Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 24
Age moderates perceived COVID-19 disruption on well-being
- Authors:
- CARNEY Amy Knepple, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 61(1), 2021, pp.30-35.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: It is not fully understood how large-scale events affect well-being. Older adults showed the highest levels of resilience following the September 11th (9/11) terrorist attacks, but during the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak, there were no age-related differences in well-being. The current study examined the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) disruption on well-being throughout adulthood. Research Design and Methods: Perceived stress and affect were examined in 166 community-dwelling adults (Mage = 35.65; SD = 15.53; range = 18–79) in relation to the perceived disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic to their lives. Results: A significant moderation was found for age and COVID-19 disruption on perceived stress [F(5, 153) = 8.88, p < .05, R2 = .22] and negative affect [F(5, 154) = 4.91, p < .05, R2 = .14], but not for positive affect. For participants over 50, those who rated COVID-19 as a low or high disruption had similar scores on stress and negative affect, but with younger aged participants, perceiving high disruption corresponded with higher levels of stress and negative affect. Discussion and Implications: Findings are consistent with the strength and vulnerability integration (SAVI) model, wherein older adults try to maintain positive emotional well-being, with middle-aged and older adults in the current study having experienced less negative impact on well-being. Middle-aged and older adults may be better able to regulate negative emotions from COVID-19 than younger adults. SAVI proposes a greater negative impact on older adults when they experience sustained stressors; as the challenges with COVID-19 continue, further data will need to be examined. (Edited publisher abstract)
Age differences in stress, life changes, and social ties during the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for psychological well-being
- Authors:
- BIRDITT Kira S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 61(2), 2021, pp.205-216.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: Experiences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its implications for psychological well-being may vary widely across the adult life span. The present study examined age differences in pandemic-related stress and social ties, and links with psychological well-being. Research Design and Methods: Participants included 645 adults (43% women) aged 18–97 (M = 50.8; SD = 17.7) from the May 2020 nationally representative Survey of Consumers. Participants reported the extent to which they felt stress related to the pandemic in the last month, the extent to which their lives had changed due to the pandemic, as well as social isolation, negative relationship quality, positive relationship quality, and frequency of depression, anxiety, and rumination in the past week. Results: Results showed that older people reported less pandemic-related stress, less life change, less social isolation, and lower negative relationship quality than younger people. Greater pandemic-related stress, life change, social isolation, and negative relationship quality were associated with poorer psychological well-being. Poorer social ties (i.e., greater social isolation and negative quality) exacerbated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (stress, life change) on psychological well-being. Discussion and Implications: Researchers have indicated that older adults may be more vulnerable to COVID-19 pandemic-related stress and social isolation, but this study indicates that young adults may be relatively more vulnerable. Because isolation and negative relationship quality appear to exacerbate the deleterious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological well-being, reducing social isolation and negative relations are potential targets for intervention. (Edited publisher abstract)
Daily well-being benefits of physical activity in older adults: does time or type matter?
