Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Anxiety and mortality risk in community-dwelling elderly people
- Authors:
- CARRIERE Isabelle, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 203(4), 2013, pp.303-309.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Using data from 718 men and 1046 women aged 65 years and over, this study evaluates the 10-year mortality risk associated with anxiety in community-dwelling elderly people. In women, mortality risk was increased for anxiety disorder and GAD in multivariate Cox models, whereas for phobia it was nearly significant. Anxiety trait symptoms became non-significant as a result of the confounding effect of depressive symptoms. Anxiety disorder was associated with cardiovascular mortality in univariate analysis. No significant associations were found in men. The study suggests a gender-specific association of anxiety and mortality. (Edited publisher abstract)
A prospective study of the relationship between feared consequences of falling and avoidance of activity in community-living older people
- Authors:
- YARDLEY Lucy, SMITH Helen
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 42(1), February 2002, pp.17-23.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article aims to identify the most common beliefs concerning the negative consequences of falling and determine whether these motivate avoidance of activity. A questionnaire assessing feared consequences of falling was completed by 224 community-living people aged older than 75. Beliefs about the consequences of falling were related to demographic characteristics, falling history, and avoidance of activity. The questionnaires were completed again by 166 participants 6 months later. Commonly feared consequences of falling were loss of functional independence and damage to identity. These fears were correlated with avoidance of activity (after adjusting for age, sex, and recent falling history) and predicted avoidance in activity 6 months later (after adjusting for baseline levels of avoidance). Concerns about damage to social identity, as well as functional incapacity, are common and may motivate avoidance of activity.
Trajectories of attachment in older age: interpersonal trauma and its consequences
- Authors:
- BACHEM Rahel, LEVIN Yafit, SOLOMON Zahava
- Journal article citation:
- Attachment and Human Development, 21(4), 2019, pp.352-371.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Previous studies suggest that attachment insecurities may increase after trauma exposure, an effect documented only at a group level. This study explores the heterogeneity of changes over time and examines the associations of the nature of the traumatic event (interpersonal and nonpersonal), and its consequences (posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and loneliness) with attachment trajectories. Two groups of Israeli veterans participated: 164 former prisoners-of-war and 185 combat veterans. Attachment was assessed at four points (1991–2015). Risk factors were evaluated in 1991. Using latent growth mixture modeling, trajectories of attachment insecurities were explored. Three avoidance trajectories (stability, decrease, inverse u-shaped) and two anxiety trajectories (stability, decrease) were identified. The inverse u-shaped avoidance trajectory was associated with captivity, humiliation, loneliness, and PTSD, and stable avoidance was associated with loneliness. Stable anxiety was associated with captivity and loneliness. Attachment insecurities can change during aging and persist decades after a trauma. Trauma-related risk factors are related to more deleterious trajectories. (Edited publisher abstract)
The correlates of anxiety among older adults in nursing homes and other residential aged care facilities: a systematic review
- Authors:
- CREIGHTON Alexandra S., DAVISON Tanya E., KISSANE David W.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 32(2), 2017, pp.141-154.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: To synthesize and summarize the studies examining the correlates and predictors of anxiety in older adults living in residential aged care. Methods: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, five electronic databases were searched using key terms and subject headings, as well as reference lists of relevant papers. The search was limited to peer-reviewed literature published in English. Eligible studies examined the association between at least one correlate/factor and anxiety disorders or symptoms in aged care residents aged 50+ years. Results: A total of 3741 articles were identified, of which 34 studies (with a total of 1 543 554 participants) were included in this review. Correlates associated with anxiety included pain, use of anti-depressants/lithium, depression, and lower perceived quality of life. Less consistent and/or less studied variables included younger age, female gender, higher educational level, functional dependence, subjective health status, more prescribed medications, impaired vision, insomnia, external locus of control, fear of falling, attachment, hope, meaning in life, and the influence of social, environmental, and staff/policy correlates. Conclusions: While several variables were found to have strong associations with anxiety in aged care residents, a number of factors have been examined by only one or two studies. Further research (preferably prospective studies) is therefore needed to reliably confirm findings and to help plan and develop preventative and intervention strategies. (Edited publisher abstract)
Psychological distress and its correlates in older care-dependent persons living at home
- Author:
- THYGESEN Elin
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 13(3), May 2009, pp.319-327.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study examined psychological distress in older people receiving home nursing care. The influence of risk factors and personal resources on their perceived psychological distress was also examined. Method: A linear regression analysis was applied in a cross-sectional sample of 214 patients aged 75 years and older. Psychological distress was measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The independent variables were sex, education, age, living arrangement, household composition, reported illnesses, Barthel ADL Index, self-rated health, Subjective Health Complaints, Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, Sense of Coherence and Revised Social Provision Scale. Of the 214 participants, 23 (10.7%) reported experiencing psychological distress using a cut-off point of 4 or more on a GHQ case score. Sense of coherence, education and subjective health complaints were the only factors that were significantly related to psychological distress in the multivariate analysis. The general level of psychological distress was low. Low psychological distress was related to an inner strength conceptualized as sense of coherence. Commonly reported risk factors such as sex, household composition and perceived social support, and objective measures of somatic and mental health and bodily dysfunctions were not related to psychological distress. Suggested reasons for this are greater acceptance of bodily and functional shortcomings and of changes related to goal achievement in old age, according to the model of selective optimization with compensation.
