scholarly journals LOOK WHO’S TALKING: TRADITIONAL AND ELECTRONIC MEDIUMS OF CONTACT LINKED WITH LATER-LIFE SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S327-S327
Author(s):  
Melanie S Hill ◽  
Jeremy B Yorgason ◽  
Sarah Coyne ◽  
Alexander C Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Amazon Mechanical Turk ◽  
Practical Support ◽  
Sibling Closeness ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Conflictual Relationship

Abstract The sibling role is often the longest lasting relationship between individuals. As such, older adults may turn to siblings in later life as it is a relationship that is already familiar. Having a close and less conflictual relationship with a sibling may be especially important as older adults value siblings for emotional and practical support exhibited through contact. Minimal research has examined mediums of contact used between sibling dyads despite the increase use in technology among older adults. Using a sample of 491 Americans (Mage = 58.96) recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (Mturk), the current study examined five mediums of contact (i.e., in person, telephone, e-mail, texting, and social media) and how each type independently is related to sibling closeness and conflict. Further, using regression analyses in STATA, two and three-way interactions were examined to assess the role of sibling dyad composition affecting this relationship. Results indicated that contact through telephone was associated with higher sibling closeness for all sibling dyads, and that association was stronger for females with a sister compared to males with a brother. Further, in person and texting contact was especially beneficial for females with a brother. Main effects revealed contact in person, via social media, over the telephone, or through email, reported more sibling closeness, while those who engaged in more email contact reported less conflict. Thus, even in later life, siblings are keeping in contact with one another through both traditional and electronic mediums of communication, and this contact appears especially beneficial for sisters.

Look Who’s Talking: Mediums of Contact Among Mid-to Later-Life Siblings

2020 ◽  
pp. 009141502091295
Author(s):  
Melanie S. Hill ◽  
Alexander C. Jensen ◽  
Sarah M. Coyne ◽  
Jeremy B. Yorgason
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Mechanical Turk ◽  
Amazon Mechanical Turk ◽  
Adult Siblings ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Telephone Contact ◽  
Sibling Closeness

Adult siblings maintain contact and remain close to one another. The current study used participants recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk ( n = 491) to conduct regression analyses examining five methods of contact (in person, telephone, email, texting, and social media) predicting sibling closeness and conflict. Further, two- and three-way interactions assessed the role of sibling dyad composition (e.g., women with a sister and women with a brother). Results suggested that as contact in person, through social media, the telephone, or email increased, sibling closeness increased, while increased contact through email indicated less conflict. Assessing sibling dyad composition suggested as telephone contact increased, sibling closeness increased for all sibling dyads, especially for women with a sister compared to men with a brother. In-person and texting contacts were beneficial for women with a brother. Even in mid- to later-life, siblings connect through synchronous and asynchronous mediums, and this contact appears beneficial for sisters.

scholarly journals "The florals": Female fans over 50 in the Sherlock fandom

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Line Nybro Petersen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Youth Culture ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Fan Studies ◽  
Subjective Age ◽  
Fan Practices ◽  
E Mail ◽  
The Way

This article uses e-mail interviews with nine female fans to explore what it means to be a fan over the age of 50 of the popular BBC drama Sherlock (2010–). The research aims to better understand the role of fandom in later life, in particular how the participants in this study negotiate their perceptions of their subjective age in relation to being a fan in this part of their life course. This study combines theory on cultural gerontology with fan studies and mediatization theory in order to understand the dynamics and processes that guide fans' negotiations of subjective age as well as the role of fan practices and the affordances of social media in these processes. I argue that fandom, as a manifestation of a mediatized culture, augments the relevance of subjective age and informs the way in which participants in middle and later life perceive and negotiate their own subjective age specifically in relation to fandom as youth culture, women's passion, and creativity.

Early Child–Parent Relationship Quality and Cognitive Function in Older Rural Chinese Adults: The Mediating Role of Educational Attainment

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432199656
Author(s):  
Changmin Peng ◽  
Jeffrey A. Burr ◽  
Dong Yang ◽  
Nan Lu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Early Child ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Parent Relationship

Objectives: Framed within a life course perspective and cognitive reserve theory, this study examined the mediating role of educational attainment for the association between child–parent relationships during childhood and cognitive function among older adults in rural China. Methods: Data were obtained from three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study ( N = 9809). We employed latent growth curve modeling to test the association among early child–parent relationship quality, educational attainment, and cognitive function in later life. Results: Early child–mother relationship quality was associated with the level and change in cognitive function. Early child–father relationship quality was only related to baseline cognitive function. Educational attainment mediated the relationship between early child–parent relationship quality with mothers and fathers and cognitive function. Discussion: Parental relationship experience in childhood was one distal factor related to cognitive function among older adults. The findings supported the long-term impacts of childhood conditions for later life health consequences.

