scholarly journals Racial Differences in Self-Appraisal, Religious Coping, and Psychological Well-being in later Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Goler ◽  
Tirth Bhatta ◽  
Nirmala Lekhak ◽  
Neema Langa
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Race Differences ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Psychological Well Being

Older adults from minority groups, especially those with pre-existing health conditions, have been generally considered the most vulnerable to the COVID-19. Due to greater health disadvantages prior to the pandemic, its adverse health impact in terms of mortality has been disproportionately higher on Blacks than Whites. The existing health disadvantages and worsening economic conditions due to the pandemic are likely to be anxiety-inducing that could adversely impact the mental health of Black older adults. Existing studies conducted in the pre-pandemic era have documented paradoxical findings on race differences in later life psychological well-being.

scholarly journals Double Consciousness: Explaining Racial Paradox in Later Life Psychological Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 654-655
Author(s):  
Timothy Goler ◽  
Tirth Bhatta
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Race Differences ◽  
Coping Resources ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Overall Life Satisfaction

Abstract A substantial number of studies have documented paradoxical findings when examining race differences in later life psychological well-being. Despite experiencing significant structural disadvantages, Black older adults have been found to report significantly higher overall life satisfaction and lower depressive symptoms than White adults. This study relies on double consciousness framework which allows us to understand why satisfaction with material conditions (e.g., domain-specific life satisfaction) among Black older adults could differ from their evaluation of overall well-being (e.g., overall life satisfaction). Based on a survey of successful aging (n=409 aged 60 years or older) conducted by the Elderly Care Research Center (ECRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, we examined race differences in coping resources, and their role in shaping overall life satisfaction, domain-specific life satisfaction, and depressive symptoms. Findings show that Blacks on average have a higher likelihood of experiencing recent negative life events than their White counterparts. Despite adverse life circumstances, Blacks older adults expressed significantly higher overall life satisfaction than Whites. They, however, reported significantly lower domain-specific life satisfaction than their White counterparts. The differences in depressive symptoms between Black and White older adults was not statistically significant. The race differences in overall life satisfaction was explained by religiosity, religious coping, and social support. Education, income, and adverse life events were found to contribute to such differences in domain-specific life satisfaction. Our findings underscore the need to consider the unique role of racialized life course circumstances and coping resources in shaping disparities in later life psychological well-being.

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 Effects of Late-Life Health Transitions on Spouses’ Psychological Well-Being

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 297-298
Author(s):  
Ruixue Zhaoyang ◽  
Christina Marini ◽  
Lynn Martire
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
Spousal Health ◽  
Health Transitions

Abstract Declining physical health likely affects not only older adults’ own well-being, but also that of their spouse. Using two waves of data from 610 couples in the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, we examined effects of health declines over five years on change in self and spousal psychological well-being. Actor-Partner Interdependence Model findings showed that declines in spouses’ physical health (i.e., increased pain and decreased physical and cognitive function) predicted increases in older adults’ anxiety. Given the increasing importance of later-life social ties outside of marriage, we further considered the role of non-spousal health confidants. Preliminary findings suggest that effects of health declines on both partners’ well-being depend on the availability of these confidants. When older adults have people in addition to their spouse with whom they can talk about their health, detrimental effects of spouses’ declining health on older adults’ well-being are weakened for some health outcomes

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

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Kahana ◽  
Tirth R Bhatta ◽  
Boaz Kahana ◽  
Nirmala Lekhak
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Compassionate Love ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Objectives Existing scholarship in social gerontology has paid relatively little attention to broader loving emotions, such as compassionate and altruistic love, as potentially meaningful mechanisms for improving later-life psychological well-being outside a family framework. Method Drawing from a 3-wave longitudinal survey of community-dwelling older residents (n = 334) of Miami, Florida, we utilized generalized estimating equation models to examine the influence of changes in compassionate love (i.e., feeling love toward other persons and experiencing love from others) on depressive symptoms over time. We also explored cross-sectional relationship between compassionate love and positive and negative affects. Results An increase in the feeling of being loved (β = −0.77, p < .001) and feeling love for others (β = −0.78, p < .001) led to a decline in odds of reporting greater levels 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 = .63, p < .001) and expressed love for other people (β = 0.43, p < .05). Older adults who felt loved and expressed love for other people, respectively, had 0.71 and 0.54-point lower ordered log odds of reporting higher negative affect than those who reported lower levels of love. The statistically significant impact of feeling loved on all well-being outcomes was maintained even after adjustment for altruistic attitudes and emotional support. Except for depressive symptoms, such adjustments explained the positive influence of love for others on well-being outcomes. Discussion Our findings underscore the powerful influence of both receiving and giving loving emotions for the maintenance of later-life psychological well-being.

