scholarly journals LINKAGES BETWEEN INDIGENOUS CULTURAL GENERATIVITY AND SOBRIETY TO PROMOTE ALASKA NATIVE SUCCESSFUL AGING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S347-S347
Author(s):  
Jordan P Lewis

Abstract The aim of this study was to explore motivating and maintenance factors for sobriety among older AN adult participants (age 50+) from across Alaska. Ten life history narratives of Alaska Native older adults, representing Alutiiq, Athabascan, Tlingit, Yup’ik/Cup’ik Eskimos, from the PA sample were explored using thematic analysis. AN older adults are motivated to abstain from, or to quit drinking alcohol through spirituality, family influence, role socialization and others’ role modeling, and a desire to engage in indigenous cultural generative activities with their family and community. A desire to pass on their accumulated wisdom to a younger generation through engagement and sharing of culturally grounded activities and values, or indigenous cultural generativity, is a central unifying motivational and maintenance factor for sobriety. The implications of this research indicate that family, role expectations and socialization, desire for community and culture engagement, and spirituality are central features to both AN Elders’ understanding of sobriety and more broadly, to their successful aging. Future research is needed to test these findings in population-based studies and to explore incorpo- ration of these findings into alcohol treatment programs to support older AN adults’ desire to quit drinking and attain long-term sobriety. Sobriety can put older AN adults on a pathway to successful aging, in positions to serve as role models for their family and community, where they are provided opportunities to engage in meaningful indigenous cultural generative acts.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 216-216
Author(s):  
Jordan Lewis

Abstract This article builds on the People Awakening Project, which explored an AlaskaNative understanding of the recovery process from alcohol use disorder and sobriety. The presentation will explore motivating and maintenance factors for sobriety among older AN adult participants (age 50+) from across Alaska. Ten life history narratives of Alaska Native older adults, representing Alutiiq, Athabascan, Tlingit, Yup’ik/Cup’ik Eskimos, from the PA sample were explored using thematic analysis. AN older adults are motivated to abstain from, or to quit drinking alcohol through spirituality, family influence, role socialization and others’ role modeling, and a desire to engage in indigenous cultural generative activities with their family and community. A desire to pass on their accumulated wisdom to a younger generation through engagement and sharing of culturally grounded activities and values, or indigenous cultural generativity, is a central unifying motivational and maintenance factor for sobriety. The implications of this research indicates that family, role expectations and socialization, desire for community and culture engagement, and spirituality are central features to both Alaska Native Elders’ understanding of sobriety, and more broadly, to their successful aging. Sobriety can put older Alaska Native adults on a pathway to successful aging, in positions to serve as role models for their family and community, where they are provided opportunities to engage in meaningful indigenous cultural generative acts.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S434-S434
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Mantantzis ◽  
Denis Gerstorf ◽  
Thomas M Hess

Abstract Research into peripheral physiology and its association with cognition, emotionality, and social/physical functioning has received considerable attention over the years. However, many of the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this symposium, we have compiled a set of four empirical projects that showcase current and future endeavors to address some of the long-standing questions about when, how, and why physiology shapes and is shaped by key psychosocial resources. Hawkley et al. make use of data from the NSHAP and HRS longitudinal studies to investigate whether social relationships such as number of friends predicts risk of diabetes among older adults. Wilson et al. use dyadic data from young and middle-aged couples to examine cardiometabolic similarity among spouses, and how such concordance is shaped by key relationship factors such as emotional closeness. Pauly et al. use data from two daily-life studies of older couples to investigate how physiological synchrony in cortisol is modulated by partner interactions, empathy, and empathic accuracy. Finally, Mantantzis et al. make use of multi-year longitudinal data from the Berlin Aging Study II to examine the role of glucose regulation capacity for trajectories of subjective well-being among older adults. Thomas Hess will discuss the importance of these papers, discuss strengths and weaknesses of the approaches chosen, and consider implications for future research.


