bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MIGRATION OVER THE LIFE COURSE AND LATER-LIFE DEPRESSION IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA
Authors: Zhang Nan
Published: December 2023

Migrating between rural and urban areas over the life course profoundly shapes the conditions of later life. In the Chinese context, living in urban areas with an urban Hukou is associated with socioeconomic advantage. This study is among the first attempt to investigate how migration into urban areas in China is related to these processes and the association with risk of depression in later life by focusing on the timing and the type of migration (rural-urban residential mobility and/or institutional transition of Hukou status) of migration. Using data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we found strong associations between migration over the life course and risk of depression in later life in China. The timing and type of migration appears to play an important role. In-situ urbanisation is associated with lower depression scores in later life, and these effects are greater for in-situ urbanisation occurring in middle age compared with young adulthood. Forced urban-rural migration is associated with improved mental wellbeing. Formal social protection, particularly having a private pension, contributes substantially to the mental health advantage of social groups with an urban Hukou. Having an urban Hukou origin has an independent protective role in shaping mental wellbeing in later life in China, potentially partly due to the entitlement to a private pension attached to this status. When informal support has weakened in contemporary China, enhanced formal social protection in the form of adequate pensions should be put in place to mitigate structural inequalities associated with migration in old age.
THE EFFECTS OF LATE-LIFE RELOCATION ON ANXIETY AND PERSONALITY TRAITS: EVIDENCE FROM CHINA AND EUROPE
Authors: Sun Yang , Wrzus Cornelia , Lv Shao-bo
Published: December 2023

Later-life relocation has been identified as an important life event that affects the living environment, social relationships, and daily routines of older adults with subsequent effects on mental health and personality. We explored the impact of relocation on anxiety and personality traits in older adults from China and Europe in two separate studies., In study 1, we administered the questionnaire to 301 Chinese older adults (Mage=69.51, SD=5.02) who experienced involuntary rural-urban relocation, with 61.8% of them reported severe to extremely severe anxiety. Excessive reassurance-seeking and concomitant negative information bias were processes that contributed to increased anxiety among relocated older adults, which was particularly detrimental for those adults who were otherwise resilient. In study 2, we investigated the differences in personality traits between older adults who moved to nursing homes and those who lived in private housing using data from Wave 7 of the European Health, Ageing and Retirement Survey (SHARE). Reports from a total of 4829 older people living in nursing homes (NNH= 360) and private housing (NPH=4469) were included in the finally analysis. Our results showed that older people who relocated to nursing homes had lower extraversion and conscientiousness, and higher neuroticism. Additionally, older adults’ age, gender, health problems, physical activity, community size, and national socio-economic status partly explained personality differences between older adults who relocated and who stayed in their homes. Our findings underscore the importance and necessity of studying advantageous and detrimental effects of late-life relocation, and provide new directions and ideas for future research.
THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNICATION IN THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN WIDOWHOOD AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS
Authors: Kim Nahyun , Kim Youjin , Cho Hyeonji , Kim Kyungmin
Published: December 2023

Losing a spouse is one of most painful experiences in adulthood; widowed adults often suffer from psychological difficulties. Scholars have examined how social support from close relationships such as family members and friends plays a protective role in the context of spousal loss. Given that the use of mobile technologies and internet became an important way to engage with social relationships, it is crucial to investigate the role of social media communication in the bereavement process. This study examined the moderating effects of social media communication in the association between widowhood and depressive symptoms, comparing different types of social media communication—chatting/messaging (e.g., iMessage), social media (e.g., Facebook), video-sharing (e.g., YouTube), and online community platforms (e.g., forums). From the 2021 Korea Social Integration Survey, we analyzed a sample of 5,238 respondents (aged 40+) who were ever-married. Our regression models showed that widowed respondents (9.79%) were likely to have more depressive symptoms (B = 0.19, p < .001) than non-widow(er)s; all types of social media communication were associated with fewer depressive symptoms, regardless of widowhood. We also found that two types of social media communication moderated the association between widowhood and depressive symptoms; such that widowed respondents who used social media (B = -0.08. p =.002) and online community platforms (B = -0.05. p = .038) more frequently had fewer depressive symptoms, compared to their counterparts. Our findings highlight the importance of examining social engagement via information and communication technologies and the potential mechanism contributing to widowed adults’ well-being.
WECHAT SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND DEPRESSION AMONG CHINESE OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Wen Wan , Mejia Shannon
Published: December 2023

