scholarly journals Understanding Health Concerns of Older Adults: Health Personality, Health Activation, and Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 632-632
Author(s):  
Peter Martin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Personality Assessment ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Measurement Properties ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Relationship Of

Abstract Individuals display different levels of concern about their health. These overall concerns may be a result of health personality dispositions based on the five-factor model of personality. They include health neuroticism, health extraversion, health openness, health agreeableness, and health conscientiousness. Furthermore, whether older adults take active care of their health and how they view their overall physical and emotional well-being may depend on these health personality dispositions. This symposium sheds light on the association between health personality, resilience, activation, and well-being. The first presentation provides an overview of our health personality conceptual model and summarizes measurement properties of the Health Personality Assessment. The second presentation highlights demographic differences in health personality. Gender, age, marital status, and regional differences in health personality are reported. The third presentation links health personality with levels of health activation and resilience. Direct and indirect effects of health personality on resilience and health activation are presented. Finally, we highlight results about the relationship of health personality with physical and emotional well-being in later life. All five health personality dispositions directly related to physical and mental health. Our discussion emphasizes practical implications for health practitioners and outlines future research on health personality and outcomes.

The economic recession and subjective well-being in older adults in the Republic of Ireland

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Duffy ◽  
K. Mullin ◽  
S. O’Dwyer ◽  
M. Wrigley ◽  
B. D. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Future Health

ObjectiveSubjective well-being in older people is strongly associated with emotional, physical and mental health. This study investigates subjective well-being in older adults in Ireland before and after the economic recession that commenced in 2008.MethodsCross-sectional data from the biennial European Social Survey (2002–2012) were analysed for two separate groups of older adults: one sampled before the recession and one after. Stratification and linear regression modelling were used to analyse the association between subjective well-being, the recession and multiple potential confounders and effect modifiers.ResultsData were analysed on 2013 individuals. Overall, subjective well-being among older adults was 1.30 points lower after the recession compared with before the recession (s.e. 0.16; 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.61; p<0.001) [pre-recession: 16.1, out of a possible 20 (s.d. 3.24); post-recession:14.8 (s.d. 3.72)]. Among these older adults, the pre- and post-recession difference was especially marked in women, those with poor health and those living in urban areas.ConclusionsSubjective well-being was significantly lower in older adults after the recession compared with before the recession, especially in women with poor health in urban areas. Policy-makers need proactively to protect these vulnerable cohorts in future health and social policy. Future research could usefully focus on older people on fixed incomes whose diminished ability to alter their economic situation might make them more vulnerable to reduced subjective well-being during a recession.

The development of a brief measure of health personality

2020 ◽  
pp. 135910532093117
Author(s):  
Peter Martin ◽  
Joseph Kim ◽  
Angelica Jasper ◽  
Yousun Baek ◽  
Daniel Russell
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Personality Assessment ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Brief Assessment ◽  
Five Factors ◽  
Good Internal Consistency ◽  
Health And Well Being

The purpose of this research was to develop a brief assessment of health personality, defined as a set of individual dispositions that are directly related to health. In Study 1, an initial pool of items was developed with 615 older adults, 65 years of age and older. The scale was reduced to a 15-item version for use in applied health care settings. Results indicated that the ‘Health Personality Assessment scale’ has good internal consistency, and the five-factors correlated significantly with self-reported measures of physical health and well-being. In Study 2, the scale was cross-validated with 254 older adults from the Health Literacy and Cognitive Function among Older Adults Study. The scale was refined and a third study consisted of 3,907 older adults. Reliability and validity of the scale were confirmed. Future research should evaluate the usefulness of this scale in applied healthcare settings.

Suicide Risk Factors Among Older Adults: Exploring Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness in Relation to Personality and Self-Esteem

2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Eades ◽  
Daniel L. Segal ◽  
Frederick L. Coolidge
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Multivariate Techniques ◽  
Thwarted Belongingness ◽  
Perceived Burdensomeness

The objective of this study was to explore the role of personality and self-esteem in later life within two established risk factors for suicidal ideation (SI)—Thwarted Belongingness (TB) and Perceived Burdensomeness (PB). The data about personality (i.e., Five Factor Model [FFM] and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Personality Disorders [PD]), self-esteem, TB, PB, and SI were collected from 102 community-dwelling older adults and analyzed using bivariate and multivariate techniques. All FFM domains and most PD traits were significantly correlated with SI, TB, and PB. Furthermore, FFM and PD traits explained a significant and meaningful amount of variance of SI, TB, and PB. Self-esteem demonstrated strong negative relationships with SI, TB, and PB. Personality features and self-esteem are important associated features for SI, TB, and PB. Clinicians should consider this information when assessing and evaluating for suicidal risk among older adults. The findings also highlight the need to consider personality traits in developing prevention strategies.

