scholarly journals Differences In Awareness of Positive And Negative Age-Related Changes Account For Variability In Health Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Sabatini ◽  
Obioha Ukoumunne ◽  
Allyson Brothers ◽  
Manfred Diehl ◽  
Hans-Werner Wahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
Protect Study ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Age Related Changes

Abstract Higher awareness of positive age-related changes (AARC gains) is related to better mental health, whereas higher awareness of negative age-related changes (AARC losses) is related to poorer mental and physical health. So far perceived gains and losses have been explored separately, but people report gains and losses concurrently in varying degrees, and different profiles of gains and losses may be differentially associated with health. We identified profiles of gains and losses and explored whether different profiles differed in physical, mental, and cognitive health. We used cross-sectional data from the PROTECT study (N= 6,192; mean(SD) age= 66.1(7.0)). Using latent profile analysis, a four-class solution showed the best model fit. We found that 45% of people perceived many gains and few losses (Class 1); 24% perceived moderate gains and few losses (Class 2); 24% perceived many gains and moderate losses (Class 3); 7% perceived many gains and many losses (Class 4). Analysis of variance and Chi-square tests showed that Class 1 had relatively better physical, mental, and cognitive health, followed by Classes 2, 3, and 4. Experiencing one’s ageing to a high degree as gain may be related to better health only when individuals interpret ageing as involving low levels of loss across several life domains. Risk in terms of poorer health emerged in those who perceived high losses. Considering gains and losses in parallel, rather than separately, may lead to a more fine-tuned understanding of relations with health.

scholarly journals Health Differences Among People With Varying Profiles of Awareness of Positive and Negative Age-Related Changes

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 480-480
Author(s):  
Serena Sabatini ◽  
Obioha Ukoumunne ◽  
Clive Ballard ◽  
Manfred Diehl ◽  
Hans-Werner Wahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Information Criterion ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Health Differences ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Age Related Changes ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Higher awareness of negative age-related changes (AARC-losses) is related to poorer mental and physical health whereas higher awareness of positive age-related changes (AARC-gains) is related to better mental health. Associations of health with AARC-gains and losses have been explored separately, but often people experience gains and losses concurrently. Using latent profile analysis, we identified at the cross-sectional level patterns of AARC-gains and losses and explored whether groups with distinct profiles of AARC-gains and losses differed in physical, mental, and cognitive health, and demographic characteristics. Analyses were based on the large-scale PROTECT study conducted in the UK (N= 6,192; mean age= 66.10(SD= 7.04); 76% women). A four-group solution revealed the best model fit (Akaike’s information criterion= 156,061.93; Bayesian information criterion= 156,418.67); 45% of participants perceived many AARC-gains and few losses (Group 1); 24% of participants perceived moderate AARC-gains and few losses (Group 2); 24% of participants perceived many AARC-gains and moderate losses (Group 3); and 7% of participants perceived many AARC-gains and many losses (Group 4). The four groups differed meaningfully in health; Group 1 was the most healthy, followed by Groups 2, 3 and 4. Participants in Group 1 were most likely to perceive their health as excellent, reported the lowest levels of depression and anxiety, and showed the best cognitive performance. On average participants in Group 1 were younger, and more likely to be female, employed, and married, compared to other groups. Considering the co-existence of gains and losses is important when relating awareness of age-related changes to health.

scholarly journals International relevance of Two Measures of Awareness of Age-Related Change (AARC)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Sabatini ◽  
Obioha C Ukoumunne ◽  
Clive Ballard ◽  
Allyson Brothers ◽  
Roman Kaspar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
University Degree ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Functioning Subscale ◽  
Age Related Changes

Abstract Background: A questionnaire assessing awareness of positive and negative age-related changes (AARC gains and losses) was developed in the US and Germany. We validated the short form of the measure (AARC-10 SF) and the cognitive functioning subscale from the 50-item version of the AARC (AARC-50) questionnaire in the UK population aged 50 and over.Methods: Data from 14,797 participants in the “blind for review” cohort were used to explore and confirm the psychometric properties of the AARC measures including: validity of the factor structure; reliability; measurement invariance across males and females and across individuals with and without a university degree; and convergent validity with measures of self-perception of aging and mental, physical, and cognitive health. We also explored the relationship between demographic variables and AARC.Results: We confirmed the two-factor structure (gains and losses) of the AARC-10 SF and the AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale. Both scales showed good reliability and convergent validity. The meaning of AARC gains and losses was the same across males and females and across individuals with and without a university degree. Items composing AARC scales had the same meaning across individuals with and without a university degree. Items composing the AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale had the same meaning across males and females. Two items in the AARC-10 SF had different meaning across males and females. Demographic variables significantly predicted AARC gains and losses.Conclusions: The AARC-10 SF and AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale can help to identify UK individuals who perceive age-related changes in their mental, physical, and cognitive health.

