NEGATIVE SOCIAL SUPPORTS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG OLDER ADULTS: A CROSS-LAGGED ANALYSIS

Abstract The purpose of the study was to examine how negative social supports and depressive symptoms affect older adults over time. A subsample of participants (N = 3,084) from the Health and Retirement Study was used in this study. Summary scores for each negative social supports (spouse, children, family members, and friends) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to conduct two cross-lagged regression analyses for each negative social support type from waves 2010 and 2014. Covariate variables for this study included gender, years of education, self-report of health, and age. Results were computed for two age groups (i.e., 65 to 79, and 80+). Results from both age groups indicated high stability for negative social supports and depressive symptoms from waves 1 to 2. The younger age group showed no significant cross-lag or interaction effects when stabilities were included or excluded in the analyses. However, in the older group, wave 2 negative child and family member social support was predicted by wave 1 depression scores. Moreover, the older age group showed significant interaction effects of age by CESD scores on negative child and family member social supports. In conclusion, initial depressive symptoms predict higher negative social supports in children and family members at a second time point in the older age group. Future research could examine whether depressive symptoms continue to predict negative social supports in new waves. In addition, other factors, such as loneliness, or anxiety, may provide further understanding into older adults’ negative social supports.

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Long-Term Effects of Abuse in Later Life Perpetrated by Family Members

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1438 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 444-445

Author(s):

Naomi Meinertz ◽

Pi-Ju Liu ◽

Ron Acierno

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Family Member ◽

Older Adult ◽

Family Members ◽

Later Life ◽

Adult Health ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Long Term Impact

Abstract Abuse in later life could potentially lead to lower levels of social support, especially when perpetrated by family members who are charged with protecting the older adult in their care. Using both waves of the National Elder Mistreatment longitudinal data (wave one collected in 2008 and wave two in 2015; N=774), long-term effects of abuse (i.e., physical, emotional, sexual, and financial) on levels of social support, physical health, and clinical depressive symptoms for respondents at or above the age of 60 years were analyzed. A multivariate analysis of variance showed that respondents abused at wave one (n=261) by a family member (B=-0.55, p≤0.001), a spouse or ex-partner (B=-0.349, p=0.02), or a non-relative or stranger (B=-0.301, p=0.026) had lower levels of social support eight years later at wave two. Those abused by a family member at wave one also experienced higher levels of depressive symptoms at wave two (B=-0.187, p=0.01). Perpetrator type did not predict general health at wave two. These results emphasize the long-term impact of abuse on the lives of older adults and highlight the importance trusted relationships, such as with family members, have on older adult health and wellbeing.

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THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PHYSICAL FRAILTY AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: DOES SOCIAL SUPPORT MATTER?

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3546 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S978-S979

Author(s):

Shuting Liang ◽

Dexia Kong ◽

XinQi Dong

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Family Members ◽

Female Gender ◽

Physical Frailty ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Interaction Terms ◽

The Relationship

Abstract This research will present the association between physical frailty and depressive symptoms among U.S. Chinese older adults, and the extent to which social support moderates the relationship. Cross-sectional data were obtained from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago collected between 2011 and 2013 (N=3,157). Physical frailty was assessed by the Short Performance Physical Battery (range=0-15). A cut-off point of 6 was used to define physical frailty as suggested by prior research. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Social support was measured by a scale assessing positive support and negative strain from spouse, family members, and friends. Logistic regression analyses with interaction terms were conducted. In our sample, 1,682 (54.3%) had depressive symptoms, and 16.1% had physical frailty. Having physical frailty was positively associated with depressive symptoms (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.15, 1.11-1.18). Additionally, female gender (OR 1.39, 1.20-1.61), education (OR 1.03, 1.01-1.04), and chronic conditions (OR 1.18, 1.12-1.25) were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Social support (OR 0.85, 0.83-0.87) and children (OR=0.92, 0.87-.97) were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Furthermore, family members (OR 0.96, 0.94-0.98) and friends (OR 0.96, 0.94-0.98) has moderating effect on the relationship between physical frailty and depressive symptoms. However, the interaction between social support from spouse and physical frailty was not significant. The findings highlight the interconnections among physical frailty, social support, and depressive symptoms. Intervention strategies focusing on social support may have the potential to reduce depressive symptoms among frail U.S. Chinese older adults.

