Endorsement of stereotypes of older adults, older men, and male leaders predict expected job performance, voting stance, and voting intentions in the 2020 U.S. presidential election

Abstract The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election offered a unique opportunity to examine how stereotypes of older adults, older men, and male leaders impact expectations of candidate job performance and intentions to vote for Biden or Trump. This online study involved 500 college students from two universities from September 30th until November 3 (Election Day). A Biden and Trump model were tested for the relationships among (a) stereotypes from public discourse with (b) expectations of candidates/ presidential performance with (c) voting stance (pro- and anti-Biden vs pro- and anti-Trump) and (d) intentions to vote for Biden/Trump. As expected, for the Biden model, endorsement of older adult (lesser endorsement of senile, unhealthy), male leadership (greater endorsement of assertive and collaborative, lesser endorsement of uncaring), and older male stereotypes (greater endorsement of elder statesman and family-focused) predicted greater expectations of Biden’s performance, which predicted pro-Biden and anti-Trump stances and ultimately voting intentions for Biden. As expected, for the Trump model, endorsement of older adult (lesser endorsement of senile), male leadership (greater endorsement of assertive, collaborative, lesser endorsement of immoral and uncaring), and older male stereotypes (greater endorsement of elder statesman) predicted greater expectations of Trump’s performance, which predicted pro-Trump and anti-Biden stances and ultimately voting intentions for Trump. Taken together, these results suggest examining relevant categories of stereotypes associated with candidates and voting stances provides a fuller picture of voting behavior toward multiple candidates vying for office in addition to political ideology and voting intentions.

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The Case of Thematic Tests Adapted to Older Adults

Rorschachiana Journal of the International Society for the Rorschach ◽

10.1027/1192-5604/a000015 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 46-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Benoît Verdon

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Persons ◽

Older Men ◽

Elderly Persons ◽

Mental Processes ◽

Men And Women ◽

Projective Tests ◽

New Material ◽

Older Men And Women ◽

Latent Content

Since the 1950s, the growing interest of clinicians in using projective tests to study normal or pathological aging processes has led to the creation of several thematic tests for older adults. This development reflects their authors’ belief that the TAT is not suitable to the concerns and anxieties of elderly persons. The new material thus refers explicitly to situations related to age; it aims to enable older persons to express needs they cannot verbalize during consultations. The psychodynamic approach to thematic testing is based on the differentiation between the pictures’ manifest and latent content, eliciting responses linked to mental processes and issues the respondent is unaware of. The cards do not necessarily have to show aging characters to elicit identification: The situations shown in the pictures are linked to loss, rivalry, helplessness, and renunciation, all issues elderly respondents can identify with and that lead them to express their mental fragilities and resources. The article first explains the principles underlying four of these thematic tests, then develops several examples of stories told for card 3BM of the TAT, thus showing the effectiveness of this tool for the understanding and differentiation of loss-related issues facing older men and women.

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It’s their fault: Partisan attribution bias and its association with voting intentions

Group Processes & Intergroup Relations ◽

10.1177/1368430221990084 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136843022199008

Author(s):

Ethan Zell ◽

Christopher A. Stockus ◽

Michael J. Bernstein

Keyword(s):

Economic Growth ◽

Political Party ◽

Presidential Election ◽

Political Ideology ◽

Positive Outcomes ◽

Opposing Party ◽

Registered Voters ◽

Attribution Bias ◽

Democrats And Republicans ◽

Voting Intentions

This research examined how people explain major outcomes of political consequence (e.g., economic growth, rising inequality). We argue that people attribute positive outcomes more and negative outcomes less to their own political party than to an opposing party. We conducted two studies, one before the 2016 U.S. presidential election ( N = 244) and another before the 2020 election ( N = 249 registered voters), that examined attributions across a wide array of outcomes. As predicted, a robust partisan attribution bias emerged in both studies. Although the bias was largely equivalent among Democrats and Republicans, it was magnified among those with more extreme political ideology. Further, the bias predicted unique variance in voting intentions and significantly mediated the link between political ideology and voting. In sum, these data suggest that partisan allegiances systemically bias attributions in a group-favoring direction. We discuss implications of these findings for emerging research on political social cognition.

