scholarly journals Post-Recession Housing Insecurity and Physical and Mental Health of Midlife and Aging Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 782-783
Author(s):  
Aarti Bhat ◽  
David Almeida ◽  
Alexis Santos

Abstract Housing insecurity, or limited/unreliable access to quality housing, is a powerful chronic stressor that can negatively affect individual health and well-being. This study extends prior research by examining the effect of multiple forms of housing insecurity on both the mental and physical health of aging adults using the Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS; N = 2532; M age = 63.42; 57% women; 16% black). Participants reported on experiences of anxiety/depression in the past year, number of chronic health conditions experienced in the last year, and experiences of housing insecurity since the 2008 recession (e.g., homelessness, threatened with foreclosure or eviction, missed rent or mortgage payment). 14% of participants reported experiencing one or more housing insecurity events in the aftermath of the recession. Higher levels of housing insecurity were experienced by midlife participants (ages 46-65) and black participants. Regression results showed that, even when controlling for prior health, housing insecurity was significantly associated with higher odds of experiencing anxiety/depression and additional chronic health conditions. These results suggest that housing insecurity experiences are fairly prevalent among midlife and aging adults, and that housing insecurity experiences leave these adults susceptible to compromised mental and physical health. This work has various implications for policy around addressing housing access and affordability issues for aging adults as a public health concern. Subsequent analyses will examine age, gender, and race/ethnic differences in these associations between housing insecurity and health outcomes.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 335-336
Author(s):  
Aarti Bhat ◽  
August Jenkins ◽  
David Almeida

Abstract Housing insecurity—or limited and/or unreliable access to quality housing— is a potent on-going stressor that can adversely impact individual well-being. This study extends previous research by investigating the impact of housing insecurity on both the emotional and physical health of aging African American adults using the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Refresher oversample of African Americans collected from 2012-2013 (N = 508; M age = 43.02; 57% women). Participants reported on their negative affect, number of chronic health conditions experienced in the last year, and experiences of housing insecurity since the 2008 recession (e.g., homelessness, threatened with foreclosure or eviction, lost home). Negative affect and chronic conditions, respectively, were regressed on housing insecurity, and the potential moderating effect of age was tested. Results showed that housing insecurity was associated with more negative affect (B = 0.05, SE = 0.03, p = .002) and chronic health conditions (B = 0.26, SE = 0.03, p < .001). Additionally, the association between housing insecurity and negative affect was moderated by age (B = -0.11, SE = 0.00, p = .019), such that the effect of housing insecurity on negative affect was stronger for younger adults than for older adults. These results suggest that experiences of insecure housing leave African American adults vulnerable to compromised emotional and physical health, however, the negative effects of housing insecurity may attenuate with age.


Author(s):  
Alina Morawska

Chronic childhood health conditions are common and significantly affect the child and family. This chapter begins by describing the central role parents play in children’s health outcomes and illness management and the impact the child’s health condition has on parents and the family. Few parenting interventions have been evaluated, and most focus on medical aspects rather than psychosocial factors related to child and family well-being. Existing approaches to parenting support are described, followed by an exploration of the evidence for Triple P interventions. Recent research using Positive Parenting for Healthy Living, a brief parenting intervention for parents with children with chronic health conditions, is showing promising outcomes. Policy and service implications of recent research are summarized.


