scholarly journals Reciprocal Effects Between Loneliness and Sleep Disturbance in Older Americans

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1156-1164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah C. Griffin ◽  
Allison Baylor Williams ◽  
Samantha N. Mladen ◽  
Paul B. Perrin ◽  
Joseph M. Dzierzewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Path Analysis ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Current Theory ◽  
Reciprocal Effects ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Item Scale ◽  
Over Time

Objectives: To model the relationship between loneliness and sleep disturbance over time. Method: Data came from the Health and Retirement Study (2006, 2010, 2014 waves; age ≥ 65 years; n = 5,067). Loneliness was measured via the Hughes Loneliness Scale and sleep disturbance via a four-item scale assessing sleep and restedness. Cross-lagged panel modeling (path analysis) was used to jointly examine reciprocal effects between loneliness and sleep disturbance. Results: Higher loneliness correlated with higher sleep disturbance at baseline. There was evidence of reciprocal effects between loneliness and sleep across timepoints. These associations overall remained when accounting for demographics, objective isolation, and depression. Discussion: Although causality cannot be established, the findings indicate that the relationship between loneliness and sleep disturbance is bidirectional. This requires revision to the current theory on sleep disturbance as a mechanism for the relationship between loneliness and health and indicates that effective treatment of sleep disturbance may reduce loneliness.

scholarly journals Cystatin C Trajectories Among Middle-Aged and Older Americans

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 514-515
Author(s):  
Erfei Zhao ◽  
Eileen Crimmins ◽  
Jennifer Ailshire ◽  
Jung Ki Kim ◽  
Qiao Wu
Keyword(s):  
Cystatin C ◽  
College Graduates ◽  
Ethnic Difference ◽  
Socioeconomic Differences ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Growth Curve Models ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Deterioration in kidney functioning is associated with aging and is a major risk factor for mortality and other poor health outcomes. Medicare expenses for poor kidney functioning are about 100 billion dollars every year. High Cystatin-C is an indicator of poor kidney functioning. We do not know if cystatin-C increases gradually as an individual ages. We use the Health and Retirement Study 2006/2008 Biomarker sample with follow-up for 8 years to examine this. Demographic and socioeconomic differences in trajectories of Cystatin-C trajectories were examined for 22,984 participants aged 50 and older. Growth curve models reveal that, although Cystatin-C increases with age (beta=0.025, p<0.001), the annual increase varies by age (60-69 = 0.005, 70-79 = 0.013, 80+ = 0.017, p<0.001), controlling for other socioeconomic variables. Cystatin-C increases faster for males than females. Cystatin-C of non-Hispanic Whites is lower than non-Hispanic Blacks but higher than Hispanics; there is no racial/ethnic difference in change over time. People who spent fewer years in school have higher Cystatin-C, and college graduates have slower growth in Cystatin-C compared to people who did not graduate from high school. These novel findings highlight the disparities in the process of kidney aging among older Americans.

scholarly journals COGNITIVE AND HEARING IMPAIRMENTS IN OLDER ADULTS: EVIDENCE FROM THE HEALTH AND RETIREMENT STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S77-S77
Author(s):  
Jessica S West ◽  
Scott Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Hearing Impairments ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Over Time

Abstract As the number of older adults increases, increased prevalence of cognitive and sensory impairments pose growing public health challenges. Research on the relationship between hearing impairment and cognition, however, is minimal and has yielded mixed results, with some studies finding that hearing impairment is associated with cognitive decline, and others reporting that the association is weak or non-existent. Most of this research has been conducted outside of the U.S., and the few U.S.-based longitudinal studies have relied mostly on small, non-representative samples involving short follow-up periods. Further, despite known gendered patterns in cognitive and hearing impairments, no studies to date have examined whether the relationship between the two varies by gender. Our study addresses these weaknesses in the literature by utilizing nine waves of the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2014; n=14,169), a large, nationally representative, longitudinal study that facilitates examination of long-term interrelationships between hearing and cognitive impairments. In this study, we use autoregressive latent trajectory (ALT) methods to model: 1) the relationship between hearing impairment and cognitive decline, and 2) sex differences in the relationship. ALT models enable us to determine whether hearing impairment and cognitive impairment are associated, net of their common tendency simply to co-trend with age. Results indicate that hearing and cognitive impairments are strongly interrelated processes that trend together over time. Moreover, hearing impairment has an increasing impact on cognitive impairment across age while the effect of cognitive impairment on hearing impairment levels out over time. Sex differences in these patterns are discussed.

