bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EVALUATING THE ACCEPTABILITY AND PRELIMINARY EFFECTS OF EMPOWER@HOME FOR GERIATRIC DEPRESSION
Authors: Kayser Jay , Turner Skyla , Zheng Chuxuan , Ash Samson , Xiang Xiaoling
Published: December 2023

Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy is a cost-effective strategy for meeting older adults’ increased mental health needs, but few existing programs are designed for older adults. Our team developed Empower@Home using user-centered design and community-engaged approaches. This poster presents results from year 1 of our ongoing uncontrolled trial (NCT05384704). Participants were recruited from a research volunteer registry, and community agency referrals. 104 adults 50+ (M=63) consented and started the intervention in 2022, of which 96 completed the post-test and a 10-week follow-up (93% retention rate). Items from the Modified Treatment Evaluation Inventory showed high satisfaction and acceptability. For example, 95.5% agreed that the program was “an acceptable way of dealing with depressed moods,” and 96.8% agreed that they “would recommend this program to others who experience depressed moods.” Adherence was high, with an average of 8.5 sessions (out of 9 total) completed (n=103). Among those who completed the post-test (n=96), all but one finished the entire program. Intention to treat analysis showed a significant within-group moderate reduction in depressive symptoms as measured by the PHQ-9 from pre to post-test (cohen’s d=.75). This effect size was large among those with a pre-test PHQ-9 score of ≥10 (cohen’s d=1.31). The treatment effect was largely maintained at the 10-week follow-up. Significant improvements in post-test were also observed for secondary clinical outcomes, including anxiety (GAD-7), social isolation (DSSI), loneliness (PROMIS), Anger (PROMIS), and sleep quality. Empower@Home is an acceptable and potentially effective program for treating depression in older adults.
HEALTH-RELATED ANXIETY, DOCTOR–PATIENT RELATIONSHIP, AND COMMUNICATIONS IN LATE LIFE
Authors: Dahal Poshan , Kahana Eva , Zhou Nan , Zhao Yuanchang , Burnham Dyanna
Published: December 2023

The relationship and communication between doctor and patient have important implications for the quality of health care received in old age. However, their role in health-related anxiety among older patients has received limited attention. In this paper, we explored the association between doctor-patient communication and doctor-patient relationship with health-related anxiety among 661 independent, retirement community-dwelling older adults. The mean age of the respondents was 77.81 years, and the majority (60.54 percent) were women. Our findings show a negative association between health–related anxiety and the doctor-patient relationship (b=-11, p<.05). We also found a negative association between satisfaction with communication and health-related anxiety (b=-.09, p<.05). The relationship between health-related anxiety and doctor-patient relationship and doctor-patient communication remains even after controlling for covariates. Older adults who reported better communication and relationship with their physician had lower health-related anxiety. Compared to Blacks, Whites had significantly lower health-related anxiety (b=-.80, p<.05). For every additional chronic condition, health-related anxiety increased by 0.22 (p< 05). Gender, education, and age, however, were not associated with health anxiety. Overall, our findings support the hypothesis that better doctor-patient relationships and communication are associated with lower health-related anxiety among community-dwelling older adults.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MEDIA IMAGE, PERCEIVED AGE STEREOTYPE, AND AGING ANXIETY IN KOREAN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Kim Miri , Chung Soondool
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between media image, perceived age stereotype, and aging anxiety in older adults in South Korea, in order to gain a better understanding of the psychosocial and financial-related anxieties faced by older adults in later life. Given that South Korea is projected to become the most aged nation in the world within 50 years, studying aging anxiety in this context is particularly important. A total of 600 older adults from 65 to 84 years of age were analysed using structural equation modelling and bootstrapping method, using a cross-sectional, secondary data from OO Research Institute of South Korea. The findings indicated that media image was positively correlated with perceived age stereotype (β=.380,p<.001), aging anxiety on financial factors (β=.145,p<.001), and aging anxiety on psychosocial factors (β=.136,p<.01), while perceived age stereotype was correlated with aging anxiety on psychosocial factors (β=.205,p<.001). In terms of indirect effects, perceived age stereotype mediated the relationship between media image and aging anxiety on psychosocial factors (95% CI: 0.034 to 0.121). The results suggest that older adults who encounter more negative images of old age and aging in the media are more likely to develop perceptions of age stereotype, which in turn increases their aging anxiety on psychosocial factors. Practical implementations are suggested to reduce aging anxiety. The study’s findings have implications for reducing aging anxiety and understanding the experiences of older adults in the era of population aging.
EMPLOYMENT AND LIFE SATISFACTION IN LATER LIFE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SUBJECTIVE EXPECTATION
Authors: Song Si Young , Choi Bomi , Park Hayoung , Kang Miseon
Published: December 2023