Author(s):  
F. Nearchou ◽  
A. Davies ◽  
E. Hennessy

Introduction. The Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is one of the most widely employed tools for measuring perceived social support from three sources: family, friends and a significant other. This study aimed to establish the factor structure of the MSPSS in young adults living with chronic health conditions (CHCs). It also aimed to examine the reliability and convergent validity of the tool. Methods. A cross-sectional quantitative design was applied. Participants (n = 123, 90 females) were students aged 18–25 years recruited from Colleges of Further Education in Ireland (mean age of 20.1 years, s.d. = 2.43). Participants completed the MSPSS and two subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey that assessed social functioning and emotional well-being. Results. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a three-factor solution of the MSPSS in young adults living with CHCs. The three factors together explained 83% of the variance in MSPSS scores. All the items had high loadings on the factors (0.72–0.94). The MSPSS showed satisfactory reliability and convergent validity. Conclusions. These findings suggest that the MSPSS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring perceived social support from three sources in young adults living with CHCs. Social support has been associated with positive outcomes in young adults living with CHCs, thus it is imperative for researchers and clinicians to have access to psychometrically sound instruments to evaluate the construct.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. e51-e51
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Bahassan ◽  
Colin Depp

Abstract BACKGROUND Reports in 2015 showed that premature birth rate in the United States increased when compared to 2014 data, and this was the first increment since 2007. Major complications of prematurity and birth weight abnormalities are well known, but other complications including mental health abnormalities require more investigation to understand their association well. OBJECTIVES We aimed in this study to determine if prematurity and birth weight abnormalities including very low birth weight (VLBW) and low birth weight (LBW) are associated with depression among United States children aged between six and seventeen years old. ​ DESIGN/METHODS This is a cross sectional study using data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) 2011–2012. When we applied our selection criteria, 84,182 children out of the total 95,677 NSCH population were selected. Our exclusion criteria were: age less than six years, child’s history of cerebral palsy, and mental retardation. Multivariable logistic regression was done to control for confounding effects when studying the association of prematurity, birth weight abnormalities and depression. ​ RESULTS Our results reveal that 3.6% of our population had history of depression, 11% were born prematurely, 7.4% had low birth weight, and 1.5% had very low birth weight. Depression was more frequent in children who were born prematurely (prevalence 4.3%) when compared to children born at term. Different models were built to analyze the association between prematurity, birth weight abnormalities and depression. There was no detectable statistically significant association when controlling for demographic data (age, gender, race, family structure) and mental health risk factors (parental poor mental health, chronic health conditions) as well as other factors. Results reveal that children who had chronic health conditions or had adverse family experiences have greater odds of having depression. On the other hand, African-American, male, and younger (6–11 years old) children have lower odds of depression. ​ CONCLUSION Further longitudinal studies are required to establish a causal relationship of behavioral and psychological complications, and to determine the biological mechanisms of brain development that could be associated with depression among premature infants or those who have birth weight abnormalities.


Author(s):  
Laura García-Domínguez ◽  
Patricia Navas ◽  
Miguel Ángel Verdugo ◽  
Víctor B. Arias

Life expectancy of people with intellectual disability (ID) has increased in recent decades. However, there is little evidence of whether these extra years of life are spent in good health. The aim of this study, conducted in Spain, is to obtain information about the prevalence of chronic health conditions in people with ID over the age of 44 and compare it with that of their peers without disability. Twenty health conditions were analyzed in 1040 people with ID and 12,172 people without ID through a study of their prevalence. The findings show that chronic constipation, urinary incontinence, thyroid disorders and obesity are the most prevalent chronic diseases among individuals with ID. In addition, this population group suffers these health conditions more frequently than older adults without ID. Detection and early intervention in these health conditions will improve adequate access to social health services and subsequent treatment of aging adults with ID.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 95-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin J. Homan ◽  
Jan S. Greenberg ◽  
Marsha R. Mailick

Parents who have a child with a developmental problem or mental disorder often provide support and assistance to their child throughout their lives, and the burden of caregiving can have an adverse impact on parents’ mental and physical health. Using Erikson’s theory as a framework, the present study investigated generativity as a moderator of the effects of parenting a child with a disability on parents’ well-being during mid- to late life. Using data from the study of Midlife in the United States, we identified 220 parents who had a child with a disability and 3,784 parents whose children did not have a disability. Regression analyses showed that the effect of parenting a child with a disability on negative affect, positive affect, and physical health was conditional on both parental gender and generativity, with mothers experiencing greater adverse effects of parenting but showing a benefit from high levels of generativity.


