scholarly journals RE-CONCEPTUALIZING SPOUSAL CAREGIVING FROM A DYADIC PERSPECTIVE IN THE U.S.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S244-S244
Author(s):  
Yuekang Li ◽  
Huiying Liu ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Nancy Morrow-Howell
Keyword(s):  
Social Exchange ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Need For Care ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Spousal Caregiving ◽  
Marital Dyads ◽  
Marital Dyad ◽  
Dynamic Perspective ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Existing literature on later-life spousal caregiving tends to focus on one member of the marital dyads, assuming a priori distinction between the caregiver and care-receiver. Theoretically and empirically, this individualistic role-related (caregiver-receiver) approach is inaccurate, as the concept of spousal care intrinsically involves two people within a marital dyad. Therefore, this paper used a social exchange perspective to re-conceptualize spousal caregiving as a dyad-level phenomenon. Using the 2014 wave of the Health and Retirement Study, 6,500 individuals (3,250 couples) aged 65 and above and their spouse were selected. Based on each partner’s need for care, receipt of spousal care, and provision of spousal care, the study identified five distinctive caregiving typologies. Household-level factors such as the availability of other types of informal care were associated with these typologies. This paper offers a broader and more dynamic perspective of the spousal caregiving experiences.

scholarly journals The Differential Effects of Caregiving Intensity on Overnight Hospitalization in the Previous 2 Years

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 76-76
Author(s):  
Kylie Meyer ◽  
Zachary Gassoumis ◽  
Kathleen Wilber
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
P Value ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Spousal Caregiving ◽  
Health Insurance Status ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Self Assessed Health ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Caregiving for a spouse is considered a major stressor many Americans will encounter during their lifetimes. Although most studies indicate caregiving is associated with experiencing diminished health outcomes, little is known about how this role affects caregivers’ use of acute health services. To understand how spousal caregiving affects the use of acute health services, we use data from the Health and Retirement Study. We apply fixed effects (FE) logistic regression models to examine odds of experiencing an overnight hospitalization in the previous two years according to caregiving status, intensity, and changes in caregiving status and intensity. Models controlled for caregiver gender, age, race, ethnicity, educational attainment, health insurance status, the number of household residents, and self-assessed health. Overall, caregivers were no more likely to experience an overnight hospitalization compared to non-caregivers (OR 0.92; CI 0.84 to 1.00; p-value=0.057). However, effects varied according to the intensity of caregiving and the time spent in this role. Compared to non-caregivers, for example, spouses who provided care to someone with no need for assistance with activities of daily living had lower odds of experiencing a hospitalization (OR 0.77; CI 0.66 to 0.89). In contrast, caregivers who provided care to someone with dementia for 4 to <6 years had 3.29 times the odds of experiencing an overnight hospitalization (CI 1.04 to 10.38; p-value=0.042). Findings indicate that, although caregivers overall appear to use acute health services about as much as non-caregivers, large differences exist between caregivers. Results emphasize the importance of recognizing diversity within caregiving experiences.

scholarly journals Pain and Hardship Among Older Men: Examining the Buffering Effect of Medicare Insurance Coverage

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1439-1449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian L. Marshall ◽  
Tamara A. Baker ◽  
Chiho Song ◽  
David B. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Older Men ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pain Severity ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Retirement Study