Although the productive aging framework has been emphasized to promote active roles such as employment to improve psychological well-being in later life, the mechanisms that explain the association between employment and life satisfaction remain unclear. Therefore, this study sought to examine the mediation role of subjective expectation about future living standards in the association between employment and life satisfaction among older Korean adults. The data was the 8th wave (2020) of the Korean National Longitudinal Study on Aging, and the sample included 4,238 older Korean adults aged 65 or above. Employment was coded as 0 when they are not working and 1 when working. Life satisfaction was measured by overall quality of life on a ten-point scale. Subjective expectation, the mediating variable, was measured by the subjective evaluation of future living standard on a ten-point scale (e.g., “I think my standard of living will get better in the future”). PROCESS MACRO model 4 in SPSS 26.0 were utilized to test indirect and direct effects while gender, education level, household income, and presence of spouse were controlled for. As a result, employment had a direct effect on life satisfaction and indirect effects were also significant, indicating employment contributes to a higher level of life satisfaction through higher subjective expectation. The findings revealed that the mechanism between employment and life satisfaction among older adults can be explained through subjective expectation, indicating the importance of considering beneficial effects of employment that enhance psychological well-being when developing intervention programs for older adults.
EXPLORING THE WITHIN-PERSON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DAILY DISCRIMINATION AND DAILY STRESS REACTIVITY
Authors: Maras Jessica , Leger Kate
Published: December 2023

Experiencing discrimination has been associated with a variety of negative impacts such as poorer health and well-being. Some research has shown that those who experienced discrimination at an initial timepoint were more likely to have poorer health and well-being outcomes 20 years later through the mediating role of threat appraisals and stress reactivity. Research has demonstrated a link between experiencing discrimination and affective reactions to everyday stressful experiences, however, these associations have only been studied at the between-person level. For the current study, we examined the within-person relationship in daily stress reactivity in relation to experiencing discrimination on a daily basis over the course of 20 years. Participants (n = 1,315) completed waves 1 to 3 of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) survey with each wave about 10 years apart in which participants were asked to self-report their daily discrimination. Participants also completed the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE) which was a daily diary design over 8 consecutive days asking about their daily stress reactivity. Results found that during timepoints when people experienced greater than their average level of discrimination, they also reacted more negatively to daily stressful events (b = .002, 95% CI [0.001, 0.002]). These results are particularly striking because they show that within-person changes in reported discrimination are related to changes in affective responses to daily stressors. These findings suggest that experiencing discrimination is related to greater reactivity to daily stressors, which may lead to worse physical and mental health over time.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE FEELING OF MEANINGFULNESS? A STUDY OF SWEDES AGED 76–101 YEARS
Authors: Kåreholt Ingemar , Af Ekenstam Amelie Bergström
Published: December 2023

Sense of coherence (SOC) reflects the coping capacity to deal with everyday life stressors and consists of comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness. Meaningfulness is the motivational component and sometimes considered the most important part in SOC. Meaningfulness is about the extent to which a person feels that life has an emotional meaning. Meaningfulness is important in aging since many old people suffer from health problems and meaningfulness is important for coping. We examine which factors that are important for the feeling of meaningfulness in a nationally representative random sample of 777 Swedes aged 76-101 years. Meaningfulness is measured with a single item question “Do you usually feel that your daily life is a source of personal satisfaction?”. 11% answered “no”, 20% “yes, sometimes”, 59% “yes, often”. Analyzed with ordered logistic regressions. Control variables: sex, age, education, frailty index, mobility, and psychological wellbeing. Mobility and psychological wellbeing were significant and kept in the analyses, The main independent variables were having a faith (or philosophy), cultural, intellectual, outdoor activities and the social variables loneliness, social contacts outside home, social relations to relatives and friends, contact with children/grandchildren, and phone contacts with children/grandchildren. The social variables were analyzed simultaneously. Loneliness, social relations to relatives and friends, phone contacts with children/grandchildren were significant as well as all other main independent variables. Analyzed simultaneously, controlled for each other, mobility and psychological wellbeing, faith, loneliness, social relations to relatives/friends, and contacts with children/grandchildren were significant. This indicates that these factors are important for meaningfulness in old age.
A LONGITUDINAL EXAMINATION OF SEXUAL SATISFACTION ACROSS ADULTHOOD IN MIDUS
Authors: Slayday Riki , Sliwinski Martin , Almeida David
Published: December 2023

