scholarly journals WHAT PREDICTS ADJUSTMENT TO AGING AMONG LGB OLDER ADULTS?

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (01) ◽  
pp. 117-123
Author(s):  
Sofia von Humboldt ◽  
Francis Carneiro ◽  
Isabel Leal
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adjustment To Aging

Gratitude as a Mediator of the Effects of Savoring on Positive Adjustment to Aging

2020 ◽  
pp. 009141502091999
Author(s):  
Fred B. Bryant ◽  
Karen A. Osowski ◽  
Jennifer L. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes Toward Aging ◽  
Life Lessons ◽  
Adjustment To Aging

We extended the previous experimental work with older adults by testing mediating variables through which savoring valuable “life lessons” improves attitudes toward aging and boosts well-being. A sample of 202 adults aged 65 or older were randomly assigned to either an experimental condition (in which they reflected on important lessons life had taught them) or a control condition (in which they reflected on their typical morning routine). Contemplating life lessons increased feelings of gratitude, which in turn boosted positive attitudes toward aging, life satisfaction, state hope, and state self-esteem. Additional analyses supported a three-path mediational model, in which reflecting on life lessons increased levels of savoring, which led to greater gratitude, which in turn predicted stronger positive attitudes toward aging, life satisfaction, and hope. We discuss implications of these findings for future research on savoring interventions for older adults and suggest future directions designed to advance understanding of these experimental effects.

Older Adults’ Adjustment to Aging: The Impact of Sense of Coherence, Subjective Well-being and Socio-demographic, Lifestyle and Health-related Factors

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S666-S667 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Von Humboldt ◽  
I. Leal
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Adjustment To Aging

IntroductionLiterature lacks of studies assessing correlates of adjustment to aging (AtA) among older populations.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to build a structural model to explore the predictors of adjustment to aging (AtA) in a community-dwelling older population.MethodsA community-dwelling sample of 1270 older adults aged between 75 and 102 years answered a questionnaire to determine socio-demographic (sex, age, professional and marital status, education, household, adult children, family's annual income, living setting and self-reported spirituality), lifestyle and health-related characteristics (perceived health, recent disease, medication and leisure). Several instruments were used to assert psychological variables, namely AtA, sense of coherence and subjective well-being. Structural equation modeling was used to explore a structural model of the self-reported AtA, encompassing all variables.ResultsSignificant predictors are self-reported spirituality (β = .816; P < .001), perceived health (β = .455; P < .001), leisure (β = .322; P < .001), professional status (β = .283; P < .001), income (β = .230; P = .035), household (β = -.208; P = .007), sense of coherence (β = -.202; P = .004) and adult children (β = .164; P = .011). The variables explain 60.6% of the variability of AtA.ConclusionsSelf-reported spirituality is the strongest predictor of AtA. This study emphasizes the need for deepening the variables that influence older adults’ AtA, in particular perceived health and further lifestyle-related characteristics, as being relevant for promoting aging well in later life, within a salutogenic context for health care.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Cross-cultural differences in adjustment to aging: A comparison between Mexico and Portugal

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-127
Author(s):  
Neyda Ma. Mendoza-Ruvalcaba ◽  
Sofia von Humboldt ◽  
Elva Dolores Arias-Merino ◽  
Isabel Leal
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Cross Cultural Differences ◽  
Health Care Interventions ◽  
Life Scale ◽  
Adjustment To Aging

Objective To compare Adjustment to Aging (AtA) and Satisfaction with Life in a Mexican and a Portuguese older sample. Method A total of 723 (n = 340 Mexican and n = 383 Portuguese) older adults were included and assessed with the AtA Scale (ATAS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWL). Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Portuguese participants were significantly older than Mexicans (mean age 85.19 and 71.36 years old, respectively) and showed higher education level (p < .001). No significant differences on gender and marital status were found. Results Mexicans considered all aspects of AtA absolutely more important than their Portuguese counterparts (p < .001). For Mexicans, being cherished by their family (82.1%), being healthy, without pain or disease (75.9%), having spiritual religious and existential values (75%) and having fun and laughter (75%) were the most important for AtA, compared to having curiosity and an interest in learning (22.5%), creating and being creative (20.1%) and leaving a mark and seed for the future (18.0%) for Portuguese participants. Mexicans also reported a higher SWL than Portuguese participants. Mean scores were 6.10 (SD = 0.76) and 3.66 (SD = 1.47) respectively (p < .001). AtA and SWL were correlated in the Mexican sample (p = .001), but not in the Portuguese (p = .100). Discussion Differences on AtA between Mexican and Portuguese older adults should be explained considering their cultural and social context, and their socio-demographic characteristics. The enhancement of AtA, and its relevance to improve well-being and longevity can become a significant resource or health care interventions.

What Predicts Adjustment to Aging Among Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Older Adults?

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S177-S177
Author(s):  
S. Von Humboldt ◽  
I. Leal ◽  
F. Carneiro
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Adjustment To Aging

IntroductionIntervention programs that highlight predictors of adjustment to aging (AtA) for minority older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) populations are scarce.ObjectiveThe aim of this preliminary study is to build a structural model to explore whether socio-demographic, health and lifestyle-related variables, are correlates of AtA in a group of LGB older adults.MethodsThe sample comprised 287 LGB older adults aged 75 years old and older. Convenience sampling was used to gather questionnaire data. Measures encompassed the adjustment to aging scale, the satisfaction with life scale, demographics and lifestyle and health-related characteristics. Structural equation modeling was used to explore a structural model of the self-reported AtA, comprising all the above variables.ResultsThe structural model indicated the following significant correlates: perceived health (β = 0.456; P < 0.001), leisure (β = 0.378; P < 0.001), income (β = 0.302; P < 0.001), education (β = 0.299; P = 0.009), spirituality (β = 0.189; p <0 .001), sex (β = 0.156; P < 0.001), physical activity (β = 0.142; P < 0.001), satisfaction with life (β = 0.126; P < 0.001), and marital status (β = 0.114; P = 0.008). The variables explain respectively 76.4% of the variability of AtA.ConclusionsThese outcomes suggest that policy making and community interventions with LGB older adults may benefit of including variables, such as, perceived health, leisure and income, as these were pointed out as significant for this group of older adults for promoting adjustment to aging in late adulthood.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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