Impairments in health and mobility, the loss of a partner, and geographic relocation increase the risk of social isolation and depression in older adulthood. As the world’s most populous country, China faces a rapidly aging population, and Chinese society recognizes the potential of the Internet as a measure to reduce depression and promote well-being among older adults. WeChat is the most used social media among Chinese older adults, who use it to connect with social partners and exchange information by reading and posting messages. However, previous research only identified a correlation between WeChat use and lower depressive symptoms but failed to uncover the causality between them. This paper used data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and adopted an instrumental variable (IV) and the two-stage least squares model to strengthen causal inference. The principle is using an IV, which is correlated with WeChat use but not influenced by depressive symptoms, to replace WeChat use in regression. There were 1,680 participants (mean age 73.03, 55% male), 3% of whom reported use of WeChat in the past two years. Regression results suggested that WeChat use did not lead to lower levels of depression among older adults; instead, only non-depressed older adults would use WeChat. Further analysis showed WeChat use could promote older adults’ communication with family members and social activity engagement. Although there is no solid evidence of WeChat’s effect on depression, it does provide some benefits and still holds the potential to promote the well-being of older adults.
DIGITAL SKILLS, STEM OCCUPATION, AND JOB AUTOMATION RISK AMONG THE OLDER WORKERS IN THE US
Authors: Yamashita Takashi , Narine Donnette , Chidebe Runcie , Cummins Phyllis , Kramer Jenna , Karam Rita
Published: December 2023

Rapidly advancing technologies are replacing human labor. Particularly, occupations with more routine tasks, such as sales and simple food preparations, are known to be at a higher risk of job automation than those with non-routine tasks, such as STEM occupations (e.g., engineering, health care). Additionally, an aging workforce generally faces higher job automation risks due to skill obsolescence and lower digital skills than younger counterparts. A better understanding of the associations between job automation risk, digital skills, and STEM (vs. non-STEM) occupations can facilitate preparations for continuing job automation and population aging. We analyzed a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older U.S. workers aged 50 to 74 (n = 1,570) from the 2012/2014/2017 Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) restricted-use-file data. The estimated job automation risks (i.e., % of jobs to be automated in the next decades) by occupation were derived from the previous studies. PIAAC digital problem-solving skills proficiency (0-500 points) was assessed based on a series of practical digital tasks (e.g., sorting emails by responses in an application). Results of the survey-weighted linear regression showed that the greater digital skill proficiency (b = -0.04, p < 0.05) and STEM occupations (b = -17.18, p < 0.05) are associated with lower job automation risks, even after adjusting for a series of demographic, socioeconomic and civic engagement characteristics. Education and labor policy interventions to promote digital skills among older workers and non-STEM workers may better prepare the aging workforce for the future labor market in the U.S.
CONNECTING LIFETIME EXPERIENCE OF MISCARRIAGE TO POSITIVE LIFE EVALUATION AMONG WOMEN AGING-IN-CUSTODY
Authors: Barnett Brianna , Minet Hailey , Bishop Alexander , Randall Kevin
Published: December 2023

This study assessed the interconnection between miscarriage, forgiveness, and social provisions on positive valuation of life among N = 157 older women (45 years and older) under correctional custody in Oklahoma. Based on the Model of Developmental Adaptation, path analysis was conducted positing valuation of life, the developmental outcome, regressed on the proximal influence of socio-emotional support and forgiveness and the distal lifetime report of miscarriage. Endogenous measures were controlled for age, race, marital status, education, and crime type. Using Mplus 8.8 and an estimator (MLR) that provides parameter estimates and a chi-square test statistic robust to non-normality, the model fit well with a non-significant chi square test statistics and significant parameter estimates. For these women, 40.5% of the variation in positive valuation of life was explained, primarily by socio-emotional support. Miscarriage had a significant positive association with socio-emotional provisions (β = .15, p < .05) but not forgiveness. Meanwhile, forgiveness had a significant direct association with positive valuation of life (β = .46, p < .001). A significant indirect effect emerged for miscarriage on positive valuation of life through socio-emotional support (.047, p =.035, one-tail test). Results suggest that older incarcerated women with a reported history of miscarriage achieve a positive life outlook to the extent they feel emotionally supported. Greater engagement in forgiveness also appears to contribute to a positive life perspective. This has implications relative to how correctional counselors, social workers, and case managers offer services to support older incarcerated women with a reported history of miscarriage.
IN-HOSPITAL INSTRUMENTAL CARE PROVIDED BY FAMILY AND STAFF AND HOSPITALIZATION OUTCOMES OF OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Shulyaev Ksenya , Gur-Yaish Nurit , Shadmi Efrat , Zisberg Anna
Published: December 2023

