scholarly journals What Time Alone Offers: Narratives of Solitude From Adolescence to Older Adulthood

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Netta Weinstein ◽  
Thuy-vy Nguyen ◽  
Heather Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Participant Recruitment ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Social Time ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
And Gender

Solitude – the state of being alone and not physically with another – can be rewarding. The present research explored the potential benefits of solitude from a pragmatist approach: a ground-up, top-down perspective that is receptive to new knowledge but informed by theory. Participant recruitment was stratified by age and gender, and the sample involved 2,035 individuals including adolescents (13–16 years), adults (35–55 years), or older adults (65+ years). Data were analyzed with a mixed-methods approach. Coded themes from brief narratives about solitude were extracted, and their frequencies (i.e., their salience to participants) were compared across the lifespan. Themes were then correlated with two indicators of well-being in solitude: self-determined motivation for solitude and peaceful mood. Several prominent themes emerged when talking about time spent in solitude. With the exception of feeling competent in solitude, which was described frequently but consistently unrelated to self-reported well-being regardless of age, benefits of solitude tended to shift over the lifespan. Some qualities, such as a sense of autonomy (self-connection and reliance; absence of pressure), were salient and consequential for everyone, but increasingly so from adolescence to older adulthood. Older adults also reported feeling most peaceful in solitude and described their social connection and alienation less frequently, suggesting they see solitude and social time as more distinct states. Findings are discussed in light of existing work on solitude across the lifespan, and theoretical frameworks that spoke well to the data (e.g., self-determination theory).

scholarly journals Promoting outdoor recreation among older adults in Sweden – a theoretical and empirical foundation for the development of an intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Zingmark ◽  
Rosemarie Ankre ◽  
Sandra Wall-Reinius
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Outdoor Recreation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Environmental Support ◽  
Daily Routines ◽  
Health Decline ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Background Disengagement from outdoor recreation may diminish the positive benefits on health and well-being in old age. The purpose of this study is to present a contextual, theoretical, and empirical rationale for an intervention, aiming to promote continued engagement in outdoor recreation for older adults in a Swedish context. Methods The paper includes a contextualization of outdoor recreation in Sweden, a presentation of evidence on health benefits related to engagement in outdoor recreation, together with theoretical frameworks that may guide future intervention designs. To add empirical knowledge, a mixed methods approach was applied, including an empirical data collection based on a quantitative survey (n = 266) and individual semi-structured interviews with older adults (n = 12). Survey data were presented with descriptive statistics. Associations between disengagement from previously performed activities and age and gender was analyzed with Chi2 tests. Transcripts and handwritten notes from the interviews were analyzed qualitatively to identify key themes, as well as patterns and disparities among respondents. Results Outdoor recreation was rated as important/very important by 90% of respondents of the survey. The interviews highlighted that engagement in outdoor recreation aided respondents to keep fit but had also relevance in terms of identity, experiences, and daily routines. Outdoor recreation close to the place of residence was most common and walking was the most frequently reported activity. While 80% considered their health to be good/very good, disability and long-term diseases were common and during the previous year, more than half of all respondents had disengaged from activities previously performed. Reasons for disengagement were mainly related to health decline or that activities were too demanding but also due to social loss. The interviews indicated that continued engagement was important but challenging, and that disengagement could be considered as a loss or accepted due to changing circumstances. Conclusions In the design of an intervention aiming to promote engagement in outdoor recreation for older adults, the following features are proposed to be considered: person-centeredness, promoting functioning, addressing self-ageism, providing environmental support, promoting subjective mobility needs and adaptation to find new ways to engage in outdoor recreation.

scholarly journals A multidimensional model of healthy ageing: proposal and evaluation of determinants based on a population survey in Ecuador

