Discrimination and Sleep in Chinese American Older Adults

Abstract Since the start of COVID-19, reports of discrimination in the US against Asian Americans have increased approximately 150%. Prior research has demonstrated that victims of discrimination are more likely to experience physiological health concerns, possibly linked to sleep. The objective of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between disordered sleep and discrimination among Chinese older adults using data collected from the Population Study of ChINese Elderly (N=3124, 59% female). To assess, the experience of discrimination in nine settings (school, hiring, work, housing, medical, service, finance, public, and authority) and four indicators of sleep quality (duration, trouble falling asleep, insomnia, and self-reported sleep quality) were evaluated using logistic- and multinomial logistic regression. With an average age of 75 years, discrimination was experienced by 7.2% of participants. Experiencing any discrimination was associated with lower odds of longer sleep durations (>8 hours) compared to those sleeping 6-8 hours. Experiences of discrimination in housing (OR: 5.51 (95%CI:1.08-27.98)) and with authority figures (OR: 6.02 (95%CI:1.16-31.31)) were significantly associated with shorter sleep durations (<6 hours), compared to those sleeping 6-8 hours. Those who experienced discrimination in a school setting were less likely to have trouble falling asleep (OR: 0.28 (95%CI:0.09-0.88)), while discrimination in medical settings were more likely to experience insomnia (OR: 2.29 (95%CI:1.13-4.63)). All other relationships between discrimination and sleep measures were non-significant. Given mixed evidence and the increased relevancy of discrimination against Asian Americans, further research on how discrimination may impact health outcomes and sleep quality is warranted.

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PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND THE ONSET OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AMONG CHINESE OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.423 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S114-S115

Author(s):

Jiaan Zhang

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Well Being ◽

Functional Health ◽

Survey Study ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Study Results ◽

Over Time

Abstract Previous research has shown the beneficial effects of positive psychological assets on health, but more research is needed to confirm the prospective effects on cognitive function. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between psychological well-being and the earliest onset of cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults. Data came from 2000 to 2014 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Study sample consisted of 6,225 older adults who were free from cognitive impairment in 2000. Psychological well-being was measured based on seven items that assessed optimism, conscientiousness, self-determination, happiness, self-esteem, pessimism, and loneliness, with responses ranging from “always (1)” to never (5)”. Negative feelings items were reverse coded. Higher score indicated more positive psychological well-being. Cognitive impairment was measured by a Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Respondents scored at or above 24 were regarded as having no cognitive impairment. A multi-category time-varying variable was used to capture four potential outcomes: (1) persistently free of cognitive impairment between waves, (2) onset of cognitive impairment, (3) death between waves, and (4) attrition. Socio-demographics, chronical diseases conditions, functional health status were served as controls. Multilevel multinomial logistic regression models that account for clustering of observations within a subject over time were employed for the study. Results show that more positive psychological well-being is significantly associated with reduced risk of cognitive impairment onset and death over time. Results suggest that developing more psychological resilience-based intervention programs among older adults may help them delay the onset of cognitive impairment.

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342 The Association Between Benzodiazepine Use and Falls, and the Impact of Sleep Quality on this Association: Data from TILDA

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz103.224 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. iii17-iii65

Author(s):

Louise Marron ◽

Ricardo Segurado ◽

Paul Claffey ◽

Rose Anne Kenny ◽

Triona McNicholas

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Effect Size ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

P Value ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Daytime Somnolence ◽

Falling Asleep ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Benzodiazepines (BZD) are associated with adverse effects, particularly in older adults. Previous research has shown an association between BZDs and falls and BZDs have been shown to impact sleep quality. The aim of this study is to assess the association between BZD use and falls, and the impact of sleep quality on this association, in community dwelling adults aged over 50. Methods Data from the first wave of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing were used. Participants were classed as BZD users or non-users and asked if they had fallen in the last year, and whether any of these falls were unexplained. Sleep quality was assessed via self-reported trouble falling asleep, daytime somnolence, and early-rising. Logistic regression assessed for an association between BZD use and falls, and the impact of sleep quality on this association was assessed by categorising based on BZD use and each sleep quality variable. Results Of 8,175 individuals, 302 (3.69%) reported taking BZDs. BZD use was associated with falls, controlling for con-founders (OR 1.40; 1.08, 1.82; p-value 0.012). There was no significant association between BZDs and unexplained falls, controlling for con-founders (OR 1.41; 95% CI 0.95, 2.10; p-value 0.09), however a similar effect size to all falls was evident. Participants who take BZDs and report daytime somnolence (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.12, 3.31; p-value 0.017), early-rising (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.20, 3.11; p-value 0.007) or trouble falling asleep (OR 1.83; 95% CI 1.12, 2.97; p-value 0.015), have an increased odds of unexplained falls. Conclusion BZD use is associated with falls, with larger effect size in BZD users reporting poor sleep quality in community dwelling older adults. Appropriate prescription of and regular review of medications such as BZDs is an important public health issue.