scholarly journals Exploring awareness of age-related changes among over 50s in the UK: findings from the PROTECT study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Serena Sabatini ◽  
Obioha C. Ukoumunne ◽  
Clive Ballard ◽  
Rachel Collins ◽  
Anne Corbett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thought Processes ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Written Comments ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Perceived Age ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Protect Study ◽  
Age Related Changes ◽  
Theoretical Conceptualization

ABSTRACT Objectives: Older people describe positive and negative age-related changes, but we do not know much about what contributes to make them aware of these changes. We used content analysis to categorize participants’ written comments and explored the extent to which the identified categories mapped onto theoretical conceptualizations of influences on awareness of age-related change (AARC). Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Participants: The study sample comprised 609 UK individuals aged 50 years or over (mean (SD) age = 67.9 (7.6) years), enrolled in the PROTECT study. Measurements: Between January and March 2019, participants provided demographic information, completed a questionnaire assessing awareness of age-related change (AARC-10 SF), and responded to an open-ended question asking them to comment on their responses. Results: While some of the emerging categories were in line with the existing conceptual framework of AARC (e.g. experiencing negative changes and attitudes toward aging), others were novel (e.g. engagement in purposeful activities or in activities that distract from age-related thoughts). Analysis revealed some of the thought processes involved in selecting responses to the questionnaire items, demonstrating different ways in which people make sense of specific items. Conclusions: Results support the ability of the AARC questionnaire to capture perceived age-related changes in cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, and engagement in social activities and in healthy and adaptive behaviors. However, findings also suggest ways of enriching the theoretical conceptualization of how AARC develops and offer insights into interpretation of responses to measures of AARC.

scholarly journals International relevance of Two Measures of Awareness of Age-Related Change (AARC)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
serena sabatini ◽  
Obioha C Ukoumunne ◽  
Clive Ballard ◽  
Allyson Brothers ◽  
Roman Kaspar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
University Education ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Functioning Subscale ◽  
Age Related Changes

Abstract Background: A questionnaire assessing awareness of positive and negative age-related changes (AARC gains and losses) was developed in the US and Germany. We validated the short form of the measure (AARC-10 SF) and the cognitive functioning subscale from the 50-item version of the AARC (AARC-50) questionnaire in the UK population aged 50 and over. Methods: Data from 9,410 participants (Mean (SD) age= 65.9 (7.1)) in the PROTECT cohort were used to explore and confirm the psychometric properties of the AARC measures including: validity of the factor structure; reliability; measurement invariance across men and women, individuals with and without a university degree, and in middle age, early old age, and advanced old age; and convergent validity with measures of self-perception of aging and mental, physical, and cognitive health. We explored the relationship between demographic variables (age, sex, marital status, employment, and university education) and AARC. Results: We confirmed the two-factor structure (gains and losses) of the AARC-10 SF and the AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale. Both scales showed good reliability and good convergent validity for AARC losses, but weak convergent validity for AARC gains. For both scales metric invariance was held for the two subgroups defined by education level and age. For the AARC-50 subscale, but not for the AARC-10 SF, strong invariance was also held for the two subgroups defined by sex. Age, sex, marital status, employment, and university education predicted AARC gains and losses. Conclusions: The AARC-10 SF and AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale identify UK individuals who perceive age-related changes in their mental, physical, and cognitive health.

scholarly journals UK Validation of Two Measures of Awareness of Age-Related Change (AARC)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
serena sabatini ◽  
Obioha Ukoumunne ◽  
Clive Ballard ◽  
Allyson Brothers ◽  
Roman Kaspar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
University Degree ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Functioning Subscale ◽  
Age Related Changes

