Women’s Survival in Old Age: The Impact of Life Course Experience in the Development of Material and Non-Material Resources for Well-being in Old Age

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Isobel Marjorie Alexandra Munro
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Oral History ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
The Impact

<p>This thesis is about women’s acquisition and management of material and non-material resources for old age. It provides the historical context for a small group of women aged from seventy-two to ninety-two and examines the ways in which they acquired the resources enabling well-being in old age. The main resources explored are income and assets, housing, health, social connectivity and resilience. The data have been drawn from an oral history project which recorded the life histories of twenty-three community-dwelling New Zealand women of European ethnicity. The interviews were recorded between 2011 and 2013 and are archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington.  Oral history provided in-depth interviews that produced rich data for analysis allowing the women’s voices to be heard. A life-course approach highlighted the gender-based cultural expectations and social structures of that informed the women’s life trajectories in a period of rapid social change covering the post-war economic expansion and the resurgence of the women’s movement.  The study is interdisciplinary in nature; theories and concepts of ageing, including that of successful ageing, are reviewed from a critical gerontology perspective. It is constructed using a feminist lens and analysed according to grounded theory with flexible coding. The emergent themes relate to the importance of home ownership and the insecurity of renting, the desire to ‘age in place’, the belief in ‘making do’ and the need to have income in addition to New Zealand Superannuation, which covers only the basic needs for old women. The economic effects of divorce or separation which in some cases disadvantage women in old age are reviewed and the long-term values of education in obtaining a good income to facilitate home ownership and financial security. The role of resilience in the face of adversity is shown in the narrators’ ability to employ their agency in the resolution of difficult situations and to initiate and accept social support.</p>

Women’s Survival in Old Age: The Impact of Life Course Experience in the Development of Material and Non-Material Resources for Well-being in Old Age

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Isobel Marjorie Alexandra Munro
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Oral History ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
The Impact

<p>This thesis is about women’s acquisition and management of material and non-material resources for old age. It provides the historical context for a small group of women aged from seventy-two to ninety-two and examines the ways in which they acquired the resources enabling well-being in old age. The main resources explored are income and assets, housing, health, social connectivity and resilience. The data have been drawn from an oral history project which recorded the life histories of twenty-three community-dwelling New Zealand women of European ethnicity. The interviews were recorded between 2011 and 2013 and are archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington.  Oral history provided in-depth interviews that produced rich data for analysis allowing the women’s voices to be heard. A life-course approach highlighted the gender-based cultural expectations and social structures of that informed the women’s life trajectories in a period of rapid social change covering the post-war economic expansion and the resurgence of the women’s movement.  The study is interdisciplinary in nature; theories and concepts of ageing, including that of successful ageing, are reviewed from a critical gerontology perspective. It is constructed using a feminist lens and analysed according to grounded theory with flexible coding. The emergent themes relate to the importance of home ownership and the insecurity of renting, the desire to ‘age in place’, the belief in ‘making do’ and the need to have income in addition to New Zealand Superannuation, which covers only the basic needs for old women. The economic effects of divorce or separation which in some cases disadvantage women in old age are reviewed and the long-term values of education in obtaining a good income to facilitate home ownership and financial security. The role of resilience in the face of adversity is shown in the narrators’ ability to employ their agency in the resolution of difficult situations and to initiate and accept social support.</p>

scholarly journals National movement patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand: the unexplored role of neighbourhood deprivation

2021 ◽  
pp. jech-2020-216108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm Campbell ◽  
Lukas Marek ◽  
Jesse Wiki ◽  
Matthew Hobbs ◽  
Clive E Sabel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Debate ◽  
Population Mobility ◽  
Neighbourhood Deprivation ◽  
Movement Data ◽  
Spatial Inequalities ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has asked unprecedented questions of governments around the world. Policy responses have disrupted usual patterns of movement in society, locally and globally, with resultant impacts on national economies and human well-being. These interventions have primarily centred on enforcing lockdowns and introducing social distancing recommendations, leading to questions of trust and competency around the role of institutions and the administrative apparatus of state. This study demonstrates the unequal societal impacts in population movement during a national ‘lockdown’.MethodsWe use nationwide mobile phone movement data to quantify the effect of an enforced lockdown on population mobility by neighbourhood deprivation using an ecological study design. We then derive a mobility index using anonymised aggregated population counts for each neighbourhood (2253 Census Statistical Areas; mean population n=2086) of national hourly mobile phone location data (7.45 million records, 1 March 2020–20 July 2020) for New Zealand (NZ).ResultsCurtailing movement has highlighted and exacerbated underlying social and spatial inequalities. Our analysis reveals the unequal movements during ‘lockdown’ by neighbourhood socioeconomic status in NZ.ConclusionIn understanding inequalities in neighbourhood movements, we are contributing critical new evidence to the policy debate about the impact(s) and efficacy of national, regional or local lockdowns which have sparked such controversy.

