Social Retribution of Students of Master in Gerontology During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Enhancing Competencies

Abstract Introduction In response to the COVID-19 pandemic older adults were called to lockdown and social isolation. Master in Gerontology (MAGE) in a social retribution action delivered a companion program called “I′m with you, You′re with me”. MAGE competencies encompass those proposed by AGHE. The aim is to analyze competencies acquired by students in gerontology in the companion program during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Method: Participated 16 students of MAGE and 16 older adults selected by their high vulnerability conditions reported by social workers from the Metropolitan Center of Older Adults from DIF-Zapopan city. The program was designed to provide emotional support, was delivered by telephone for 3 months (Ago-Nov 2020). Experiences were obtained through an online-questionnaire, data were analyzed qualitative and quantitatively. Results Students reported higher development in the competencies: 1) Interactional, that capture the process of knowing and doing across the fields of gerontology, related to stereotypes and discrimination, autonomy and self-determination, and the use of the technology to enhance the communication; 2) Fundamental, that represent the essential orientation to the field of gerontology, related to identify the impact of public policy and the application of intervention strategies and the use of technologies with older adults, families and caregivers; 3) Contextual, related to promote solid social networks for the wellbeing. The meaning of participating in this program was mainly centered in a gratifying professional experience, “small actions that make big gestures”. Conclusion Gerontologist promote social solidarity through the transference and applying of the knowledge to enhance social development.

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Loving Others: The Impact of Compassionate Love on Later-Life Psychological Well-Being

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1554 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 480-481

Author(s):

Eva Kahana ◽

Tirth Bhatta ◽

Boaz Kahana ◽

Nirmala Lekhak

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Positive Affect ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Later Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Compassionate Love ◽

The Impact

Abstract Existing scholarship in social gerontology has surprisingly paid little attention to broader loving emotions, such as compassionate and altruistic love, as potentially meaningful mechanisms for improving later life psychological well-being. This study examined the influence of feeling love toward other persons and experiencing love from others on later life psychological well-being. We conducted a 3-wave longitudinal study of a representative sample of 340 ethnically heterogeneous community dwelling older residents of Miami, Florida. The increase in feeling of being loved (β=-1.53, p<0.001) and love for others (β=-1.43, p<0.001) led to decline in odds of reporting greater level of depressive symptoms over time. The odds of reporting higher level of positive affect were significantly greater for older adults who reported feeling loved by others (β=1.16, p<0.001) and expressed love for other people (β=1.18, p<0.01). Older adults who felt loved had 0.92-point lower ordered log odds of reporting higher negative affect than those who reported lower level of love. The impact of compassionate love on depressive symptoms and negative affect remained statistically significant even after adjustment for altruistic attitudes and emotional support. The influence of loving emotions on positive affect was, however, explained by altruistic attitudes and emotional support. Our findings underscore the powerful influence of both receiving and giving love for the maintenance of later life psychological well-being. We offer support for the expectation that love is a significant force in the lives of older adults that transcends intimate relationships.

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Family Caregiving for Older Adults

Annual Review of Psychology ◽

10.1146/annurev-psych-010419-050754 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

pp. 635-659 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Richard Schulz ◽

Scott R. Beach ◽

Sara J. Czaja ◽

Lynn M. Martire ◽

Joan K. Monin

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Family Caregiving ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Primary Source ◽

Intervention Strategies ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Care Recipient ◽

Wide Range ◽

Intensity Of Care ◽

The Impact

Family members are the primary source of support for older adults with chronic illness and disability. Thousands of published empirical studies and dozens of reviews have documented the psychological and physical health effects of caregiving, identified caregivers at risk for adverse outcomes, and evaluated a wide range of intervention strategies to support caregivers. Caregiving as chronic stress exposure is the conceptual driver for much of this research. We review and synthesize the literature on the impact of caregiving and intervention strategies for supporting caregivers. The impact of caregiving is highly variable, driven largely by the intensity of care provided and the suffering of the care recipient. The intervention literature is littered with many failures and some successes. Successful interventions address both the pragmatics of care and the emotional toll of caregiving. We conclude with both research and policy recommendations that address a national agenda for caregiving.

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The Relationship between Functional Health Literacy, Self-Rated Health, and Social Support between Younger and Older Adults in Ghana

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16173188 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (17) ◽

pp. 3188 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Padmore Amoah

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Young Adults ◽

Health Status ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Functional Health ◽

Functional Health Literacy ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

The Impact

It is well established that health literacy positively affects health outcomes, and social support influences this association. What remains unclear is which aspect of social support (instrumental, informational, and emotional support) is responsible for this effect and whether the influence differs from one population group to another. This study addresses these lacunae. It examines the impact each type of support makes on the relation between functional health literacy (FHL) and self-rated health status among younger and older adults in Ghana. Data were pooled from two cross-sectional surveys, together comprising 521 participants in the Ashanti Region. The results indicated that young adults were more likely to possess sufficient FHL and perceive their health more positively than older adults. While FHL was positively associated with health status, the relation was stronger when young adults received a high level of emotional support. Among older persons, informational support substantially moderated the association between FHL and health status. Thus, social support modifies the relations between FHL and health status among younger and older adults in different ways and to different degrees. Therefore, interventions to improve FHL and health amongst younger and older adults should pay due regard to relevant aspects of social support.