Author(s):  
Norm O'Rourke ◽  
Richard MacLennan ◽  
Thomas Hadjistavropoulos ◽  
Holly Tuokko

ABSTRACTPalmore, Nowlin, and Wang (1985) posit a theoretical framework in which to predict the health status of older adults over time as a function of social, economic, physical and mental health variables. The current study provides the first independent, empirical test of this model based upon longitudinal data derived from a representative sample of older British Columbians. The results of this study support the basic structure of the Palmore model; however, various revisions were required to improve the fit of data. Findings indicate that demographic and socio-economic variables have a direct effect upon functional status at baseline. Results further suggest significant consistency in the functional status of older adults over a two-year interval. Directions for future research as well as limitations of the current study are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 234-234
Author(s):  
Maria Crouch ◽  
Jordan Lewis ◽  
Rosellen Rosich

Abstract Alaska Native (AN) Elders have historically been underrepresented in research. Innovative AN research posits that practice-based evidence is fundamental to culturally grounded, multifaceted methods. AN Elders is a cultural convention distinguishing Elders who continue to serve as an integral part of their family and community and recognized by their community as role models. Several studies will be discussed which employed Elders at every level of the research, ensuring cultural relevancy, outcomes, and dissemination activities. The findings lay the foundation for an Elder-centered research methodology that can be adapted and applied in other studies to encourage engagement of older adults. This methodology has potential to impact research for underrepresented groups and to rethink and reshape Western-centric practices. Findings from this research provides best practices for capacity building and sustainability, strategies for empowerment and prevention, and a framework for supporting the AN community in all phases of research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1465-1470
Author(s):  
Olivier Beauchet ◽  
Harmehr Sekhon ◽  
Cyrille P. Launay ◽  
Pierrette Gaudreau ◽  
José A. Morais ◽  
...  

Background: Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are two pre-dementia stages with an overlap, which may influence the risk for dementia. Objective: The study aims to examine the association of MCR, MCI, and their combination with incident dementia in Quebec community-dwelling older adults. Methods: 1,063 older adults (i.e., ≥65) were selected from a population-based observational cohort study known as the “Nutrition as a determinant of successful aging: The Quebec longitudinal study” (NuAge). Participants were separated into four groups at the baseline assessment: those without MCR and MCI (i.e., cognitively healthy individual; CHI), those with MCR alone, those with MCI alone, and those with MCR plus MCI. Incident dementia was recorded at each annual visit during a 3-year follow-up. Results: The prevalence of CHI was 87.2%, MCR 3.0%, MCI 8.8%, and MCR plus MCI 0.9%. The overall incidence of dementia was 2.4% and was significantly associated with MCR alone (Odd Ratio (OR) = 5.00 with 95% Confidence interval (CI) = [1.01;24.59] and p = 0.049), MCI alone (OR = 6.04 with 95% CI = [2.36;15.47] and p≤0.001), and the combination of MCR and MCI (OR = 25.75 with 95% CI = [5.32;124.66] and p≤0.001). Conclusion: Combining MCR and MCI increased the risk for incident dementia. These results also demonstrated that this combination is a better predictor of dementia than MCI or MCR alone.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Knippenberg ◽  
Annick Timmermans ◽  
Steven Palmaers ◽  
Annemie Spooren

Abstract Background Maintaining or initiating regular physical activity (PA) is important for successful aging. Technology-based systems may support and stimulate older adults to initiate and persevere in performing PA. The aim of the current study was to assess to which extent a customised Kinect system is 1) a credible tool to increase PA in older adults, 2) motivating to perform PA by older adults, and 3) easy to be used in older adults.Methods A mixed-method cross-sectional feasibility study was performed in 5 aged care facilities in Flanders, Belgium. Aged participants were asked to perform a 20-30 minute test with the intelligent Activity-based Client-centred Training (i-ACT) system. After the test, the ‘Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire’ (CEQ), the ‘Intrinsic Motivation Inventory’(IMI), the System Usability Scale (SUS), and semi-structured interviews were conducted in the older adults. Feedback was gathered using the thinking aloud method in both aged participants and healthcare professionals.Results A total of 48 older adults (20 males and 28 females, mean age=81.19 (SD=8.10)), were included. The scores pertaining to system credibility and expectancy, system usability, and motivation towards use were moderate to good. Participants reported that they liked using the i-ACT system, but that the context could be more attractive by adding more visualisations. Twelve professionals stated that they observed involvement in older adults but think that i-ACT is better used in day care centres.Conclusions This study indicates that i-ACT is a usable and motivational system to engage older adults to perform PA and therefore supports successful aging. Future research is necessary to investigate the efficacy of i-ACT to perform PA and the transfer to regain and/or maintain engagement in ADLs that older adults find meaningful and purposeful at an older age. Also, further development of i-ACT is advisable to adapt the i-ACT system towards implementation at the home of older adults.Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov ID NCT04489563, 23 July 2020 - Retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000A39C&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0003E6F&ts=37&cx=2jhfvs


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Knippenberg ◽  
Annick Timmermans ◽  
Steven Palmaers ◽  
Annemie Spooren