To better understand the health status of men in the United States, this study aimed to assess the association of hardship on the presence of and pain severity among men 50 years of age and older. Cross-sectional multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted using the 2010 wave of the Health and Retirement Study ( N = 3,174) to assess the association between four hardship indicators and the presence of pain and pain severity among this sample of older men. Results suggest that the association between the presence of pain and hardship was statistically significant across all four indicators: ongoing financial hardship (CI [1.05, 1.63], p < .05), difficulty paying bills (CI [1.42, 3.02], p < .001), food insecurity (CI [1.46, 3.15], p < .001), and not taking medication due to cost (CI [1.06, 1.66], p < .05), even after adjusting for all demographic factors. The associations between pain severity and ongoing financial strain (CI [1.23, 2.83], p < .01) and difficulty paying bills (CI [1.02, 3.18], p < .05) were statistically significant. Results also indicate that education was a buffer at all levels. In addition, the interactive effect of hardship and Medicare insurance coverage on pain severity was significant only for ongoing financial strain (CI [1.74, 14.33], p > .001) and difficulty paying bills (CI [1.26, 7.05], p < .05). The evidence is clear that each hardship indicators is associated with the presence of pain and across some of the indicators in pain severity among men aged 50 and older. In addition, these findings stress the importance that Medicare insurance plays in acting as a buffer to alleviate some of the hardships experienced by older men. These findings also highlight the association between the presence of pain and pain severity for the overall quality of life, health outcomes, and financial position of men in later life.

scholarly journals Is Childhood Socioeconomic Status Related to Coronary Heart Disease? Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study (1992-2012)

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 233372141769667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minjee Lee ◽  
M. Mahmud Khan ◽  
Brad Wright
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Childhood Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Retirement Study

Objective: We investigated the association between childhood socioeconomic status (SES) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in older Americans. Method: We used Health and Retirement Study data from 1992 to 2012 to examine a nationally representative sample of Americans aged ≥50 years ( N = 30,623). We modeled CHD as a function of childhood and adult SES using maternal and paternal educational level as a proxy for childhood SES. Results: Respondents reporting low childhood SES were significantly more likely to have CHD than respondents reporting high childhood SES. Respondents reporting both low childhood and adult SES were 2.34 times more likely to have CHD than respondents reporting both high childhood and adult SES. People with low childhood SES and high adult SES were 1.60 times more likely than people with high childhood SES and high adult SES to report CHD in the fully adjusted model. High childhood SES and low adult SES increased the likelihood of CHD by 13%, compared with high SES both as a child and adult. Conclusion: Childhood SES is significantly associated with increased risk of CHD in later life among older adult Americans.

scholarly journals Activity Limitations and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Couples: The Moderating Role of Spousal Care

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sae Hwang Han ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Jeffrey A Burr
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Activity Limitations ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Older Couples ◽  
Spousal Caregiving ◽  
Living Related ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Objectives Limitations in performing basic daily activities, as well as spousal caregiving that arises from activity limitations, are important factors that have ramifications for mental health among couples. The objective of this study was to investigate the interplay of these factors by focusing on whether the associations between activity limitations and depressive symptoms among coupled-individuals were moderated by receipt and provision of spousal care. Methods Longitudinal household data from the Health and Retirement Study (2004–2014; dyad N = 6,614) were analyzed to estimate within-person associations between one’s own and spousal activity limitations, receipt and provision of spousal care, and depressive symptoms. Results Findings showed a consistent link between one’s own activity limitations and depressive symptoms for both spouses, whereas spousal activity limitations were associated with depressive symptoms for wives only. We also found moderating effects of spousal care in the link between one’s own and spousal activity limitations and depressive symptoms. Discussion Receipt and provision of activities of daily living-related assistance may contextualize the association between activity limitations and depressive symptoms among older coupled-individuals in a direction that could alleviate or aggravate the risk of depression.

Deference and Dominance in Old Age: An Exploration in Social Theory

1983 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne Mc Gee ◽  
Melissa Barker
Keyword(s):  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Old People ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Power Resources ◽  
The Impact

Nonverbal expressions of power and control in the daily lives of old people are examined from a life span perspective that combines social exchange theory, Goffman's classic work on deference and demeanor, and Henley's power theory of nonverbal communication and paralinguistics. Because of societal devaluation of the aged and the typical later life declines in power resources, old people are likely to experience a loss of status and social control during everyday nonverbal rituals of dominance and deference. Supporting evidence is drawn from studies of the social impact of the physical setting and interactions between institutionalized old people and staff members. Discussion emphasizes the generally subtle nature of nonverbal expressions of dominance and deference, the impact of normal sensory declines in typical later life role transitions, and the potential for ageist interpretations of nonverbal cues.

