Health behaviors in older adults: Considering age, affect, and attitudes

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 1652-1657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda R Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Behavior Interventions ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Aging Attitudes

Identifying psychological factors associated with engagement in healthy behaviors in later life is a key to effective behavior interventions. In all, 204 adults ( Mage = 80) took a questionnaire assessing objective and perceived health, positive affect and negative affect, aging attitudes, and three classes of health behaviors: eating/nutrition, exercise, and general health behavior. Regression models found better eating behavior was best explained by older age, more exercise was best explained by more positive affect, and better general lifestyle behavior was best explained by worse perceived health. Programs promoting health behaviors in older adults can utilize the findings to tailor interventions to the health behavior of interest.

scholarly journals Self-rated health among older adults in two fast ageing European countries: Evidence from Italy and Serbia

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 664-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Piumatti ◽  
Francesco Lietz ◽  
Jelena Marinkovic ◽  
Vesna Bjegovic-Mikanovic
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Two Samples

Background/Aim. Self-rated health (SRH) is a widely adopted tool to compare health across countries. Relationships of socio-demographics with SRH in later life have been extensively cross-nationally observed. However, cross-comparisons of the effects of health behaviors (i.e., eating habits, smoking, and alcohol consumption) and health status (i.e., chronic diseases) on SRH are less frequent. Our aim was to examine SRH differences between older adults in Italy and Serbia and to observe the role of predictors of SRH particularly referring to health behaviors in both countries. Methods. Two samples of 4,406 Italians and 3,539 Serbs aged 65 and older were extracted from national health surveys conducted in 2013. For this secondary analysis, SRH, sociodemographics, health status variables, and health behavior factors were selected. In the multivariate logistic regression models, SRH was the dependent variable while the selected independent predictors were socio-demographics, characteristics related to health status and to health behavior. Results. Both Italians (30.3%) and Serbs (22.3%) reported lower values of good- or very good-SRH than the European average (36.9%). The logistic regressions showed that Serbs reported poor?SRH significantly more often than Italians. Moreover, gender, education level, chronic diseases, and daily life limitations resulted as significant predictors of SRH in both national samples. In addition, vegetables intake was positively associate to SRH among Italians, while among Serbs an adequate fruits intake was positively associated to SRH. Conclusion. Health behavior and health status factors are associated with better SRH in the population aged 65 and older. The effects differ between countries. It is essential that decision-makers of the implementation of international preventive strategies take into account the specific characteristics of countries in the organization of interventions for the aged population.

scholarly journals Getting to the Heart of the Matter in Later Life: The Central Role of Affect in Health Message Framing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A Mikels ◽  
Nathaniel A Young ◽  
Xiaomei Liu ◽  
Elizabeth A L Stine-Morrow
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Message Framing ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Program Enrollment ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
Loss Framing

Abstract Background and Objectives Adopting healthy behaviors is often influenced by message framing; gain-framed messages emphasize the benefits of engaging in a behavior, whereas loss-framed messages highlight the consequences of not engaging in a behavior. Research has begun to uncover the underlying affective pathways involved in message framing. In the current study, we examined the role of affect in message framing to encourage physical exercise program enrollment among older adults. Research Design and Methods We mailed flyers to 126 volunteers assigned to a gain- or loss-framed condition and measured their affective reactions to the flyer and enrollment intentions. After the call, participants had the opportunity to contact us to enroll. Results Gain- versus loss-framing led to more positive affect toward the flyer, which predicted intentions and enrollment. In indirect-effect analyses, frame indirectly influenced intentions and enrollment via positive affect. Discussion and Implications Although message framing plays an indirect role in influencing behavior, affect plays a central role.

scholarly journals Health Behaviors and eHealth Literacy Among Older Adults, HINTS 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 226-226
Author(s):  
Ruth Sanchez ◽  
Hannah Kay ◽  
Pooja Srikanth ◽  
Lyndsey Sandow ◽  
Michelle Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract With rapid shifts in how health information is reported and consumed, providers and patients must consider their electronic or “eHealth” literacy. The purpose of this study was to analyze how older adults (age 60+) seek health information in the context of online and offline resources and how eHealth literacy correlates with health behaviors. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample of 2,587 U.S. older adults drawn from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) Iteration 5 Cycle 3. Weighted descriptive analyses were conducted to examine the association between CDC-recommended health behavior guidelines on produce consumption and exercise, eHealth literacy, and sociodemographics. Weighted logistic regression analyses were conducted with STATA 16.0 to assess the relationship between healthy behaviors and eHealth literacy controlling for sociodemographics. The weighted sample reported the following demographic characteristics: average age 71 years (range 60-98), 53.6% female, 73.8% White, 9.7% Black and 8.6% Hispanic. Of older adults, 26.7% performed 2 or more health behaviors regularly. Among older adults, those who have looked up medical information using electronics are 1.79 (95% confidence interval: 1.24, 2.58) times more likely to meet 2 or more CDC-recommended health behavior guidelines as compared to those that have not, after controlling for survey group, education, race/ethnicity and gender. Access and utilization of online resources among older adults may influence their health behaviors and health outcomes. Providers should consider the eHealth literacy of their older adult patients and direct them to appropriate and reliable online resources.