Sexuality is fundamental to the human experience and midlife is a transition period in adulthood where sexual changes often occur. Sexual satisfaction (SS) in midlife and older adulthood is still under studied. However, researchers have found a more pronounced decline in SS among women compared to men beginning in late midlife or early old age. The purpose of the present study was to examine how sexual satisfaction changes across adulthood (20-92 years) and at what ages women and men differ on their ratings of sexual satisfaction. Participants were from waves 1, 2, and 3 of MIDUS (n=2,348; Mage=54.34 years). SS was operationalized using “How would you rate the sexual aspect of your life these days,” with a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means “the worst possible situation” and 10 means “the best possible situation”. Time-varying effect modeling (TVEM) revealed that there was an overall linear decline until the early 60s, then the decline steepened. Men and women did not differ from ages 20 to 44. However, around age 45, men (β=5.95; CI:5.83,6.07) began reporting significantly greater SS than women (β=5.62; CI:5.45,5.74), which lasted almost four decades. At age 84, women (β=3.36; CI:2.94,3.78) reported significantly greater satisfaction then men (β=3.32; CI:2.89,3.74). On average, SS declined with age. Women reported lower SS than men for almost four decades (ages 40-80); however, women reported higher satisfaction than men starting in their early eighties. No studies have examined SS across adulthood or gender differences in SS using TVEM.
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF OLDER MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN IN THE CHINESE POPULATION
Authors: Chan Alex Siu Wing , Yan Elsie
Published: December 2023

Older men who have sex with men (OMSM) experience discrimination based on their age and sexual orientation, which presents major challenges to their health. Existing studies have examined discrimination experienced by younger MSM. This study aims to examine the discrimination experienced by OMSM in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The eligible participants for this research comprised OMSM aged over 60 years. The demographic information of the participants was collected. Particularly, the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), Personal Social Capital Scale (PSCS), Perceived Acceptance Scale (PAS), and Global Index on Legal Recognition of Homosexual Orientation (GIRLHO) scales were used to assess psychological well-being, discrimination, social capital, perceived acceptance, and legal inclusion. Discrimination differs across PRC, Hong Kong, and Taiwan (F(2, 450) = 112.07, p < .001), and it also has a negative impact on psychological well-being (B = -1.16, p <.001). Social capital was found to have a negative impact on psychological well-being (B = -3.38, p < 0.001), and a positive impact on legal inclusion (B = 1.55, p< 0.001). Lastly, social acceptance has a positive impact on psychological well-being (B = 0.52, p = .035). This study provides new insights into the negative impact of discrimination on the psychological health of OMSM and mitigating factors representing the positive effects. However, future studies are necessary to bridge the literature gap regarding the associations between the different factors described in this study.
LINKING ACES TO LIFE APPRAISAL AMONG OLDER WOMEN IN CORRECTIONAL CUSTODY
Authors: Barnett Brianna , Bishop Alexander , Randall Kevin
Published: December 2023