- Authors:
- WHITEHEAD Brenda R., BLAXTON Jessica M.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 57(6), 2017, pp.1062-1071.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: There is little debate that maintaining some level of physical activity in later life conveys positive benefits both physically and psychologically. What is less understood is the extent to which the type of activity or the length of time spent doing it matters when it comes to these benefits on the daily level. Here, the authors investigated (a) whether the presence of daily purposeful exercise (Exercise) or non-exercise physical activity (Activity) is sufficient for experiencing day-level benefits, or if time spent matters, and (b) whether there are differential well-being benefits of Exercise and Activity on the daily level. Design and Methods: Older adults (N = 127; aged 60–95, Mage = 79.4) filled out surveys for 14 days, reporting daily Exercise and Activity behaviours as well as Positive and Negative Affect (PA/NA), Perceived Stress (PS), Perceived Health (PH), and Sleep Quality (SQ). Results: Multilevel regression models showed that for purposeful exercise, more time spent was beneficial for PA, NA, and PH, but for PS, only the presence of exercise was important (time did not matter). For non-exercise activity, time did not have as great an influence as presence—doing any form of activity was beneficial for both PA and SQ. Exercise and Activity had largely independent (additive) effects. Implications: Results reveal that both purposeful exercise and non-exercise activity convey independent daily well-being benefits, and that for some aspects of daily well-being, duration does matter. Findings can be applied in the development of physical activity education or engagement programmes for older adults. (Publisher abstract)
Psychological and social resources relate to biomarkers of allostasis in newly admitted nursing home residents
- Authors:
- MEEKS Suzanne, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 20(1), 2016, pp.88-99.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: This paper presents preliminary baseline data from a prospective study of nursing home adaptation that attempts to capture the complexity of residents' adaptive resources by examining psychological, social, and biological variables from a longitudinal conceptual framework. The authors emphasis was on validating an index of allostasis. Method: In a sample of 26 long-term care patients, the authors measured 6 hormone and protein biomarkers to capture the concept of allostasis as an index of physiological resilience, related to other baseline resources, including frailty, hope and optimism, social support, and mental health history, collected via interview with the resident and collaterals. The authors also examined the performance of self-report measures reflecting psychosocial and well-being constructs, given the prevalence of cognitive impairment in nursing homes. Results: The results supported both the psychometric stability of our self-report measures, and the preliminary validity of our index of allostasis. Each biomarker was associated with at least one other resilience resource, suggesting that our choice of biomarkers was appropriate. As a group, the biomarkers showed good correspondence with the majority of other resource variables, and our standardised summation score was also associated with physical, social, and psychological resilience resources, including those reflecting physical and mental health vulnerability as well as positive resources of social support, optimism, and hope. Conclusion: Although these results are based on a small sample, the effect sizes were large enough to confer some confidence in the value of pursuing further research relating biomarkers of allostasis to psychological and physical resources and well-being. (Edited publisher abstract)
Age differences in stressors, coping resources, and general well-being among Korean immigrants
- Authors:
- WOO Hyeyoung, LEE Kyoung Hag, HONG Young Joon
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 40(4), 2014, pp.415-428.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study explored 346 Korean immigrants living in California to examine: a) differences in stressors, coping resources, and general well-being (anxiety, depression, positive well-being, self-control, vitality, and general health) between younger (18–64 years old) and older (65–96 years old) Korean immigrants; and b) differences in associations of stressors and coping resources with general well-being in the 2 groups. Results revealed that the older immigrants experienced higher levels of socioeconomic stressors and psychological/physical problems. In addition, English-language problems, low education, and financial difficulties were more consistently associated with lower levels of general well-being in the older immigrants than in the younger immigrants. Social support, religious practice, and spiritual coping were more likely to alleviate the detrimental consequences of stressors on general well-being in the older immigrants than in the younger immigrants. To improve the general well-being of older Korean immigrants, the results suggest: a) emphasis of social and health care services with bilingual capability; b) improved social support systems; and c) utilization of spiritual assessments and interventions. Future research should extend the current study with longitudinal data of a more generalizable sample of Korean immigrants. (Publisher abstract)
The psychological wellbeing of supporters of the demented elderly
- Authors:
- EAGLES J.M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 150, March 1987, pp.293-298.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Reports on a survey, using the General Health Questionnaire and Relatives Stress Scale.
