scholarly journals Health Services Utilization Among Chinese American Older Adults: Moderation of Social Support With Functional Limitation

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 481-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinjiao Wang ◽  
Dexia Kong ◽  
Benjamin C. Sun ◽  
XinQi Dong

In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship of social support with hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits among older Chinese adults in the United States and its possible mechanism. This was a secondary analysis of data from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (July 2011-June 2013; N = 3,157). After adjusting for demographic, clinical, and functional covariates in logistic regression analyses, significant interaction between social support from spouse and the number of functional limitations in (instrumental) activities of daily living was related to lower odds of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] = 0.97 [0.95-0.99]) and ED visits (OR = 0.98 [0.96-0.99]). This finding suggests that among older Chinese American adults with functional limitations, more spousal support was related to lower odds of hospitalizations and ED visits. Future studies should comprehensively measure social support (e.g., content, amount) from other sources and investigate how unnecessary acute health service utilization in this population may be reduced by social support interventions.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 517-517
Author(s):  
Christi Nelson ◽  
Ross Andel

Abstract We examined the differences in physical health outcomes over a 20-year period between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) and heterosexual middle-aged and older adults. We also examined whether the associations were moderated by social support and affect. The analytical sample included 168 LGB adults and 336 propensity-matched heterosexual adults from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, ranging in age from 25 to 74 years (mean age=42.83) at baseline. Using negative binomial generalized estimating equations and mixed-effects analyses, data from three waves of MIDUS, spanning approximately 20 years from 1995 to 2014, were used to examine the associations between sexual orientation and the health outcomes (number of chronic conditions and functional limitations). Social support and affect were added to the models to test for moderation. The results found that LGB participants reported one more chronic condition at baseline and scored significantly higher for functional limitations. However, LGB participants increased less over time for number of chronic conditions than heterosexual participants, and there were no significant differences in terms of changes in functional limitation over time. Positive affect reduced the strength of the relationship between sexual orientation and functional limitations for LGB participants. No other moderating effects were significant. The results of this study suggest that LGB individuals may become resilient to the negative health effects of minority stressors over time. Interventions should focus on improving the health of LGB individuals when they are younger and more at risk of negative health outcomes.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A216-A216
Author(s):  
Claire Williams ◽  
Sarah Ghose ◽  
Morgan Reid ◽  
Sahar Sabet ◽  
Ashley MacPherson ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Functional limitations become increasingly common and debilitating as individuals age, potentially impacting several facets of well-being. As such, it is important to understand malleable factors that may potentially impact functional limitation outcomes. Both sleep and perceived control have been linked to the development of functional limitation. The current study sought to clarify the unique contributions of both sleep quality and perceived control to functional limitation status in middle-aged and older adults. Methods Data from the second wave of the Midlife in the United States study were used for the current study. Participants included 527 participants (59.9% female, Mage=59.83 years, SD=9.75 years) who completed measures of functional limitation levels (Functional Status Questionnaire), subjective sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index), and perceived control (MIDI Sense of Control Scales). A hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to examine sleep quality and perceived control as predictors in a unique model for predicting functional limitation. Demographic variables of age, gender, and race were used as covariates in study analyses. Results The overall model predicted 19.0% of the variance in functional limitation levels. Sleep quality was significantly associated with self-reported functional limitation (β=-.27, p<.001) over and above perceived control (β=.20, p<.001). Specifically, findings indicate that worse sleep quality is associated with increased functional limitation, while higher levels of perceived control are associated with lower levels of functional limitation. Conclusion Though perceived control is known to be associated with functional limitation status, the present study suggests a unique effect of sleep quality on functional limitation even after accounting for perceived control. Due to the potential for negative effects of functional limitation in middle-aged to older adults, it is important to identify and target constructs for research and intervention related to the development of these limitations. Care models for individuals who report experiencing functional limitations may benefit from targeting sleep health and control beliefs in intervention and assessment. Support (if any):


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S676-S676
Author(s):  
Jinyu Liu ◽  
Bei Wu ◽  
Ada Mui ◽  
Yifan Lou ◽  
Wenxing Wei ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives: Given the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) in the United States and the rapid growth of the older Chinese American population, many older Chinese Americans are expected to need intensive care because of cognitive impairment. Prior studies on Chinese ADRD caregivers lack comprehensive examinations from a life course perspective that emphasizes the importance of time, context, process and meaning on human development. Using the life course perspective, this study aims to identify challenges and strength of caregiving experience for this population. Methods: We conducted semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 28 Chinese family caregivers of persons with ADRD in New York City. Thematic analysis method was used to assess the interview data. Results: Seven life-course themes emerged from the data. In the domain of challenges, four themes were identified: (1) physical and emotional exhaustion, (2) limited understanding on cognitive health, (3) difficulty in accessing effective and culturally-sensitive health care services for care recipients, and (4) caregivers’ inability to do self-care. Other three themes were found in the domain of strengths: (1) commitment to care due to cultural and religious values, (2) emotional closeness as resource to sustain caregiving, and (3) family support and cohesion. Conclusion: This study indicates that the life course perspective is an important lens to understand challenges and strengths of Chinese American caregivers. This study also suggests that health professionals could incorporate the life course perspective into assessment and intervention development when working with minority and immigrant ADRD family caregivers.