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Health, Psycho-Social Factors, and Ageism in Older Adults in Spain during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9030256 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 256

Author(s):

Rocío Fernández-Ballesteros ◽

Macarena Sánchez-Izquierdo

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Interpersonal Relations ◽

Population Level ◽

Stressful Situation ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Social Responses ◽

Health Lifestyles ◽

New Information ◽

Perception Of Health ◽

The Impact

Older adults are a population at risk for COVID-19. This study has two independent objectives: (1) to report the impact of COVID-19, as well as psycho-social responses during lockdown, in a sample of older adults in Spain, and (2) to explore through the review of published surveys what extent ageism has increased at the population level. The first objective was to search through an online questionnaire collecting information about self-reported health, lifestyles, psycho-social conditions, and a diversity of concerns. This questionnaire was administered to a volunteer sample of 315 older Spanish men and women (301 COVID-19-free and 14 diagnosed with COVID-19). All individuals reported that they had information about the COVID-19 pandemic. Their self-perception of health was also quite good, most maintaining healthy lifestyles and few reporting unhealthy behaviors. They reported few changes in family and interpersonal relations during lockdown. Those diagnosed with COVID-19 reported higher levels of anxiety, irritation, and fear, in comparison with the COVID-19-free group. Interestingly, instead of being concerned about health, the greatest concern in both groups (COVID-free and those diagnosed with COVID) were politics and the future. Our second objective, to explore ageism during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, was examined across various surveys conducted in several populations by several authors. Results showed an increase in ageism in Spain. Although some new information about health perception, psychosocial responses, and concerns during this unknown stressful situation was obtained, much more research with representative samples is required in order to arrive at more accurate conclusions.

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The Influence of High-Involvement Human Resources Practices on Proactive Behavior

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202125101020 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 251 ◽

pp. 01020

Author(s):

Mingshu Chen ◽

Junrong Wang

Keyword(s):

Human Resources ◽

Human Resource ◽

Self Determination ◽

Theoretical Research ◽

Practical Significance ◽

Human Resource Practices ◽

Proactive Behavior ◽

Questionnaire Data ◽

High Involvement ◽

The Impact

This research is based on the theory of self-determination, and focuses on how high-involvement human resources practices can promote employee’ proactive behavior. Through the analysis of 328 questionnaire data, the results show that high-involvement human resources practices promote proactive behavior, and this process is realized through the intermediary effect of thriving at work. This research broadens the theoretical research on the impact of high-involvement human resources practices, and explores the mechanism and practical significance of the organization’s adoption of effective human resource practices to promote proactive behavior.

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Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the willingness of older adults to participate in physiology research: views from past and potential volunteers

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2021-0204 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Colleen S Deane ◽

Amanda Gates ◽

Gemma D Traviss-Turner ◽

Daniel James Wilkinson ◽

Kenneth Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

The Impact

We explored the views of older (≥65 years) past and potential volunteers in regard to participating in physiology research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using an online questionnaire and focus groups, we found that past volunteers (n=55) were more likely to take part in both acute (p<0.05) and chronic (p<0.05) physiology studies, compared to potential future volunteers (n=57). Both cohorts demonstrated a positive attitude towards volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic, although concern was evident. Novelty • Volunteers demonstrated a positive attitude and also concern towards participating in physiology research during COVID-19

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Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Among Community Dwelling Older Adults: Impact of Covid-19

Proceedings of IMPRS ◽

10.18060/24754 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Tara Seibert ◽

Anthony Perkins ◽

Nicole Fowler

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Critical Issue ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

P Value ◽

The Impact ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background and Hypothesis: Symptoms of anxiety and depression are prevalent in adults age 65 and older. Numerous factors impact the mental health of older adults including changes in overall health, isolation, and financial stress. Emotional support reduces the risk of mental illness. 12.2% of adults 65 and older “rarely” or “never” receive the social and emotional support they need. We hypothesize that the Covid-19 pandemic and associated shelter in place orders will increase symptoms of anxiety and depression in community dwelling older adults. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected pre and post Covid-19 from a sample in Indiana from the Caregiver Outcomes of Alzheimer’s Disease Screening Trial (COADS) and a national sample from the Understanding America Study (UAS). 1,299 and 2,465 adults age 65 and older from Indiana and a nationwide sample, respectively, answered the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). The PHQ-4 is a validated 4-item screening tool for symptoms of anxiety and depression. Mean PHQ-4 scores were compared pre and post Covid-19 for both samples to explore the impact of Covid-19 on symptoms of anxiety and depression in this population. Results: No significant change in PHQ-4 scores pre and post Covid-19 were observed between the Indiana (1.23, 1.13, p-value=0.474) or the national samples (1.38, 1.35, p-value=0.793). An increase was observed in national depression scores, determined by a PHQ-4 subset score, post Covid-19 compared to pre Covid-19, but not statistically significantly higher (0.54, 0.56, p-value=0.679). Conclusions and Implications: In a sample of 3,764 participants, the mental health of adults age 65 and older nationwide remained steady despite unprecedented pandemic and social isolation. The mental health of older adults is known to be an important topic and the potential for the pandemic to exacerbate symptoms of anxiety or depression makes this a critical issue for both clinicians and researchers.