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Fernanda Rivadeneira ◽  
María José Mendieta ◽  
Jessica Villavicencio ◽  
José Caicedo-Gallardo ◽  
Patricio Buendía
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gender Equity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Multidimensional Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intrinsic Capacity ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background Healthy ageing is a complex construct which involves multiple dimensions. Previous studies of healthy ageing have focused only on measuring the intrinsic capacity of the older person. The objectives of this study were to design a multidimensional model of healthy ageing and to identify its determinants from national data in Ecuador. Methods A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out from the National Survey of Health and Well-being of the Older Adult, 2010. Sample was 1797 adults aged 65 years or more. A multidimensional model was designed based on the World Health Organization’s concept of healthy ageing. For the analysis, two groups were created: a healthy ageing and a less healthy ageing group. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to analyze the probability of belonging to the healthy group according to sex, age, area of ​​residence, level of education, perceived health status, perceived life satisfaction, and poverty by income level. Results The 53.15% of the sample was classified in the healthy ageing group. Women and the poorest older adults were less likely to be in the healthy ageing group (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.464–0.737; OR 0.44; 95% CI 0.343–0.564). Older adults with secondary education or higher, who considered their health as excellent and who were satisfied with their life, had a greater probability of being in healthy ageing group (OR 2.61; 95% CI 1.586–4.309; OR 28.49; 95% CI 3.623–224.02; OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.165–0.341). Conclusions This study contributes with a multidimensional approach to healthy ageing. It proposes to evaluate the intrinsic capacity of the individual, the social and political environment and the interaction with it, through indicators that discriminate who are ageing in a healthy way and who are not. By using this model, it was identified that gender and economic situation seem to play an important role on heathy ageing of the Ecuadorian population. Public policies are necessary to promote healthy ageing, especially focused on improving socioeconomic conditions and gender equity.

Goal disengagement capacities and severity of disease across older adulthood

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joelle Jobin ◽  
Carsten Wrosch
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Goal Disengagement ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Early Old Age

This study examined age-related associations between goal disengagement capacities, emotional distress, and disease severity across older adulthood. Given that an age-related increase in the experience of stressors might render important goals unattainable, it is expected that goal disengagement capacities would predict a decrease in the severity of experienced illness (i.e., the common cold) by preventing emotional distress (i.e., depressive symptoms), particularly so among individuals in advanced (as compared to early) old age. This hypothesis was tested in a 6-year longitudinal study of 131 older adults (age range = 64 to 90). Regression analyses showed that goal disengagement capacities buffered 6-year increases in older adults’ cold symptoms, and that this effect was significantly pronounced among older-old participants. Mediation analyses further indicated that changes in depressive symptoms exerted an indirect effect on the age-related association between goal disengagement and changes in cold symptoms. The study’s findings suggest that goal disengagement capacities become increasingly important for protecting emotional well-being and physical health as older adults advance in age.

scholarly journals BENEVOLENT AGEISM: THE CORRELATES OF OVERACCOMMODATION TOWARDS OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S970-S971
Author(s):  
Jennifer F Sublett ◽  
Toni L Bisconti
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Predictive Utility ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Stereotype Content Model ◽  
Content Model ◽  
Stereotype Content ◽  
Environmental Mastery ◽  
The Face ◽  
Perceived Age

Abstract Using the Stereotype Content Model as a framework for understanding ageism, our two objectives are (1) examining the predictive utility of benevolent ageism on well-being outcomes and (2) identifying conditional relationships between sex, perceived age, benevolent ageism, and well-being outcomes. In a snowball sample of 150 older adults who were 65 years old and older, we examined sex, perceived age, ageism, environmental mastery, and depression. Our benevolent ageism scale is an expanded version of the Ambivalent Ageism Scale that included additional items of accommodation created by us. Environmental mastery and depression were assessed by standard, internally valid, measures. Using regression analyses, we found that benevolent ageism predicted depression above and beyond hostile ageism. Additionally, benevolent ageism uniquely predicted environmental mastery for men, whereas hostile ageism uniquely predicted environmental mastery and depression for women. Finally, perceived age was a better predictor of well-being than chronological age. It is essential to consider how benevolent ageism relates to well-being due to the tenets of the Stereotype Content Model. Additionally, delineating the ways that sex and perceived age contribute to double jeopardy vs. crisis competence in the face of benevolence will lead to a more intricate understanding of the paths in which overaccommodative behaviors relate to well-being in older adulthood.