1996 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beverly L. Roberts ◽  
Mary-Blair Matecjyck ◽  
Mary Anthony

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (14) ◽  
pp. 1502-1508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Callie Pawlowski ◽  
Cierra Buckman ◽  
Dmitry Tumin ◽  
Aimee W. Smith ◽  
Jennifer Crotty

Objective. Frequent or severe headaches are associated with school absenteeism and functional limitation in children, but trends in headache prevalence are uncertain. We used nationally representative data to describe trends in pediatric headache prevalence in the United States, and to evaluate whether headache has remained consistently associated with functional limitations among school-age children. Methods. We analyzed data on children age 5 to 17 years in the 2007 to 2015 National Health Interview Surveys. Caregivers reported whether each child experienced frequent or severe headache in the past 12 months. Weighted proportions and multivariable regression were used to estimate headache prevalence over the study period and associations between headache and measures of functional limitation. Results. The analysis included 57 272 children (mean age = 11 years; 52% female). Frequent or severe headache was reported for 6% of children, with no discernable trend over the study period. On multivariable Poisson regression, headache became more strongly associated with school absenteeism over time. In 2007, frequent or severe headache was associated with a 70% increase in the number of missed school days (incidence risk ratio [IRR] = 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.50-1.91; P < .001), whereas by 2015, headache was associated with a 139% increase in the number of missed school days (IRR = 2.39; 95% CI = 2.02-2.83; P < .001). Conclusion. Though the prevalence of frequent or severe headache in school-age children did not change in 2007 to 2015, headache became more strongly associated with school absenteeism, highlighting the need for improved management of patients with headaches to prevent negative impact on school performance and functional status.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1042-1051
Author(s):  
Ickpyo Hong ◽  
Loree Pryor ◽  
Rebeca Wong ◽  
Kenneth J. Ottenbacher ◽  
Timothy A. Reistetter

Objective: The association of family and social factors with the level of functional limitations was examined across the United States, Mexico, and Korea. Method: Participants included adults from the 2012 Health and Retirement Study ( n = 10,017), Mexican Health and Aging Study ( n = 6,367), and Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging ( n = 4,134). A common functional limitation scale was created based on Rasch analysis with a higher score indicating better physical function. Results: The American older adults (3.65 logits) had better physical function compared with Mexican (2.81 logits) and Korean older adults (1.92 logits). There were different associations of family and social factors with functional limitations across the three countries. Discussion: The American older adults demonstrated less functional limitation compared with Mexican and Korean older adults at the population level. The findings indicate the need to interpret carefully the individual family and social factors associated with functional limitations within the unique context of each country.


1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 3-19
Author(s):  
Beverly L. Roberts ◽  
Mary K. Anthony ◽  
Mary-Blair Matejczyk ◽  
Diana Moore

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 1263-1268
Author(s):  
David W. Lin ◽  
Weijie V. Lin

To further clarify the associations between sleep and body mass index (BMI) using the most recent dataset from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Our study is notable for the inclusion of analyses with age subpopulations and subjective sleep symptoms. Cross-sectional study was performed using the NHANES 2017-18 dataset. Weighted multivariate regressions were utilized. NHANES is a standardized survey conducted biennially in the United States, for a sample population which is weighted to represent national demographics. 6161 participants met inclusion criteria. Measurements were collected via NHANES protocol, with objective measurements collected by trained technicians and self-reported measurements collected via questionnaire. Our results corroborate a roughly U-shaped relationship of sleep duration with BMI, varying with age. Greatest magnitudes were observed in a bimodal age ranges of 18-30 and 61-75, with decreases in BMI of 0.248 and 0.385 associated with each marginal hour of sleep. Our secondary analysis with daytime sleepiness and snoring have a significant association with BMI. Snoring symptoms showed a decreasing magnitude of association with BMI as age increases; for ages 18-30, snoring at least once a week correlated with an increase in BMI of 3.571, while for ages 61-75, this correlated with an increase of 1.619. Our study adds to existing literature on the relationship of sleep and BMI. Age stratification methods were used to further clarify associations. Subjective sleep symptoms were used in a secondary analysis to identify clinical screening questions for adverse effects of sleep on BMI.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Maria Marangos ◽  
Jurjen Iedema ◽  
Mirjam de Klerk ◽  
Isolde Woittiez ◽  
Peter P. Groenewegen

Abstract Objectives Personal budgets for social and health care have been introduced in many European countries over recent decades. The assumption is that people with a personal budget are able to purchase care that matches their needs more closely and therefore experience greater independence and improved well-being. The question is whether this assumption is true. Little research has been carried out on this and the research that has been carried out is inconclusive and hampered by methodological limitations. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of data collected in a survey among persons who had submitted an application for social support. Propensity score matching was used to investigate whether people with a personal budget experience better independence, participation in society and quality of life than comparable people using conventionally organised help. Results After matching, no significant effects of the personal budget were initially found. A sensitivity analysis that excluded the variable sense of mastery from the calculation of the propensity scores, showed a significantly greater independence for those using a personal budget. Conclusion There may be several reasons for this lack of effect. First, perhaps there are no effects. It is also possible that effects can only be found in specific situations and/or specific groups.


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