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), forgiveness, social support, and valuation of life were assessed for older women (45 years of age and older; N = 157) and younger women (those less than 45 years of age: N = 386) in custody in Oklahoma. The Model of Developmental Adaptation led to a path analysis with positive valuation of life or the developmental outcome regressed on proximal influences assessed by mediating variables, social provisions, and forgiveness, and these on the distal predictor, adverse childhood experiences. All endogenous measures were controlled for age, race, marital status, education, and crime type. Using Mplus 8.8 and an estimator that provides parameter estimates and a chi-square test statistic robust to non-normality, the study found that the model fit well for both age group. For the older women, 41% of the developmental outcome, positive valuation of life was explained; whereas for the younger women, 30% was explained. In addition, the standardized path from ACEs to Forgiveness not significant for either the younger or older women. However, for the younger women, ACEs was negatively associated with social provisions (β = -.109, p = .035). In addition, a significant indirect effect was found for the path from ACEs to valuation of life through social provisions (-.03, p = .026, one-tailed). Results have implications relative to how forensic psychologists, correctional case managers, and social workers support the mental health needs of women aging-in-custody. Further discussion will highlight strategies to reduce the impact of ACEs and improve quality-of-life.
LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF ADULT SIBLING RELATIONSHIP AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING: THE ROLE OF CHILDHOOD MALTREATMENT
Authors: Kong Jooyoung , Homan Kristin , Goldberg Jaime
Published: December 2023

Objectives

For many older adults, siblings serve as a source of companionship and support. This study examined a) the longitudinal association between sibling relationship quality and psychological well-being among older adults and b) whether the association would differ by childhood maltreatment.

Methods

We used three-wave data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. Latent growth curve modeling was conducted to examine the associations between perceived sibling closeness and the psychological well-being of 4,736 older adults.

Results

Our findings showed that the trajectory of perceived sibling closeness differed between older adults who experienced childhood maltreatment and those who did not. Perceived sibling closeness was lower at baseline for those who experienced maltreatment and did not change over time, whereas perceived sibling closeness increased over time for those who did not experience maltreatment. Further, older adults who reported greater sibling closeness over time showed less of a decline in psychological well-being. The longitudinal associations between perceived sibling closeness and psychological well-being did not differ between the maltreated and non-maltreated groups.

Discussion

Childhood maltreatment was found to have long-term negative effects on the emotional quality of sibling relationships in late adulthood. More research is needed to explore potential mechanisms that explain these lifelong associations.
GENERATING OLDER ACTIVE LIVES DIGITALLY (GOALD) THROUGH SPORT-BASED REMINISCENCE
Authors: Haynes Richard , Ritchie John , Tomaz Simone
Published: December 2023

How do digitally-delivered meaningful activities, such as sport-based reminiscence, influence older people’s health and well-being and intergenerational relationships? Developing and strengthening older people’s ’connectivities’ through their links with community, resources and meaningful activities is a key aspect of supporting healthy ageing and reducing health inequalities in later life. Sport-based reminiscence has become an established activity to facilitate social connectivity and increasingly, digital connectivity, which can support an individual’s sense of health and well-being. This paper reports on research undertaken within a three-year research programme on ’Connectivity and Digital Design for Promoting Health and Well-being Across Generations, Places and Spaces’ focusing on research conducted with four community-based co-production groups in Scotland. The qualitative research was developed with a stakeholder advisory group and co-production groups in care homes and in community. Data was gathered from recording of meetings and researcher observations thematically analysed to document shared experiences of digitally enabled sport reminiscence over a ten month period. We report on the efficacy of live-streamed and digital sport heritage experiences for triggering reminiscence in a hybrid context. We emphasise the need for structured facilitation of hybrid online/in-person reminiscence, which can clearly produce meaningful and enjoyable experiences for older people, and building connectivity.
VIRGINIA BELL: AN ORAL HISTORY OF A GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIAL WORKER AND PIONEER IN DEMENTIA CARE
Authors: Pope Natalie , Hossain Mohammad , Gibson Allison
Published: December 2023