Examining the Relationship Between Daily Co-Rumination and Rumination in Response to Negative Events Among Adolescents Using Ecological Momentary Assessment

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 704-719
Author(s):  
Jaclyn T. Aldrich ◽  
Ellie Lisitsa ◽  
Sarah K. Chun ◽  
Amy H. Mezulis
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Current Theory ◽  
Negative Events ◽  
Study Support ◽  
Negative Feelings ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Momentary Assessment ◽  
Over Time

Introduction: Rumination and co-rumination are related processes characterized by repetitive focus on negative feelings and problems, with current theory suggesting that co-rumination fosters the use of intrapersonal rumination over time. Additionally, both rumination and co-rumination are related to the occurrence of depressive symptoms during adolescence. Method: The current study utilized an ecological momentary design to examine the temporal relationship between daily co-rumination and rumination in response to negative events within a sample of young adolescents (N = 150). Results: Hierarchical linear models indicated that co-rumination in response to a negative event significantly, positively predicted the use of rumination the following day, whereas use of rumination did not predict engagement in co-rumination the following day. Discussion: Results of the current study support the hypothesis that co-rumination influences the tendency to ruminate individually, which may indirectly result in depressive symptoms over time.

scholarly journals RACE-ETHNICITY AND HOPELESSNESS IN OLDER AMERICANS: WHO’S AT GREATEST RISK AND WHY?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S436-S436
Author(s):  
Uchechi Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Differences ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Poverty Status ◽  
Blacks And Whites ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to experience adversity throughout their lives, which puts them at greater risk feelings of despair and powerlessness. This study uses data from 5,500 respondents from the Health and Retirement Study to assess racial/ethnic differences in hopelessness and test whether older blacks and Hispanics experience greater increases in hopelessness as they age. Hopelessness was assessed using 4-items that capture the extent to which a person has a negative outlook towards the future and believes they are powerlessness to overcome the obstacles they face; it is measured at three time points: 2006/2008, 2010/2012 and 2014/2016. Linear regression models were used to assess differences in hopelessness by race/ethnicity and linear mixed models were used to assess racial/ethnic differences in trajectories of hopelessness over time. Older blacks and Hispanics were more likely to report feelings of hopelessness at each timepoint of the study. Differences between blacks and whites were completely explained by differences in education and poverty status, while differences between Hispanics and whites remained. Although minority elders had higher levels of hopelessness at each time point, older whites experienced steeper increases in hopelessness over time. These findings suggest that structural factors influence feelings of hopelessness among minority elders. However, older blacks and Hispanics may develop resilience to hopelessness as they age.

Chronic Illnesses and Depressive Symptoms Among Older People: Functional Limitations as a Mediator and Self-Perceptions of Aging as a Moderator

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 1188-1204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jina Han
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Longitudinal Mediation ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Retirement Study

Objective: This research examined the mediation of functional limitations in the relationship between chronic illnesses and depressive symptoms among older Americans along with tests for the moderation of self-perceptions of aging. Method: Data from the Health and Retirement Study (2008, 2010, and 2012) were used. Longitudinal mediation models were tested using a sample of 3,382 Americans who responded to psychosocial questions and were over 65 years old in 2008. Results: Functional limitations mediated the linkage between chronic illnesses and depressive symptoms. Negative self-perceptions of aging exacerbated the effects of chronic illnesses on depressive symptoms. Discussion: Health care professionals should be aware of depressive symptoms in older adults reporting chronic illnesses and particularly in those reporting functional limitations. To decrease the risk of depressive symptoms caused by chronic illnesses, negative self-perceptions of aging may need to be challenged.

scholarly journals LONELINESS PREDICTS REDUCTIONS IN SLEEP QUALITY IN OLDER AMERICANS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S529-S529
Author(s):  
Sarah Griffin ◽  
Baylor Williams ◽  
Scott Ravyts ◽  
Joseph Dzierzewski ◽  
Bruce Rybarczyk
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Net Worth ◽  
Complex Sampling ◽  
Health Decline ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Linear Regressions ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Research documenting loneliness as a factor predicting health decline accumulates, yet the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain obscure. A potential mechanism is sleep disturbance, which is associated with loneliness. However, it remains unclear whether loneliness is a risk factor for subsequent sleep disturbance. The present study aimed to examine loneliness (measured via the Hughes Loneliness Scale) as a risk factor for sleep disturbance in a nationally representative sample of older (>65) Americans. Weighted linear regressions (accounting for complex sampling) were conducted on data from the Health and Retirement Study (n=3,042; 2006 & 2012 waves). Higher levels of loneliness in 2006 predicted sleep disturbance in 2014 when controlling for baseline sleep (B=.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]=[.04, .13]). This association remained after controlling for age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, net worth, and depressive symptoms (B=.07, 95% CI=[.04, .11]). These results identify loneliness as a risk factor for sleep disturbance over an eight-year span in older Americans. Further research is necessary to tease apart this relationship: specifically, to assess reciprocal effects over multiple timepoints, investigate the role of depression in loneliness and sleep disturbance, and employ experimental methods to address causality.