Leisure Activities and the Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults in Croatia

GeroPsych ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Kaliterna Lipovčan ◽  
Tihana Brkljačić ◽  
Zvjezdana Prizmić Larsen ◽  
Andreja Brajša-Žganec ◽  
Renata Franc
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Financial Status

Abstract. Research shows that engagement in leisure activities promotes well-being among older adults. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between subjective well-being (flourishing) and leisure activities (total number of different activities in the previous year) in a sample of older adults in Croatia, thereby considering the variables of sex, marital status, financial status, and self-perceived health. The differences in the examined variables between the groups of older adults who reported to be engaged in new activities with those who did not were also examined. The sample of N = 169 older adults aged 60 years and above was drawn from a convenience sample of adult internet users in Croatia. Participants reported their self-perceived health and the number of leisure activities they engaged in over the previous year as well as completing the Flourishing Scale. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that older adults who were engaged in more various leisure activities, who perceived better financial status, and who were married reported higher levels of flourishing. A comparison of the two groups of older adults with and without engagement in leisure activities showed that those engaged in at least one leisure activity were more likely to be women, reported higher levels of flourishing, and perceived their own financial status as better. This study indicated that engaging in leisure activities in later life might provide beneficial effects for the well-being of older adults.

scholarly journals Loving Others: The Impact of Compassionate Love on Later-Life Psychological Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 480-481
Author(s):  
Eva Kahana ◽  
Tirth Bhatta ◽  
Boaz Kahana ◽  
Nirmala Lekhak
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Compassionate Love ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Existing scholarship in social gerontology has surprisingly paid little attention to broader loving emotions, such as compassionate and altruistic love, as potentially meaningful mechanisms for improving later life psychological well-being. This study examined the influence of feeling love toward other persons and experiencing love from others on later life psychological well-being. We conducted a 3-wave longitudinal study of a representative sample of 340 ethnically heterogeneous community dwelling older residents of Miami, Florida. The increase in feeling of being loved (β=-1.53, p<0.001) and love for others (β=-1.43, p<0.001) led to decline in odds of reporting greater level of depressive symptoms over time. The odds of reporting higher level of positive affect were significantly greater for older adults who reported feeling loved by others (β=1.16, p<0.001) and expressed love for other people (β=1.18, p<0.01). Older adults who felt loved had 0.92-point lower ordered log odds of reporting higher negative affect than those who reported lower level of love. The impact of compassionate love on depressive symptoms and negative affect remained statistically significant even after adjustment for altruistic attitudes and emotional support. The influence of loving emotions on positive affect was, however, explained by altruistic attitudes and emotional support. Our findings underscore the powerful influence of both receiving and giving love for the maintenance of later life psychological well-being. We offer support for the expectation that love is a significant force in the lives of older adults that transcends intimate relationships.

scholarly journals Triggers and Their Influence on Health Behaviors

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine S. Gipson
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Concept Analysis ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Conceptual Definition ◽  
Optimal Health ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Significant Health

This article provides a conceptual definition of the concept trigger within the context of health behaviors and applies it to the highly significant health issue of obesity. Healthy behaviors are essential to life and happiness, but they do not just happen. They are triggered, and an inner drive keeps them alive. To help patients gain and retain optimal health, nurses must understand the triggers of healthy behaviors. Walker and Avant’s (2011) method of concept analysis is used as the basis for defining the concept of trigger. The antecedents, defining attributes, and consequences of trigger are identified. Findings suggest that nurses can play a role in triggering health behavior change through simple motivational efforts.

Anxiety and Depression Predict the Paths Through Which Rumination Acts on Behavior: A Daily Diary Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 409-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen E. Riley ◽  
Dean G. Cruess ◽  
Crystal L. Park ◽  
Ashley Tigershtrom ◽  
Jean-Philippe Laurenceau
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Cognitive Process ◽  
Daily Diary ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Daily Diary Study ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Introduction: Rumination—thinking passively, negatively, and repetitively—is a common cognitive process that is associated with poor health behaviors. Rumination impacts health behaviors through two distinct behavioral pathways: acting too quickly (impulsivity) or not acting at all (amotivation), though no research to date has examined the conditions under which rumination may manifest in these two disparate behavioral paths. The presence of anxiety and depression may lead to the behavioral manifestations of rumination, which may then differentially impact health behavior patterns. In this study, we tested whether individuals reporting anxiety who ruminate will then act impulsively and individuals reporting depression who ruminate will then not act in the context of their daily health behaviors. Methods: We recruited 285 college students (mean age = 19.3; 76.8% female; 79.4% Caucasian) and had them complete a baseline survey and an 11-day online daily diary to assess associations among anxiety, depression, rumination, and health behaviors. Results: Rumination predicted health behaviors through both impulsivity and amotivation as expected. Moderation models revealed that rumination in the context of anxiety leads to impulsivity and rumination in the context of depression leads to amotivation. Limitations: The undergraduate sample limits the generalizability of this data. Discussion: These results show that those who report depression or anxiety are likely to experience more daily rumination and the deleterious behavioral manifestations of that rumination, which then affects health behavior engagement or avoidance. Future behavioral health interventions can perhaps specifically target impulsivity among individuals reporting anxiety and amotivation among individuals reporting depression in order to promote more healthy behaviors.

