Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Risk factors for suicide among older adults with cancer
- Authors:
- COLE Thomas B., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 18(7), 2014, pp.854-860.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: To determine whether the increased risk of suicide for individuals with cancer may be explained by functional limitations, lack of social support, or other factors.Method: In this population-based case-control study, interviews of primary informants for suicides in the state of North Carolina were compared to interviews with participants in the Piedmont Health Study of the Elderly to estimate adjusted odds ratios for suicide and self-reported, physician diagnosed cancer, heart attack, stroke, and hip fracture.Results: Adjusting for all other factors, there was a statistically significant association of suicide and cancer (odds ratio [OR] 2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] CI 1.84–3.73), but not heart attack, hip fracture, or stroke. The risk of suicide was also elevated for men vs. women (OR 17.15, CI 10.88–27.02), whites vs. blacks (OR 9.70, CI 6.07–15.50), and individuals with stressful life events (OR 2.75, CI 1.97–3.86) or limitations of instrumental (OR 2.93, CI 2.03–4.22) but not physical activities of daily living. Suicide cases were not more likely to be short of breath or poor sleep quality. Suicide was statistically significantly less likely for study participants who were married with spouse living vs. other (OR 0.61, CI 0.43–0.88) or who had one or more indicators of social support (OR 0.27, CI 0.19–0.39).Conclusion: After adjustment for other risk factors, suicide was strongly associated with cancer but not with other disabling, potentially fatal conditions. (Publisher abstract)
Older lesbian adults’ psychological well-being: the significance of pets
- Author:
- PUTNEY Jennifer M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 26(1), 2014, pp.1-17.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
There is an urgent need to understand more about how social support affects the mental health of older lesbian adults, who have been underrepresented in research to date and who bear a disproportionately high rate of psychological distress. A robust, yet controversial, body of literature suggests that pets are associated with human psychological well-being, and this is especially true for older adults. Through semistructured interviews, this qualitative study explored the perceived impact of companion animals on the psychological well-being of older lesbian adults. The present study advances the literature by identifying two intertwined aspects of human-animal interaction—framed as love and caregiving—that have potential implications for four specific dimensions of psychological well-being among a sample of 12 older lesbian adults. This article also identifies ways in which having an animal can be difficult, and concludes with implications for social work practice and future research. (Publisher abstract)
That's just life: older adult constructs of trauma
- Authors:
- HISKEY Syd, McPHERSON Susan
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 17(6), 2013, pp.689-696.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Researcher, clinical professional and lay understandings of the meaning of trauma may differ. An awareness of older people's perspectives on trauma may be important, given the potential for historical and cultural features to shape how the term is conceptualised among this group, thereby influencing related help-seeking behaviour. Older people living in Essex, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk were interviewed about their perceptions of the term, as was a group of mental health professionals who work with the elderly. Forty-two older adults (aged 67–91) took part in six focus groups (ranging from four to nine members). Twenty-eight were females, 14 were males, all were white British. Many older people regarded significant adversity as just part of life, with collectively understood methods of avoidance or limited support-seeking pointing to emotional management through non-disclosure. This position seemed further informed by views that disclosure may be self-indulgent, which is in stark contrast to the historical and cultural background in which many older people were raised. The professionals also suggested that some older people may be unused to expressing their emotions. The concept of trauma seems to be relative, with stigma and shame appearing to influence the way that responses to adversity are managed by this age group. It is concluded that focused history taking by clinicians may be needed to help elicit symptoms of trauma among elderly patients, while at the same time services might engage in a compassionate dialogue to encourage those suffering in silence to seek help. (Edited publisher abstract)
Promising practices useful in the design of an intergenerational program: ten assertions guiding program development
- Authors:
- BISHOP Jeffery D., MOXLEY David P.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 10(3), 2012, pp.183-204.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In the United States, practice in the field of aging is focusing on ‘ageing in place’, which itself incorporates a framework of positive aging, and can involve the community support of elders as ways to increase their quality of life and functioning. Undertaking qualitative developmental research for the purposes of designing a prototype intergenerational programme, this paper offers 10 assertions concerning promising practices. The authors undertook an analysis of 47 Web-based portrayals of intergenerational programmes and used Web-based documents that described those programmes to further illuminate promising practices. Using thematic analysis of program Web content, affinity coding, and dialogic interpretation the authors illuminated the programmes' salient properties and qualities, and formulated and refined their assertions about the distinctiveness of intergenerational programmes.
Does perceived burdensomeness erode meaning in life among older adults?
