Mental health and emotional well-being in later life

2016 ◽  
pp. 120-142
Author(s):  
Sue Barker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being

3. The psychology of ageing

2016 ◽  
pp. 45-65
Author(s):  
Nancy A. Pachana
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Identity Theory ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Psychological Theories ◽  
Disengagement Theory ◽  
Study Designs

Psychological theories of ageing encompass mental health and emotional well-being as well as changes in these states, at individual as well as interpersonal levels, associated with increasing age. ‘The psychology of ageing’ reviews different ways of studying changes in functioning: cross-sectional, longitudinal, and sequential study designs; the varying psychological theories of ageing, including the disengagement theory, activity theory, continuity theory, socioemotional selectivity theory, convoy theory, and social identity theory; and the cognitive aspects of ageing, including changes in thinking and behaviour as a result of both primary and secondary ageing. It also considers how personality and emotions are expressed in later life and the treatment of mental disorders.

scholarly journals EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: DOES GENDER MATTER?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S931-S931
Author(s):  
Celeste Beaulieu ◽  
Jeffrey E Stokes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Everyday Activities ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Previous research has suggested that informal socializing can be beneficial for mental health, whereas prior findings concerning solitary activities and mental health have been equivocal. Activity theory posits that involvement in activities – particularly social activities – can improve adults’ self-concept and self-esteem, leading to improved well-being. Solitary activities may perform the same function, though without any social reinforcement. However, social engagement and mental health may both vary by gender. Thus, we examined associations of informal socializing and solitary activities with depressive symptoms among 13,387 respondents of the 2012/2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, and further assessed potential gender differences. Results revealed that both informal socializing and solitary activities were significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms when analyzed separately. However, when both types of activities were modeled simultaneously, only informal socializing remained significant. Further, stratified analyses revealed that informal socializing was a significant predictor of depressive symptoms among women but not men, although these coefficients were not significantly different from each other. Overall, findings suggest that both informal socializing and solitary activities may be beneficial for mental health, yet results were clearly stronger for informal socializing. Socializing may benefit mental health not only by bolstering one’s self-concept, but also by linking adults with social ties and support networks that are instrumental for well-being in mid- and later life. Moreover, gender differences in effects were minimal and largely non-significant, indicating that activity involvement can bolster mental health for men and women alike.

scholarly journals The Long Arm of Child Maltreatment and Mental Health in Later Life: The Effects of Maltreatment and Family Context?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 505-505
Author(s):  
Chengming Han ◽  
Tirth Bhatta ◽  
Eva Kahana ◽  
Brian Gran
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Corporal Punishment ◽  
Filial Piety ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Family Context ◽  
Chinese Society ◽  
Family Contexts

Abstract Purpose. This article examines the role of family context in shaping the influence of childhood maltreatment on later life psychological well-being in the cultural context of Chinese society. Method. Data were drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) baseline. Maltreatment was measured by corporal punishment by either mother or father in childhood. We used family violence, parents’ family socioeconomic status (SES) and mental health to represent family context. Result. Our ordinary least square regression analysis shows that corporal punishment administered by a mother was associated with higher depressive symptoms (b=0.308, p<0.05) in later life while being hit by father did not result in higher depressive symptoms. Family contexts had residual (“long arm”) influence on respondents’ mental health: violence in the family, including being hit by siblings (b=0.657, p<0.001) and witnessing violence between parents (b=0.658, p<0.001) contributed significantly to higher depressive symptoms. Conclusion. Corporal punishment by parents had long term effects on mental health of their children in later life. Cultural values, such as filial piety did not eliminate the negative impacts of being hit in childhood on mental health in later life. Family contexts including violence between parents also played important roles in shaping the relationship between child maltreatment and mental health in later life. Implication. Our study offers important insights about the complex matrix of cultural traditions, social circumstances and diversity in dealing with child rearing stress and their consequences for later life mental health.

scholarly journals Trajectories of material living standards, physical health and mental health under a universal pension

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-368
Author(s):  
Joanne Allen ◽  
Fiona M Alpass
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Standards ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Material Hardship ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

ObjectiveAged pension schemes aim to support material and non-material well-being of older populations. The current work aimed to describe dominant trajectories of material living standards in the decades prior to and following eligibility for an aged pension, and describe associated trajectories of physical and mental health.MethodsLongitudinal data on living standards and indices of health Short Form 12 were collected over 2–12 years follow-up from 4811 New Zealand adults aged 55–76. Growth mixture models were used to identify dominant trajectories of living standards with age. Latent growth curve models were used to describe trajectories of physical and mental health associated with each living standards trajectory class.ResultsA group characterised by good living standards with age (81.5%) displayed physical and mental health scores comparable to those of the general adult population. Smaller groups experienced hardship but increasing living standards (11.8%) and hardship and declining living standards (6.8%). While both groups in hardship experienced poor health in the decade prior pension eligibility, mental health improved among those with increasing living standards, while physical and mental health declined among those with declining living standards.ConclusionUnder the current policy settings, a majority of older adults in New Zealand maintain a good level of living standards and health in later life. However, significant proportions experience material hardship and poor health in the decade prior to pension eligibility. Alleviation of material hardship may reduce health inequalities in later life.

