The Relationship between Prevalence of Marriage Conflicts and Marital Instability among Middle-Aged Couples in Suneka Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya

ObjectiveIn aging populations, poor handgrip strength has been associated with physical disability and mortality. IGF1 is an important mediator of muscle growth and regeneration affecting muscle function. We studied the relationship between circulating levels of IGF1, its binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), and handgrip strength and physical performance in middle-aged- and oldest-old subjects.DesignCross-sectional analysis in two different cohorts composed of middle-aged- (n=672, mean 63.9±6.7 years) and oldest-old subjects (n=272, all 89 years).MethodsHandgrip strength, functional performance and ability, and serum levels of IGF1 and IGFBP3 were measured in all subjects and analyzed by linear regression for men and women separately.ResultsIGF1 and IGFBP3 levels declined with chronological age and were positively associated with handgrip strength in middle-aged- and oldest-old women (both, P<0.05), but not in men of either age group. Furthermore, higher serum levels of IGF1 were associated with slower walking speed in oldest-old men (P=0.012), and serum levels of IGFBP3 were positively associated with activities of daily living in the oldest-old women (P=0.002).ConclusionThe significant relationship between IGF1 levels and muscle strength found in women but not in men suggests a gender-specific influence of IGF1 on muscle strength. Further studies are necessary to test the relationship with physical performance.

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Effect of older adults in the family on the sandwich generation's pursuit of entrepreneurship: evidence from China

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x21001033 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

Yiwei Liu ◽

Wenjing Wang ◽

Zhen Cong ◽

Zhirui Chen

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Family Members ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Entrepreneurial Activity ◽

Basic Unit ◽

Instrumental Support ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Social Wellbeing ◽

The Relationship ◽

Elderly Family

Abstract Household entrepreneurship is a basic unit of entrepreneurial activity, and a crucial aspect of connecting personal and social wellbeing. This study examines the relationship between the proportion of elderly family members and household entrepreneurship. This study also assesses the mediating effect of the middle-aged generation's support to their parents and the moderating effect of the parents’ support with respect to the proportion of elderly family members and entrepreneurship. We use data from the China Family Panel Studies. We adopt the instrumental variable method to deal with endogeneity, robustness and credibility of the estimation results. The results show that a higher proportion of elderly family members impedes household entrepreneurship. Moreover, the financial and instrumental support provided by the middle-aged generation to their parents significantly mediates the relationship between the proportion of elderly family members and household entrepreneurship. In turn, parents’ financial support to the middle-aged generation moderates the focal relationship; however, parents’ instrumental support does not moderate the focal relationship. These findings emphasise the need to develop a comprehensive social security network for older adults that will indirectly promote household entrepreneurship, and improve personal and social wellbeing.

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