scholarly journals Cohort Trends in the Gender Distribution of Household Tasks in the United States and the Implications for Understanding Disability

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 1748-1769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Connor Sheehan ◽  
Benjamin W. Domingue ◽  
Eileen Crimmins

Objectives: Measures of disability depend on health and social roles in a given environment. Yet, social roles can change over time as they have by gender. We document how engagement in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) is shifting by gender and birth cohort among older adults, and the challenges these shifts can create for population-level estimates of disability. Method: We used the Health and Retirement Study ( N = 25,047) and multinomial logistic regression models with an interaction term between gender and birth cohort to predict limitation and nonperformance relative to no difficulty conducting IADLs. Results: Nonperformance of IADLs have significantly decreased among younger cohorts. Women in younger cohorts were more likely to use a map, whereas men in younger cohorts were more likely to prepare meals and shop. Discussion: Failing to account for gender and cohort changes in IADL, performance may lead to systematic bias in estimates of population-level disability.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 155798832110496
Author(s):  
Chiho Song ◽  
Gillian L. Marshall ◽  
Alyssa Reed ◽  
Tamara A. Baker ◽  
Roland J. Thorpe

Pain associated with financial hardship among older men varies by race. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of financial hardship with the presence of pain in men 50 years and older by race. Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) 2010 wave, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between four financial hardship indicators and total financial hardship as a composite score, and the presence of pain by race. Among White men, the association between the presence of pain and hardship controlling for demographic factors was statistically significant across four indicators and one composite score: ongoing financial hardship (OR = 1.29, 95% CI [1.02, 1.64]), food insecurity (OR = 2.55, 95% CI [1.51, 4.31]), taking less medication due to cost (OR = 2.12, 95% CI [1.40, 3.22]), difficulty paying bills (OR = 1.36, 95% CI [1.07, 1.73]), and total financial hardship (OR = 1.27, 95% CI [1.12, 1.44]). Among African American men, the association between the presence of pain and taking less medication due to cost (OR = 2.99, 95% CI [1.31, 6.85]) was significant. With increasing comorbidities among older adults, particularly African Americans, it is imperative to fully understand the mechanisms of this underexplored area in both the pain and financial hardship literature.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Erin G. Grinshteyn ◽  
Judith A. Sugar

Abstract Previous research shows the benefits of volunteerism to individuals and communities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether lower perceived neighbourhood safety is associated with reduced volunteerism and whether this association differs by sex. Data from the 2008 Health and Retirement Study in the United States of America were used (N = 13,009 adults 60 years and older). Multivariate logistic regression models were estimated to assess the association between perceived neighbourhood safety and volunteerism while controlling for potential confounders. Perceived neighbourhood safety was associated with volunteering. The odds of volunteering were higher for those rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as excellent compared with those rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as fair/poor. Those rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as very good also had greater odds of volunteering than those rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as fair/poor. Results differed somewhat by gender. Men who perceived their neighbourhood safety as excellent had increased odds of volunteering. The association of neighbourhood safety with volunteerism was significant for women rating their perceived neighbourhood safety as excellent or very good. Among men, being married was associated with increased odds of volunteering; being completely or partly retired was associated with increased odds of volunteering among women. Initiatives aimed at improving older adults’ perceptions of safety would help improve volunteerism, which is beneficial to both older adults and communities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 567-567
Author(s):  
Andreana Natalie Holowatyj ◽  
Mark Andrew Lewis ◽  
Stephanie Schmit ◽  
Anne C. Kirchhoff ◽  
Jane Figueiredo ◽  
...  

567 Background: Despite overall reductions in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence, this trend has shifted among young individuals. Incidence rates continue to rise in this population, yet causes remain unknown. We examined CRC tumor patterns within the adolescent, emerging adult, and young adult (AYA) population in the United States. Methods: Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program data, we identified individuals aged 15 to 39 years diagnosed with CRC from 2010-2014. Unadjusted and adjusted multinomial logistic regression models were used to quantify the associations between age of onset [adolescents (15-18 years), emerging adults (19-25 years) and young adults (26-29, 30-34, 35-39 years)] and CRC tumor site and sidedness. Results: We identified 4,417 AYA patients (33 adolescents; 298 emerging adults; 4,086 young adults) with CRC over the 5-year study period. The percentage of cases diagnosed with colon cancer decreased across all AYA groups compared to rectal cancer cases ( P-trend=0.03). Age group was associated with sidedness ( P-trend=0.01). Individuals aged 26 to 29 years remained more likely to be diagnosed with right-sided (Odds ratio, OR=1.35, 95% CI 1.08-1.69, P=0.009) and high-grade (OR=1.29, 95% CI 1.02-1.64, P=0.03) colorectal tumors compared to counterparts aged 35 to 39 years, after adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, stage, grade, and county-level poverty. Conclusions: CRC site and sidedness were associated with age at diagnosis within the AYA population. These data are the first to define clinical patterns of CRC among AYAs. Elucidating etiologies underlying these patterns in young-onset CRCs are needed for tailoring CRC screening/surveillance and treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-218
Author(s):  
Jennifer C Cornman ◽  
Dana A Glei ◽  
Maxine Weinstein

