CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Milosh M. Raykov, PhD, University of Toronto, OISE, Toronto, ON, M5S 1 V6; milosh. raykov@utoronto.ca Predictors for specific stress responses (BPS anger, guilt and pressure) were the same and in the same direction. In addition, co-worker social support predicted stress responses of guilt (β= −.19, p=.04) and anger (β=−.19, p=.04). The total variance explained by these predictors in nurses' stress responses ranged from 15 to 27%. Some professional variables (night shift work and daily work load) and family variables (number of children at home) were also significant predictors of reported stress (variance explained ranging from 4 to 8%). Findings support the high incidence of distress in Portuguese nurses reported in other studies. Furthermore, the data points to the need to consider the family-home spill over in occupational health intervention programs. Coping resources and co-worker social support constitute key variables in reducing work stress among this population. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relative contribution of individual characteristics, lifestyle factors, work-related risk factors, and work ability on the occurrence of short (<2 weeks), moderate (2-12 weeks), and long (>12 weeks) durations of sickness absence. METHODS: Altogether 5867 cement construction workers with complete sick leave registration were followed from the day of their medical examination in 2007 until the end of 2009. The main outcome of the study was the duration of sickness absence, as registered by an occupational health service. Independent variables consisted of individual characteristics, lifestyle factors, workrelated factors, and the work ability index. We used Poisson regression analyses with repeated occurrence of sick leave to calculate rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals of independent variables for the three categories of sick leave duration. RESULTS: Predictors for sick leave lasting 2-12 weeks and >12 weeks were: older age, obesity, smoking, manual materials handling, lack of job control, lung restriction, and a less than excellent work ability. For most predictors, higher RR values were observed with a longer duration of sickness absence. Obesity, smoking, manual materials handling, and lack of job control remained important risk factors for moderate and long durations of sick leave after adjusting for the strong effects of work ability on sickness absence. The highest population-attributable fractions were observed for: age over 50 years (18%), manual materials handling (20%), and good (18%), moderate (28%), and poor (2%) work ability. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a variety of preventive measures targeted at smoking, obesity, physical load, psychosocial work factors as well as work ability will contribute to a reduction in the occurrence of sick leave. Background: Women generally show higher frequencies of DSM IV symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety than men. Yet, widowers have relatively higher excess mortality rate after the loss than widows compared to non-bereaved counterparts. When nonbereaved controls are not taken into account, widowers and widows show similar frequencies of symptoms and gender differences in coping with spousal bereavement appear to be relatively stable across previous studies. Objectives: The aim was to investigate the importance of gender in relationship to other risk factors for poor bereavement outcome, using an integrative framework to enable the relative impact of different variables to be established. Methods: 296 elderly bereaved people (Mean=73 years, 38% men) were examined at 2, 6, 13, and 18 months post loss using self-report scales measuring posttraumatic stress, coping style, crisis support, and personality factors. Results: A selection of major risk factors was entered into a hierarchical linear regression. The model predicted 49% of the variance in long-term traumatic stress (18 months). When conducted for widows and widowers separately, the predictive power of the model rose to 62% for the widows and 58% for the widowers. For the widows, emotional coping, emotional loneliness, and satisfaction with social support predicted 62% of the variance. When early traumatic distress (2 months) was entered at the last step of the model, the predictive power of the model remained unchanged. For the widowers, sense of peace and satisfaction with social support predicted 40% of the variance in long-term traumatic distress. When early distress was entered, the predictive power of the model rose to 58%. Conclusion: Stable, interpersonal traits such as emotional coping style may predict bereavement outcome well for widows, while strong early distress may be a better predictor for widowers. Frequently, widowers are excluded or combined with widows in research. These results indicate that false conclusions will be reached, particularly regarding widower's reactions, if this is done. Age-related subclinical brain pathology is associated with poor health outcomes, though relations with health related quality of life (HRQoL) are poorly understood. This