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Care Preferences Among Chinese Older Adults with Daily Care Needs: Individual and Community Factors

Research on Aging ◽

10.1177/0164027520939321 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 016402752093932

Author(s):

Jiehua Lu ◽

Li Zhang ◽

Kunyu Zhang

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older People ◽

Filial Piety ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Family Care ◽

Modern China ◽

Care Needs ◽

Community Factors ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Using Data

Traditionally, Chinese families have been the primary provider of care for older adults, and older people expected family care. However, along with the modernization and demographic transition, family functions have been weakened, and state-based care has begun to play an essential role in supporting family care for older people. This paper aims to assess the care preferences of older people and the different responsibilities of individuals and communities in modern China. Using data from the 2014 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) and multinomial logistic regression modeling, we find that family care remains the cornerstone for older adults and their care preferences are associated with individual and community factors, mainly including the number of children, education level, residential area, the presence of health infrastructure and care facilities, and the values associated with filial piety of older adults.

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291 A Pilot Study of Light Management in the US Navy

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.290 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A116-A117

Author(s):

Nita Shattuck ◽

Panagiotis Matsangas

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Development Program ◽

Well Being ◽

Operational Performance ◽

Valuable Insight ◽

Falling Asleep ◽

The Us ◽

Us Navy ◽

Light Management

Abstract Introduction Exposure to light at appropriate times can improve alertness and mood; however, light can also interfere with sleep if exposure occurs before bedtime. Therefore, light management is important for sailor well-being and operational performance. One approach to administer light in field settings is to use personal wearable devices. This pilot study assessed the challenges in using the blue-light blocking goggles (BLBG) and light emitting goggles (LEG) for crewmembers of a US Navy ship while underway. Methods Longitudinal (~2 weeks) assessment of sailors (N=18) during deployment. Sailors completed a questionnaire asking whether they used the devices, reasons (if any) they may have had for not using the devices, what they liked/did not like about the devices, and whether wearing the devices made a difference in terms of fatigue, alertness, ability to fall asleep, and reported sleep quality. Results Sailors reported that the LEGs seemed to increase alertness (n=8) and helped wake up faster (n=5), but the devices were bulky/heavy (n=9), too bright (n=4), and made it difficult to see in dim light (n=2). The reported reasons for not using the devices include: the devices were heavy/uncomfortable (n=5), they caused eye strain (n=4), and the LEGs interfered with sailor ability to see while on watch (n=3). Also, wearing the LEGs made sailors feel less tired (71%) and more alert (59%). Sailors reported that the BLBGs kept them drowsy before bed (n=3) and reduced eye strain (n=5). Sailors complained, however, that BLBGs were bulky/inconvenient (n=3). When not wearing the BLBGs, it was because the devices were easy to forget (n=2), sailors had to work after their shift (n=2), and other reasons (n=3). Wearing the BLBGs during watch made falling asleep easier (47%) and improved sleep quality (47%). Conclusion This study provided valuable insight regarding the use of personal wearable light management devices in field settings. Even though not conclusive, our results are promising. We will continue assessing the utility of such devices with a goal of improving sailor well-being and operational performance. Support (if any) Supported by the Naval Medical Research Center’s Advanced Medical Development Program, the US Navy 21st Century Sailor Office, and the US Navy OPNAV N1.

