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Mental health and well-being in later life
- Authors:
- CATTAN Mima, (ed.)
- Publisher:
- Open University Press
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 177p.
- Place of publication:
- Maidenhead
The contributors to this book ask what mental health and mental well-being is and discuss theoretical perspectives on ageing and health promotion; policy and practice in the promotion of mental health and well-being in later life; work, retirement and money; relationships; keeping active; and coping, choice and control: pathways to positive psychological functioning and independence in later life, ending with a conclusion.
Feel good factor
- Author:
- LEASON Katie
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 26.05.05, 2005, pp.34-35.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Promoting mental health well-being in later life has often been overlooked in care budgets. Reports on the issues and how they can be tackled.
Instruments to evaluate mental well-being in old age: a systematic review
- Authors:
- MARTIN-MARIA Natalia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 25(7), 2021, pp.1191-1205.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: The aim of this study is to identify and appraise existing instruments to evaluate mental well-being in old age. Method: Systematic literature searches in PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest Research Library, AgeLine and CINAHL databases were performed. The COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guideline was used to assess the measurement properties, reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. For each measurement property, results were classified as positive, negative or indeterminate. The quality level of evidence was rated as high, moderate, low or very low following the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: A total of 28 instruments were found. Most instruments evaluated different dimensions of mental well-being, including various subscales. The quality was adequate overall. Six instruments showed high quality (Perceived Well-Being Scale-PWB, Salamon-Conte Life Satisfaction in the Elderly Scale-SCLSES, Herth Hope Scale-HHS, Life Satisfaction Index Third Age-LSITA, Meaning in Life Scale-MLS, and SODdisfazione dell’Anziano-SODA), and other six a moderate level (Scale of Happiness of the Memorial University of Newfoundland-MUNSH, Six Scales of Psychological Well-Being-PWBS, Valuation Of Life-VOL, Life Satisfaction Scale for Chinese Elders-LSS-C, Meaningful Activity Participation Assessment-MAPA and Will To Life-WTL). Conclusion: This review provides the first comprehensive synthesis of instruments assessing mental well-being in older populations. The PWB, SCLSES, HHS, LSITA, MLS and SODA were the most appropriated instruments. An instrument that specifically measures mental well-being in the oldest old age group (aged 80 plus) and that considers its multidimensional nature is needed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social engagement mediates the relationship between participation in social activities and psychological distress among older adults
- Authors:
- MACKENZIE Corey S., ABDULRAZAQ Shahad
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 25(2), 2021, pp.299-305.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: Participation in social activities often has beneficial effects on mental health among older adults, although the reasons why this is true (i.e., mechanisms or mediators) have received less empirical attention. The objective of this study is to examine whether involvement in social activities is associated with less psychological distress because it fosters social engagement. Method: We explored this hypothesis with a sample of 1089 community dwelling Canadians ranging in age from 65 to 93 who completed a cross-sectional online survey that included measures of social participation (i.e., number of activities, time spent in them, and volunteerism), social engagement (i.e., the number of friends and family they see, feel close to, and can discuss personal matters with), and psychological distress. Results: Mediation analyses confirmed our hypothesis that participation in social activities had beneficial effects on psychological distress through social engagement. That is, individuals who participated in greater numbers of social activities were more likely to report social engagement, and greater social engagement was associated with less psychological distress. In addition, when we controlled for the effect of social engagement, involvement in greater numbers of social activities was associated with greater distress. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that social engagement is a reason why participation in social activities has benefits for older adults’ mental health, and that increasing engagement, both within and outside of typical social activities, is a worthwhile target for efforts to improve mental health among the growing older adult population. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social work, mental health, older people and COVID-19
- Authors:
- BRENNAN John, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Psychogeriatrics, 32(10), 2020, pp.1205-1209.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge Journals
This commentary explores the work of social work in Ireland in addressing the impact of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) crisis on older people in general, and older people who have an enduring mental illness. (Edited publisher abstract)
Physical and mental health correlates of perceived financial exploitation in older adults: preliminary findings from the Finance, Cognition, and Health in Elders Study (FINCHES)
- Authors:
- WEISSBERGER Gali H., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 24(5), 2020, pp.740-746.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Financial exploitation (FE) in old age is poorly understood, particularly among those without significant cognitive impairment. The Finance, Cognition, and Health in Elders Study (FINCHES) aims to identify factors associated with FE among cognitively-healthy older adults. Preliminary findings regarding physical and mental health correlates in the pilot phase of FINCHES are reported. Method: Sixteen older adults who self-reported FE were demographically-matched on age, education, sex, and race/ethnicity to eighteen older adults who did not report past FE. Results: Those who believed they were exploited endorsed significantly greater symptoms of depression (p = 0.014) and marginally greater symptoms of anxiety (p = 0.062). Participants trended towards lower perceived successful aging (p = 0.094). Perceived FE participants also endorsed greater medical conditions (p = 0.047), but follow-up individual item analyses suggest that this was driven by problems with sleep (p = 0.030). Conclusions: These preliminary findings from the pilot phase of FINCHES highlight negative mental health factors associated with perceived FE among cognitively-intact older adults. (Publisher abstract)
Elderly volunteering and psychological well-being
- Author:
- HO Hua-Chin
- Journal article citation:
- International Social Work, 60(4), 2017, pp.1028-1038.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study was designed to construct a model based on the concept of psychological well-being, in order to verify the relationship between Taiwanese elderly volunteering and their psychological well-being. Research data were collected via a questionnaire administered to the target population of this study, senior residents of Pingtung County aged 65 or more. The data were then tested and verified by confirmative factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The overall model showed higher levels of psychological well-being for the elderly who participated in volunteer work than those who did not, which again confirmed the positive relation between volunteer work and psychological well-being. (Edited publisher abstract)
Prison experiences and psychological distress among older inmates
- Authors:
- BAIDAWI Susan, TROTTER Christopher, FLYNN Catherine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 59(3), 2016, pp.252-270.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study investigates relationships between older prisoners’ social experiences and their levels of distress. One hundred and seventy-three older prisoners (aged ≥ 50 years) from 8 Australian prisons were administered the Kessler Psychological Distress (K10) Scale, with additional information collected via individual interviews. Psychological distress scores were significantly associated with measures of self-reported safety, prison victimisation, perceived social support from staff and inmates, current employment, and level of exercise among older inmates. Findings suggest that strategies for improving sense of safety, social support and level of exercise may ameliorate distress among older prisoners. (Edited publisher abstract)
Variations in structures, processes and outcomes of community mental health teams for older people: a systematic review of the literature
- Authors:
- ABENDSTERN M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(7), September 2012, pp.861-873.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Specialist community mental health teams (CMHTs) are central to the provision of comprehensive services for older people with mental ill health. Recent guidance documents suggest a core set of attributes that such teams should encompass. This literature review explored existing evidence regarding the structures and processes of CMHTs for older people and to evaluate evidence linking approaches to effectiveness. Searches were limited to the UK for descriptions of organisation and practice. Forty-five studies met inclusion criteria of which seven provided comparative outcome data. Limited evidence was found regarding the effectiveness of many of the core attributes recommended in policy directives although their presence was reported in much of the literature. The contrast between presentation and evaluation of attributes is stark. Whilst some gaps can be filled from related fields, further research is required to evaluate the impact of team design on service user outcomes in order to inform future guidance.
Divorce and the wellbeing of older Australians
- Authors:
- GRAY Matthew, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 31(3), April 2011, pp.475-498.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
In most developed countries, the number of older people who have experienced divorce at some point in their lives will increase in coming decades. However, there is a lack of research on the long-term effects of divorce in later life. This study, drawing from Australian data, examines the long-term impacts of divorce on the well-being of older Australians. Dimensions of well-being examined are social interaction and connectedness, perceived social support, life satisfaction, and physical and mental health. Findings suggest that while divorce has a long-lasting, negative impact on well-being that persists into later life for both men and women, the negative effects of divorce are largely confined to those who do not re-partner. One important difference between men and women is that for women who are divorced and remain single, the negative effects of divorce are found for general health, vitality and mental health. For men, there appear to be no long-term effects of divorce on physical or mental health. While there appears to be some effect of divorce on perceived social support for both older men and women, the effects of divorce on social support are less pervasive in later life than the effects of divorce on satisfaction with life.