scholarly journals Predicting Perceived Health of Older Adults: The Role of Health, Personality, and Resilience

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 227-228
Author(s):  
Rotem Arieli ◽  
Joseph Kim ◽  
Peter Martin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Personality Assessment ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Resilience Scale ◽  
Supplemental Health Insurance

Abstract Past research has not addressed how domain-specific “health” personality traits are associated with resilience and well-being. The purpose of this study was to determine pathways from health personality to perceived health, mediated by resilience. Data included 3,907 participants, 65 and older, collected by a large provider of Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance. The Health Personality Assessment (health neuroticism, health extraversion, health openness, health agreeableness, and health conscientiousness), Brief Resilience Scale, and perceived health were measured. Structural equation modeling and bootstrap mediation were conducted in Mplus. The hypothesized model resulted in a marginal fit, so direct paths from health openness and health conscientiousness to perceived health were added, resulting in an improved fit, χ2(192)=1660.96, RMSEA=.04, CFI=.95; χ2∆(2)=403.99, p&lt;.001. Health neuroticism and health extraversion negatively predicted perceived health, fully mediated by resilience, β=-.11, p&lt;.001, and β=-.01, p&lt;.05, suggesting that people anxious about their health or that talk about their health had significantly lower levels of resilience. Resilience positively predicted perceived health, indicating that more resilient people reported better health. Higher levels of health openness predicted significantly lower levels of perceived health, β=-.19, p&lt;.001. Greater levels of health conscientiousness predicted better perceived health, β=.20, p&lt;.001, and resilience in-turn positively related to perceived health, β=.08, p&lt;.001. Health personality and resilience explained 25.3% of variance in perceived health. This study exemplifies the importance of health personality and resilience in predicting perceived health for older adults. Future research should examine interventions focused on health personality increasing resilience, as older adults with higher resilience reported significantly better health.

scholarly journals Personality and High Blood Pressure Among Older Adults: State Anxiety as a Mediator

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 388-388
Author(s):  
Lisa Stone ◽  
Deborah Koh ◽  
Kendall Weber
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Later Life

Abstract High blood pressure (BP) is a prevalent medical condition among older adults, and previous research has consistently found that the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality relates to elevated BP. However, variables that affect this relationship have been unexamined. Given the strong association between personality and state anxiety in later life, this study examined state anxiety as a mediator between the FFM and elevated BP. Participants consisted of respondents in the 2018 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (N=5225) who completed FFM and state anxiety questionnaires and had their BP measured. First, correlations were computed between the FFM and systolic and diastolic BP. Relationships were insignificant between systolic BP and the FFM. Conscientiousness (r = -.04) and Neuroticism (r = .03) were significantly correlated with diastolic BP. Next, a series of mediation models were computed. Controlling for sex, the test of indirect effects found that the connection from Conscientiousness to diastolic BP was significantly mediated by anxiety, Sobel Z test = -2.44, p = .01. Additionally, controlling for sex, the connection from Neuroticism to diastolic BP was significantly and fully mediated by anxiety, Sobel Z test = 2.02, p = .04. Although small effect sizes, Conscientiousness and Neuroticism were related to diastolic BP but not systolic BP, indicating personality differentially affects types of BP. The mediating role of state anxiety suggests that it can be used as a point of intervention to lessen the negative impact of low Conscientiousness and high Neuroticism on high diastolic BP among older adults.

scholarly journals Singing lessons as a path to well-being in later life

2021 ◽  
pp. 030573562110309
Author(s):  
Alexandra M Smith ◽  
Kay Kleinerman ◽  
Annabel J Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Musical Instrument ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Depressive Episodes

Seventy-two persons, who had begun voice lessons after 40 years of age, were invited to complete an online survey that focused on the singers’ experience, motivation, goals, health and well-being, repertoire, practice, and demographic information; 48 respondents (33 females, mean age 60.81 years, range 48.83–82.08, SD = 6.99) completed the questionnaire. Most participants indicated that enjoyment and personal growth motivated their taking lessons. Over 90% commented on benefits of singing to their physical health (e.g., breathing) and mental health (e.g., mood, less depressive episodes). Despite the solitary aspect of singing lessons, 67% reported positive changes in social relations since taking lessons. Benefits to professional relations were also reported (e.g., confidence, listening to others). Repertoire level was generally high, consistent with a high average university educational level. Cost of lessons and time demands may account for the generally high socioeconomic status of respondents. Given that the singing voice is a musical instrument available to almost everyone, results might motivate older adults to consider taking voice lessons, encourage health care professionals to consider voice lessons as interventions to benefit clients, and persuade governments to subsidize voice lessons for older adults in their jurisdictions. The study provides a foundation for future research on the relative impacts on well-being of vocal lessons versus choral singing in the context of relative investments in the two activities.