Author(s):  
Steven Sek-yum Ngai ◽  
Chau-Kiu Cheung ◽  
Jianhong Mo ◽  
Spencer Yu-hong Chau ◽  
Elly Nga-hin Yu ◽  
...  

While it is well-established that mutual aid groups are effective in the psychological rehabilitation of vulnerable individuals, few studies have thoroughly investigated the dynamic mechanism of how psychological well-being improves through mutual aid groups of young patients with chronic health conditions. In connection with several existing theories (i.e., the helper therapy principle, equity theory, the norm of reciprocity, and the concept of communal relationships), this study aims to: (1) evaluate whether emotional support exchanges (i.e., emotional support reception and provision) mediate the relationship between group interaction and psychological well-being; and (2) compare three potential underlying mechanisms—the mediating role of emotional support provision, equitable reciprocity (i.e., a balance of receiving and providing emotional support, where no party over-benefits or under-benefits), and sequential reciprocity (i.e., repaying the helper or a third party in the future after receiving help)—through a path analysis model. A stratified random sampling procedure with chronic health conditions as the stratifying criterion was used to recruit 391 individuals aged 12–45 years from mutual aid groups in Hong Kong, who completed both the baseline and follow-up surveys over a 12-month interval. The results of the path model revealed significant mediating roles of emotional support provision and sequential reciprocity, not equitable reciprocity. The present study offers theoretical and practical implications for promoting the psychological well-being of young patients with chronic health conditions.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Serlachius ◽  
Sherif M Badawy ◽  
Hiran Thabrew

UNSTRUCTURED School closures, altered access to health services, and economic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic have likely had an impact on the mental and physical well-being of youth worldwide, particularly among those with chronic health conditions (CHCs). A number of challenges and opportunities have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic for youth with CHCs. Challenges include heightened anxiety, disrupted routines, academic and social stresses associated with school closure, increased risk of domestic violence and abuse, and reduced access to physical and psychosocial support. On the other hand, opportunities include reduced academic and social stress, increased time with families, reduced access to substances, easier access to health care using technology, and opportunities to build resilience. This viewpoint paper highlights both challenges and opportunities for youth with CHCs during the pandemic and offers recommendations for further research and clinical care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Ray Marks

Background The coronavirus Covid-19 strain that emerged in December 2019, continues to produce a widespread and seemingly intractable negative impact on health and longevity in all parts of the world, especially, among older adults, and those with chronic health conditions. Aim The first aim of this review article was to examine, summarize, synthesize, and report on the research base concerning the possible use of vitamin-D supplementation for reducing both Covid-19 risk and severity, especially among older adults at high risk for Covid-19 infections. A second was to provide directives for researchers or professionals who work or are likely to work in this realm in the future. Methods All English language relevant publications detailing the possible efficacy of vitamin D as an intervention strategy for minimizing Covid-19 infection risk published in 2020 were systematically sought. Key words used were: Vitamin D, Covid-19, and Coronavirus. Databases used were PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. All relevant articles were carefully examined and those meeting the review criteria were carefully read, and described in narrative form. Results Collectively, these data reveal vitamin D is a powerful steroid like compound that is required by the body to help many life affirming physiological functions, including immune processes, but its deficiency may seriously impact the health status and well being of the older adult and others. Since vitamin D is not manufactured by the body directly, ensuring those who are deficient in vitamin D may prove a helpful overall preventive measure as well as a helpful treatment measure among older adults at high risk for severe Covid-19 disease outcomes. Conclusions Older individuals with chronic health conditions, as well as healthy older adults at risk for vitamin D deficiency are likely to benefit physically as well as mentally, from efforts to foster adequate vitamin D levels. Geriatric clinicians can expect this form of intervention to reduce infection severity in the presence of Covid-19 infection, regardless of health status, and subject to careful study, researchers can make a highly notable impact in this regard.


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