study investigated sex differences in relations of subclinical cerebrovascular disease (SCD), brain atrophy (BA) and HRQoL in 154 healthy older adults (50.6% male; mean age=66 years) free of major medical, neurologic, and psychiatric disease. Participants completed the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) and underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) rated by a neuroradiologist for markers of SCD (i.e. periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities, number of silent infarcts) and BA (i.e. ventricular enlargement, sulcal widening). We create two rank-sum variables (SCD, BA) to serve as primary predictor variables. Multiple regression analyses (adjusted for age, race, education, blood pressure, body mass index, smoking, and Beck Depression Inventory scores) examined the interaction of sex with SCD and BA on HRQoL. Results revealed that for women, SCD was negatively related to the Mental Component Score of the SF-36 (MCS; rsq=−.09, b=−4.26, p=.02). For men, BA was negatively related to the Physical Component Score of the SF-36 (PCS; rsq=.06, b=−1.58, p=.04). Results suggest that deleterious changes in brain structure (particularly SCD) are related to poorer outcomes in mental health dimensions of older women's quality of life. Conversely, in men, brain atrophy relates to poorer physical function. Thus, there are sex differences in the relations of subclinical brain pathology to HRQoL in older adults. OBJECTIVES: Objective of this study was to investigate relationship between self-reported functional disabilities and measured physical performance among aged homecare clients DESIGN: Baseline measurement of a physical performance intervention SETTING: Health centers in six semi-urban and rural municipalities in Finland PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and seventy-one aged (>mean age 82 yrs.) home care clients MEASUREMENTS: Functional balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), physical performance by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the 10-meter walking time test, the hand grip strength test and self-reported disability in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) by Euro-Reves. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between the number of functional limitations and the measured performance status. Self reported disabilities were strongly related to the measures of physical performance and in the hierarchical regression model these variables explained 40% of the variance of the functional limitations CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported difficulties in the ADL and IADL activities were in line with previous studies indicating that the progression of physical disability follows a hierarchical pattern, starting with difficulties in mobility, progressing to difficulties with IADLs, and, finally, culminating in problems with ADLs. A threshold of physical performance on/above which people seem to report no/minimal disability was found. However, even a high performance status does not entirely protect a person from having multiple disabilities. Present study indicated that physical performance measures are independent predictors of functional disability and therefore interventions should directly address factors associated with physical performance in order to enhance autonomy of aged persons. Background: Frailty is a geriatric concept that represents a lack of reserve functional capacity in older people. It has practical clinical implications because it constitutes a state of health that is still modifiable but is on the threshold to chronic irreversible health problems. In this study we analysed the development of frailty over a ten-year follow-up period in older Dutch men and women from different socioeconomic groups. Methods: Data came from a nationally representative cohort of 1,509 men and women aged 55-85 years. Frailty was measured with the following markers: physical activity, and grip strength, BMI, cognitive functioning, vision and hearing problems. A maximum of 4 observations of the degree of frailty were acquired over a ten-year follow-up period. Indicators of socioeconomic position were education level and household income. We conducted several types of linear mixed model analyses to assess socioeconomic inequalities in the development of frailty, including complete case analyses, and with frailty imputed for those who died during follow-up. Results: Adjusted for age, sex, and a partner being present inside the house or not, primary educated had higher odds of developing frailty than tertiary educated men and women (OR=1.76; 95%CI: 1.05-2.97), and the lowest income groups had a higher odds than the highest income groups (OR=1.90; 95%CI: 1.20-3.02). Interactions of education and income with time of frailty measurement suggested that the association of education and income with frailty increased during follow-up. Analyses with imputations for missing observations due to deaths yielded similar results. Conclusion: Having a high socioeconomic position is still protective against one of the core geriatric health problems; frailty. This suggests that