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Exercise, Mood, Self-Efficacy, and Social Support as Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults: Direct and Interaction Effects

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02145 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Kyle J. Miller ◽

Christopher Mesagno ◽

Suzanne McLaren ◽

Fergal Grace ◽

Mark Yates ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Interaction Effects

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95 Lack of Evidence for Reduced Efficacy of Medical Therapy for Heart Failure in Older Adults

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afab030.56 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. i12-i42

Author(s):

A Cox-Smith ◽

T Cooper ◽

P Punjabi ◽

C Barton ◽

S Levy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Older Adults ◽

Medical Therapy ◽

Effect Size ◽

Age Groups ◽

Informed Choice ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Older Age ◽

Age Group ◽

Life Years

Abstract Introduction There are almost a million people with heart failure (HF) in the UK; the incidence increases sharply with age. Older adults receive less evidence-based therapy with few trials specifically examining therapeutic efficacy in older age groups representative of a contemporary UK HF population. Concern that efficacy is less in older adults may underlie under-prescription. With important recent advances in HF therapy, we reviewed the contemporary evidence base for any signal of different efficacy in older adults. Methods We reviewed recent RCTs of medical therapy for heart failure alongside meta-analyses updated with recent therapies including Angiotensin-Neprilysin inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors. For those trials in which effect size was presented for age subgroups we compared the effect size. Results Of 68 randomised controlled trials, 10 presented effect sizes for different age groups. The median average cut-off between younger and older age groups was 66 years (IQR 65 to 72.5 years) and the highest cut-off used was 75 years. The median hazard ratio was 0.77 (IQR 0.67 to 0.80) for the younger age group and 0.76 (IQR 0.73 to 0.88) for the older age group. In 8 of the 10 trials, the effect size in the oldest age group was statistically significant on its own including Sacubitril-Valsartan and Dapagliflozin. Conclusion When considering the medical therapeutic armamentarium for heart failure as a totality, there is no evidence it is any less effective in older adults than younger adults. The recent Zannad et al cross-trial analysis supported this showing significant additional life years in the patients over 80 years on HF therapy. Whilst there may be practical and frailty-related reasons for not prescribing life-prolonging therapy, the proportional survival benefits of these medications is similar in older adults. This should be utilised where practically possible and discussed with patients when making an informed choice.

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The Effect of Older Age on the Perioperative Outcomes of Spinal Fusion Surgery in Patients With Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease With Spondylolisthesis: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1093/neuros/nyz444 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 87 (4) ◽

pp. 672-678

Author(s):

Jetan H Badhiwala ◽

Brij S Karmur ◽

Laureen D Hachem ◽

Jamie R F Wilson ◽

Fan Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Spinal Fusion ◽

Age Groups ◽

Older Age ◽

Perioperative Outcomes ◽

Age Group ◽

Improvement Program ◽

Steroid Use ◽

The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND Degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) is often treated with lumbar spinal fusion (LSF). However, there is concern that the morbidity of LSF may be prohibitively high in older adults. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of advanced age on the safety of LSF for DS. METHODS Patients who underwent LSF for DS were retrospectively identified from National Surgical Quality Improvement Program datasets for 2011 to 2015 using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Data on demographic characteristics, comorbidities, surgical factors, and 30-d morbidity and mortality were collected. Propensity score matching (nearest neighbor) was performed with age (<70 vs ≥70 yr) as the dependent variable and sex, type of fusion procedure, number of levels fused, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and chronic steroid use as covariates. Outcomes were compared between age <70 and ≥70 groups. RESULTS The study cohort consisted of 2238 patients (n = 1119, age <70; n = 1119, age ≥70). The 2 age groups were balanced for key covariates including sex, race, diabetes, hypertension, CHF, smoking, chronic steroid use, type of fusion, and number of levels. Rates of all complications were similar between younger and older age groups, except urinary tract infection, which was more frequent among the ≥70 age group (OR 2.32, P = .009). Further, patients in the older age group were more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation (OR 2.94, P < .001) or skilled care (OR 3.66, P < .001) facility, rather than directly home (OR 0.25, P < .001). CONCLUSION LSF may be performed safely in older adults with DS. Our results suggest older age alone should not exclude a patient from undergoing lumbar fusion for DS.

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Intergenerational Relationships, Social Support, and Psychological Well-Being Among Korean Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1608 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 498-498

Author(s):

Yooumi Lee ◽

Janet Wilmoth

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Living Arrangements ◽

Linear Models ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Adult Child ◽

Intergenerational Relationships ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Well Being

Abstract This study investigates whether intergenerational relationships and social support improve the psychological well-being of Korean older adults. We examine whether intergenerational relationships and social support directly influence psychological well-being and the extent to which they mediate the distressing consequences of life events such as declining health and recent widowhood. Using longitudinal data from the 2006 to 2016 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, we explore depression trajectories among individuals who are 60 or older with at least one living adult child at baseline. Specifically, we converted data from 5,383 older adults into a person-period file with 24,726 observations over a ten-year period. Then we estimated linear growth curve models of depression trajectories separately for men and women using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results from the hierarchical linear models indicate that declining health and recent widowhood are positively related to depressive symptoms. Satisfactory intergenerational relationships and social support in the form of personal interactions and proximate living arrangements with adult children decrease depressive symptoms of older parents, especially among women. We conclude that the psychological benefits of intergenerational relationships and social support are contingent upon the vulnerability of older adults and discuss the implications for public policy.