This presentation highlights the contributions of a gerontological social worker and dementia expert who developed an innovative model of dementia care known as the Best FriendsTM model. Virginia’s story is one of a second-chapter career. She spent most of her adult life raising her five children and supporting her husband, who worked in ministry. At age 62, she graduated with her Master of Social Work and completed her practicum at a newly established center on dementia research (the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky). While this practice experience contributed to her professional trajectory as a gerontological social worker, Virginia draws most heavily on lessons learned from her relationships. Her intersecting identities as a daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother informed her pioneering work in dementia care by teaching her the value of mutuality, hard work, and community. Through several in-depth interviews, this oral history project creates a space for conversation across generations –dialogues between two women, both social workers and gerontologists. The narrator, age 98, reflects on the people and experiences that shaped her approach to caring for people with dementia from a relational-centered approach. The interviewer (age 42) assumes a co-interpreter role with Virginia, documenting what shaped her thinking about dementia. This presentation highlights 1) how oral history can be used to document the experiences and knowledge of social service innovators and 2) Virginia Bell’s unique contribution via the Best Friends model.
DEVELOPMENT AND ACCEPTABILITY OF A MOBILE APP FOR MONITORING EVERYDAY FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES
Authors: Mcvey Ava , Cooper Kalvry , Stephan Abigail , Steele Tatum , Ross Lesley , Phillips Christine
Published: December 2023

Subtle changes in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), also termed everyday functional abilities, may be early markers of dementia. However, there are no widely available tools for tracking IADL function, and it is unclear whether such a tool would be used by older adults. The present study investigates older adults’ adherence to a novel mobile app designed to conveniently and cost-effectively monitor IADL function. We also examine participants’ acceptability of the app, including their overall satisfaction, perceived ease of use, benefits and limitations, and suggestions for improvement. Community-dwelling older adults (n=24; Mage=71.63 years) were randomly assigned three different simulated IADL tasks, to complete at specified times, each day for two weeks. Adherence was assessed using app usage data. App perceptions were assessed via survey and individual interview at the end of the two-week study period. Results indicate high adherence, with an average total task completion of 94.2%. Results from follow-up interviews revealed the app was generally perceived as “easy to use” and the assigned tasks could be completed quickly. Participants expressed frustration over app glitches that prevented them from successfully completing tasks and noted the assigned tasks and associated steps to complete were too simplified to be realistic. High adherence rates and general acceptance indicate the app’s potential usefulness. Further research should assess long-term effectiveness and user experience, especially among a more diverse sample. If reliable and valid, such apps could enable early dementia detection, but only if their use is feasible and accepted.
EVERYDAY DIGITAL LITERACY QUESTIONNAIRE (EDLQ): DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION FOR KOREAN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Shin Jiyoung , Choi Jiyeon , Choi Seongmi , Song Kijun , Kim Heejung , Choi Mona , Kim Yesol
Published: December 2023

Aging in the digitalizing society demands digital literacy, a core competency that involves identifying, evaluating, and communicating information using various digital devices or relevant programs. This study aimed to develop the Everyday Digital Literacy Questionnaire [EDLQ], a scale to assess digital literacy, and to evaluate its psychometric properties among community-dwelling older adults in South Korea. The EDLQ was developed using an instrument development design. A nationwide survey was conducted in 1,016 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 to 94 years. To evaluate psychometric properties, following analyses were conducted in two randomly selected subsamples (n=508 per each): internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), construct validity (exploratory factor analysis [EFA] and confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]), and concurrent validity with the eHealth Literacy Scale (e-HEALS). Among initial 30 items of the EDLQ, 22 items with a 3-factor solution showed 77% of explained variance in total. The subscales includes “Information and Communication” (9 items), “Contents Creation and Management” (4 items) and “Safety and Security” (9 items). CFA was conducted with this 3-factor solution (χ²/df=1.675, CFI=0.997, TLI=0.997, RMSEA=0.036, SRMR=0.050, CR=0.903-0.959, AVE=0.699−0.724, r²=0.616−0.773). Concurrent validity with the e-HEALS demonstrated a strong correlation (r=0.75). The Cronbach’s α coefficient was .98. Our study findings suggest psychometric properties of the 22-item EDLQ is valid and reliable to assess digital literacy for everyday technology use in Korean older adults. The EDLQ will be useful while developing technology-based interventions for community-dwelling older adults.
HAS THE RACIAL/ETHNIC DIGITAL DIVIDE AMONG OLDER COMMUNITY DWELLERS DEEPENED OR IMPROVED IN THE 2010S?
Authors: Chen Xiayu , Peet J Zak , Gu Danan , Wang Kun
Published: December 2023

