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Volunteering and psychological well-being among young-old adults: how much is too much?
- Authors:
- WINDSOR Timothy D., ANSTEY Kaarin J., RODGERS Bryan
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 48(1), February 2008, pp.59-70.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Research concerned with the relationship between volunteer activity and psychological well-being has typically reported higher levels of well-being among older adult volunteers relative to nonvolunteers. However, few studies have examined nonlinear associations between frequency of volunteer activity and well-being. This study examined nonlinear associations between hours spent volunteering and psychological well-being, controlling for employment status, partner status, physical health, and education. Associations between different domains of volunteer activity and well-being, along with the possible moderating effects of gender on these relationships was also investigated. Data was used from the PATH Through Life Project, a population-based study of Australian adults. Participants consisted of 2,136 older adults aged 64 to 68. Nonlinear associations between hours spent volunteering and psychological well-being were evident, with these associations characterized by inverted U shapes, with nonvolunteers and those volunteering at high levels producing lower well-being scores relative to those volunteering at moderate levels. Few associations between specific domains of volunteer activity and well-being were evident, and no notable gender interactions emerged. Implications: The results point toward optimal frequency of engagement in volunteer activity for psychological well-being as being bounded by upper and lower levels, outside of which benefits to well-being diminish.
Movement in mind: the relationship of exercise with cognitive status for older adults in the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care (SNAC)
- Authors:
- LINDWALL Magnus, RENNEMARK Mikael, BERGGREN Tomas
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(2), March 2008, pp.212-220.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of light and strenuous exercise, and self-reported change in exercise status, with different components of cognitive function, and gender differences in this relation, in a large, representative sample included in the Swedish National study on Aging and Care (SNAC). Eight-hundred-and-thirteen participants in age-cohorts from 60-96 years completed a wide range of cognitive function tests, the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) and survey questions concerning exercise behaviour and exercise change with light or strenuous intensity. ANCOVA, controlling for age, education, depression, functional status and co-morbidity, demonstrated a main effect for light exercise, but not for strenuous exercise, on five of the six cognitive tests and the MMSE, for men but nor for women. A negative change in exercise status was associated with lower MMSE scores for men but not for women. Individuals exercising with light intensity several times a week had the highest cognitive test and MMSE scores and the inactive group had the lowest scores. The results of the study may contribute to increased knowledge in the exercise-mental health relationship for elderly and spawn new research specifically on gender differences in this relation.
The implications of occupational deprivation experienced by elderly female immigrants
- Author:
- BROWN Cary A.
- Journal article citation:
- Diversity in Health and Social Care, 5(1), 2008, pp.65-69.
- Publisher:
- Radcliffe Publishing
Canada's immigration policy favours family reunification, and many elderly parents follow their adult children into new lives in Canada. The limited research that exists links immigration, acculturation and communication problems with negative physical and psychological health for immigrant women. One paradigm that holds promise for understanding and responding to the health needs of older immigrant women is that of occupational science. Occupational science proposes that 'human engagement is integral to everyday living as people of all ages plan, structure and use their time doing the things they need and want to do'. Occupational deprivation is a subconstruct of occupational science and refers to situations in which people's needs for meaningful and health-promoting occupations go unmet or are institutionally denied. Currently we do not understand the impact of occupational deprivation on the health of older immigrant women and how this influences their healthcare utilisation. It is probable that the needs of this unique, and growing, group of elderly women have important implications for health planning and resource utilisation that are only just beginning to be recognised.
Examination of a theoretical model of psychological resilience in older age
- Authors:
- WIINDLE Gill, MARKLAND David A., WOODS Robert T.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(3), May 2008, pp.285-292.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This article integrates a number of theoretical perspectives and examines the concept of psychological resilience in older age. Drawing on the literature it is hypothesised that an overarching construct-resilience-accounts for the functioning of a number of psychological resources (self-esteem, personal competence and control). The factorial validity of the resources as indicators of resilience is tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The analyses focus on previously unexplored survey data drawn from a representative sample of people aged between 50 and 90 in England, Wales and Scotland (N = 1847). The results find a common factor (a higher-order model) provides the best explanation of the relationships between the resources, demonstrating an important first account for developing further work on this concept. Exploring what might form the basis of resilience from a psychological perspective enables a deeper understanding of why some individuals can remain positive in difficult circumstances, particularly some of the challenges of ageing.
Care-related quality of life in old age: concepts, models and empirical findings
- Editors:
- VAARAMA Marja, PIEPER Richard, SIXSMITH Andrew, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 96p.
- Place of publication:
- Heidelberg
While best-practice data exist for long-term care, quality of life as a concept, measure and standard for care outcomes remains elusive. This book, which includes new instruments for evaluating care, brings together the findings of a European research initiative, the Care Keys Project. This addressed quality of life issues among frail, care-dependent older people, taking their social as well as health needs into account. It covered Finland, Estonia, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The writers explain the theory behind Care Keys, its methodology, empirical findings, and practical considerations in promoting effective, efficient elder care aimed at social and emotional well-being and including disabled and cognitively impaired patients. The book brings together gerontological knowledge from medical, psychology, nursing, sociology, economics, and health care systems perspectives. It introduces an integrated theory of care-related quality of life that emphasises social, emotional and mental aspects as well as physical longevity. The editors present a practice oriented framework for quality management of long-term care toward improving elders’ quality of life. They examine quality of life in home and long-term care settings across the five European member countries of Care Keys and describe the Care Keys Toolkit, featuring innovative measures for monitoring and evaluating care and troubleshooting for problem areas.