scholarly journals Veteran Status Matters! Life Course Perspectives on the Health and Well-Being of Aging Veterans

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 636-636
Author(s):  
Avron Spiro
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Vietnam Veterans ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Combat Veterans ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Veteran Status ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Military service during early life can result in exposure to traumatic events that can reverberate throughout life. Although much attention is focused on the negative effects of military service, many veterans report positive effects. These papers explore life course effects of military service on veterans’ health and well-being. Three used national US longitudinal cohorts (HRS, MIDUS); two sampled veterans from Oregon or from Korea. Three compared veterans to non-veterans; two examined veterans only. Cheng and colleagues found that veterans in HRS are more likely to be risk-averse than non-veterans. Risk aversion matters because it determines how people make decisions and predicts a wide array of health and economic outcomes. Kurth and colleagues examined Oregon veterans from several wars, finding PTSD symptoms were highest among Vietnam combat veterans, the oldest cohort; there were no differences among non-combat veterans. Piazza and colleagues examined in MIDUS the impact of veteran status on cortisol, a stress biomarker, finding older veterans more likely had non-normative patterns than did younger or non-veterans. Lee and colleagues studied patterns of mental health among Korean Vietnam veterans, identifying two patterns as ‘normal’ and ‘resilient’ encompassing half the sample; these veterans demonstrated positive outcomes of military service. Frochen and colleagues compared depression trajectories between veterans and non-veterans in HRS, finding veterans had less depression than non-veterans, but among veterans, trajectories varied based on extent of service. in sum, these papers demonstrate that military service can have positive as well as negative effects on veterans’ health and well-being in later life. Aging Veterans: Effects of Military Service across the Life Course Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

scholarly journals NOTEWORTHY: THE IMPACT OF A CHOIR FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA ON THE WELL-BEING AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF CAREGIVERS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S752-S752
Author(s):  
Debra J Sheets ◽  
Stuart W MacDonald ◽  
Andre Smith ◽  
Mary Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Health Quality ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Informal caregivers provide 80% of the care needed to support community-dwelling older adults with dementia. Over time caregivers often face adverse effects on their health, quality of life and well-being; particularly those caring for someone with dementia. This study examines the impact of participation in the Voices in Motion (ViM) choir on caregiver burden, mood and quality of life. A measurement burst approach was used to investigate intraindividual variability on key psychosocial and health indicators. Results indicate that choir participation significantly improves caregiver well-being (e.g. mood, burden) and quality of life. Findings suggest that choirs offer significant caregiver support and respite. The discussion focuses the public policy and on the potential economic implications which suggests a shift is needed in the services available to older adults with dementia and their caregivers.

scholarly journals SLEEP IN LATE LIFE: RECENT RESEARCH ON PSYCHIATRIC CORRELATES AND TREATMENT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S44-S44
Author(s):  
Mary E Dozier
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Slow Wave Sleep ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Services And Supports ◽  
Sleep And Cognition ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Sleep is an often overlooked health factor, particularly in older adults. Sleep disturbance is associated with increased functional impairment as well as poorer cognitive, mental, and physical health trajectories. Understanding the clinical impact of disturbed sleep, and the optimal targets for intervention, is critical for the promotion of health and well-being in older adults. This symposium will highlight recent findings that advance the extant knowledge on the interplay of sleep disturbance and physical and psychiatric co-morbidities in older adults across a variety of settings. Darina V. Petrovsky will discuss the impact of medical, demographic, and contextual factors on excessive daytime sleepiness in older adults receiving long-term services and supports. Kathi L. Heffner will present data on a recent study examining change in slow wave sleep, and subsequent change in osteoarthritis pain, following insomnia treatment. Courtney Bolstad will discuss the differential impact of onset, maintenance, and terminal insomnia on anxiety and depression symptoms in community-dwelling older adults. Eliza Davidson will present research on the association between sleep disturbance and hoarding symptoms in older adults engaged in behavioral interventions for hoarding disorder. Finally, Christina McCrae will discuss the relationship between sleep and cognition in older adults with insomnia.