scholarly journals Disparities in COVID-19 Related Worry Among Older Adults in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 483-483
Author(s):  
Felicia Wheaton ◽  
Terika Scatliffe ◽  
Matilda Johnson
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Other ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Financial Situation ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Racial disparities in COVID-19 exposure, illness, hospitalization and mortality have been well-documented, however, less is known about whether African Americans and other minorities experience greater worry related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the special midterm release of the 2020 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used to examine the relationship between race (white, African American, and other) and ethnicity (Hispanic/Non-Hispanic) and COVID-19 related worry among older Americans (N=2,069). Participants were asked, “because of the coronavirus pandemic how worried are you about 1) your own health, 2) the health of others in your family? 3) Your financial situation? 4) Being able to get help if you needed it from family, friends, or others? 5) What will happen in the future?” (0=not at all worried and 10=very worried). Results from OLS regression controlling for age, gender and education showed that compared with whites, African Americans had significantly higher average worry for all items except the last (other race did not differ). On the other hand, Hispanics had significantly lower worry, on average, for each of the five items. In addition, women had significantly higher average worry, while age was negatively associated with all items except the first. These findings indicate that in addition to the previously documented disparities in COVID-19, older African Americans experienced more worry. This has important implications for long-term physical and mental health.

Financial Ratios and Financial Satisfaction: Exploring Associations Between Objective and Subjective Measures of Financial Well-Being Among Older Americans

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-243
Author(s):  
Jacob A. Tenney ◽  
Charlene M. Kalenkoski
Keyword(s):  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Financial Ratios ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Investment Ratio ◽  
Financial Condition ◽  
Being There ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Retirement Study

This study explores the relationship between objective measures and perceptions of financial well-being for older Americans. Financial well-being is measured objectively using three financial ratios including the liquidity ratio, the debt-to-asset ratio, and the investment ratio. Individuals' perceptions of their financial well-being are measured by a question in the Health and Retirement Study that asks respondents how satisfied they are with their present financial condition. An ordered probit model is used to examine the relationship between the perceptions of financial well-being and the three financial ratios. The findings in this analysis suggest that there is a positive relationship between the investment ratio and perceptions of financial well-being. There is also a small but statistically significant improvement in the perception of financial well-being with increases in the liquidity ratio. For large categorical differences, the positive relationship also holds for the debt-to-asset ratio.

Sleep Patterns in Older Bereaved Spouses

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie J. Richardson ◽  
Dale A. Lund ◽  
Michael S. Caserta ◽  
William N. Dudley ◽  
Sarah Jane Obray
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Sleep Disruption ◽  
Matched Sample ◽  
Sleep Patterns ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Over Time

The study examined the prevalence and pattern of reports of sleep disturbance over two years in a group of 296 adults aged 50 years and over, and assessed the relationship between patterns of sleep disturbance and bereavement adjustment over time. A sample of 192 widows and widowers were compared to a matched sample of 104 non-bereaved persons. About half of the bereaved respondents experienced sleep disruption in the first month following their loss. Regardless of bereavement status, one-third of the sample experienced ongoing sleep disruption, and 10% consulted a physician for difficulty sleeping. Persons with a pattern of consistent sleep disturbance showed statistically significant differences in grief outcomes that persisted over time and tended to be female, older, with poor health, and taking more medications.

Investment Traits and Intelligence in Adulthood

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie von Stumm
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Need For Cognition ◽  
Openness To Experience ◽  
Intelligence Tests ◽  
Crystallized Intelligence ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Over Time

Intelligence-as-knowledge in adulthood is influenced by individual differences in intelligence-as-process (i.e., fluid intelligence) and in personality traits that determine when, where, and how people invest their intelligence over time. Here, the relationship between two investment traits (i.e., Openness to Experience and Need for Cognition), intelligence-as-process and intelligence-as-knowledge, as assessed by a battery of crystallized intelligence tests and a new knowledge measure, was examined. The results showed that (1) both investment traits were positively associated with intelligence-as-knowledge; (2) this effect was stronger for Openness to Experience than for Need for Cognition; and (3) associations between investment and intelligence-as-knowledge reduced when adjusting for intelligence-as-process but remained mostly significant.

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