Most of hospitalized older adults receive instrumental care (such as help with dressing, bathing, eating) from hospital staff and family members. Current study explored effect of family and staff involvement in this kind of care on hospitalization outcomes. Study sample included 615 acute hospitalized older adults (Age 77.6± 6.7, females 44.3%). Data about patients’ independence in Basic Activity of Daily Living (BADL), level of depression and anxiety was collected twice: at admission to hospital and at discharge. Sociodemographic (age, sex, family status and number of children) and health (severity of illness, comorbidity, length of stay and cognitive status) characteristics, were collected at admission and from medical records. Involvement of family and staff in instrumental care during hospitalization was reported by patients at discharge. The multivariate regressions, which included all the covariates mentioned above, revealed that instrumental care provided by family and by hospital staff significantly predicted hospitalization outcomes, yet in opposite directions. Specifically, family involvement in instrumental support was associated with lower BADL recovery (β=-.36, p<.001), as well as increased depression levels (β=.13, p=.002) and anxiety (β=.17, p<.001). In contrast, instrumental care provided by staff was associated with better BADL recovery (β=.24, p<.001), as well as decreased depression (β=-.21, p<.001) and anxiety (β=-.11, p=.013). These findings highlight the importance of effectively balancing family and staff involvement in instrumental care to optimize patient recovery, improve patients’ outcomes and ensure that they receive the best possible care during their hospital stay.
ACCEPTABILITY OF A REMINISCENCE THERAPY TABLET APP: IMPACT ON RESIDENTIAL CARE STAFF OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Orsulic-Jeras Silvia , Cordell Ashlee , Powers Sara , Ejaz Farida , Sanders Lisbeth
Published: December 2023

With dementia prevalence rapidly on the rise and no viable pharmacological treatments currently available, the development of accessible, efficacious, and low-cost non-pharmacologic interventions for persons living with dementia (PLWD) has become critical. Reminiscence therapy (RT) and life story can be built into residential care provision to provide person-centered solutions that elicit conversation, engagement, and socialization with staff. RT tools can also help inform care staff about residents’ lives and preferences to provide higher quality and meaningful interactions. This paper details the development and evaluation of LifeBio Memory, a tablet application designed to record the life stories and care preferences of PLWD in residential care communities. Care staff (n = 60) from 10 communities in Ohio, including memory care, assisted living and nursing homes, were trained to implement LifeBio Memory in their organizations. A pre-post design was used with staff, mainly comprised of life enrichment, administration, social work, rehab, and direct care staff. Outcomes presented include but will not be limited to: 1) acceptability, feasibility, and satisfaction with the tablet app, 2) staff knowledge of resident care preferences and interests, 3) utilization of person-centered care practices, 4) quality of communication between the resident and themselves and other staff, 5) their current understanding of that resident’s life history, and 6) level of tension and frustration with the resident. Discussion will focus on the need for sustainable RT interventions that promote person-centered care for PLWD and ways in which technological advancements can be integrated into residential care staff workflow.
ADAPTING AUTOETHNOGRAPHY TO EXPLORE CULTURAL AND GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES ON AGING
Authors: Hossain Mohammad , Pope Natalie
Published: December 2023

This presentation uses adapted autoethnography to explore cultural and generational differences on aging identity and care for older adults. Our presentation is based on an oral history of Virginia Bell, a gerontological social worker and dementia expert who developed an innovative model of dementia care known as the Best FriendsTM approach (Bell & Troxel, 2012; 2016). Through several in-depth interviews, this oral history project created space for conversation across generations – discussions between two cisgender white women, both social workers and gerontologists. At age 98, Bell reflected on people and experiences that shaped her perspective on caring for people with dementia from a person-centered, relational approach. The interviewer, in her mid-40s, assumed a co-interpreter role with Bell, documenting her childhood and formative years, as well as what informed her approach to caring for people with dementia. In this presentation, we bring a third voice into the conversation. During data analysis, a first-year graduate student was invited to help code and analyze Bell’s interview transcripts. As a novice gerontologist and social worker from Bangladesh, this cisgender male in his 40s shares his reactions to Bell’s oral history interviews. Specifically, this autoethnography-inspired presentation examines cultural and generational differences on aging identity and cultural norms on care for older adults. We compare and contrast the personal/ professional experiences of Bell and this Bangladeshi student while situating their reflections in extant literature. This project highlights the utility of autoethnography to systematically analyze individuals’ experiences with aging embedded in a larger social and cultural context.
PROMOTING HONG KONG ADULTS TO AGE WELL: INTERVENTION EFFECTS ON AGING PREPARATION ACROSS FOUR DOMAINS
Authors: Lin Hongmei , Leung Verona Ji Ying , Yue Courtney Sen Yee , Fung Helene
Published: December 2023

