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Work–family lifecourses and later-life health in the United Kingdom
- Authors:
- TOSI Marco, GRUNDY Emily
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 41(6), 2021, pp.1371-1397.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Socio-economic inequalities in physical and mental health persist at older ages and previous studies have shown that partnership and parenthood histories are also associated with differentials in later-life health. These domains of adult life interact, and both may be influenced by earlier life circumstances, indicating a need for a holistic approach to understanding lifecourse influences on health at older ages. In this paper, we identify classes of lifecourse types for a United Kingdom (UK) cohort born 1933–1945 and investigate differences between the latent classes identified in physical and mental health, and changes in health over a five-year follow-up period. Data were drawn from Waves 1–5 (2009–2013) of the nationally representative UK Household Longitudinal Study. Multi-level models were used to analyse associations with summary indicators of physical and mental health measured using the SF-12, and changes in health, controlling for childhood circumstances and taking account of support from family and friends in later life. Lifecourses characterised by lower socio-economic position, early parenthood and large family size were associated with worse physical and mental health in later life, with respondents who had combined a high socio-economic position and two children being the most advantaged. The study indicates that socio-economic disparities in later-life health vary depending on the way in which individuals combine work and family life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Fertility history and quality of life in older women and men
- Authors:
- READ Sanna, GRUNDY Emily
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 31(1), January 2011, pp.125-145.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This paper investigates the associations between the fertility histories of older British women and men and their quality of life. Data was included from men and women born between 1923 and 1949 as drawn from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). Quality of life in 2001 was measured for 6,374 individuals using four subscales: control; autonomy; pleasure; and self-realisation. The aspects of fertility history investigated were number of children born and parents' ages at birth of first and last child. Other factors included: age; education; marital status; tenure status; smoking; co-residence with one or more children; perceived social support; and health limitations. Findings revealed that early entry to parenthood were related to poorer quality of life. These associations were mostly mediated by socio-economic, social support and health factors. Compared to women with two children, women who had never had children expressed a higher level of autonomy, and both women who had never had children and those with four or more children a higher level of self-realisation.
Socio-economic position and subjective health and well-being among older people in Europe: a systematic narrative review
- Authors:
- READ Sanna, GRUNDY Emily, FOVERSKOV Else
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 20(5), 2016, pp.529-542.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Previous studies of older European populations have established that disability and morbidity vary with indicators of socio-economic position (SEP). The authors undertook a systematic narrative review of the literature to ascertain to what extent there is evidence of similar inequalities in the subjective health and well-being of older people in Europe. Method: Relevant original research articles were searched for using Medline, Global Health, Embase, Social Policy and Practice, Cinahl, Web of Science and International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS). The authors included studies of SEP and indicators of subjective health and well-being (self-rated health; life satisfaction; quality of life) conducted since 1991 using population-based samples of older people in Europe and published 1995–2013. Results: A total of 71 studies were identified. Poorer SEP was associated with poorer subjective health and well-being. Associations varied somewhat depending on the SEP measure and subjective health and well-being outcome used. Associations were weaker when social support and health-related behaviours were adjusted for suggesting that these factors mediate the relationship between SEP and subjective health and well-being. Associations tended to be weaker in the oldest age groups. The patterns of associations by gender were not consistent and tended to diminish after adjusting for indicators of health and life circumstances. Conclusion: The results of this systematic narrative review of the literature demonstrate the importance of social influences on later life subjective health and well-being and indicate areas which need further investigation, such as more studies from Eastern Europe, more longitudinal studies and more research on the role of mediating factors. (Edited publisher abstract)
Living well into old age: three studies of health and well-being among older people in East London and Essex
- Authors:
- BOWLING Ann, GRUNDY Emily, FARQUHAR Morag
- Publisher:
- Age Concern
- Publication year:
- 1997
- Pagination:
- 64p.,tables,diags.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Report exploring the concept of 'successful ageing' and summarising the results of research conducted over a three year period with older people in Hackney and Braintree in Essex. Documents and analyses changes in physical and mental health, the ability to perform the tasks of daily living, and the use of social services and offers new evidence of the problems of old age, and the factors which can contribute to well-being.
Ageing and vulnerable elderly people: European perspectives
- Author:
- GRUNDY Emily
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 26(1), January 2006, pp.105-134.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This paper considers the processes and circumstances that create vulnerability among older people, specifically to a very poor quality of life or an untimely or degrading death. Models of ageing processes are used to define vulnerable older people as those whose reserve capacity falls below the threshold needed to cope successfully with the challenges they face. Compensatory supports may intervene to mitigate the effects of challenges and to rebuild reserve. The dimensions of reserve, challenges and compensation are discussed, with emphasis on demographic and other influences on the availability of family and social support. Policy initiatives to reduce vulnerability can focus on each part of the dynamic process that creates vulnerability, namely, ensuring that people reach later life with ‘reserve’, reducing the challenges they face in later life, and providing adequate compensatory supports. The promotion through the lifecourse of healthy lifestyles and the acquisition of coping skills, strong family and social ties, active interests, and savings and assets, will develop reserves and ensure that they are strong in later life. Some of the physical and psychological challenges that people may face as they age cannot be modified, but others can. Interventions to develop compensatory supports include access to good acute care and rehabilitation when needed, substitute professional social and psychological help in times of crisis, long-term help and income support.
Associations with changes in life satisfaction among three samples of elderly people living at home
- Authors:
- BOWLING Ann, FARQUHAR Morag, GRUNDY Emily
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 11(12), December 1996, pp.1077-1087.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Life satisfaction, measured using Neugarten's Life Satisfaction Scale was examined in three samples of elderly people in London and Essex at baseline and at follow-up 2 1/2 - 3 years later. The analysis reported here relate to changes in life satisfaction. The previously reported baseline analyses showed that poor health and functional ability were the strongest predictors of baseline life satisfaction. The results from the follow-up data presented here show that the most significant predictor of changes in life satisfaction at follow-up was baseline life satisfaction. While follow-up health and functional status, social network structure and activities explained the remainder of the explained variance, this was very little. The results are consistent with previous analyses of associations with changes in psychiatric morbidity (mainly depression) and highlight the importance of initiating early rehabilitation programmes.