differences in vulnerability late in life may account for socioeconomic inequalities in health at even later stages of life, but also that reversing these inequalities is partly feasible. The purpose of this study is to assess cognitive function in a random population undergoing regular eye exams at a Family Practice Eye Service. The goal of the study is to identify individuals at risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in order to help develop early treatment for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and other mental disorders. Study aims:1) To determine the predictors of mild cognitive impairments in older adults of diverse background attending a Family Practice Eye Service; 2) To evaluate ethnic group variations; and 3) To evaluate a standardized computerized screening battery to detect mild cognitive impairment on a random sample of older adults. Study Hypothesis: A great number of elderly patients attending a community Eye Clinic will present significant Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) as measured by the Stroop Test, Reaction Time Test (RTT), Shifting Attention Test (SAT), and Continuous Performance Test (CPT) from the CNS Vital Sign Computerized Battery Neuropsychological Assessment. Study Design: Feasibility study and cross-sectional. Outcomes: Demographical, cognitive, mood and visual assessments (one time; cross-sectional). Statistical Plan: Descriptive statistics (proportion, range, means, and SDs), correlations, test of mean differences. Results: Hypothesis is supported by cognitive assessment analysis of 143 research participants. These results support that 55% of the older adults attending the community Eye Clinic showed at least one abnormal score in one of the cognitive tests, indicative of mild cognitive impairment or cognitive impairment. Further data and results will be discussed. Little is known about the long-term effects of group intervention programs targeting physical exercise. This paper reports on the effectiveness of MoVo-LISA, a theory-based (MoVo-concept) standardized intervention program. Participants are taught cognitive-behavioral strategies of goal-setting, action planning, barrier management and self-monitoring. Methods: N=220 in-patients of an orthopedic rehabilitation clinic were assigned (quasi-experimental design) to the control group (usual care) or the intervention group. Assessments were conducted at five time points. Results: At 12 month follow-up, level of exercise in the intervention group was 28.5 min/week higher than in the UCG (p=.05). Moreover, 50% of the IG was exercising for at least 60 min/week, but only 33% of the UCG (p=.01). Results also revealed significant intervention effects on cognitive mediator variables: the IG reported enhanced self-efficacy and more positive balance of outcome expectations at six months as well as stronger goal intentions, more elaborated implementation intentions, and optimized strategies of intention shielding at 12 months follow-up. Conclusions: Results provide evidence that intervention programs based on the MoVo concept lead to long-term improvement in exercise behavior and underlying cognitive factors. Aim of study: This community-based exploratory study investigated the results of supervised low technology training on function, physical activity, and falls in older people with functional limitations. Methods: Home-dwelling people from four municipalities (n= 123, age 75-95 yrs) were included. Supervised balance and strength training was performed at home for 16 weeks. External load was 65% of 1RM. The instructors used the principles of positive reinforcement to enhance motivation for regular physical activity. After the 16 weeks contact was established between volunteer instructors and participants who wanted to continue exercising. Assessments were performed by health professionals who did not train the participants. Function (static balance (SPPB) and Senior Fitness test) was assessed at baseline and after 16, 32 and 52 weeks. Self reported data were collected at baseline and after 52 weeks. Results: At baseline 86% used walking aid, 89% had balance problems and 62 % had fallen during the previous year, and 3% met the physical activity recommendations. Seventy-six % completed the intervention. Those who were able to rise from a chair without using the arms (83%) improved in static balance, 30 s-chair-stand, 30 s-arm-curl and 8-feet-Up&Go on average 16%, 50%, 34% and 16%, respectively (p<0.001). Improvements were preserved at 52 weeks except for the 30 s-chair-stand, but these results were better compared to baseline (p<0.01). No changes were found in participants who needed the arms to rise from a chair, and drop out was high in this group (60%). At 52 weeks the participants were more physically active with 55% exercising in groups or with an exercise-friend (p<0.0001). Objectives: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is among the most common causes of brain damage in the United States and results in the disturbance of cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and physical functioning that leads to functional impairments, disability, and decreased quality of life. However, there are very few studies to date that have sought to determine the relationship between objective functional status evaluations and subjective QoL measures in individuals after TBI. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between functional status and QoL over time controlling for demographics and injury severity after severe TBI. Methods: This prospective study used longitudinal data collected from patient questionnaires and from medical records of subjects with severe TBI (N=46). In addition to demographic and injury related data, patient functional status was measured by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), Disability Rating Scale (DRS) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Patient QoL was evaluated using the Modified Perceived QoL questionnaire. Data was collected regarding 6 month and 12 month for both functional status and QoL. The baseline QoL was recalled by patients after TBI. A mixed effects model for repeated measures was performed to examine the relationship between each measure of functional status and QoL overall in patients 6 and 12 months after TBI while controlling for age, gender, injury severity and QoL at baseline respectively. Results: Overall, QoL measure significantly improved over time (P<0.05). Baseline overall QoL and GOS were both significantly and positively correlated with the overall post-TBI trajectory QoL score (P<0.01). DRS was significantly and inversely associated with overall post-TBI trajectory QoL score (P<0.01). There is no relationship between FIM and overall post-TBI trajectory QoL score (P>0.10). Age, gender and injury severity were not significantly related with overall post-TBI QoL scores (P>0.05). Conclusions: As a subjective measure of TBI outcome, the QoL of patients after TBI continues to improve over time. Baseline QoL before TBI and objective global function measures (GOS and DRS) are strongly associated with long term QoL for TBI patients. For frail elderly persons, exercise is essential to preserve functional fitness and quality of life (QOL). Municipalities in Japan offer elderly persons interventions consisting of groupbased exercise sessions and behavioral counseling; however, for a variety of reasons, many individuals do not participate in the interventions. Some are physically frail, some have limited means of transportation and others are self-conscious about exercising with friends. Therefore, it is important to confirm the effect of low-frequency exercise participation compared with that of highfrequency. Thirty-nine participants, aged 67-85 years, participated in this study. All were identified as frail elderly persons according to the criteria of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan. The participants were divided into two groups that were assigned to different intervention schedules. The high-frequency group (n= 14; 68-83 years) met 12 times over a 3-month period, while the low-frequency group (n=25; 67-85 years) met 6 times over a 3month period. Each 90-minute session consisted of group-based exercises and behavioral counseling. The exercises, which the participants were encouraged to practice daily at home, included 4 stretching and 6 strengthening exercises. To encourage exercise, 6 behavioral counseling sessions were offered in which illustrated stories or four-panel cartoons were used. After 3 months, members of both groups showed significant improvement in functional fitness as well as in 5 of 8 dimensions of QOL measured by the SF-36. Improvement in the social dimension of QOL was significantly higher in the high-frequency group than in the lowfrequency group. Thus, both low-and high-frequency interventions offer significant positive effects for frail elderly persons. If elderly individuals need a great amount of socialization, a highfrequency intervention is recommended. Although physical activity (PA) provides multiple benefits for breast cancer survivors (BCS), most do not exercise regularly. Identifying mediators of PA maintenance is important for assisting BCS in adopting sustainable PA behavior change. Because we have reported continued improvements in PA 3 months after completing a PA behavior change intervention for BCS, our study aim was to determine if the change in social cognitive theory (SCT) constructs during the intervention mediated the effect of our intervention on PA. We randomized 41 BCS to receive a SCTbased 3-month PA behavior change intervention (INT; n=21) or usual care (UC; n=20). The INT group received 12 supervised aerobic exercise sessions tapered to home-based exercise. Behavioral support was provided in 6 discussion groups and 3 individual face-to-face counseling sessions. The UC group received written materials. PA (i.e., accelerometer) and SCT constructs (i.e., survey) were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention (i.e., 3 months), and 3 months post-intervention (i.e., 6 months). The mediation of the intervention effect on PA at 6 months by changes in SCT constructs from baseline to 3 months was examined using the Freedman and Schatzkin approach. Compared to UC, the INT group reported improved barriers