Volunteering, Self-Perceptions of Aging, and Mental Health in Later Life

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Huo ◽  
Lisa M Soederberg Miller ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Siwei Liu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Panel Model ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives Scholars argue that volunteering enhances social, physical, and cognitive activities that are increasingly valued as people age, which in turn improves older adults’ well-being via a host of psychosocial and neurobiological mechanisms. This study explicitly tested older adults’ self-perceptions of aging as a mechanism underlying the mental health benefits of volunteering. Research Design and Methods Using 2-wave data from the Health and Retirement Study (2008/2010 for Wave 1 and 2012/2014 for Wave 2), we analyzed reports from a pooled sample of older adults aged 65 or older (N = 9,017). Participants reported on demographic characteristics, volunteer work (did not volunteer, 1–99 h/year, 100+ h/year), self-perceptions of aging, and depressive symptoms. We estimated an autoregressive cross-lagged panel model. Results Volunteering for 100 h or more per year was associated with older adults’ more positive and less negative self-perceptions of aging in the subsequent wave (i.e., 4 years later), which in turn predicted fewer depressive symptoms. Discussion and Implications This study suggests the promising role of volunteering in shaping older adults’ self-perceptions of aging on a sustained basis and refines our understanding of the benefits volunteering brings. Findings shed light on future interventions aimed at improving older adults’ adjustment to age-related changes and lessening ageism in society.

scholarly journals Peer victimisation during adolescence and its impact on wellbeing in adulthood: A prospective cohort study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica M Armitage ◽  
R. Adele H Wang ◽  
Oliver S. P. Davis ◽  
Lucy Bowes ◽  
Claire M. A. Haworth
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Interview Schedule ◽  
Peer Victimisation ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background: Peer victimisation is a common occurrence and has well-established links with a range of psychiatric problems in adulthood. Significantly less is known however, about how victimisation influences positive aspects of mental health such as wellbeing. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess for the first time, whether peer victimisation in adolescence is associated with adult wellbeing. We aimed to understand whether individuals who avoid a diagnosis of depression after victimisation, maintain good wellbeing in later life, and therefore display resilience.Methods: Longitudinal data was taken from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a prospective cohort study based in the UK. Peer victimisation was assessed at 13 years using a modified version of the bullying and friendship interview schedule, and wellbeing at age 23 using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. The presence or absence of depression was diagnosed using the Clinical Interview Schedule–Revised at 18 years. A series of logistic and linear regression analyses were used to explore relationships between peer victimisation, depression, and wellbeing, adjusting for potentially confounding individual and family factors. Results: Just over 15% of victims of frequent bullying had a diagnosis of depression at age 18. Victimisation also had a significant impact on wellbeing, with a one-point increase in frequent victimisation associated with a 2.71-point (SE=0.46, p<0.001) decrease in wellbeing scores aged 23. This finding remained after adjustment for the mediating and moderating effects of depression, suggesting that the burden of victimisation extends beyond depression to impact wellbeing. Results therefore show that individuals who remain partially resilient by avoiding a diagnosis of depression after victimisation have significantly poorer wellbeing than their non-victimised counterparts.Conclusion: Overall, our study demonstrates for the first time that victimisation during adolescence is a significant risk factor for not only the onset of depression, but also poor wellbeing in adulthood. Such findings highlight the importance of investigating both dimensions of mental health to understand the true burden of victimisation and subsequent resilience. In addition to the need for interventions that reduce the likelihood of depression following adolescent victimisation, efforts should also be made to promote good wellbeing.

scholarly journals LEAVES (optimizing the mentaL health and resiliencE of older Adults that haVe lost thEir spouSe via blended, online therapy): Proposal for an Online Service Development and Evaluation

10.2196/19344 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e19344
Author(s):  
Lex van Velsen ◽  
Miriam Cabrita ◽  
Harm op den Akker ◽  
Lena Brandl ◽  
Joana Isaac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
End Users ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Online Therapy

Background Loss of a spouse is a frequent occurrence in later life. While most older adults successfully process this loss and will return to a normal life, about 10% of the individuals are unable to cope, and progress to prolonged grief (PG). PG, in turn, can result in mental and physical problems including poor sleep, cardiovascular problems, depression, and suicidal tendencies. Objective LEAVES (optimizing the mentaL health and resiliencE of older Adults that haVe lost thEir spouSe via blended, online therapy) is an online bereavement program that will support the prevention and treatment of PG, so that elderly mourners can continue to lead an active, meaningful, and dignified life. LEAVES will cater to secondary end users (eg, family, informal caregivers) by reducing stress. Methods LEAVES will help older adults to process the loss of a spouse in an online environment, which consists of (1) an existing online grief self-help program LIVIA, (2) the Before You Leave program that allows for storing personal memories, (3) a virtual agent platform, and (4) an accessible front-end design. LEAVES can detect persons at risk for complications, reveal negative trends in their emotional life, and act to counter such trends. The service relies on online support whenever possible but is blended with telephone or face-to-face counseling when necessary. Results The project will take place between February 2020 and January 2023 and includes a real-life evaluation in which 315 end users will use the service across 3 countries (the Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland). The evaluation of LEAVES will focus on clinical effect, its business case, and technology acceptance. The results will pave the way for smooth integration into existing care paths and reimbursement schemes. Conclusions The LEAVES service aims to soften the mourning process, prevents depression or social isolation, strengthens widow(er)s resilience and well-being, and quickens one’s return to societal participation. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/19344

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