Body image and self-esteem in older adulthood

2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 977-995 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUCIE BAKER ◽  
EYAL GRINGART
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
National Priority ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Body Self ◽  
Image Variables ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTGiven global population ageing and the fact that Australia is experiencing a significant increase in the proportion of older adults in its population, research into ageing issues has become a national priority. Whilst body image and self-esteem have been empirically linked, the relationship among older adults has been neglected. This study investigated several body-image variables and their relationship to self-esteem in a sample of 148 men and women aged 65–85 years who were living independently in the Perth Metropolitan Area of Western Australia. They completed the ‘Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale’ and the ‘Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire’. The results indicated, contrary to a common misconception, that body-image concerns are significant to self-esteem in older adulthood, but that these vary by age and gender. Whilst women appear to develop various strategies to counter the effects of ageing, men seem to be more negatively affected, particularly in relation to body functioning. The findings shed light on the meaning of body image in older adulthood. A better understanding of the meaning of body image, of the factors that influence the meaning, and of how these relate to older adults' self-esteem may help older adults develop a positive body image that will contribute to psycho-social strengths and enhance their quality of life.

Intergenerational Relationships and Self-Rated Health Trajectories Among Older Adults in Rural China

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 322-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Lu ◽  
Vivian W. Q. Lou ◽  
Dongmei Zuo ◽  
Iris Chi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Intergenerational Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Growth Mixture Model ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Growth Mixture ◽  
And Gender

The present study examined trajectory patterns of self-rated health (SRH) among older rural Chinese adults and gender differences in the relationship between intergenerational relationships and SRH trajectories. Using data from four waves of a longitudinal study on the well-being of older adults in Anhui province, a general growth mixture model was estimated to examine the SRH trajectory patterns and antecedents of SRH trajectory class memberships. A two-class model was selected to interpret the SRH trajectory patterns. The two classes were labeled remaining poor and good but declining. Intergenerational relationships were a significant antecedent of SRH trajectory class memberships among men but not women. Gender differences in the cumulative effects of intergenerational relationships on the health of older adults were identified in rural China. Policy implications regarding how to help rural families support their elderly members are discussed.

scholarly journals Sense of Purpose in Life Promotes Resilience to Memory Deficits Related to Depressive Symptomatology

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 255-255
Author(s):  
Nathan Lewis ◽  
Patrick Hill
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mental Status ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Purpose In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Memory Deficits ◽  
Word Recall ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Sense Of Purpose

Abstract Individuals higher in depressive symptoms commonly present with neuropsychological deficits including poorer memory performance. Sense of purpose in life, a component of psychological well-being, has been shown to promote resilience to cognitive impairment in older adulthood, but it is unclear whether it may also protect against cognitive deficits associated with higher depressive symptoms. This study examined whether purpose in life moderated the effect of depressive symptoms on cognitive functioning in a large longitudinal study of 4599 American older adults (Mage = 74.33 years, range = 65–104 years, 56.84% female) across a 12-year follow-up period. Depressive symptomatology was assessed at each wave using the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Multilevel models assessed the influence of depressive symptoms and the interaction with sense of purpose in life on changes in word recall and mental status. Higher depressive symptoms were associated with poorer recall at baseline, but not rate of change over time. A negative interaction was observed between sense of purpose in life and depressive symptoms such that individuals higher in purpose experienced a less negative impact of depressive symptoms on word recall. No significant interaction of sense of purpose and depressive symptoms was observed on mental status. Having a sense of purpose in life may help protect older adults from memory deficits associated with higher depressive symptoms. The present findings underscore the potential for sense of purpose to promote cognitive reserve in older adulthood, allowing individuals to maintain cognitive performance in the face of accruing neuropsychological challenges.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF SOCIAL SUPPORT AND STRAIN ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: MARITAL STATUS AND GENDER DIFFERENCES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S919-S919
Author(s):  
Deborah Carr ◽  
Yeonjung Jane Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Social relationships are a well-established correlate of late-life well-being. Extensive research finds social support is associated with fewer depressive symptoms, yet few studies distinguish fine-grained types of support from spouse, children, other family and friends, nor whether these linkages differ by gender and marital status. Studies exploring coarse associations between support and well-being may conceal gender and marital status differences. We use data from two waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; 2006 and 2010) to study fine-grained linkages between diverse types of relationship strain and support and depressive symptoms (CESD) among adults aged 51+. The results show that the association between support/strain and depressive symptoms varies based on the source of support. For instance, among married/partnered older adults, spousal support is negatively associated with depressive symptoms whereas friend strain is positively associated with depressive symptoms. Among widowed respondents, friend support is negatively associated with depressive symptoms. These marital status patterns differed by gender however, such that the impact of friend strain on depressive symptoms was especially large for divorced men. Our results suggest that no single form of social support (or strain) is uniformly protective (or distressing), so services and interventions to enhance late-life mental health should more fully consider older adults’ social location, including gender and marital status. For current cohorts of older adults, who have lower rates of marriage and childbearing than their predecessors, it is critically important to understand both the levels and impacts of alternative sources of support from other kin and friends.