- Authors:
- ORDEN Kimberly A. van, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(7), September 2012, pp.855-860.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study tested hypotheses that role of perceptions that one is a burden on others is a risk factor for lower meaning in life. It investigated the associations between perceptions of burdensomeness on others and perceived meaning in life among 65 older adults seeking mental health treatment for depression or anxiety at an outpatient geriatric mental health clinic in the United States. Participants completed self-report questionnaires within a month following intake. Follow-up questionnaires were completed over the phone two months later. Results indicated that perceived burdensomeness predicted lack of meaning in life, while also accounting for depression severity. The authors concluded that burdensomeness may contribute to suicide morbidity and mortality in late-life by eroding meaning in life. Empirically supported treatments for late-life depression could be adapted to focus on perceptions of burdensomeness and its connections with meaning in life. Implications for practice are discussed.
Religiosity, authoritarianism, and attitudes toward psychotherapy in later life
- Authors:
- MCGOWAN Joseph C., MIDLARSKY Elizabeth
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(5), July 2012, pp.659-665.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study investigated whether religiosity in older adults was associated with attitudes toward psychotherapy when controlling for authoritarianism. Interviews were conducted with a sample of 307 community-residing older adults (164 Black and 142 White) aged 65-82. Questions explored their intrinsic religiosity, authoritarianism, and mental health help-seeking attitudes. Findings indicated that intrinsic religiosity was associated with stigma tolerance and interpersonal openness after controlling for authoritarianism. Religious older adults preferred to seek help in religious contexts, while the association of authoritarianism to less favourable psychotherapy attitudes toward psychotherapy could be explained by a fear of external perspectives. Overall, the findings reinforced the importance of including religiousness and authoritarianism in models of mental health help-seeking.
Effects of reminiscence interventions on psychosocial outcomes: a meta-analysis
- Authors:
- PINQUART Martin, FORSTMEIER Simon
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(5), July 2012, pp.541-558.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Reminiscence is defined as the process of thinking or telling someone about past experiences of personal significance. This review examined results from controlled trials of reminiscence interventions. Analyses were used to compare the results from 128 studies on 9 outcome variables. Findings revealed that, compared to non-specific changes in control-group members, moderate improvements were observed at post-test with regard to ego-integrity and depression. Small effects were found on purpose in life, death preparation, mastery, mental health symptoms, positive well-being, social integration, and cognitive performance. Most effects were maintained at follow-up. Larger improvements of depressive symptoms in depressed individuals was observed, and persons with chronic physical disease than in other individuals, and in those receiving life-review therapy rather than life-review or simple reminiscence. The authors concluded that reminiscence interventions affected a broad range of outcomes, and therapeutic and preventive effects were similar to those observed in other frequently used interventions.
Inequalities in old age: the impact of the recession on older people in Ireland, North and South
- Authors:
- PATSIOS Demi, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 13(1), 2012, pp.27-37.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This study investigated the consequences of the existing inequalities in older age in both Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI). Data was drawn from qualitative focus groups and analysis of existing data on social exclusion and poverty in NI and RoI. The analysis on publicly available data in the north and south of Ireland revealed few comparable measures on poverty and social exclusion. The study was, however, able to establish key pre- and intra-recession differences between older people in both areas. The qualitative analysis detailed the similarities and differences in the impact of the recession in north and south. In ending, the paper makes recommendations for improving data collection on measures which would allow policy makers and researchers to examine the current and future impact of the recession on the living standards and well-being of older people in Ireland.
Conceptualizing and assessing spirituality among Chinese elders: towards evidence-based practice
- Author:
- LOU Vivian W.Q.
- Journal article citation:
- Generations Review, 22(1), January 2012, Online only
- Publisher:
- British Society of Gerontology
Briefly reports on the findings of a research study to look at the meaning of spirituality among Chinese elders and identify how spirituality could contribute to wellbeing. Phase one involved conducting focus groups and indepth interviews in Hong Kong and Shanghai to discover the meaning of spirituality from the perspective of Chinese elders and those who had close relationships with them. Phase two was a Delphi study aiming to reach expertise consensus on the meaning of spirituality among Chinese elders. Phase three consisted of quantitative research to validate the Spirituality Scale for Chinese Elders (SSCE). Seven key components of spirituality, including spiritual well-being, meaning of life, transcendence, and relationships with self, family, people other than family members, and environment were identified.
Outcomes and well-being part 1: a comparative longitudinal study of two models of homecare delivery and their impact upon the older person self-reported subjective well-being
- Author:
- GETHIN-JONES Stephen
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 16(1), 2012, pp.22-30.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper investigated the impact of two models of home care delivery for older people, and how these two models impact on the older persons' self-reported well-being. It examined whether altering the delivery of care to an outcome-focused model would improve the individual participant's subjective well-being and save money for the local authority. An 18 month longitudinal study was conducted on 40 service users aged 65 and over whom all had critical and substantial care needs. Half of the sample of service users was receiving the new form of outcome-focused care and the other half were a comparison group who were receiving care packages according to the traditional form of delivery that could be characterised as a “task-focused” model. Participants identified: quality of life issues; where they were seeking improvement; and change over time in relation to these. Findings revealed an improvement in subjective well-being in the group receiving outcome-focused care. Implications for practice are discussed.