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Body mass index and mild cognitive impairment among rural older adults in China: the moderating roles of gender and age

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03059-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yemin Yuan ◽

Jie Li ◽

Nan Zhang ◽

Peipei Fu ◽

Zhengyue Jing ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Older People ◽

Older Women ◽

Older Men ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Low Bmi ◽

Rural Older Adults

Abstract Background Evidence concerning the association between body mass index (BMI) and cognitive function among older people is inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate gender and age as moderators in association between BMI and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among rural older adults. Methods Data were derived from the 2019 Health Service for Rural Elderly Families Survey in Shandong, China. In total, 3242 people aged 60 years and above were included in the analysis. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression was used to examine the moderating roles of gender and age, then further to explore the relationship between BMI and MCI. Results There were 601 (18.5%) participants with MCI. Compared with normal BMI group, low BMI group had a higher risk of MCI among older people [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26–3.44], women (aOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.35–3.12), or the older elderly aged ≥75 years old (aOR = 3.20, 95% CI: 1.34–7.45). This effect remained statistically significant among older women (aOR = 3.38, 95% CI: 1.69–6.73). Among older men, elevated BMI group had a higher risk of MCI (aOR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.17–4.61) than normal BMI group. Conclusions Gender and age moderated the association between BMI and MCI among Chinese rural older adults. Older women with low BMI were more likely to have MCI, but older men with elevated BMI were more likely to have MCI. These findings suggest rural community managers strengthen the health management by grouping the weight of older people to prevent the risk of dementia.

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Gender Differences in Resilience Among Older Taiwanese Adults

10.21203/rs.3.rs-133704/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Deleon Fergus ◽

Yi-Hua Chen ◽

Ying-Chih Chuang ◽

Ai-Hsuan Ma ◽

Kun-Yang Chuang

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Women ◽

Social Relationships ◽

Older Men ◽

Living Environment ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Traditional Gender Roles ◽

Resilience Scale ◽

Behavioural Factors ◽

Gender Impacts

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether gender impacts potential associations between social relationships, sociodemographic, health and behavioural factors with resilience among older Taiwanese adults. Methods High and low resilience of older adults was determined based on the median value of the Friborg’s Resilience Scale. An independent sample t-test, χ2, and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine predictors for resilience which were then stratified by gender. Results Older women were less likely to be resilient than older men. Marital status, age, financial stress, and satisfaction with one's living environment were only significant in women. Traditional gender roles in the wider Taiwanese context can be attributed to these differences. Conclusions The relationships between gender, sociodemographics, health, and social and behavioural factors with resilience provide unique insights into how culture shapes trends in data.

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ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD ALGORITHM TO IDENTIFY UNDIAGNOSED (PRE)DIABETES: A CASE STUDY FROM HAWAIʻI

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3397 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S934-S934

Author(s):

David Stupplebeen ◽

Tetine L Sentell ◽

Lance Ching ◽

Blythe Nett ◽

Hermina Taylor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Electronic Medical Records ◽

Medical Records ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Older Men ◽

State Health ◽

Missed Opportunities ◽

The Past ◽

Department Of Health

Abstract An estimated one-quarter of United States’ older adults (≥65 years) have diabetes (DM) while half have prediabetes (PreDM). Timely diagnosis can prevent disease progression, but significant proportions of PreDM/DM are undiagnosed. Among Hawai‘i adults, one-third of diabetes and two-thirds of prediabetes cases are undiagnosed; rates for older adults are unknown. Algorithms integrated into Electronic Medical Records (EMR) may improve care by identifying probable undiagnosed cases in patient panels using clinical/laboratory measures. We assessed one algorithm developed by the Hawai‘i Department of Health that identified individuals overdue for screening or with Pre/DM using the records of 20,362 adult patients (51.33% were >65) from a major state health system. 6,371 (31.3%) patients were excluded from analysis; they had no HbA1c screening in the past year or were overdue for screening (70%) based on standard guidelines. Of the remaining 13,991 patients, 7317 were older adults; 6130 (84%) had a PreDM (50.6%) or DM (33.2%) HbA1c value; the rest were controlled or false-positive. Of those older adults with probable PreDM/DM, 38.6% were undiagnosed. Adults >65 were significantly more likely to be flagged with undiagnosed PreDM compared to their younger counterparts (58 versus 54%, p<.001). Notably, 61% of older men flagged with PreDM were undiagnosed. Of the 5,737 patients identified with DM, 22% of those 65 were undiagnosed. Given the recognized high burden of diabetes among older adults, results indicate substantial missed opportunities for the prevention and early treatment of this condition as identified by an EMR algorithm.

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COVID-19 Worries and Behavior Changes in Older and Younger Men and Women

The Journals of Gerontology Series B ◽

10.1093/geronb/gbaa068 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Sarah J Barber ◽

Hyunji Kim

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Older Men ◽

The United States ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Behavior Changes ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Younger Adults ◽

And Behavior

Abstract Objectives The case fatality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is higher among older adults than younger adults and is also higher among men than women. However, worry, which is a key motivator of behavioral health changes, occurs less frequently for older than younger adults, and less frequently for men than women. Building on this, we tested whether older adults–and particularly older men—would report the least amount of COVID-19 worry and also fewer COVID-19 behavior changes. Method From March 23–31, 2020, we administered an online questionnaire assessing COVID-19 perceptions, worries, and behavior changes. Participants were a convenience sample of U.S. residents, who were community-dwelling younger adults (18–35) or older adults (65–81). Analyses included 146 younger adults (68 men, 78 women) and 156 older adults (82 men, 74 women). Participants were predominately white, living in suburban/urban areas, and had completed some college. Results During the early phase of the outbreak in the United States, older adults perceived the risks of COVID-19 to be higher than did younger adults. Despite this, older men were comparatively less worried about COVID-19 than their younger counterparts. Compared with the other participants, older men had also implemented the fewest behavior changes. Discussion Interventions are needed to increase COVID-19 behavior changes in older men. These results also highlight the importance of understanding emotional responses to COVID-19, as these are predictive of their behavioral responses.