Older adult caregivers of their spouses with acquired late-life disability: examining the effectiveness of an internet-based meditation program in mitigating stress and promoting wellbeing
- Author:
- PANDYA Samta P.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 18(1), 2020, pp.12-38.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article reports a study examining the impact of an internet-based meditation program in mitigating stress and promoting wellbeing among older adult caregivers of their spouses with acquired late-life disability in Central Europe and South Asia compared to leisure. Posttest (T2) the meditation cohort exhibited lower caregiver burden and psychological distress, improved responses to care challenges, and greater wellbeing compared to the leisure group. South Asians, women, middle class, college educated, whose spouses had locomotor and sensory disabilities and lived as a couple alone, reported lesser caregiving burden, improved responses to care challenges, lesser distress and greater wellbeing at T2. Meditation lessons attended and self-practice mediated the relationship between demographic predictors and outcomes and self-practice had the largest positive impact. Meditation influenced certain aspects of caregiver wellbeing more such as self-care and certain specific aspects of wellbeing. Internet-based caregiver interventions are evidence as useful for social work with older caregivers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Support workers in community mental health teams for older people: exploring sources of satisfaction and stress
- Authors:
- JASPER Rowan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Long-Term Care, September 2019, pp.111-118. Online only
- Publisher:
- King's College London
- Place of publication:
- London
Context: Support workers play an essential role in multidisciplinary community mental health teams for older people (CMHTsOP) in England. However, little is known about how they perceive their role or the impact this has on their levels of stress, wellbeing and job satisfaction. Objectives: To compare CMHTsOP support workers’ perceptions of the psychosocial characteristics of their work with those of registered CMHTsOP practitioners. Methods: A postal survey of CMHTsOP staff in nine mental health trusts. Information was collected about job demands, controls and support using the Job Content Questionnaire. Additional data was collected on other psychosocial features of CMHTsOP working using job satisfaction and intention-to-quit measures and a set of bespoke statements which were supplemented by a subset from the Occupational Stress Indicator. Findings: Responses were received from 43 support workers and 166 registered practitioners. Support workers reported significantly lower job demands and better co-worker support than registered practitioners. They were also significantly more satisfied with their jobs and more likely to believe that their skills and strengths were used appropriately. The majority of both groups were positive about their team’s climate and their value and identity within it. Limitations: Although the study explored the psychosocial characteristics of work that contribute to wellbeing, it did not directly measure stress. Implications: Given the growing number of CMHTsOP support workers and their diverse roles, future research might usefully explore the specific tasks which contribute most to individual satisfaction and wellbeing. (Edited publisher abstract)
Brain health and mental well-being: GCBH recommendations on feeling good and functioning well
- Author:
- GLOBAL COUNCIL ON BRAIN HEALTH
- Publisher:
- Global Council on Brain Health
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 34
- Place of publication:
- Washington, DC
This report from the Global Council on Brain Health aims to provide a greater understanding of the relationship between mental well-being and brain health and provide practical recommendations to help people optimise their mental well-being as they age. It summarises the consensus reached by scientists, health professionals, scholars, and policy experts and describes the major points of discussion that led to their recommendations for men and women age 50 and older. The evidence presented shows that feeling good, functioning well and being able cope with life’s challenges are all related to better brain health as we age. Based on the evidence the Global Council on Brain Health state that: greater mental wellbeing is associated with reduced risk of dementia; it is possible to improve your sense of mental well-being, regardless of age or physical condition; and that relating well to others and having good emotional control are key to mental wellbeing. The findings are also supported by the results of a survey of American adults age 18 and older about their perceptions of their own mental well-being and brain health and the ways adults coped with their life stresses. (Edited publisher abstract)
Managing emotional and psychological distress in older people
- Author:
- CHAPMAN Felicity
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 22(4), 2018, pp.234-242.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Much has been written about helping those with dementia. But what about those for whom distress is not primarily related to a neurological cause and there is no psychiatric history? The purpose of this paper is to offer a guide for allied health professionals and family carers to manage distress in older people who are able to engage in language based communication and who are experiencing significant change or loss. Design/methodology/approach: This practice informed paper draws on the authors’ extensive experience working as a mental health social worker who specializes in work with older people in the community and in care, with family carers and in educating allied health professionals on how to manage presentations of distress in older people. Findings: Three foundational management strategies are discussed: understand the reason for distress, implement the C.A.R.E. Plan and maximize comfort in exploration and referral. Research limitations/implications: This viewpoint piece has not been substantiated through research and does not reflect training in the field of clinical geropsychology. Originality/value: The ideas in this paper are original and are practical solutions to common problems that can be faced by workers or family in close contact with older people. The information can be applied immediately to whatever setting is relevant for the reader and is written in easy to understand language. Furthermore, its aim is not only to increase skill and confidence for the reader but also to promote the emotional and psychological wellbeing of older people. (Publisher abstract)