scholarly journals WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS AND BRAIN HEALTH IN LATER LIFE: A SCOPING REVIEW

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S597-S597
Author(s):  
Boeun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Measurement Properties ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Physical Features

Abstract Brain health is critical in independent living and well-being in later life. There have been growing interests in investigating the role of walkable neighborhoods in brain health. The purpose of this scoping review was to understand the influence of walkable neighborhoods on cognitive outcomes in older adults. The physical features of walkable neighborhoods and their measurements were examined. Database search identified 2957 peer-reviewed articles and eight studies (2012-2018) met inclusion criteria. Community facilities and land-use mix were consistently associated with cognitive outcomes across studies. The measures of walkable neighborhoods were under development and the measurement properties were not reported in most studies. Further research on the definition of walkable neighborhoods that accounts specifically for older adults with/without cognitive impairment is needed. Additionally, more rigorous, valid, reliable standardized instruments for measuring walkable neighborhoods, as well as a standard for evaluating the quality of instruments are warranted.

scholarly journals Marriage, Cohabitation, and Divorce in Later Life

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan L Brown ◽  
Matthew R Wright
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Divorce Rate ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Family Change ◽  
Recent Scholarship ◽  
Source Of Care ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Older adults are at the forefront of family change as a declining share experiences lifelong marriage and rates of cohabitation and divorce in later life continue to rise. The goal of this article is to review recent scholarship on marriage, cohabitation, and divorce among older adults and identify directions for future research. The varied family experiences characterizing the later life course demonstrate the importance of moving beyond marital status to capture additional dimensions of the marital biography, including transitions, timing, duration, and sequencing. Cohabitation operates as an alternative to marriage for older adults and is increasingly replacing remarriage following divorce or widowhood. The gray divorce rate has doubled in recent decades as older adults abandon marriage in favor of unmarried partnerships or singlehood. The retreat from marriage among older adults raises important questions about the ramifications of family change for health and well-being as well as access to caregivers given that spouses historically have been the primary source of care.

Acceptance of Love and Remarriage Among Older Adults in the Philippines

2020 ◽  
pp. 089826432098124
Author(s):  
Ju Young Kim ◽  
Hanzhang Xu ◽  
Grace Cruz ◽  
Yasuhiko Saito ◽  
Truls Østbye
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Multivariable Analyses ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Objectives: Later-life re-partnership has been linked to healthy aging, but little is known about Philippine older adults’ perception of love and remarriage in older age. Methods: Using two nationally representative surveys on aging in the Philippines, we estimated the proportion of older adults reporting acceptance. Using weighted logistic regression, we assessed sociodemographic and health factors associated with acceptance as well as the relationship of this acceptance with social activity and health behaviors. Results: Only seventeen percent of respondents reported acceptance. Per multivariable analyses, unmarried men and married women reported acceptance, and acceptance was associated with increased social activity and smoking in men, less smoking in women, and more drinking in both genders. Discussion: Most older adults in the Philippines reported love and remarriage in old age as unacceptable. Through these results, we can understand how attitudes toward later-life relationship impact older adults’ health and well-being.

Leisure Activities and the Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults in Croatia

GeroPsych ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Kaliterna Lipovčan ◽  
Tihana Brkljačić ◽  
Zvjezdana Prizmić Larsen ◽  
Andreja Brajša-Žganec ◽  
Renata Franc
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Financial Status

Abstract. Research shows that engagement in leisure activities promotes well-being among older adults. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between subjective well-being (flourishing) and leisure activities (total number of different activities in the previous year) in a sample of older adults in Croatia, thereby considering the variables of sex, marital status, financial status, and self-perceived health. The differences in the examined variables between the groups of older adults who reported to be engaged in new activities with those who did not were also examined. The sample of N = 169 older adults aged 60 years and above was drawn from a convenience sample of adult internet users in Croatia. Participants reported their self-perceived health and the number of leisure activities they engaged in over the previous year as well as completing the Flourishing Scale. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that older adults who were engaged in more various leisure activities, who perceived better financial status, and who were married reported higher levels of flourishing. A comparison of the two groups of older adults with and without engagement in leisure activities showed that those engaged in at least one leisure activity were more likely to be women, reported higher levels of flourishing, and perceived their own financial status as better. This study indicated that engaging in leisure activities in later life might provide beneficial effects for the well-being of older adults.

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