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INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSFERS, RESILIENCE, AND SELF-RATED HEALTH: FINDINGS FROM HONOLULU AND WUHAN

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2190 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S590-S590

Author(s):

Sizhe Liu ◽

Wei Zhang ◽

Keqing Zhang ◽

Bei Wu

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Intergenerational Transfers ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Economic Support ◽

Country Differences ◽

Using Data ◽

The Impact

Abstract This study investigated the association between intergenerational transfer and self-rated health (SRH) using data collected from 323 older Chinese immigrants in Honolulu and 752 Chinese older adults in Wuhan. We also explored the mediating role of resilience and the moderating role of gender in linking the associations. Findings show, for both study sites, receiving greater emotional support was associated with increased levels of SRH and this association was partially explained by resilience for females but not for males. For country differences, receiving economic support was negatively associated with SRH whereas providing economic support was positively associated with SRH for males but not for females in Honolulu. In Wuhan, receiving housework support was negatively associated with SRH for females but not for males. These findings indicate that future studies need to consider country differences as well as the impact of acculturation when examining intergenerational transfers and health among Chinese older adults.

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Coping Mechanisms and Resilience in Later Life: The Role of Family and Friendship Ties in Diverse Settings

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1928 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 579-579

Author(s):

Feinian Chen ◽

Rashmi Gupta ◽

Zhenmei Zhang

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Ties ◽

Later Life ◽

Coping Mechanisms ◽

Migrant Children ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Adverse Health Outcomes ◽

The Face ◽

Using Data

Abstract The papers in this symposium explore different aspects of social ties and how they act as critical coping mechanisms in the face of negative circumstances in later life. Using data from diverse settings, including China, Singapore, and the U.S., these papers underscore the importance of strong family and friendship ties, as they offer older adults with strong protection against social isolation and adverse health outcomes. Gupta and Pilai explore the similarity and differences in coping strategies/resilience among a diverse group of 30 U.S. older adults. Results point to the saliency of support from friends, regardless of race/ethnicity. Visaria addresses the relationship between the expression of loneliness and objective measures of social networks among older adults in Singapore. The findings shed light on how meaningful companionship and desired social connection offer powerful buffers against isolation in later life. Ruan and Chen explore which types of social ties offer the strongest protection when Chinese older adults are coping with the aftermath of negative life events. Findings point to the need to look beyond filial obligations and to consider the interplay among various forms of social support, including family, friends and the broader community. Zhang et al. examine the role of family and friendship ties in a rural Chinese community where many older adults were left behind by migrant children. The results suggest that those who are isolated from friends experience more depressive symptoms while those with close-knit friendship ties are the most resilient.

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Sleep Quality Among Older Women and Men in the United States by Sexual Orientation

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.562 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 174-174

Author(s):

Adena Galinsky ◽

Karen Fredriksen Goldsen ◽

James Dahlhamer ◽

Tina Norris

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Older Women ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

The United States ◽

Bisexual Women ◽

The Past ◽

Falling Asleep ◽

And Bisexual

Abstract Sleep problems may increase the risk for, and result from, other health problems and negatively impact quality of life. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual older adults report more sleep problems compared to their straight counterparts when such problems are measured in the aggregate (e.g. “one or more of four specific sleep problems”). However, scant national research has examined if specific types of sleep problems vary by sexual orientation among older adults. Using 2015-2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data, we used logistic regression to separately model five sleep problems among women 50+ and men 50+ (lesbian/gay women: n=377, bisexual women: n=142, straight women: n=33,216; gay men: n=508, bisexual men: n=115, straight men: n=25,998) as functions of sexual orientation, controlling for age, race, education, and income. Sexual minority older adults were more likely than their straight counterparts to have taken sleep medication in the past week (women AOR=2.04, 95% CI:1.55, 2.67; men AOR=1.81, 95% CI:1.36, 2.40). The only other difference by sexual orientation found for men was bisexual older men’s greater likelihood, compared to straight men, of having difficulty falling asleep (AOR=2.02, 95% CI: 1.08, 3.79). Older women did not differ by sexual orientation in difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or waking up not feeling rested for four or more days in the past week, or meeting National Sleep Foundation recommendations for hours of sleep per night, whether lesbian/gay and bisexual women were examined together or disaggregated. Future research may examine why sleep quality only sometimes varies by sexual orientation.