Abstract Objectives This study compares estimates and determinants of within-individual changes in mobility across surveys of older U.S. adults. Methods Data come from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. Measures of mobility comprise self-reported level of difficulty with walking several blocks, going up several flights of stairs, lifting and carrying 10 pounds, and stooping. Predictors include sociodemographic characteristics and indicators of health and health behaviors. We pool the datasets and estimate weighted lagged dependent variable logistic regression models for each activity, assessing cross-study differences using interaction terms between a survey indicator and relevant variables. Results Estimates of declines in mobility differ substantially across surveys for walking, lifting and carrying, and stooping, but there are no between-survey differences in the probability of (not) recovering from a limitation. With the exception of age, determinants of change are similar between studies. For lifting/carrying and stooping, the age-related increase in developing limitations is less steep at younger ages for HRS respondents than MIDUS respondents, but steeper at older ages. Discussion To compare estimates of mobility change across surveys, mobility measures would need to be harmonized. Determinants of mobility change, however, are more comparable.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 76-76
Author(s):  
Kylie Meyer ◽  
Zachary Gassoumis ◽  
Kathleen Wilber

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-255
Author(s):  
Rocío Calvo ◽  
Dawn C. Carr ◽  
Christina Matz-Costa

Objective: This study investigated nativity disparities in life satisfaction among ethnoracial groups of older adults in the United States and the factors associated with such disparities. Method: Cross-sectional data from 7,348 respondents aged 60 and older from the 2012/2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used to estimate linear regression models. Results: Older immigrants experienced higher levels of life satisfaction than comparable native-born individuals. This “happiness advantage” was particularly salient for Hispanic immigrants, who reported the highest levels of life satisfaction of all groups included in the study. With increasing education, life satisfaction increased for White and “Other Race” groups, regardless of nativity. However, for both Black groups and native-born Hispanics, higher levels of education were associated with lower life satisfaction. Discussion: Findings suggest that the “happiness paradox” may not only be a matter of Hispanic ethnicity, but that it may also extend to immigrants from other ethnoracial backgrounds.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (08) ◽  
pp. 1159-1169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namkee G. Choi ◽  
Diana M. DiNitto ◽  
C. Nathan Marti ◽  
Bryan Y. Choi

ABSTRACTBackground:Given the rapid increase in prescription and illicit drug poisoning deaths in the 50+ age group, we examined precipitating/risk factors and toxicology results associated with poisoning deaths classified as suicides compared to intent-undetermined death (UnD) among decedents aged 50+.Methods:Data were from the 2005–2015 US National Violent Death Reporting System (N = 15,453). χ2 tests and multinomial logistic regression models were used to compare three groups of decedents: suicide decedent who left a suicide note, suicide decedent who did not leave a note, and UnD cases.Results:Compared to suicide decedents without a note (37.7% of the sample), those with a note (29.4%) were more likely to have been depressed and had physical health problems and other life stressors, while UnD cases (32.9%) were less likely to have had mental health problems and other life stressors but more likely to have had substance use and health problems. UnD cases were also more likely to be opioid (RRR = 2.65, 95% CI = 2.42–2.90) and cocaine (RRR = 2.59, 95% CI = 2.09–3.21) positive but less likely to be antidepressant positive. Blacks were more than twice as likely as non-Hispanic Whites to be UnDs. Results from separate regression models in the highest UnD states (Maryland and Utah) and in states other than Maryland/Utah were similar.Conclusions:Many UnDs may be more correctly classified as unintentional overdose deaths. Along with more accurate determination processes for intent/manner of death, substance use treatment and approaches to curbing opioid and other drug use problems are needed to prevent intentional and unintentional poisoning deaths.


10.18060/2125 ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 458-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Badiah Haffejee ◽  
Jamie Rae Yoder ◽  
Kimberly Bender

Emerging adulthood marks a critical developmental juncture during which some individuals disengage from the illegal behavior of their adolescence while others continue to use substances and commit crimes. While risk factors for delinquency during adolescence are well studied, factors that influence persisting or desisting from illegal activities during emerging adulthood have not been fully explored. This mixed methods study utilizes a sample of college students aged 18-25 (N=74) and examines factors differentiating those who abstained from illegal behaviors, desisted from illegal behaviors, and persisted in illegal behaviors. Multinomial logistic regression models indicated peers offending and hours spent studying predicted desisting and peers offending predicted persisting (compared to the abstaining group). Three qualitative themes: family and peer bonds, morals and values, and fear of consequences further explained factors influencing emerging adults’ persisting and desisting choices. Implications for social work practice are explored.


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