interference (mean difference=−7.8; 95% CI=−15.1 to -.4; d=−.67; p=.04) and PA enjoyment (mean difference=.7; 95% CI=0 to 1.5; d=.61; p =.06). Barriers self-efficacy d was .28 (p =.38). Barriers interference and self-efficacy mediated 39% (p=.004) and 19% (p=.02) of the intervention effect on sustained adherence, respectively. In conclusion, only barrier interference and barriers self-efficacy significantly mediated the effect of the intervention on PA 3 months after intervention completion. The increase in enjoyment did not explain sustained PA improvement. Our results suggest that reducing barriers may partially explain the ability of our intervention to demonstrate longer term PA adherence. Treating pediatric obesity is essential to reduce adult morbidity and mortality and improve the health of obese youth. We report 6month nutrition data from a 2-year multidisciplinary weight management program for obese adolescents, the T.E.E.N.S. Program (N=173 at baseline, N=66 at 6 months). At baseline, participants were 76% African American, 65% female, with a mean age of 13.7. Mean BMI percentile was 99.1 (mean BMI z-score=2.5) at baseline. Repeated measures MANOVAs were used to examine differences from baseline (T1) to 6-month (T2) followup on a 24-hour dietary recall measure. Changes in anthropometrics and blood lipid parameters were also evaluated. At 6months, participants significantly reduced their intake of calories, fat, sodium, and sugar (p<.05); no changes in calcium or fiber intake were found (p>.05). Gender stratified models showed that boys had greater increases in fruit and vegetable and vitamin D intake compared to girls (p<.05). Significant improvements in body mass index and lipid profiles were found in the total sample (p<.05). Multiple regression analysis suggested that caloric reduction from baseline to 6-month was associated with decreases in BMI z-score (β=−0.11, p<.05). However, when parental compliance with nutrition visits was included in the regression, change in calories was no longer significant. Parental compliance became the only significant predictor of 6-month BMI z-score, while controlling for baseline BMI z-score (β=−0.16, p<.01). Findings suggest that promoting intake of essential nutrients may be more challenging than reducing excessive intake. Additional gender specific strategies for dietary modification may be warranted. Further, increased parental participation in adolescent weight management programs is also recommended to enhance weight loss. Regular physical activity (PA) is a challenge for obese persons. It is even more challenging for obese persons with either depression or pain, but the impact of these conditions may differ. The present study examined the effects of depression and pain on perception of barriers to PA, confidence about engaging in PA, and current weekly PA in a group of overweight/obese male veterans. Study participants completed the Barriers to Being Active Quiz, Exercise Self-efficacy Scale, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The study sample included 101 male Veterans with BMI≥25. The mean age was 61.2 years. Of the sample, 62.4 % reported a painful medical condition (i.e., either arthritic joint pain or back pain) and 48.5% reported a clinically significant Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression score≥15. Reporting a pain condition was marginally associated with depression (p=.064). Of the study sample, 85.9% reported weekly PA, ranging from walking to vigorous activity. Amount of activity was brief; only 27.7% reported PA≥1 hour. Two factor ANOVAs assessed the contributions of both pain and depression on barriers to PA and exercise self-efficacy. Results revealed a main effect for depression on three of seven perceived barriers to PA: lack of energy, motivation, and skill level. In contrast, a main effect for pain was revealed for one barrier, fear of injury, as well as for exercise selfefficacy (p's<.05). Veterans with pain (but not depression) were less likely to report engaging in weekly PA (X2=4.0, p<.05). Results suggest that although frequently comorbid in obese Veterans, depression and pain are associated with different perceived PA challenges. Depressed Veterans are more likely to report energy and motivational barriers to PA, while Veterans with pain are specifically concerned about hurting themselves during exercise and are less confident that they could actually engage in exercise under challenging conditions. In turn, veterans with pain are less likely to engage in any weekly activity. Aim: We examined whether experience of health care discrimination was associated with weight gain in normal weight, moderate obese and severe obese individuals. Methods: Men and women with normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), moderate obesity (BMI 30-34.9) and severe obesity (BMI>35) were identified from a yearly population based national survey investigating living conditions. Data on height and weight were available from the years between 1996 and 2006. A questionnaire about experiences of previous health care discrimination and current weight and height was mailed to 5018 individuals in 2008.