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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.
Does gender matter to promote mental health through community engagement among older adults?
- Authors:
- YEO Lyn Hui Wen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 26(1), 2022, pp.186-195.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Community engagement is critical for healthy aging. However, how gender plays a role in mental health promotion of late life is less understood. The study objectives were to examine the association between community engagement and mental health and the effect of gender on this association in older adults. Methods: A door-to-door interviewer-administered survey was conducted with 497 older adults in a public housing town in Singapore. The survey used measures of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Community Integration Measure (CIM), FRAIL Index, Lubben Social Network, and community participation. Multiple regressions were conducted for psychological distress and social dysfunction, assessed by GHQ-12. After testing the main effects, the moderating effects of gender were explored in the regression models. Results: None of the demographic characteristics, except gender, was associated with psychological distress; men reported poorer mental health than women. In regressions, female, community attachment (assessed by CIM), and participation were associated with decreased psychological distress; social networks and community participation were associated with decreased social dysfunction. Interaction effects of gender and community participation were found in psychological distress, not social dysfunction. The reduction of psychological distress by community engagement was higher among males than females. Conclusions: The findings suggest that, besides the importance of community engagement on mental health among older adults, greater efforts should be placed on the development of gender-tailored community interventions for older adults to maximize its benefits. (Edited publisher abstract)
Effect of gender and age in fear and stress due to COVID-19
- Authors:
- BISHT Ila Pant, BISHT Raj Kishor, SAGAR Priyanka
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 31(1-4), 2021, pp.70-76.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The entry of COVID-19 created an unprecedented environment of fear in society. Life during lockdown may have a significant effect on the mental and physical health of human beings. The present study aims to analyze the effect of gender and age group in deciding the level of fear and stress due to COVID-19. We conducted an online survey in the Uttarakhand state of India for the present study. Chi–square test of independence has been used for establishing dependency of various factors like fear/stress on gender and age group. We find that fear of COVID-19 is independent of gender as well as age group. Stress is independent of gender but depends on age group with elder people having less stress in comparison to young people. (Edited publisher abstract)
No country for old men? The role of a 'Gentlemen's Club' in promoting social engagement and psychological well-being in residential care
- Authors:
- GLEIBS Ilka, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 15(4), May 2011, pp.456-466.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
A common, negative, effect of residential care is social isolation. This is especially true of men, who are marginalised as a result of reduced numbers and greater difficulty in accessing effective support. This study investigated whether increased socialisation with others of the same gender enhances social identification, well-being, and cognitive ability. Nine UK based care home residents were invited to join gender-based groups. Five male groups and four female groups were examined, totalling 12 male and 14 female participants, who took part in fortnightly social activities. Social identification, personal identity strength, cognitive ability and well-being were measured at the commencement of the intervention and 12 weeks later. Findings revealed a clear gender effect. For women, there was evidence of maintained well-being and identification over time. For men, there was a significant reduction in depression and anxiety, and an increased sense of social identification with others. A reduction in well-being is normal in long-term residential care. However, new social memberships in the form of clubs can counteract this decline.
Pattern of participation in leisure activities among older people in relation to their health conditions and contextual factors: a survey in a Swedish urban area
- Authors:
- PAILLARD-BORG Stephanie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 29(5), July 2009, pp.803-821.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The objective of this study is to describe the pattern of participation in leisure activities in an older population in relation to contextual factors as well as to mental and physical health. A cohort of 1,623 participants aged 75 or older living in Stockholm, Sweden was asked to list all the leisure activities they were engaged in. These were successively organised into 31 major categories and further grouped into mental, social, physical, productive and recreational types. The pattern of participation was examined in relation to age, gender, contextual factors (education, social network) and health status (depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, dementia, somatic diseases and physical limitation). In spite of their advanced age, the majority of the population was active, as 70 per cent had participated in at least one activity. Reading (19%) was the most prevalent individual activity, and mental activities (43%) the most prevalent activity type. Older age, female gender, low education status, having a poor or limited social network, mental disorders, and physical limitation, were all factors correlated with a decreased engagement in ‘at least one activity’. Contextual factors and health-related factors were related to the five activity types in different ways. The pattern of participation in leisure activities is associated with multiple factors and their recognition is essential to the facilitation of an active lifestyle in the older population.
Mental disorders among the community-dwelling elderly in Dublin
- Authors:
- KIRBY M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 171, October 1997, pp.369-372.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Reports on a study to determine the prevalence of mental disorders among the community-dwelling elderly in the catchment area of a psychiatry service for the elderly in Dublin. Concludes that depression is the most common mental disorder among the elderly in Dublin. Found that the frequency of anxiety symptoms in the presentation of depression may be a factor in the under-diagnosis or misdiagnosis of depression in the community-dwelling elderly.