Mental wellbeing and older people: quick reference guide
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CLINICAL EXCELLENCE
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 5p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This quick reference guide presents the recommendations made in ‘Occupational therapy interventions and physical activity interventions to promote the mental wellbeing of older people in primary care and residential care’. It focuses on the role of occupational therapy interventions and physical activity interventions in the promotion of mental wellbeing for older people. It is for health professionals who have a role in, and responsibility for, promoting older people’s mental wellbeing and may also be relevant for carers and family members and older people themselves. The four recommendations are: occupational therapy interventions; physical activity; walking schemes; staff training.
Taking it step by step
- Authors:
- CLARE Alison, CUTHBERT Sharon Lee
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, December 2008, pp.28-29.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
City and Guilds has, in close collaboration with Age Concern, developed three qualifications in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of older people to challenge assumptions and stereotypes.
The adaptive and maladaptive faces of dependency in later life: links to physical and psychological health outcomes
- Authors:
- FIORI Katherine, CONSENDINE Nathan, MAGAI Carol
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(6), November 2008, pp.700-712.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Negotiating the balance between reliance on others and desires for autonomy is a fundamental task of successful aging. The purpose of the present study was to replicate and extend a three-factor model of interpersonal dependency in a sample of older adults, and to examine the physical and psychological health correlates of this multifaceted construct. Data come from the third wave of a population-based study of older Americans (n = 166; mean age 80 years). An exploratory factor analysis of selected dependency items from two scales was conducted, followed by logistic and hierarchical linear regressions to analyze the association of dependency factors with self-reported health, use of hypertension medication, depressed affect and positive affect. Three factors closely paralleling those of Bornstein and Languirand's (Psychological Bulletin, 112(1), 3-23, 2004) measure were found: destructive overdependence, healthy dependency and dysfunctional detachment, as well as a fourth factor labelled 'healthy independence'. Healthy dependency was associated with better self-reported health. Dysfunctional detachment was related to a greater likelihood and healthy independence a lesser likelihood of taking hypertension medication. Whereas both healthy independence and healthy dependency were positively related to positive affect and negatively related to depressed affect, destructive overdependence was positively related to depressed affect. Understanding the complex nature of interpersonal dependency and autonomy in old age, as well as their implications for health and wellbeing, may enable practitioners to assist older adults in negotiating the task of balancing these needs.
The role of coping humor in the physical and mental health of older adults
- Authors:
- MARZIALI Elsa, MCDONALD Lynn, DONAHUE Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(6), November 2008, pp.713-718.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study examined the associations among coping humour, other personal/social factors and the health status of community-dwelling older adults. Survey questionnaires were completed with 73 community-dwelling older adults. Included were measures of coping humour, spirituality, self-efficacy, social support and physical and mental health status. Correlations across all variables showed coping humour to be significantly associated with social support, self-efficacy, depression and anxiety. Forward stepwise regression analyses showed that coping humour and self-efficacy contributed to outcome variance in measures of mental health status. Contrary to expectation, neither social support nor spirituality contributed to the total outcome variance on any of the dependant measures. The importance of social support, self-efficacy and spirituality in determining the quality of life of older adults is well supported in the literature. Coping humour as a mechanism for managing the inevitable health stresses of aging has received less attention. This study shows that coping humour and self efficacy are important factors for explaining health status in older adults. Correlations among coping humour, self efficacy and social support suggest that a sense of humour may play an important role in reinforcing self-efficacious approaches to the management of health issues.
Group living homes for older people with dementia: the effects on psychological distress of informal caregivers
- Authors:
- te BOEKHORST Selma, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(6), November 2008, pp.761-768.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of group living care for people with dementia on the psychological distress of informal caregivers, compared with regular nursing home care. This study had a quasi-experimental design with two measurements. 67 primary informal caregivers in 19 group living homes and 99 primary informal caregivers in seven regular nursing homes in the Netherlands filled in a questionnaire upon admission (baseline measurement) of their relative and six months later (effect measurement). Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed on three outcomes of psychological distress - psychopathology, caregiving competence and caregiver burden. There were no significant differences in caregiver competence and caregiver burden between informal caregivers of residents in group living homes and those in regular nursing homes, although there was a trend towards less psychopathology in group living homes after adjustment for confounding. Informal caregivers of residents in group living homes do not have less psychological distress than informal caregivers of residents in regular nursing homes. Although there was a trend towards less psychopathology in informal caregivers of group living homes, the amount of symptoms remained very high in both caregiver groups. This means that the psychological well-being of caregivers deserves the continuing attention of health care providers, also after admittance of their relative in a nursing home facility.