Preparations for old age benefit physical and psychological health in later life. The population in Hong Kong has the longest life expectancy in the world. However, Hong Kong residents prepare less for their old age than their counterparts in the US and Europe. Hence, an evidence-based intervention program was developed to improve old-age preparation in Hong Kong. The program aimed to comprehensively cover the preparation for old age by involving four domains (finance, health, social relationship, and leisure activity). Specifically, the program started with four workshops where participants learned from experts on how to prepare for old age in four domains. Then, participants were grouped according to their domains of interest, and guided planning was provided to empower them to hold their old age-preparation activities for six months. A tracking survey was conducted every two weeks during the period. Finally, 140 adults (31 males; 45-83 years of age, Mage = 65.21, SD = 7.52) finished the intervention program. Findings showed that participants increased their levels of self-control, readiness for, and satisfaction with aging preparation in three domains (all except finance) after joining the workshop. After six months of intervention, a reduction in anxiety and an improvement in meaningfulness were also found in all four domains. These findings suggest that the intervention program motivates individuals to engage more in age-related preparatory behaviors across domains. This has practical implications for training old-age preparation.
THE SOCIOLOGY OF AGING AND SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY: CRITICAL TENSIONS AND NECESSARY DISTINCTIONS
Authors: Higgs Paul , Gilleard Chris
Published: December 2023

This paper argues that the sociology of ageing has been diverted from developing a clearly sociological approach to ageing and old age by its entanglement with social gerontology. Dominated by social and health policy and advocacy on behalf of older people, the sociological analysis of later life has taken second place. The rise of critical gerontology and cultural gerontology have put further distance between sociology and the sociology of ageing. The changes to ageing and old age challenge the residualisation of ageing within the wider sociological community and set up new tasks for a sociology of ageing which resonates with contemporary later life. We argue that to achieve those tasks requires not only separating the sociology of ageing from social gerontology, but also employing contemporary sociological theory can enable the sociology of ageing to move beyond the ‘problem’ of old age. This involves an analysis of the social structural dimensions of contemporary ageing, its symbolic representations and the embodied and agentic experiences of people becoming older. We conclude that a re-envisioned sociology of ageing can also better equip social gerontology with more effective tools to understand the ‘new ageing’.
USING INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNITS (IMUS) TO DETECT MOBILITY DECLINES IN MIDDLE-AGED INDIVIDUALS
Authors: Davis Elsa , Periassamy Mithran , Stock Braden , Altenburger Peter , Ambike Satyajit , Haddad Jeffrey
Published: December 2023

Valid and reliable assessments of mobility are routinely used in clinics to track patient progress, assess the need for assistive devices, and predict risk of falling. These tests require patients to perform tasks that span varying degrees of difficulty so that therapists can observe changes in mobility and balance that can occur as a function of age and neurological disease. Evidence suggests that subtle gait changes which begin in middle-age can predict the future onset of mobility difficulties. However, standard clinical tests which rely on visual observation are designed to capture easily observable balance and gait problems in patients, rather than small changes that begin in middle-age. In this study we examined mobility changes that occur as a function of age using a common clinical test, the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA). Both middle aged (n=8) and young adult (n=12) participants completed the FGA while wearing small sensors, called inertial measurement units (IMUs). IMUs were placed on each ankle and the trunk to capture subtle differences in gait patterns. Participants also completed a health history questionnaire. Preliminary data suggest gait variability was increased in middle-aged adults (especially towards the end of the gait cycle), in the more difficult tasks. Subtle changes in gait velocity and leg acceleration during the swing phase of gait also appears to emerge by middle-age. Using IMUs to capture changes in gait patterns of middle-aged participants may help to identify those who are at future risk of having mobility difficulties and significant health risk.
FEELING VALUED IN OLD AGE: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF THE SOCIAL STATUS IN LATER LIFE
Authors: Kuball Tim , Hohaus Chiara , Jahn Georg
Published: December 2023

Subjective social status describes a person’s self-assessed position in a social hierarchy and is an important determinant for mental and physical health. One’s perceived position is dynamically changing across the life-span. Individuals attempt to achieve and preserve status in their social environment. Negative age stereotypes are fueled by and contribute to the attribution of lower social status to older adults. However, little research relates to how status changes and potential status losses are subjectively perceived in older adulthood. In the present study, we used semi-structured interviews to qualitatively identify factors contributing to older adults’ experienced and anticipated status developments. In addition, resources and strategies that are used to maintain relative social status in old age were openly explored. Our sample of 14 East German citizens (mean age = 73.85, range: 67–81 years) reported a highly differentiated understanding of status that included not only socioeconomic factors but also social participation. Experienced changes in status were connected to societal upheavals and retirement. Autonomy and health were reported as important prerequisites for relative status-level preservation. Furthermore, new personal freedoms after retirement entailed empowering opportunities via engagement and other leisure activities for many respondents. Findings implicate that status development in old age may diverge from societal and loss-oriented status expectations if structural support for individual social participation is enabled. In our discussion, we reflect on suitable methodology for studying the construct of social status in old age.
GRATITUDE, RELATIONSHIP QUALITIES, AND LIFE SATISFACTION IN LATE LIFE
Authors: Richards Nicole , Zhou Zexi , Fingerman Karen
Published: December 2023

