Randomized Experiment ◽  
Score Analysis ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Do So

Peikes, Moreno and Orzol (2008) sensibly caution researchers that propensity score analysis may not lead to valid causal inference in field applications. But at the same time, they made the far stronger claim to have performed an ideal test of whether propensity score matching in quasi-experimental data is capable of approximating the results of a randomized experiment in their dataset, and that this ideal test showed that such matching could not do so. In this article we show that their study does not support that conclusion because it failed to meet a number of basic criteria for an ideal test. By implication, many other purported tests of the effectiveness of propensity score analysis probably also fail to meet these criteria, and are therefore questionable contributions to the literature on the effects of propensity score analysis. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v3i2_shadish

scholarly journals Temporary work and depressive symptoms: A propensity score analysis

2010 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 1982-1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amélie Quesnel-Vallée ◽  
Suzanne DeHaney ◽  
Antonio Ciampi
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Analysis ◽  
Temporary Work ◽  
Score Analysis

scholarly journals A Case Study About Why It Can Be Difficult To Test Whether Propensity Score Analysis Works in Field Experiments

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
William R. Shadish ◽  
Peter M. Steiner ◽  
Thomas D. Cook
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Propensity Score Analysis ◽  
Randomized Experiment ◽  
Score Analysis ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Do So

Peikes, Moreno and Orzol (2008) sensibly caution researchers that propensity score analysis may not lead to valid causal inference in field applications. But at the same time, they made the far stronger claim to have performed an ideal test of whether propensity score matching in quasi-experimental data is capable of approximating the results of a randomized experiment in their dataset, and that this ideal test showed that such matching could not do so. In this article we show that their study does not support that conclusion because it failed to meet a number of basic criteria for an ideal test. By implication, many other purported tests of the effectiveness of propensity score analysis probably also fail to meet these criteria, and are therefore questionable contributions to the literature on the effects of propensity score analysis. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v3i2_shadish

scholarly journals Grandparenting and Health in Later Life: Intensity and Age, Gender, and Urbanicity Variations

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 26-26
Author(s):  
Yue Zeng ◽  
Yu-Chih Chen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Role Theory ◽  
Propensity Score Analysis ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Social Model ◽  
Mobility Limitations ◽  
Self Rated Health

Abstract Grandparents play increasingly indispensable roles in providing family care. Although prior cross-sectional studies have shown a positive link between grandparenting and health, we know little about the optimal engagement level of grandparenting, its longitudinal implications, and variations on health outcomes. Guided by the role theory and social model of health promotion, we used propensity score analysis and multilevel analysis with three biennial waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011-2015) to examine the longitudinal impacts of grandparenting intensity (no, low-, moderate-, and high-intensity) on health (mobility limitations, depressive symptoms, cognition, and self-rated health) among 4,925 older adults aged 45 and older, and how these impacts vary by age (45-59/60+), gender (male/female), and urbanicity (urban/rural). Controlling for the baseline sociodemographics (e.g., education and income), health limitations (e.g., ADLs and IADLs), and health behaviors (e.g., drinking and smoking), our results showed that, compared to no grandparenting, grandparenting provided at a moderate level was associated with fewer mobility limitations, lower depressive symptoms, and better cognition. Furthermore, grandparenting had a positive impact on physical, mental and cognitive health for 60+ older adults but not for the young-old. Both older males and females showed better physical health if they provided care at a low level, but older females showed better self-rated health. Older adults in the rural area showed better physical health; for the urban area older adults, better cognition. Findings suggest that policies aimed at supporting grandparents should consider the optimal threshold and variations by age, gender, and urbanicity.

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