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Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder: An Examination of Teleworkers’ and Office Workers’ Job Satisfaction Through the Lens of Self-Determination Theory

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/2158244020985516 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 215824402098551

Author(s):

Eric Brunelle ◽

Jo-Annie Fortin

Keyword(s):

Job Satisfaction ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Self Determination Theory ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Equation Model ◽

Self Determination ◽

Office Workers ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Although research on teleworking dates back about a decade, much remains unknown with regard to how teleworking impacts employees’ experience at work. Based on self-determination theory, this research seeks to understand the dynamics underlying the impact of teleworking on employees’ job satisfaction. The study was conducted in an organization with a formal teleworking program; 448 respondents (211 teleworkers and 237 office workers) completed an online questionnaire. The results of structural equation model analysis indicate that teleworking is a better way of meeting workers’ psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. In addition, our results indicate that there is a moderating effect on the relationship between these three types of psychological needs and employees’ job satisfaction, supporting the idea that the satisfaction of psychological needs does not operate in the same way for teleworkers and office workers.

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CITIZEN PROFILES OF RESIDUAL WASTE SEPARATION BEHAVIOUR

Proceedings of the Design Society ◽

10.1017/pds.2021.63 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 631-640

Author(s):

Ceri Kamoen ◽

Armagan Karahanoglu

Keyword(s):

Self Determination Theory ◽

Intervention Strategies ◽

The Self ◽

Self Determination ◽

The European Union ◽

High Importance ◽

Global Challenge ◽

Waste Separation ◽

The Impact ◽

Multiple Intervention

AbstractThe impact of human behaviour on climate change is getting more apparent every day. Citizens are encouraged and sometimes forced to change their waste separation behaviour to reduce their effect on this global challenge. One way to achieve this is to reduce the amount of fine and bulky residual waste that ends in landfill or is incinerated. Studies show that this can be achieved by active, efficient, and correct household participation. Multiple intervention strategies are being tried out, while the European Union statistics show that the numbers are not at the desired level yet. To improve the waste separation practices, understanding the motivation and drivers of (correct) waste separation behaviour is of high importance for the current strategies' success. In this paper, based on the Self-Determination Theory, we propose "citizen-profiling" framework, which consists of six citizen profiles, that illustrates citizens' motivations and drivers of residual waste separation behaviour. We end this paper, with discussions on motivating the citizens to contribute to waste separation actively.

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Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 in Older Adults Are Moderated by Existing Mental Health Needs and Emotional Support

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.357 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 94-95

Author(s):

Tianyin Liu ◽

Shiyu Lu ◽

Terry Y S Lum ◽

Walker Siu Hong Au ◽

Man-Man Peng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Effects ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Health Needs ◽

Support Network ◽

Mental Health Service Use ◽

Mental Health Needs ◽

Mental Health Effects ◽

The Impact

Abstract Mitigating mental health consequences is one of the priorities for the society to advance, and the aim of this study is to investigate the mental health effects of COVID-19 in older adults and to explore risk and protective factors. Social workers recruited 722 older adults living in the community (mean age 73.6±8.4) from January 2020 to February 2021 in Hong Kong, and interviewed them for basic demographics (age, gender, education, and living status), mental health service use in recent three months (proxy for existing needs), number of people to talk to when feeling down (proxy for emotional support network), and assessed their depression using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Impacts of COVID-19 were indicated by local daily effective reproductive number (Rt) and Nth wave since the start of the pandemic. Generalized linear models (GLM) were applied. Basic demographics were not associated with depression, existing mental health needs (β=2.99, p<.001), Rt (β=1.08, p<.05) and Nth wave (β=0.49, p<.05) were positively associated with depression, while emotional support network was negatively associated with depression (β=-2.47, p<.001). There was also a significant interaction between Rt and Nth wave on depression (β=0.69, p<.05), suggesting ongoing COVID-19 took a toll on older adults’ mental health. Three-way interactions between COVID-19 Rt, Nth wave and existing mental health needs (β=0.25, p<.05) and emotional support network (β=-0.12, p=.07) on depression further indicated that older adults with existing mental health needs warrant more attention, and wider emotional support network may buffer the impact of the pandemic on mental health.

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