Abstract Background: A questionnaire assessing awareness of positive and negative age-related changes (AARC gains and losses) was developed in the US and Germany. We validated the short form of the measure (AARC-10 SF) and the cognitive functioning subscale from the 50-item version of the AARC (AARC-50) questionnaire in the UK population aged 50 and over. Methods: Data from 14,797 participants in the PROTECT cohort were used to explore and confirm the psychometric properties of the AARC measures including: validity of the factor structure; reliability; measurement invariance across males and females and across individuals with and without a university degree; and convergent validity with measures of self-perception of aging and mental, physical, and cognitive health. We also explored the relationship between demographic variables and AARC. Results: We confirmed the two-factor structure (gains and losses) of the AARC-10 SF and the AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale. Both scales showed good reliability and convergent validity. The meaning of AARC gains and losses was the same across males and females and across individuals with and without a university degree. Items composing AARC scales had the same meaning across individuals with and without a university degree. Items composing the AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale had the same meaning across males and females. Two items in the AARC-10 SF had different meaning across males and females. Demographic variables significantly predicted AARC gains and losses. Conclusions: The AARC-10 SF and AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale can help to identify UK individuals who perceive age-related changes in their mental, physical, and cognitive health.

scholarly journals The cross-sectional relationship between pain and awareness of age-related changes

2020 ◽  
pp. 204946372096179
Author(s):  
Serena Sabatini ◽  
Obioha C Ukoumunne ◽  
Clive Ballard ◽  
Rachel Collins ◽  
Anne Corbett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
P Value ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Demographic Covariates ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Age Related Changes

Background: Awareness of positive and negative age-related changes (AARC gains and losses) captures the perceived changes that older individuals experience in several domains of their lives including physical, cognitive and social functioning; interpersonal relationships; and lifestyle. Exploring antecedents of AARC is important to identify those individuals that could benefit the most from interventions promoting positive experiences of ageing and/or adaptation to age-related changes. This study investigates the experience of pain as a predictor of lower AARC gains and higher AARC losses. Methods: Analyses are based on cross-sectional data from the PROTECT cohort (2019); 1013 UK residents (mean (SD; range) age: 65.3 (7.1; 51.4–92) years, 84.4% women) completed measures of AARC and pain and provided demographic information. Linear regression models were fitted to examine pain as a predictor of AARC gains and AARC losses. Results: Higher levels of pain predicted more AARC losses both before (regression coefficient, B = 0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29 to 0.42, p-value < 0.001; R2 = 0.11) and after adjusting for demographic covariates ( B = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.40; p-value < 0.001; Partial R2 = 0.11). Pain was not significantly associated with AARC gains (unadjusted B = 0.05; 95% CI: −0.03 to 0.12, p-value = 0.21; Partial R2 = 0.01). Conclusion: Individuals experiencing pain may perceive more AARC losses. Interventions aiming to decrease levels of pain could include a component targeting self-perceptions of ageing and/or promoting acceptance of the negative changes that can happen with ageing. Statement of significance: The predictive role of greater levels of pain for more negative perceptions of age-related changes extends the literature on the negative psychological outcomes of pain and on predictors of perceived awareness of age-related changes (AARC). As individuals experiencing pain may be more at risk of perceiving their own ageing in a more negative way, they may benefit from interventions that combine strategies to reduce levels of pain and the interference that pain exerts on their daily activities with an educational component enhancing positive self-perceptions of ageing and promoting acceptance of negative age-related changes.

scholarly journals International relevance of Two Measures of Awareness of Age-Related Change (AARC)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
serena sabatini ◽  
Obioha C Ukoumunne ◽  
Clive Ballard ◽  
Allyson Brothers ◽  
Roman Kaspar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
University Degree ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Functioning Subscale ◽  
Age Related Changes

Abstract Background: A questionnaire assessing awareness of positive and negative age-related changes (AARC gains and losses) was developed in the US and Germany. We validated the short form of the measure (AARC-10 SF) and the cognitive functioning subscale from the 50-item version of the AARC (AARC-50) questionnaire in the UK population aged 50 and over. Methods: Data from 9,410 participants (Mean (SD) age= 65.9 (7.1)) in the PROTECT cohort were used to explore and confirm the psychometric properties of the AARC measures including: validity of the factor structure; reliability; measurement invariance across males and females and across individuals with and without a university degree; and convergent validity with measures of self-perception of aging and mental, physical, and cognitive health. We also explored the relationship between demographic variables and AARC. Results: We confirmed the two-factor structure (gains and losses) of the AARC-10 SF and the AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale. Both scales showed good reliability. Convergent validity was good for AARC losses, but weaker for AARC gains. The meaning of AARC gains and losses was the same across males and females and across individuals with and without a university degree. Items in the AARC scales had the same meaning across individuals with and without a university degree. Items in the AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale had the same meaning across males and females. Single items in the AARC-10 SF had different meaning across males and females. Demographic variables predicted AARC gains and losses. Conclusions: The AARC-10 SF and AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale can help to identify UK individuals who perceive age-related changes in their mental, physical, and cognitive health.