Experiences of ageism and the mental health of older adults
- Authors:
- LYONS Anthony, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 22(11), 2018, pp.1456-1464.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: This article examines relationships between experiences of ageism and four specific mental health outcomes among older Australian adults, including whether these relationships vary depending on age, gender, and sexual orientation. Methods: A survey was conducted nationwide involving 2137 participants aged 60 years and older. Mental health variables included depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, general stress, and positive mental health or flourishing. Results: Recent experiences of ageism were found to be strongly related to poorer mental health on all four mental health variables. However, experiences of ageism appeared to have a greater effect on the mental health of those who were younger in age (specifically depression), of men more so than women (specifically depression), and of those who identified as heterosexual as opposed to other sexual orientations (specifically general stress). Conclusion: These findings suggest that experiences of ageism may be an important factor in the health and well-being of older adults, especially for those who are younger, male, and heterosexual, and may need to be taken into account when devising strategies for supporting healthier and happier ageing. (Edited publisher abstract)
Unforgiveness, depression, and health in later life: the protective factor of forgivingness
- Authors:
- ERMER Ashley E., PROULX Christine M.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 20(10), 2016, pp.1021-1034.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Feeling unforgiven by others has been linked to poor health outcomes. The current study examined whether feeling unforgiven by others is associated with depression and self-rated health among older adults in the United States. The potential moderating roles of forgiving others and self-forgiveness in the association between unforgiveness and both depression and self-rated health was also assessed along with gender differences. Method: Data were drawn from a sample of 1009 adults in Wave 2 of the Religion, Aging, and Health Survey, a national sample of adults aged over 67. Depression was measured using the eight item short form from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. Self-rated health was assessed with a one-item indicator. Results: Analyses indicated that higher levels of self-forgiveness ameliorated the relationship between unforgiveness by others and depression for men and women and higher levels of forgiving others attenuated the association between unforgiveness by others and depression for women. Self-forgiveness was protective of depression for women who reported unforgiveness by others and low levels of forgiving others. Regardless of levels of self-forgiveness, men who were most likely to forgive others experienced a significant association between unforgiveness by others and depression. Neither forgiving others nor the self were significant moderators in the association between unforgiveness and self-rated health. Conclusion: Forgiving others and the self may be protective of well-being when women feel unforgiven by others. These findings have implications for forgiveness intervention programs and contribute to literature pertaining to forgiveness and health in later life. (Publisher abstract)
Health survey for England 2014: chapter 2 mental health problems
- Author:
- BRIDGES Sally
- Publisher:
- Health and Social Care Information Centre
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 17
- Place of publication:
- Leeds
This chapter presents findings from the Health Survey for England 2014, describing the prevalence of mental illness in the population, recent treatment and experience and the relationships between mental illness and other aspects of people’s lives and health. In 2014, 8,077 adults (aged 16 and over) and 2,003 children (aged 0-15) were interviewed and 5,491 adults and 1,249 children had a nurse visit. The findings show that more than half of women and more than a third of men reported ever having had a mental illness, and a third of women and almost a fifth of men reported ever having a diagnosed mental illness. In line with other research, mental illness was more prevalent in those from lower income backgrounds and deprived areas, highlighting the significant mental health inequalities that exist in society. Long term health conditions contribute to the excess premature mortality observed among those with mental illness, suggesting that the links between physical and mental health need to be fully recognised and explored so that people with multiple conditions receive the interdisciplinary treatment they need to lead full and healthy lives. Furthermore, the chapter suggests that integrating mental health services and interventions with services offered to those with long term physical conditions may help to tackle some of the comorbidity observed in the population. (Edited publisher abstract)
Gender-specific changes in well-being in older people with coronary heart disease: evidence from the English longitudinal study of ageing
- Authors:
- ZANINOTTO Paola, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 20(4), 2016, pp.432-440.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate gender-specific trajectories in well-being among older people with coronary heart disease (CHD) and to compare them with those of healthy people. Method: The study included a sample of 4496 participants from the first three waves of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (2002–2003 to 2006–2007). The authors measured well-being using quality of life (CASP-19; ‘control’, ‘autonomy’, ‘pleasure’ and ‘self-realization’) and depressive caseness (three or more symptoms on the CESD-8; Centre for Epidemiologic Study Depression scale). Results: After adjustment, at two– and four–years follow-ups, women had three points higher quality of life than men (p < 0.001). When looking at each quality of life's domain we found that women reported higher scores of autonomy compared to men. The gender difference in the probability of having depressive caseness reduced to 7 percentage points at four-year follow-up from 13 percentage points in the previous occasions. Men's quality of life declined progressively over time by 3 points (p < 0.001) (equivalent to the effect of having diabetes) but no changes in prevalence of depressive caseness were found. Women's quality of life only declined after four-year follow-up by less than 2 points (p < 0.001), while in the same period their probability of reporting depressive caseness reduced by 6 percentage points (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Women had better quality of life than men in the two and four years following a CHD event, and were not more likely than men to report depressive caseness in the long term. Men's quality of life deteriorated progressively over time, among women it did not deteriorate in the first two years following a CHD event; women had a long-term improvement in depressive caseness. (Edited publisher abstract)