Gratitude is associated with better well-being. The Find, Remind, and Bind Theory suggests gratitude may support relationships with greater affection and less conflict, contributing to well-being. This study evaluated gratitude, relationship qualities with social partners, and their association with life satisfaction in late life. We leveraged data from the Daily Experiences and Well-being Study. Older adults aged 65-92 (N = 316, Mean age = 74.03) completed measures of trait gratitude and life satisfaction. They also listed their close social partners and rated their affection and conflict with the 10 closest partners. Linear regression models indicated that older adults who reported higher gratitude also experienced higher levels of life satisfaction. Older adults who rated greater affection in ties to close social partners also experienced higher levels of life satisfaction; conflict was not associated with life satisfaction. We also found moderating effects; less affection with social partners was associated with lower life satisfaction only among older adults with lower gratitude levels. Older adults with higher gratitude levels reported high life satisfaction regardless of affection. Low conflict with social partners was associated with greater life satisfaction for older adults with higher gratitude levels, but participants who experienced high conflict with social partners reported less life satisfaction, regardless of gratitude level. In sum, associations between gratitude and well-being are complex. Gratitude may play a protective role for life satisfaction when older adults navigate their social world without much affection from partners but may be less effective in high conflict contexts.
OLDER AGE IS ASSOCIATED WITH MORE COMPLEX PERCEPTIONS OF ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP QUALITY DURING THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
Authors: Shavit Yochai , Estlein Roi , Elran-Barak Roni , Segel-Karpas Dikla
Published: December 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to mitigate its devastating effects posed unparalleled challenges to romantic relationships. National lockdowns forcing couples to spend long hours in closed quarters were especially straining, yet evidence points to considerable variability in the effect of the pandemic on relationship quality. Drawing on socioemotional selectivity theory, we examined age differences in perceptions of romantic relationship quality as one source of insight into this variability. During the first lockdown in Israel, 280 adults aged 25-81 reported positive and negative qualities of their romantic relationships. Of these, 105 participants completed the survey again once lockdown restrictions were lifted. Contrary to our hypotheses based on socioemotional selectivity theory, we found no evidence for age differences in the effect of the lockdown on perceptions of relationship quality. In addition, the lockdown did not influence participants’ positive and negative perceptions of their romantic partners. However, we found that whereas people of all ages represent positive and negative qualities of their romantic partners as separate constructs, the negative association between the two is weaker for older adults compared to younger adults during (but not after) the lockdown. This finding suggests that in stressful times, older adults are better able to avoid negative perceptions clouding positive perceptions and see positive aspects of relationships with romantic partners in the face of negative ones. Findings extend evidence for age associations with complex emotional experiences to emotional aspects of interpersonal relationships and may inform potential interventions for improving romantic relationships during stressful times.
SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP TRAJECTORIES AND HEALTH OUTCOMES IN LATER LIFE
Authors: Xu Yingzhi
Published: December 2023

Many studies have demonstrated the strong causal association between social relationships and health. Research acknowledges social relationships as a “double-edged” phenomenon—social support favors longevity, while social strain fosters disadvantages in health. However, little research has investigated how social support and social strain develop over the life course. The growth mixture model (GMM) and four waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used to identify group-based trajectories of perceived social support and social strain from four categories of social connections: spouse, children, family, and friends. Ordinal logistic regression was employed to examine the degree of exposure to social support and social strain and their effects on physical and psychological health among older populations in the U.S. Four classes of support trajectories involving children, family, and friends, three classes of spousal support trajectories, four classes of strain trajectories involving spouses, children, and friends, and two classes of friend strain trajectories were identified. The majority of older adults have experienced stable high social support and low social strain from four categories of social connections. As an emotionally closer tie, the perceived social support and social strain from spouses are highest among the four categories. Friends provide the second highest social support, while they are the lowest in terms of social strain as a weaker tie. People perceived stable high social support, and low social strain have better psychological health compared to other groups. The findings revealed the social support and strain patterns of different social connections and related health consequences.
SOCIALLY ACTIVE OR ISOLATED? OLDER COMMUNITY-DWELLING ITALIANS’ EXPERIENCES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Barrett Anne , Fattorini Eliana , Consolandi Monica
Published: December 2023