Physical Distancing and Social Media Use in Emerging and Older Adults During COVID-19: Large Scale Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Survey Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thabo J van Woudenberg ◽  
Roy Hendrikx ◽  
Moniek Buijzen ◽  
Julia CM van Weert ◽  
Bas van den Putte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Longitudinal Survey ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Random Intercept ◽  
Social Media Platforms

BACKGROUND Although emerging adults play a role in the spread of COVID-19, they are less likely to develop severe symptoms after infection. Emerging adults’ relatively high use of social media as source of information raises concerns regarding COVID-19 related behavioral compliance (i.e., physical distancing) in this age group. OBJECTIVE Therefore, the current study investigated physical distancing in emerging adults in comparison to older adults and looked at the role of using social media for COVID-19 news and information in this regard. In addition, this study explored the relation between physical distancing and different social media platforms and sources. METHODS Secondary data of a large-scale national longitudinal survey (N = 123,848, 34.% male) between April and November 2020 were used. Participants indicated, ranging for one to eight waves, how often they were successful in keeping 1.5 meters distance on a 7-point Likert scale. Participants between 18 and 24 years old were considered young adults and older participants were identified as older adults. Also, a dummy variable was created to indicate per wave whether participants used social media for COVID-19 news and information. A subset received follow-up questions asking participants to indicate which platforms they have used and what sources of news and information they had seen on social media. All preregistered hypotheses were tested with Linear Mixed-Effects Models and Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models. RESULTS Emerging adults reported less physical distancing behaviors than older adults (b = -.08, t(86213.83) = -26.79, p < .001). Also, emerging adults were more likely to use social media for COVID-19 news and information (b = 2.48, SE = .11, Wald = 23.66, p = <.001), which mediated the association with physical distancing, but only to a small extend (indirect effect: b = -0.03, 95% CI = [-0.04; -0.02]). Opposed to our hypothesis, the longitudinal Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model showed no evidence that physical distancing was predicted by social media use of the previous wave. However, we did find evidence that using social media affected subsequent physical distancing behavior. Moreover, additional analyses showed that most social media platforms (i.e., YouTube, Facebook and Instagram) and interpersonal communication showed negative associations with physical distancing while others platforms (i.e. LinkedIn and Twitter) and Governmental messages showed no to a slightly positive associations with physical distancing. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we should be vigilant for physical distancing of emerging adults, but this study give no reason the to worry about the role of social media for COVID-19 news and information. However, as some social media platforms and sources showed negative associations, future studies should more carefully look into these factors to better understand the associations between social media use for news and information, and behavioral interventions in times of crisis.

Communication Technology and Social Media: Opportunities and Implications for Healthcare Systems

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Betsy Weaver ◽  
Bill Lindsay ◽  
Betsy Gitelman
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Technology Implementation ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Social Media Text ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Improve Patient

Electronic patient education and communications, such as email, text messaging, and social media, are on the rise in healthcare today. This article explores potential uses of technology to seek solutions in healthcare for such challenges as modifying behaviors related to chronic conditions, improving efficiency, and decreasing costs. A brief discussion highlights the role of technologies in healthcare informatics and considers two theoretical bases for technology implementation. Discussion focuses more extensively on the ability and advantages of electronic communication technology, such as e-mail, social media, text messaging, and electronic health records, to enhance patient-provider e-communications in nursing today. Effectiveness of e-communication in healthcare is explored, including recent and emerging applications designed to improve patient–provider connections and review of current evidence supporting positive outcomes. The conclusion addresses the vision of nurses’ place in the vanguard of these developments.

scholarly journals Crafting resilience for later life

2018 ◽  
pp. 181-202
Author(s):  
Jackie Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Older Women ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Social Experiences ◽  
Sense Of Purpose ◽  
Practical Support ◽  
Wide Range

This chapter studies the role of long-running craft activities in the lives of older women. The craft activities are understood as both creative and social experiences, and both aspects are seen as supporting resilience responses to the challenges of later life. Resilience is here understood as both individual and communal. The sense of purpose and meaning, and in particular the supportive networks that are accessed through membership of craft groups, can be seen to help people to deal with a range of challenges, some of them linked to later life. The findings highlight the wide range of emotional and practical support that is generated through craft groups. They also emphasise the value of volunteering as a component of resilience from both an individual and community perspective.

scholarly journals EXPANDING SOCIAL TIES AS A GOAL IN LATER LIFE: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL NETWORK CHARACTERISTICS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S175-S175
Author(s):  
Danielle Oleskiewicz ◽  
Karen Rook
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Provision ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Network Composition