scholarly journals State Anxiety Related to Daily Function Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Are There Gender Differences? (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Rosenblum ◽  
Ortal Cohen Elimelech
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety Level ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Strengthening Factor

BACKGROUND Background: Especially among older adults, the Corona virus pandemic (COVID-19) poses a challenge to people's day-to-day functioning and constitutes a meaningful factor related to their emotional and physical health. OBJECTIVE Objective: This study aimed to analyze relationships and gender differences between state anxiety, daily functional actualization, and functional cognition among older adults during the COVD-19 pandemic shelter-in-place. METHODS Methods: We collected online data from a sample of 204 people (102 men and 102 women) aged 60 years and older. In addition to a demographic questionnaire, the State-Trait Personality Inventory was used to assess state anxiety, the Daily Functional Actualization questionnaire was used to evaluate daily functional actualization and the Daily Living Questionnaire to measure functional cognition. RESULTS Results: Significant gender differences were found for state anxiety, t(202) = -2.36, P = .02; daily functional actualization, t(202) = 2.15, P = .03; and several functional cognition components, such as complex tasks, Z = -3.07, P = .002; cognitive symptoms that might be interfering, Z = -2.15, P = .028; executive functions, Z = -2.21, P = .024; and executive function monitoring, Z = -2.21, P = .027. Significant medium correlations were found between both state anxiety level and functional cognition (r = .37–.40, P < .001) and daily functional actualization (r = -.62, P < .001). Furthermore, daily functional actualization predicted 43% of the variance of state anxiety level, F(1, 202) = 155.73, P < .0001. CONCLUSIONS Conclusions: In older adults, anxiety is associated with cognitive decline. It may harm daily functional abilities, in turn leading to social isolation, loneliness, and decreased well-being. Knowledge and self-awareness about the relationships between common and available resources of daily functional actualization and functional cognition with anxiety, especially as related to gender, may serve as a possible strengthening factor in crisis periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Membership, Neighborhood Social Identification, Well-Being, and Health for the Elderly in Chile

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilio Moyano-Díaz ◽  
Rodolfo Mendoza-Llanos
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Social Identification ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Neighborhood Councils ◽  
And Gender

The world’s elderly population is growing, and in Chile they represent 16.2% of the total population. In Chile, old age is marked by retirement, with a dramatic decrease in income that brings precariousness. Older adults are economically, socially, and psychologically vulnerable populations. This condition increases their likelihood of disengaging from their usual social environment, facilitating their isolation, sadness, and discomfort. From the perspective of social identity, well-being (WB) can be explained by two principles: social groups’ importance for health and people’s psychological identification with those groups. This study analyzes the relationships between belonging to the neighborhood and extra-neighborhood groups and neighborhood social identification with WB. Urban or rural location and gender are measured, and the sample is 1,475 older Chilean adults of both sexes. The results show that the majority are not members of social groups (52%), and the remaining 48% are members of one or two groups or organizations (42.65%). Only 4.47% belong to three groups or organizations. Those who belong to groups obtain higher scores, emotional–mental WB, and positive emotions than older adults who do not belong to any organization. Urban and rural older adults have the same level of WB. Membership in close social organizations (neighborhood councils) or distant ones (clubs for the elderly and religious groups) causes different WB associations. Membership in neighborhood councils reduces gender differences in self-assessment of health. This result supports the idea that participation in heterogeneous groups with a shared sense of belonging to the neighborhood is associated with higher WB and lower perceived loneliness. Social identification with the neighborhood, rather than belonging to the group, had the most widespread impact on WB and health indicators. The variable social identification with the neighborhood was consistently associated with indicators of hedonic WB.

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