Media coverage of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized their experiences of social isolation – a risk that pre-dated the pandemic but was magnified by it. A focus on older adults’ pandemic-induced isolation also is evident in gerontological research. This depiction, however, may not capture the complexity of older adults’ experiences during the pandemic. Our study examined this topic using semi-structured interviews that were conducted with participants in a senior center in a mid-sized northern Italian city in May 2022 (n=23). Our analysis revealed that the pandemic had some negative effects on older adults’ social relationships; however, it also identified strategies that older adults used to maintain and even enhance their connections with others. Participants described reduced in-person interaction with family and friends, stemming from less daily interaction and the cancellation of family gatherings. They compensated for these losses, to some degree, with regular phone and video calls. Participants also described permanently strained relationships with family members and friends, often the result of differing views of COVID-19 vaccines. The pandemic’s challenges, however, enhanced other social relationships through exchanges of moral and practical support. In contrast with the frequent depiction of older adults’ isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, our data reveal strategies that allowed them to remain socially engaged and active in their communities.
A NOVEL MULTIFREQUENCY GPS APP FOR STUDYING OLDER ADULTS: IMPROVING ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY OF DATA
Authors: Mendhe Dinesh , Bergren Stephanie , Jiang Yanping
Published: December 2023

Acquiring global positioning system (GPS) data can help researchers understand the relationship between older adult’s location/activity and their health, but existing GPS data collection modes suffer from issues with precision, consistency, and acceptability. Some limitations of current GPS mobile apps are satellite service disruption, power saving mode interference, miscalibration of device’s compass, and user-error during data collection which result in missing or inaccurate data. We present a novel multilingual GPS mobile app and live administrative dashboard to address these limitations. The app performs triangulation between GPS satellite data, nearest cellular tower, and WiFi router location data which are processed through a unique GPS algorithm with a mean error of only 1.5 meters. Since GPS data results in coordinates commonly reverse geo-coded to place-based datasets, the accuracy is critical in determining place type or other characteristics. The app is additionally designed with redundancy and fault tolerance in mind to run continuously in the background of a user’s smartphone, so there is no data loss from accidentally closing the application or restarting the phone. Moreover, this new application has a flexible sampling rate ranging from 1 second to 20 minutes. Sampling frequency flexibility can adjust the battery life and reduce the need to charge as frequently. Last, application programming interface (API) integrations allow for live data stream, which can improve monitoring and troubleshooting in the field. For research with older adult populations, these features can not only improve the accuracy of collected data but also increase the acceptability of collecting GPS data.
VESTA: A SMARTPHONE-BASED ASSESSMENT OF MODERN FINANCIAL CAPACITY FOR OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Van Vleet Samuel , Griffin Rebekah , Mallender William , Fontanese Matthew , Sakai Haru , Savage Blake , Coldiron Allyson , Barnett Michael
Published: December 2023

Older adults are often targeted by financial scammers who exploit people unfamiliar with financial technologies and who may struggle to identifying fraudulent activity. Financial technologies have undergone significant changes in recent decades, yet financial capacity measures often do not reflect this shift. There is a clear need for innovating the measurement of financial capacity, particularly among older adults. VESTA (Virtual Economic Simulation and Trust Assessment) is a novel smartphone application that measures older adults’ susceptibility to different forms of financial exploitation. VESTA plays out like a smartphone game in which the user furnishes a virtual household. As the user conducts these virtual transactions, they are tasked with spending within a budget, monitoring bank charges, disclosing personal information securely, and determining whether incoming messages (i.e., texts, emails, and voicemail messages) are fraudulent or legitimate. The fraudulent charges and messages include contextual clues that mirror real-life scams. VESTA was designed to assess the user’s ability to manage money, identify incorrect information, and judge who to trust independent of memory ability. VESTA therefore purposefully targets severely overlooked pitfalls that impact older adults’ ability to identify fraudulent activity. Furthermore, VESTA utilizes a user-friendly, accessible design with large font and complete navigation with the simple press of a finger. As the migration of financial management and communication continues towards predominantly digital landscapes, this research and diagnostic tool represents an evolution of existing measures of financial capacity for an at-risk aging population.
WEARABLES IN DEMENTIA RESEARCH: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS TO ADHERENCE
Authors: Peterson Colleen , Flannagan Carol
Published: December 2023

With the rapid expansion of wearable technologies, there is increased interest in their utility for passive data collection applications in aging research. Wearables can be specifically beneficial to research featuring people with dementia and their families who have burdens that can make both study participation and reliable data collection more difficult, especially as dementia progresses. For example, population-specific issues may include remembering to wear or charge a device, fluctuating acceptance/consent, and reliance on strained caregivers with other care priorities. Better understanding of how wearables can address these and other issues to enhance participant buy-in and sustained wearable use is necessary to enhance dementia research quality. Therefore, we undertook a systematic evaluation of contemporary wearables research to describe this population’s study- and non-study based wearables experiences, desired qualities, and protocol needs. We searched three databases for papers published since 2016 featuring the use or discussion of wearable devices for persons with dementia and related stakeholders (e.g., caregivers, residential care staff). Following removal of duplicates and inclusion of additional references identified through a reference/literature scan, we screened 1436 abstracts and retained 70 studies after a full-text review. We present synthesized preferences, barriers, and facilitators to wearables use and adherence in dementia research from study process analyses, interviews, or other survey measures, highlighting commonalities amongst different devices and study types. These findings inform researcher guidelines for wearable device selection and protocol design to enhance buy-in and adherence amongst persons with dementia and their caregivers.
WHAT ABOUT HOBFOLL’S RESOURCES CONSERVATION MODEL IN A DIGITAL SOCIETY?
Authors: Roquet Angélique , Martinelli Paolo , Lampraki Charikleia , Jopp Daniela
Published: December 2023