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The Association Between Discrimination and Self-Mastery in U.S. Chinese Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1085 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 338-338

Author(s):

Mailun Zhang ◽

Mengting Li ◽

XinQi Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Bank Loans ◽

Working Environment ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

The Us ◽

Aging Populations ◽

The 19Th Century

Abstract Perceived discrimination related to one’s racial/ethnic membership has been linked to negative impact on the health and wellbeing of minority populations. While the anti-Chinese sentiment in the US dates to the 19th century, discrimination experienced by this population and its impact has been poorly understood. Self-mastery is a protective psychological resource reflecting one’s ability to cope with stressors. This study examines the interaction between discrimination and self-mastery among 3,157 US Chinese older adults. Data were obtained from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) collected between 2011 and 2013. Self-mastery was measured using the Pearlin Mastery Scale. Discrimination was measured using the Experiences of Discrimination instrument. Linear regression was used. Discrimination experiences were found common (21.3%) among the US Chinese older adults. Younger age, male gender, higher levels of education, higher income, being married, more children, and fewer medical comorbidities were associated with a higher sense of self-mastery. After controlling for these potential confounders, discrimination experiences appeared to be significantly associated with lower self-mastery. Specifically, people who have experienced discrimination when getting hired (Beta [B]=-4.47,Standard Error [SE]=1.04, p<0.01), in working environment (B=-1.13,SE=0.52, p<0.05), getting health care (B=-3.45,SE=0.85, p<0.01), getting services in a store or restaurant (B=-2.12,SE=0.78, p<0.01), getting credit, bank loans, or a mortgage (B=-6.86,SE=2.83, p<0.05) and interacting with police or in the courts (B=-4.15,SE=1.48, p<0.01) were associated with lower levels of self-mastery. The findings suggested that discrimination experiences might be harmful by diminishing one’s protective coping mechanism, which warrants longitudinal studies among minority aging populations to clarify.

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Sleep Quality and Cognitive Decline: A Cross-Country Comparison Between England and China

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.460 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 120-120

Author(s):

Laura Brocklebank ◽

Dorina Cadar ◽

Li Yan ◽

Yaohui Zhao ◽

Andrew Steptoe

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

Rate Of Change ◽

Word Recall ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Impact

Abstract Too little or too much sleep is associated with accelerated cognitive decline in older adults. However, sleep duration does not capture other sleep problems prevalent in older adults, such as difficulties with falling or staying asleep. Less is known about the impact of sleep quality on cognitive ageing, and if this relationship differs between England and China. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the relationship of self-reported sleep quality with cognitive performance and rate of change over 6-7 years follow-up in two nationally-representative samples of English and Chinese older adults. The primary outcome was a memory score (range 0-20), which was assessed using immediate and delayed 10-word recall tests in both cohorts. The results of bivariate descriptive analyses at baseline suggest there may be an inverted U-shaped association between sleep quality and memory in English older adults, and a positive dose-response association in Chinese older adults.

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Daily Evening Electronic Media Use and Sleep in Later Life

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3288 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 914-914

Author(s):

Yijung Kim ◽

Shiyang Zhang ◽

Karen Fingerman

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Computer Use ◽

Television Viewing ◽

Media Use ◽

Later Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Electronic Media ◽

Falling Asleep ◽

Electronic Media Use

Abstract Sleep complaints and disorders are one of the most common disturbances to health and well-being in later life. Evening electronic media use has been shown to influence the subsequent quantity and quality of sleep, but most research focused on younger age groups who are more likely to use new media (e.g., social media) to replace or complement traditional mass media such as television. To investigate how different types of evening media use is related to sleep in later life, we used ecological momentary assessment data from the Daily Experiences and Well-being Study (N = 231; Mage = 73.61) to examine how evening computer use and television viewing affect subsequent sleep hours and perceived sleep quality. Across all evening assessments, 43% of the evenings were spent using computers, and 80% of the evenings were spent watching television. Findings from a series of within-between random effects models indicated that evening computer use and television viewing had independent associations with sleep quantity and quality. That is, older adults reported fewer hours of sleep, more difficulty falling asleep, and worse overall sleep quality on nights following the evening computer use. In contrast, evening television viewing was associated with feeling less tired the next day morning. The results highlight the continued presence of television viewing in older adults’ daily lives and their distinction from general computer use. The social context in which older adults watch television in the evening may potentially explain how different electronic media use influences sleep in later life.

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