How Self-Employed Older Adults Differ by Age: Evidence and Implications From the Health and Retirement Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cal J Halvorsen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Risk Tolerance ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Retirement Benefits ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Background and Objectives There has been increased attention in recent years on self-employment in later life, with about 1 in 5 workers past of the age of 50 working for themselves. This study aims to build upon previous documentation of the characteristics of self-employed older adults by estimating how these characteristics vary by age. Research Design and Methods Using 7 waves of the Health and Retirement Study with a sample of more than 16,000 working older adults, this study considers how the association between self-employment and sociodemographic characteristics; indicators of human, social, and financial capital; and risk tolerance differ between adults aged 50–61 and 62 years and older. Binary logistic regression and seemingly unrelated estimation are used to estimate and compare the characteristics by age group. Results Compared to wage-and-salary work and controlling for all other factors in the models, the oldest self-employed group was more likely to identify as Black, report lower health, and receive health insurance from several sources than the younger group. Further, the older group reported lower individual earnings from work yet higher total household income (less individual earnings) and was also less likely to formally volunteer at the highest commitment levels. Discussion and Implications With some exceptions, these results indicate that the diversity of self-employed older adults within traditional retirement age is greater than among those before this age. Implications regarding how access to key safety net programs, such as Social Security retirement benefits and Medicare, may lead to this finding are discussed.

Episodic Memory in Later Life: Benefits of Prayer and Meditation

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-40
Author(s):  
Nirmala Lekhak ◽  
Tirth R. Bhatta ◽  
Jaclene A. Zauszniewski
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Estimating Equation ◽  
Generalized Estimating Equation ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Over Time

Purpose: To examine the effects of prayer and meditation on the episodic memory of older adults. Design: Secondary analysis of Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Method: Drawing from a subsample of HRS ( n = 1,135), this study utilized generalized estimating equation regression models to examine the effects of meditation and prayer on changes in episodic memory of older adults over time. Findings: Findings show a statistically significant positive effect of the use of prayer (0.50, p < .05) on episodic memory score at baseline. We also observed a slight gain in episodic memory over time for older adults who used prayer (0.04, p = .05). Meditation was not found to have a statistically significant effect on changes in memory in later life. Conclusion: This study illustrates the benefits of prayer in preserving memory and provides much needed empirical basis for community-level interventions to enhance memory in later life.

scholarly journals EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: DOES GENDER MATTER?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S931-S931
Author(s):  
Celeste Beaulieu ◽  
Jeffrey E Stokes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Everyday Activities ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Previous research has suggested that informal socializing can be beneficial for mental health, whereas prior findings concerning solitary activities and mental health have been equivocal. Activity theory posits that involvement in activities – particularly social activities – can improve adults’ self-concept and self-esteem, leading to improved well-being. Solitary activities may perform the same function, though without any social reinforcement. However, social engagement and mental health may both vary by gender. Thus, we examined associations of informal socializing and solitary activities with depressive symptoms among 13,387 respondents of the 2012/2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, and further assessed potential gender differences. Results revealed that both informal socializing and solitary activities were significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms when analyzed separately. However, when both types of activities were modeled simultaneously, only informal socializing remained significant. Further, stratified analyses revealed that informal socializing was a significant predictor of depressive symptoms among women but not men, although these coefficients were not significantly different from each other. Overall, findings suggest that both informal socializing and solitary activities may be beneficial for mental health, yet results were clearly stronger for informal socializing. Socializing may benefit mental health not only by bolstering one’s self-concept, but also by linking adults with social ties and support networks that are instrumental for well-being in mid- and later life. Moreover, gender differences in effects were minimal and largely non-significant, indicating that activity involvement can bolster mental health for men and women alike.

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