scholarly journals CONTINUITY OF CAREER OVER THE LIFE COURSE ON LIFE SATISFACTION AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN LATER LIFE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S128-S129
Author(s):  
Melanie S Hill ◽  
James E Hill ◽  
Stephanie Richardson ◽  
Jessica Brown ◽  
Jeremy B Yorgason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Career Choice ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Identity scholars have suggested that having a unified sense of past, present, and future is related to positive well-being outcomes (Whitbourne, Sneed & Skultety, 2009). One’s occupation can have a profound influence on an individual’s identity throughout the life course (Nazar & van der Heijden, 2012). Research has looked at career mobility among younger age groups (Baiyun, Ramkissoon, Greenwood, & Hoyte, 2018); however, less is known about the impact of career stability later in life. Consistency in career choice over the life course may have positive outcomes down the line as career becomes part of an individual's identity. The current study uses the Life and Family Legacies dataset, a longitudinal state-representative sample of 3,348, to examine individual’s careers at three points in the life course: high school (projected career choice), early adulthood, and later life. Results revealed that a match of desired career in high school and actual career in early adulthood was not predictive of life satisfaction or depressive symptoms in later life. However, a match of career in early adulthood and later life was significantly related to better life satisfaction and less depressive symptoms, which was explained through higher levels of job satisfaction. This study highlights the importance of acquiring and maintaining a career that is fulfilling to the individual over the course of early adulthood to later life.

Mastery and Depressive Symptoms: How Does Mastery Influence the Impact of Stressors From Midlife to Old Age?

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1084-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnhild Nicolaisen ◽  
Torbjørn Moum ◽  
Kirsten Thorsen
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Health Factors ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The objective of this research is to study depressive symptoms (DS) among adults aged 40 to 79 years and examine how mastery influences the impact of sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and health factors on DS. Method: We used a sample of the Norwegian Life Course, Generation, and Gender (LOGG) study ( N = 6,879) and analyzed how mastery influences the independent variables on DS via regression analyses. Results: Mastery affected DS directly and influenced the effects of sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and health factors on DS. There was a stronger relationship between stressors and DS among respondents with low than high mastery. DS were most prevalent among people aged 70 to 79 years. When mastery was also controlled for, the oldest group (70-79 years) had significantly fewer DS than those aged 40 to 49 years. Discussion: The influence of mastery and stressors on DS seems to vary along the life span. The result that mastery was a relatively stronger buffer against DS in midlife than in old age is discussed.

Psychological well-being of older Chinese immigrants living in Australia: a comparison with older Caucasians

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1671-1679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoping Lin ◽  
Christina Bryant ◽  
Jennifer Boldero ◽  
Briony Dow
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Chinese Immigrants ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTBackground:Few current studies explore psychological well-being among older Chinese immigrants in Australia. The study addressed this gap and provided preliminary data on psychological well-being among this group. Four indicators, namely depression, anxiety, loneliness, and quality of life, were used to present a comprehensive picture of psychological well-being.Methods:Participants were two groups of community-dwelling older people, specifically 59 Chinese immigrants and 60 Australian-born people (median age=77 and 73, respectively). Data were collected through standardized interviews. The Geriatric Depression Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and the WHO Quality of Life questionnaire were used to measure depression, anxiety, loneliness, and quality of life, respectively.Results:Chinese participants’ median quality of life score was higher than the scale mid-point, indicating relatively high levels of quality of life. However, 10% exhibited symptoms of depression, 6% had symptoms of anxiety, and 49% felt lonely. Compared to Australian participants, Chinese participants reported poorer quality of life and higher levels of loneliness. Importantly, the difference in quality of life remained when the impact of socio-demographic factors was controlled for.Conclusions:This study was the first to use multiple indicators to explore psychological well-being among older Chinese immigrants in Australia. Its results suggest that their psychological well-being might be worse than that of Australian-born people when using loneliness and quality of life as indicators. In particular, loneliness is a common psychological problem among this group, and there is a need for public awareness of this problem.

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