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Plasma Metabolites Associated with Muscle Fat Infiltration in Community-Dwelling Older Adults from the Health ABC Study

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa040_022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 22-22

Author(s):

Samaneh Farsijan ◽

Megan Marron ◽

Iva Miljkovic ◽

Mary Baugh ◽

Stephen Kritchevsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Organic Acids ◽

African American Men ◽

Older Men ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Metabolic Phenotype ◽

Plasma Metabolites ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Fat Infiltration ◽

Fat Depots

Abstract Objectives Age-related increase in muscle fat depots, i.e., myosteatosis, is a contributing factor to muscular dysfunction in older adults leading to frailty and disability. Myosteatosis is a complex condition that is associated with aging and diverse pathologies, including cancer and diabetes. We have previously shown that the relationship between muscle fat deposition and reduced physical function is moderated by muscle area and it is only observed in individuals with high muscle area. A further characterization of the metabolic phenotype associated with myoseatosis may shed light on the underlying biological mechanisms involved in its pathophysiology. Thus, we sought to further explore the heterogeneity of myosteatosis using a semi-targeted metabolomics approach to determine the plasma metabolites associated with myosteatosis in community-dwelling older men. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 314 African-American men (age: 69–79 years) from the Health ABC study at baseline. Mid-thigh inter-muscular fat (IMF) area by CT and 350 plasma metabolites by liquid-chromatography/mass spectrometry were measured. Partial correlation analysis was performed to determine metabolites associated with IMF. Results 161 metabolites were correlated with IMF (P < 0.05). After adjustment for age, weight, physical activity, medications and smoking, 36 metabolites remained significant with a false discovery rate of ≤0.25 to correct for multiple comparisons. Majority of IMF-associated metabolites were lipids/lipid-like molecules (26/36), followed by organic acids, including amino acids (5/36). Among these metabolites, only glutamine (from organic-acids) and mevalonic acid, (from fatty acids) were negatively correlated with IMF, while the remaining 34 metabolites were positively correlated. Notably, metabolic profiles of participants were distinctly different across different levels of myosteatosis, categorized by quartiles of IMF. Conclusions Dysregulated lipid and amino acid metabolism was a metabolomic hallmark of myosteatosis in this cohort of older men. Further exploration of metabolic heterogeneity of myosteatosis may help better understand the significance of fat infiltration on muscle health in aging. Funding Sources NIH/National Institute of Aging & NIA T32-AG0001810.

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Objectively assessed physical activity patterns and physical function in community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study in Taiwan

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034645 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. e034645

Author(s):

Ming-Chun Hsueh ◽

Ru Rutherford ◽

Chien-Chih Chou ◽

Jong-Hwan Park ◽

Hyun-Tae Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Function ◽

Older Women ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Older Men ◽

Daily Step ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Step Counts ◽

Single Leg Stance

ObjectivesTo objectively assess light physical activity (PA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), step counts and number of 10 min MVPA bouts and their association with physical function among older adults.DesignCross-sectional design.SettingUrban community setting in Taiwan.Participants127 Taiwanese older adults aged over 65 years (mean age=70.8±5.3 years; 72% women).Primary and secondary outcome measuresTriaxial accelerometers were used to measure PA variables for 10 hours/day for seven consecutive days. Then, five physical function components (handgrip strength, single-leg stance, 5-metre walk speed, timed up and go and sit-to-stand test) were measured. Multiple linear regressions were used to perform separate analyses for older men and women.ResultsFor older women, daily MVPA time (β: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.64; p=0.004), daily step counts (β: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.78; p=0.009) and number of 10 min MVPA bouts (β: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.53; p=0.049) were positively associated with handgrip strength after adjusting for accelerometer wear time, sedentary time and other confounders. Furthermore, daily MVPA time was positively associated with a single-leg stance (β: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.49; p=0.036) and higher daily step counts were associated with shorter walking speed performance (β: −0.31, 95% CI: −0.57, −0.001; p=0.049). None of the variables of the objectively assessed PA patterns was associated with physical function outcomes among older men due to their small sample size.ConclusionsDaily MVPA, MVPA bouts of at least 10 min and accumulated daily steps are important for improving physical function among older women. Future prospective research should establish causal associations between PA patterns and functional ability among older adults.

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