Abstract BackgroundMaintaining or initiating regular physical activity (PA) is important for successful aging. Technology-based systems may support and stimulate older adults to initiate and persevere in performing PA. The aim of the current study was to assess to which extent a customised Kinect system is 1) a credible tool to increase PA in older adults, 2) motivating to perform PA by older adults, and 3) easy to be used in older adults. MethodsA mixed-method cross-sectional feasibility study was performed in 5 aged care facilities in Flanders, Belgium. Aged participants were asked to perform a 20-30 minute test with the intelligent Activity-based Client-centred Training (i-ACT) system. After the test, the ‘Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire’ (CEQ), the ‘Intrinsic Motivation Inventory’(IMI), the System Usability Scale (SUS), and semi-structured interviews were conducted in the older adults. Feedback was gathered using the thinking aloud method in both aged participants and healthcare professionals. ResultsA total of 48 older adults (20 males and 28 females, mean age=81.19 (SD=8.10)), were included. The scores pertaining to system credibility and expectancy, system usability, and motivation towards use were moderate to good. Participants reported that they liked using the i-ACT system, but that the context could be more attractive by adding more visualisations. Twelve professionals stated that they observed involvement in older adults but think that i-ACT is better used in day care centres. ConclusionsThis study indicates that i-ACT is a usable and motivational system to engage older adults to perform PA and therefore supports successful aging. Future research is necessary to investigate the efficacy of i-ACT to perform PA and the transfer to regain and/or maintain engagement in ADLs that older adults find meaningful and purposeful at an older age. Also, further development of i-ACT is advisable to adapt the i-ACT system towards implementation at the home of older adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Knippenberg ◽  
Annick Timmermans ◽  
Steven Palmaers ◽  
Annemie Spooren

Abstract Background Maintaining or initiating regular physical activity (PA) is important for successful aging. Technology-based systems may support and stimulate older adults to initiate and persevere in performing PA. The aim of the current study was to assess to which extent a customised Kinect system is 1) a credible tool to increase PA in older adults, 2) motivating to perform PA by older adults, and 3) easy to be used in older adults. Methods A mixed-method cross-sectional feasibility study was performed in 5 aged care facilities in Flanders, Belgium. Aged participants were asked to perform a 20–30 min test with the intelligent Activity-based Client-centred Training (i-ACT) system. After the test, the ‘Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire’ (CEQ), the ‘Intrinsic Motivation Inventory’(IMI), the System Usability Scale (SUS), and semi-structured interviews were conducted in the older adults. Feedback was gathered using the thinking aloud method in both aged participants and healthcare professionals. Results A total of 48 older adults (20 males and 28 females, mean age = 81.19 (SD = 8.10)), were included. The scores pertaining to system credibility and expectancy, system usability, and motivation towards use were moderate to good. Participants reported that they liked using the i-ACT system, but that the context could be more attractive by adding more visualisations. Twelve professionals stated that they observed involvement in older adults but think that i-ACT is better used in day care centres. Conclusions This study indicates that i-ACT is a usable and motivational system to engage older adults to perform PA and therefore supports successful aging. Future research is necessary to investigate the efficacy of i-ACT to perform PA and the transfer to regain and/or maintain engagement in ADLs that older adults find meaningful and purposeful at an older age. Also, further development of i-ACT is advisable to adapt the i-ACT system towards implementation at the home of older adults. Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov ID NCT04489563, 23 July 2020 - Retrospectively registered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1573-1584
Author(s):  
Lea Ellwardt ◽  
Rafael P M Wittek ◽  
Louise C Hawkley ◽  
John T Cacioppo

Abstract Objectives Integration into social networks reduces stress during adverse life events and improves coping with disability in late life. The aim was to investigate whether social network closure (frequent contact among ties) and balance (positive contact among ties) are associated with perceived stress. We expect lowest stress for older adults with highly closed and balanced networks. Method Panel data on self-reported egocentric networks stem from the population-based Chicago Health, Aging, and Social Relations Study. Five waves were collected between 2002 and 2006, with 708 observations from 160 participants aged 50–68 years at baseline. Data include information on the participants’ social relationships, that is, interaction frequency and relationship quality, for ego–alter ties and alter–alter ties, and participants’ perceived stress. The analytical strategy used fixed- and random-effects models. Results Participants reporting the highest number of balanced relationships (positive ties among alters) experience least stress. This effect holds independently of sociodemographic confounders, loneliness, and network size. Discussion The absence of a stress-reducing effect from network closure suggests that balance matters more. Future research would benefit from considering balance when examining the characteristics of social networks that impinge on mental health outcomes in older adults.


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