The relationship between generalized anxiety disorder, depression and mortality in old age
- Authors:
- HOLWERDA Tjalling J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22(3), March 2007, pp.241-249.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The association between depression and an increased risk of death in elderly persons has been established in both clinical and community studies. Co-occurrence of depression and generalized anxiety has been shown to represent more severe and more chronic psychopathology. However, little is known about the relation between generalized anxiety disorder, mixed anxiety-depression (generalized anxiety disorder and depression) and excess mortality in the elderly. The objective was to investigate whether generalized anxiety and mixed anxiety-depression are associated with mortality. Generalized anxiety disorder, mixed anxiety-depression and depression were assessed in 4051 older persons with a ten-year follow-up of community death registers. The mortality risk of generalized anxiety, depression and mixed anxiety-depression was calculated after adjustment for demographic variables, physical illness, functional disabilities and social vulnerability. In generalized anxiety disorder and mixed anxiety-depression no significant excess mortality was found. In depression a significant excess mortality was found in men but not in women after adjustment for the different variables. In elderly persons depression increases the risk of death in men. Neither generalized anxiety nor mixed anxiety-depression are associated with excess mortality. Generalized anxiety disorder may even predict less mortality in depressive elderly people. The relation between generalized anxiety disorder and its possibly protective effect on mortality has to be further explored.
Effect of comorbid anxiety on treatment response and relapse risk in late-life depression: controlled study
- Authors:
- ANDREESCU Carmen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 190(4), April 2007, pp.344-349.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Comorbid anxiety is common in depressive disorders in both middle and late life, and it affects response to antidepressant treatment. The aim was to examine whether anxiety symptoms predict acute and maintenance (2 years) treatment response in late-life depression. Data were drawn from a randomised double-blind study of pharmacotherapy and interpersonal psychotherapy for patients age 70 years and over with major depression. Anxiety symptoms were measured using the Brief Symptom Inventory. Survival analysis tested the effect of pre-treatment anxiety on response and recurrence. Patients with greater pretreatment anxiety took longer to respond to treatment and had higher rates of recurrence. Actuarial recurrence rates were 29% (pharmacotherapy, lower anxiety), 58% (pharmacotherapy, higher anxiety), 54% (placebo, lower anxiety) and 81% (placebo, higher anxiety). Improved identification and management of anxiety in late-life depression are needed to achieve response and stabilise recovery.
Anxiety and the risk of death in older men and women
- Authors:
- VAN HOUT Hein P., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 185(11), November 2004, pp.399-404.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
There are inconsistent reports as to whether people with anxiety disorders have a higher mortality risk. The aim was to determine whether anxiety disorders predict mortality in older men and women in the community. Longitudinal data were used from a large, community-based random sample (n=3107) of older men and women (55–85 years) in The Netherlands, with a follow-up period of 7.5 years. Anxiety disorders were assessed according to DSM–III criteria in a two-stage screening design. In men, the adjusted mortality risk was 1.78 (95% CI 1.01–3.13) in cases with diagnosed anxiety disorders at baseline. In women, no significant association was found with mortality. The study revealed a gender difference in the association between anxiety and mortality. For men, but not for women, an increased mortality risk was found for anxiety disorders.
When anxiety becomes a danger
- Author:
- HOPKINS Graham
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 16.5.02, 2002, pp.46-47.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
When an older woman became to anxious to carry out daily tasks, her house became very unhygienic and there was substantial risk to her health. Looks at the decisions taken to help her regain some confidence.
On becoming depressed or anxious in late life: similar vulnerability factors but different effects of stressful life events
- Authors:
- de BEURS Edwin, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 179, November 2001, pp.426-431.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This research aimed to delineate risk factors for the decline of mental health in older persons, compares risk profiles for developing symptoms of pure depression, pure anxiety and both anxiety and depression in a prospective design. Self-report data on depression and anxiety were collected from community-dwelling older respondents on two occasions, 3 years apart. After 3 years 9% of the subjects had scored beyond the thresholds for symptoms. Vulnerability for depression and anxiety was quite similar, but life events differed: onset of depression was predicted by death of a partner or other relatives; onset of anxiety was best predicted by having a partner who developed a major illness. No support for moderator effects between vulnerability factors and stress was found; the effects were purely additive. Concludes that depression and anxiety have many risk factors in common, but specific risk factors also were found, especially in subjects developing both depression and anxiety.