scholarly journals International relevance of two measures of awareness of age-related change (AARC)

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Sabatini ◽  
Obioha C. Ukoumunne ◽  
Clive Ballard ◽  
Allyson Brothers ◽  
Roman Kaspar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
University Education ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Functioning Subscale ◽  
Age Related Changes

Abstract Background A questionnaire assessing awareness of positive and negative age-related changes (AARC gains and losses) was developed in the US and Germany. We validated the short form of the measure (AARC-10 SF) and the cognitive functioning subscale from the 50-item version of the AARC (AARC-50) questionnaire in the UK population aged 50 and over. Methods Data from 9410 participants (Mean (SD) age = 65.9 (7.1)) in the PROTECT cohort were used to explore and confirm the psychometric properties of the AARC measures including: validity of the factor structure; reliability; measurement invariance across men and women, individuals with and without a university degree, and in middle age, early old age, and advanced old age; and convergent validity with measures of self-perception of aging and mental, physical, and cognitive health. We explored the relationship between demographic variables (age, sex, marital status, employment, and university education) and AARC. Results We confirmed the two-factor structure (gains and losses) of the AARC-10 SF and the AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale. Both scales showed good reliability and good convergent validity for AARC losses, but weak convergent validity for AARC gains. For both scales metric invariance was held for the two subgroups defined by education level and age. For the AARC-50 subscale, but not for the AARC-10 SF, strong invariance was also held for the two subgroups defined by sex. Age, sex, marital status, employment, and university education predicted AARC gains and losses. Conclusions The AARC-10 SF and AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale identify UK individuals who perceive age-related changes in their mental, physical, and cognitive health.

scholarly journals The Role of Personality in Becoming Aware of Age-Related Changes

GeroPsych ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona S. Rupprecht ◽  
Anne J. Dutt ◽  
Hans-Werner Wahl ◽  
Manfred K. Diehl
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Patterns Of Behavior ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Subjective Aging ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Age Related Changes

Abstract. Awareness of age-related change (AARC) refers to an individual’s conscious knowledge about the gains and losses resulting from growing older. Personality traits reflect dispositional patterns of behavior, perception, and evaluation and should therefore influence the experience of AARC. The 4.5-year longitudinal study examines this association between personality traits and AARC in a sample of 423 individuals aged 40 to 98 years ( M = 62.9 years) using latent change analyses. After controlling for sex, health, and education, a different pattern of associations emerged for cross-sectional vs. longitudinal relations. Cross-sectionally, neuroticism was positively related to AARC losses, whereas openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism were positively related to AARC gains. Longitudinally, the impact of personality traits on change in AARC was rather limited with only higher conscientiousness acting as a predictor of decreases in AARC losses over time. Overall, the findings add to the existing literature on associations between personality traits and subjective aging. Specifically, the results indicate that personality traits are differentially related to awareness of age-related gains in comparison to awareness of age-related losses.

scholarly journals International relevance of Two Measures of Awareness of Age-Related Change (AARC)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
serena sabatini ◽  
Obioha C Ukoumunne ◽  
Clive Ballard ◽  
Allyson Brothers ◽  
Roman Kaspar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
University Degree ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Functioning Subscale ◽  
Age Related Changes

Abstract Background A questionnaire assessing awareness of positive and negative age-related changes (AARC gains and losses) was developed in the US and Germany. We validated the short form of the measure (AARC-10 SF) and the cognitive functioning subscale from the 50-item version of the AARC (AARC-50) questionnaire in the UK population aged 50 and over. Methods Data from 14,797 participants in the PROTECT cohort were used to explore and confirm the psychometric properties of the AARC measures including: validity of the factor structure; reliability; measurement invariance across males and females and across individuals with and without a university degree; and convergent validity with measures of self-perception of aging and mental, physical, and cognitive health. We also explored the relationship between demographic variables and AARC. Results We confirmed the two-factor structure (gains and losses) of the AARC-10 SF and the AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale. Both scales showed good reliability and convergent validity. The meaning of AARC gains and losses was the same across males and females and across individuals with and without a university degree. Items composing AARC scales had the same meaning across individuals with and without a university degree. Items composing the AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale had the same meaning across males and females. Two items in the AARC-10 SF had different meaning across males and females. Demographic variables significantly predicted AARC gains and losses. Conclusions The AARC-10 SF and AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale can help to identify UK individuals who perceive age-related changes in their mental, physical, and cognitive health.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document