Internet use has dramatically increased worldwide, with over two-thirds of the world’s population using it, including the elderly population. Technological resources, such as internet use, have been shown to influence psychological variables, such as stress. According to Hobfoll’s theory, stress perception depends on individual’s resources and their changes. While resources and stress are negatively associated, we ignore the role of technological resources on the relationship between personal resources and stress. This study aims at investigating the moderating role of technological resources (internet use) on the relationship between personal resources and stress in young and older adults. A total of 275 young (18-30 years) and 224 older adults (65 years or older) indicated their levels of stress, personal resources changes (i.e., cognitive, social, and self-efficacy resources loss and gain), and internet use. Results showed that the relationship between resource loss, resource gain, and stress in older adults was moderated by their level of internet use. Specifically, older adults who used internet more frequently were less stressed when they experienced both high levels of loss and gain, compared to their counterparts who used less internet in the same conditions. Furthermore, older adults with low resource gain and high resource loss expressed less stress when they used more internet compared to those who had low internet use. These findings highlight the important role of internet use in mitigating stress among older adults experiencing resource loss and gain, emphasizing the potential of digital interventions to promote mental health and well-being in this population.
EFFECT OF A COVID-19-RELATED LOCKDOWN ON MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER FAMILY CAREGIVERS IN SINGAPORE
Authors: Malhotra Rahul , Qin Vicky , Visaria Abhijit
Published: December 2023

Lockdowns, while limiting COVID-19 transmission, can affect care provision by family caregivers and their caregiving experience. We assessed, among 1094 family caregivers aged 50-79 years in Singapore, the (1) perceived effect of nationwide lockdown on their care provision, (2) correlates of different perceptions, and (3) association of the perceptions with negative and positive caregiving experiences. Caregivers reported whether their care provision became harder, easier, or remained the same during versus before the lockdown. Multinomial logistic regression assessed the association of caregiver, care-recipient, and caregiving-context characteristics with their perceptions. Linear regression models examined the association of their perceptions with subsequent negative and positive caregiving experiences. Care provision became harder for 36%, easier for 18% and remained the same for 46% caregivers. Care provision becoming harder (versus same) was more likely for caregivers who were male, Chinese, in worse health, caring for care-recipients with functional limitations, without caregiving support from cohabiting family before the lockdown, and with caregiving support from non-cohabiting family before the lockdown. Care provision becoming easier (versus same) was less likely among caregivers who were of higher age, unemployed, socially isolated and whose care-recipients had functional limitations. Caregivers for whom care provision became harder were worse off in negative caregiving experiences. A nationwide lockdown did not make care provision harder for all caregivers. However, those for whom it did had greater negative caregiving experiences. Heterogeneity of the effect of lockdowns and offering flexibility to non-cohabiting family who support caregiving should be considerations when implementing such disruptions.
LIFELONG CAREGIVERS: INFLUENCES OF AGE AND INCOME ON DEPRESSION AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
Authors: Udah Grace , Pullen Carly , Patrick Julie Hicks
Published: December 2023

More than 20% of Americans have an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). Of these, 70% are currently children and 30% are adults. Understanding wellbeing among their family caregivers provides an important avenue to supporting families. However, little research has included a wide range of family caregivers, focusing primarily of caregivers of young children or older caregivers of adults. Thus, it may be important to examine stressors among caregivers as they move across the lifespan. We used the 2020 BRFSS data to examine depression among a group of 522 family caregivers (M age = 56 years; range 24 – 80+) to children and grandchildren. Among the caregivers, 64% assisted with BADLs and 89% performed household chores related to the person with IDD. Among this age-diverse group, our 3-step hierarchical logistic regression revealed nonsignificant influences of caregiving tasks on depression, with Odds Ratios ranging from 1.11 to 1.22. Income was a significant contributor to the model, with ORs greater than 4.8 for the lower ends of income. After allowing caregiving tasks and income to account for their unique and shared variance, age still emerged as significant in Step 3, with younger caregivers somewhat less likely to report depression (OR = .98). Our results suggest the ongoing need to examine areas in which family caregivers need support across the lifespan.
RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN CAREGIVER BURDEN AMONG BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN AND WHITE ALL-CAUSE CAREGIVERS
Authors: Fields Maizonne , Clay Olivio
Published: December 2023

Introduction

As life expectancy and the numbers of older adults in our society continue to rise, serving as a caregiver is more common. Caregivers assist with a variety of daily tasks as changes in functional status occur. The Stress Process Model informs that there are potential buffers to negative caregiver outcomes including religious commitment or involvement and cultural justifications for caregiving. Previously, research has shown that caregivers may turn to religion and cultural practices to cope with or explain their roles.