Abstract Older adults often winnow their social ties to focus on emotionally rewarding ties (Charles & Carstensen, 2010). Some older adults, however, have small social networks that preclude much winnowing or aversive social ties from which disengagement is difficult. These individuals might be motivated to expand, rather than contract, their social ties. The current study sought to extend knowledge regarding potential links between social network characteristics and older adults’ interest, effort, and success in creating new social ties. We expected that small social networks and negative social ties might motivate interest and effort directed toward forming new social ties but that positive social ties might foster success in efforts to form new ties. In-person interviews were conducted with participants (N = 351, Mean age = 74.16) in a larger study of older adults’ social networks and well-being. The interviews assessed participants’ social networks, as well as their interest, effort, and success in making new social ties. Participants’ social network composition, rather than size, was associated with greater motivation to establish new social ties. Negative social ties were associated with greater interest and effort directed toward forming new social ties. Positive social ties were related to greater success (due, in part, to their support provision) and, unexpectedly, were also related to greater interest and effort directed toward forming new ties. Older adults sometimes seek to expand, rather than contract, their social ties, and characteristics of their social networks appear to play a role in fueling and influencing the success of such efforts.

scholarly journals COGNITIVE DECLINE AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN RURAL CHINA: THE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF FORMAL SCHOOLING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S205-S206
Author(s):  
Yaolin Pei ◽  
Bei Wu ◽  
Zhen Cong ◽  
Mengyao Hu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Life Experience ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Formal Schooling

Abstract Evidence shows that education is strongly associated with cognitive functioning; however, few studies have examined the effect of education on cognitive decline among older adults with very limited education. Our study analyzed six waves of panel data (2001, 2003 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015) from the Longitudinal Study of Older Adults in Anhui Province, China. We estimated two-level multilevel models of cognitive functioning for older adults age 60+, sampled using probability sampling strategy. We found that having formal schooling was positively associated with better cognitive functioning. Older adults with formal schooling had slower decline in cognition and the gap in cognition between the literate and illiterate widened with age. These findings highlight the role of early life experience in affecting cognitive function in later life and suggest that disadvantages in cognitive functioning accumulate throughout the life course for persons with no formal education.

Activity Patterns and Health Outcomes in Later Life: The Role of Nature of Engagement

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 698-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chih Chen ◽  
Michelle Putnam ◽  
Yung Soo Lee ◽  
Nancy Morrow-Howell
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives The health benefit of activity participation at older ages is documented in the current literature. Many studies, however, only explored the health benefits of engaging in a few activities and did not examine mechanisms connecting activity participation to health. We investigated the pathway between activity and health by testing the mediation role of the nature of engagement (physical, cognitive, and social) on physical, mental, and cognitive health of older adults. Research Design and Methods We analyzed data of 6,044 older adults from the 2010 and 2012 Health and Retirement Study linked with 2011 Consumption and Activity Mail Survey. We used latent class analysis to identify the patterns of participating in 33 activities as well as patterns of nature of engagement, and examined how these patterns were associated with cognition, depressive symptoms, and self-rated health in later life. Results Meaningful patterns of activity (high, medium, low, passive leisure, and working) and the nature of activity engagement (full, partial, and minimal) were identified. High and working groups, compared to the passive leisure group, showed better health and cognition outcomes. The nature of engagement mediated the relationship between activity patterns and health, especially for older adults who were either full or partially engaged. Discussion and Implications The nature of engagement may play a more important role than the activity itself in relation to health. Identifying the heterogeneity in activity engagement in later life is critical for tailoring interventions and designing programs that can improve the health of older adults.

scholarly journals The Role of Intergenerational Neighborhood Relations for Precarious Aging During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 531-531
Author(s):  
Anna Wanka
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Neighborhood Relations ◽  
Do So

Abstract Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the immediate living environment has significantly gained importance - particularly for people framed as ‘risk-groups’, such as older adults. Effects of contact restrictions to contain the spread of the virus have affected inequalities, uncertainties and loneliness in later life differently depending on the intergenerational relations, informal infrastructures of provisioning and networks of solidarity given in a certain neighborhood. The paper presents findings from a recent mixed-methods study in Frankfurt, Germany, combining a quantitative survey (n=1.000) with a longitudinal qualitative study (n=60). Results show how intergenerational neighborhood relations can play a crucial role in mediating risks of pandemic precariousness in later life, but also how older adults themselves significantly contributing to neighborhood networks of provisioning. Strengthening such very local relations is key to protecting all age groups from the effects of crises beyond the pandemic, and, in conclusion, ways to do so are being discussed.

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