scholarly journals RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES IN LATER LIFE: EXAMINING THE ROLE OF SES AND HEALTH DISADVANTAGE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S149-S149
Author(s):  
Nirmala Lekhak ◽  
Tirth Bhatta ◽  
Timothy Goler
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Black Adults ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Contemplative Practices ◽  
Private Prayer

Abstract Substantial scholarly attention has been placed on prayer as a buffer of life events’ adverse influences on well-being in later life. The disproportionate distribution of adverse life events among Black adults has also attracted scholarly interest in racial differences in contemplative practices. Black adults have been found to more likely engage in private prayer than White adults, whereas studies have observed an opposite pattern for meditation. The contribution of stratification in socioeconomic status and health to racial differences in contemplative practices, especially in meditation has received relatively less attention. Drawing from a subsample from Health and Retirement Survey (N = 1102), this study takes a next necessary step to assess the contribution of socioeconomic status, multimorbidity, and depressive symptoms to racial differences in both prayer and meditation use in later life. Consistent with prior studies, the odds of engaging in private prayer (OR=2.78, p<0.01) was higher among Blacks than White older adults. Our findings of higher odds (OR=2.92, p<0.001) of meditation among Black older adults than White older adults, however, do not align with previous studies. The disadvantage in socioeconomic status, health, and psychological well-being completely explain racial differences in prayer, but this difference in meditation persist even after adjusting for those factors. Our findings call for further research on contextually influenced underlying individual motivations that drive older adults of different racial and social economic groups to engage in various contemplative practices. Further research is also warranted on how older adults, particularly Blacks differentiate between private prayer and meditation.

scholarly journals Diversity of Activities and Loneliness Among Heterosexual and LGBT Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 36-36
Author(s):  
Jeongeun Lee ◽  
Joseph Svec
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Integration Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Well Being

Abstract The extant literature highlights the physiological and psychological benefits of active lifestyles among older adults, though there is a considerable gap in scholarship for sexual minority groups. Utilizing the Social Integration Model, we hypothesize that social activities enhance individual psychological well-being, but those effects differ by one’s social identities. Using a national AARP foundation survey of adults (45+), this study examines whether individuals’ activities predict loneliness and depressive symptoms of heterosexual (n=2905) and LGBTQ adults (n=318). We utilize an index of diverse activities, which includes, social technology use, meeting with friends, and volunteer activities. Multiple linear regression is used to study cross-sectional associations of loneliness and depressive symptoms on the diverse activity index. Results show that a wider array of activities correspond with higher psychological well-being and lower loneliness, and this association is higher for LGBTQ older adults. We discuss implications for counseling and wellness programming for LGBT older adults.

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 Intergenerational Relationships, Social Support, and Psychological Well-Being Among Korean Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 498-498
Author(s):  
Yooumi Lee ◽  
Janet Wilmoth
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Adult Child ◽  
Intergenerational Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being

Abstract This study investigates whether intergenerational relationships and social support improve the psychological well-being of Korean older adults. We examine whether intergenerational relationships and social support directly influence psychological well-being and the extent to which they mediate the distressing consequences of life events such as declining health and recent widowhood. Using longitudinal data from the 2006 to 2016 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, we explore depression trajectories among individuals who are 60 or older with at least one living adult child at baseline. Specifically, we converted data from 5,383 older adults into a person-period file with 24,726 observations over a ten-year period. Then we estimated linear growth curve models of depression trajectories separately for men and women using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results from the hierarchical linear models indicate that declining health and recent widowhood are positively related to depressive symptoms. Satisfactory intergenerational relationships and social support in the form of personal interactions and proximate living arrangements with adult children decrease depressive symptoms of older parents, especially among women. We conclude that the psychological benefits of intergenerational relationships and social support are contingent upon the vulnerability of older adults and discuss the implications for public policy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document