Methods

This investigation examines racial differences in caregiver burden and the potential roles of caregiver religiosity and cultural justifications for caregiving as moderators of this effect. Individuals providing care for an adult age 45 and older for at least five hours per week were recruited.

Results

The sample size for this study was 80 and included 49 Black/African American caregivers (61.25%) and 31 White caregivers (38.75%) between the ages of 23 and 78. Multiple regression models with age, gender, income difficulty, and race as predictors revealed that Black/African American caregivers reported lower levels of caregiver burden compared to White caregivers, p < .05. Additional interaction terms added to the model revealed that religious commitment or involvement and cultural justifications for caregiving did not moderate the effect of race on caregiver burden.

Conclusion

The initial findings of this investigation may be the result of the study’s small sample size and insufficient power. Recruitment is ongoing to help identify factors to potentially explain why Black/African American caregivers report less caregiver burden.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN DEMENTIA CAREGIVER PERSONALITY, OUTCOMES, AND MANAGEMENT AND COPING STRATEGIES
Authors: Simon Darby , Leggett Amanda , Ertle Emilee , Mast Benjamin
Published: December 2023

Family caregivers of people living with dementia are at higher risk for negative outcomes such as depression and burden. However, the experiences of family caregivers are widely variable due to individual differences. Five-factor model personality traits have previously been connected to depression and burden. The current study seeks to expand this area by investigating the links between personality, caregiver management and coping, and outcomes (burden and depression). The sample consisted of 100 dementia family caregivers ranging from 20-90 years old (X̅=63.7, SD=16.1) who participated in the STYLE study on caregiving. Sample demographics consisted of 76% females, 80% White, 12% Black, 6% other, and 2% declined to report. Multiple regression models revealed significant relationships while controlling for caregiver age, gender, hours of care provided per week, months of providing care, and relationship to care receiver, though burden did not reveal any significant relationships. Higher conscientiousness (β=.226, p=.014) and higher neuroticism (β=.446, p<.001) were associated with higher depression. Higher agreeableness (β=-.367, p<.001) was associated with lower use of criticism-based management strategies, while higher neuroticism (β=.211, p=.023) was associated with higher use of criticism-based management strategies. High openness (β=.230, p=.020) was associated with higher problem-focused coping. Higher agreeableness (β=.201, p=.048) was associated with higher acceptance-focused coping, while higher neuroticism (β=-.254, p=.013) was associated with lower use of acceptance-focused coping. Higher neuroticism (β=.247, p=.020) was associated with higher emotion-focused coping. These analyses demonstrate links between dementia family caregiver personality, the management and coping strategies they use, and caregiver mental health.
STRESSORS OF FILIAL ANXIETY REGARDING ANTICIPATED CARE OF OLDER PARENTS: EVIDENCE FROM CHINESE ADULT CHILDREN
Authors: Liu Chang , Bai Xue
Published: December 2023

Evidence has shown that the anticipation of providing care for a parent in the future can be anxiety-provoking for adult children, especially for one-child generations in China. Filial anxiety may influence adult children’s transition to the caregiver role and may bring about heightened caregiving stress. However, this phenomenon remains insufficiently studied among Chinese adult children. Drawing on the Stress Process Model and proactive coping theory, this study examined how primary stressors (i.e., parent’s declining health, adverse psychological health, and lack of eldercare resources), anticipatory stressor (i.e., anticipated parental care needs), and psychosocial resources (i.e., sibling number, the value of filial obligation, intergenerational relationship, work stress, and family stress) influenced the multiple domains of filial anxiety (i.e., Filial Anxiety-Ability, Filial Anxiety-Responsibility, and Filial Anxiety-Welfare). A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted with 530 Chinese adult children aged between 26 and 40 years in Shenzhen, China. Descriptive analyses and regression analyses were conducted. Results demonstrated that Chinese adult children experienced a higher level of overall filial anxiety than their Western counterparts and reported a particularly high level of filial anxiety about their parent’s welfare. Adult children with higher work and family stress, with fewer siblings, and whose parents lack eldercare resources were more likely to experience a high level of filial anxiety. This study systematically investigated the multiple stressors of filial anxiety. The findings have implications for the development of effective interventions to reduce adult children’s future caregiving concerns and better prepare them for their older parents’ future care needs.