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Romantic Partners’ Group-Based Identity Accommodation as a Predictor of Older Adults’ Romantic Relational Satisfaction and Depressive Symptoms: The Moderating Role of Shared Identity with Third-Party Family Members

Southern Communication Journal ◽

10.1080/1041794x.2021.1957997 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Quinten S. Bernhold ◽

Howard Giles

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Family Members ◽

Romantic Partners ◽

Third Party ◽

Relational Satisfaction ◽

Shared Identity ◽

Party Family ◽

Moderating Role

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Empowerment among adult patients with type 2 diabetes: age differentials in relation to person-centred primary care, community resources, social support and other life-contextual circumstances

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10855-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nina Simonsen ◽

Anne M. Koponen ◽

Sakari Suominen

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Community Health ◽

Age Groups ◽

Community Support ◽

Community Resources ◽

Age Group ◽

Health Issues ◽

Younger Adults

Abstract Background Rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), also among younger adults, constitutes a growing public health challenge. According to the person-centred Chronic Care Model, proactive care and self-management support in combination with community resources enhance quality of healthcare and health outcomes for patients with T2D. However, research is scarce concerning the importance of person-centred care and community resources for such outcomes as empowerment, and the relative impact of various patient support sources for empowerment is not known. Moreover, little is known about the association of age with these variables in this patient-group. This study, carried out among patients with T2D, examined in three age-groups (27–54, 55–64 and 65–75 years) whether person-centred care and diabetes-related social support, including community support and possibilities to influence community health issues, are associated with patient empowerment, when considering possible confounding factors, such as other quality of care indicators and psychosocial wellbeing. We also explored age differentials in empowerment and in the proposed correlates of empowerment. Method Individuals from a register-based sample with T2D participated in a cross-sectional survey (participation 56%, n = 2866). Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results Respondents in the youngest age-group were more likely to have low empowerment scores, less continuity of care, and lower wellbeing than the other age-groups, and to perceive less social support, but a higher level of person-centred care than the oldest group. Community support, including possibilities to influence community health issues, was independently and consistently associated with high empowerment in all three age-groups, as was person-centred care in the two older age-groups. Community support was the social support variable with the strongest association with empowerment across age-groups. Moreover, vitality was positively and diabetes-related distress negatively associated with high empowerment in all age-groups, whereas continuity of care, i.e. having a family/regular nurse, was independently associated in the youngest age-group only. Conclusion Person-centred care and community support, including possibilities to influence community health issues, supports empowerment among adults with T2D. Findings suggest that age is related to most correlates of empowerment, and that younger adults with T2D have specific healthcare needs.

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The associations between family characteristics and depressive symptoms in older adults: a community-based survey in rural China

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610211002663 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 24 (8) ◽

pp. 1226-1234 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Yanhong Gong ◽

Xiaopiao Wen ◽

Chaoping Guan ◽

Zhiqing Wang ◽

Yuan Liang

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Life Events ◽

Rural China ◽

Economic Status ◽

Negative Life Events ◽

Family Members ◽

Family Characteristics ◽

Negative Life Event ◽

The Past

ABSTRACTBackground: The aim of the current study was to investigate the associations between family characteristics and depressive symptoms, and provide new evidence and recommendations for prevention and intervention in the depressive symptoms of older adults.Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted door-to-door, utilizing a sample of 1,317 individuals aged 60 years and above in rural China. The five family characteristic variables recorded were: living with spouse, living with descendant, support of family members, self-reported family economic status in the previous year, and family-related negative life events that occurred anytime in the past with a continuous psychological effect during the past 12 months. Gender, age, years of schooling, and self-rated physical health status were taken as potential confounders. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine independent effects on depressive symptoms.Results: In addition to the potential confounders, only family-related negative life events, support of family members, and self-reported family economic status had significant effects on depressive symptoms in older adults. Experiencing a family-related negative life event was the most significant variable (OR = 11.70, 95% CI: 7.72–17.73), the second was support of family members (OR = 6.93, 95% CI: 3.26–14.70), while family economic status was less important than support of family members (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.08–5.25).Conclusion: This study, from the perspective of family characteristics on depressive symptoms in older adults, showed a strong correlation between being exposed to harmful family environments and depressive symptoms among the elderly. Efforts to address family risk factors and strengthen family cohesiveness deserve a higher priority, given the importance of these factors, compared with other efforts such as promoting economic development.

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