scholarly journals Health Behaviors and Health Status among Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Chronic Diseases in Taiwan

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7196
Author(s):  
Wei-Hua Tian ◽  
Joseph J. Tien
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviors ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
The Relationship

Changes in lifestyle behaviors may effectively maintain or improve the health status of individuals with chronic diseases. However, such health behaviors adopted by individuals are unlikely to demonstrate similar patterns. This study analyzed the relationship between the heterogeneous latent classes of health behavior and health statuses among middle-aged and older adults with hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia in Taiwan. After selecting 2103 individuals from the 2005 and 2009 Taiwan National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), we first identified heterogeneous groups of health behaviors through latent class analysis (LCA). We further explored the relationship between each latent class of health behavior and health status through ordered logit regression. We identified the following five distinct health behavior classes: the all-controlled, exercise and relaxation, healthy diet and reduced smoking or drinking, healthy diet, and least-controlled classes. Regression results indicated that individuals in classes other than the all-controlled class all reported poor health statuses. We also found great magnitude of the coefficient estimates for individuals who reported their health status to be poor or very poor for the least-controlled class. Therefore, health authorities and medical providers may develop targeted policies and interventions that address multiple modifiable health behaviors in each distinct latent class of health behavior.

scholarly journals Hope As A Motivator For Healthy Behaviors In Older Adults: Findings From A Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1016-1016
Author(s):  
Mushira Khan ◽  
Patrick Hill ◽  
Catherine O'Brien ◽  
Dugan O'Connor
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Future Selves ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Hope can be understood as a motivational state that enables people to move toward their goals. Yet, how hope may act as a motivator for healthy behaviors in older adults is not well-understood. Further, the extant literature utilizes varied conceptualizations of hope, and a better understanding of the constructs that underlie the relationship between hope and health behaviors is needed. This study examined the relationship between hope and health behaviors, explored how this relationship may differ across different socio-demographic groups, and considered how hope relates to perceived future selves among older adults. Community-dwelling adults 55 years and older (n = 711; mean age 67.38 years; 280 men, 431 women) completed an online, cross-sectional survey. Survey measures included, along with the Adult Hope Scale (AHS) and the Herth Hope Index (HHI), a health behaviors checklist, self-reported health, and a future self scale. We found a moderately strong positive correlation between hope and healthy behaviors in older adults (AHS r = 0.46, p < .01; HHI r = 0.50, p < .01). Participants with higher levels of hope also reported more positive future selves and better health. The associations were similar across different racial/ethnic groups and the magnitude of this effect held even after controlling for gender, education, marital status, and income. Of the two hope scales, we recommend the AHS measure given its relative parsimony, greater use in the field, and the fact that the associations were fairly similar to the HHI with respect to health and health behavior.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study Exploring Facilitators for Improved Health Behaviors and Health Behavior Programs: Mental Health Service Users’ Perspectives

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candida Graham ◽  
Crystal Rollings ◽  
Sarah de Leeuw ◽  
Lesley Anderson ◽  
Brenda Griffiths ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Cardiometabolic Disorders

Objective.Mental health service users experience high rates of cardiometabolic disorders and have a 20–25% shorter life expectancy than the general population from such disorders. Clinician-led health behavior programs have shown moderate improvements, for mental health service users, in managing aspects of cardiometabolic disorders. This study sought to potentially enhance health initiatives by exploring (1) facilitators that help mental health service users engage in better health behaviors and (2) the types of health programs mental health service users want to develop.Methods.A qualitative study utilizing focus groups was conducted with 37 mental health service users attending a psychosocial rehabilitation center, in Northern British Columbia, Canada.Results.Four major facilitator themes were identified: (1) factors of empowerment, self-value, and personal growth; (2) the need for social support; (3) pragmatic aspects of motivation and planning; and (4) access. Participants believed that engaging with programs of physical activity, nutrition, creativity, and illness support would motivate them to live more healthily.Conclusions and Implications for Practice.Being able to contribute to health behavior programs, feeling valued and able to experience personal growth are vital factors to engage mental health service users in health programs. Clinicians and health care policy makers need to account for these considerations to improve success of health improvement initiatives for this population.

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