After the rapid societal and technological changes that occurred during the 2010s, it is unclear whether the racial/ethnic digital divide has deepened or improved. Guided by critical race theory, this study aims to examine trends of the racial/ethnic effect on the first- and second-level digital divide and how race/ethnicity interacts with gender and education. Data from three rounds (2011, 2015, and 2019) of the National Health and Ageing Trend Study were used in this study. Older community dwellers with normal cognition were included (2011: n = 5214; 2015: n = 5543; and 2019: n = 3242). The first-level digital divide was measured by Internet access. The second-level digital divide was measured by the usage of six online activities. Using weighted multiple logistic regressions, we found that race/ethnicity became not significantly associated with the first-level digital divide in 2019 but was consistently associated with the second-level divide. Neither gender nor education moderated the first-level digital divide association across the three years. For the second-level digital divide, education moderated the racial/ethnic digital divide on online grocery shopping and banking in 2011 and 2015 but not in 2019; by contrast, education’s moderation effects on buying prescriptions, contacting health providers, and getting health information online were significant in 2015 and 2019. No general trends were found for the moderation effect of gender on the second-level digital divide. Racial/ethnic gaps in the first-level but not the second-level digital divide were alleviated. More interventions should be provided for racial/ethnic minorities, especially those with low education.
HEALTH CONDITIONS, CONTROL BELIEFS, AND ATTITUDINAL BELIEFS OF USING TECHNOLOGY IN LOW-INCOME OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Ojo Eunice Oladepe , Thiamwong Ladda , Xie Rui , Lighthall Nichole , Park Joon-Hyuk , Loerzel Victoria , Stout Jeffrey
Published: December 2023

Integrating assistive technologies into fall prevention interventions could improve health outcomes, but older adults in low-income settings face greater challenges with technology use due to factors such as cost, access, and location. We examined the acceptance of technology in low-income older adults and the factors associated with their acceptance. In this cross-sectional study, 126 adults aged 60 years and older agreed to participate in the study. Three technologies, including a BTrack balance system (BBS), bioimpedance measurement device (InBody), and activity monitoring device (Actigraphs) were used to assess fall risk. The Senior Technology Acceptance (STA) was used to assess the acceptance of technology. STA consists of four domains with 14 items (1-10 rating scale). The Pearson correlation test was used to determine the correlation between STA scores, fall risk, and demographic factors. We found a significant correlation between STA and the CDC’s STEADI fall risk score (r = 0.3, p = 0.00075); between STA and education (r = 0.26, p = 0.0042); and between STA and age (r = -0.32, p = 0.00031). Participants had the highest mean STA scores to the lowest mean scores as follows: health conditions (41.9 ± 5.8), control beliefs (30.1 ± 8.1), attitudinal beliefs (20.9 ± 8.2), and gerontological anxiety (8.3 ± 5.7). The use of technology is acceptable to low-income older adults but fall risk, education, and age were associated with acceptance. They may benefit from technologically based fall prevention intervention since they have the potential to use technology with low fear expressed toward it.
WHAT FACTORS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CRITICAL MEDIA LITERACY IN LATER LIFE?
Authors: Park Hayoung , Choi Bomi , Song Si Young , Kang Miseon
Published: December 2023

Who consumes new information from the media more critically? This study sought to empirically explore relevant factors associated with critical media literacy in later life. For the analyses, the 2021 Korean Media Panel Survey was utilized and the sample included 2,352 older Korean adults aged 65 and above (M=75.48, SD=7.34, range=65-106). Critical media literacy was measured by the mean of ten questions asking how critically evaluate the facticity, validity, intentions, and usefulness of new information from the media. Possible relevant factors include age, gender, education level, employment status, marital status, income level, and the ability to use digital technology (PC and smartphone). The results from the linear regression analyses showed that age, income level, and the ability to use digital technology were significantly associated with critical media literacy in later life. Older adults who are younger and have higher levels of income and the ability to use digital technology tend to evaluate new information from the media more critically. The findings from this study imply the importance of specialized media literacy education as social policy for older adults, especially those who are older and have lower levels of income and the ability to use digital technology. This study is significant as it empirically examined various factors related to critical media literacy in later life to inform intervention efforts to reduce misperceptions induced by misinformation that is rampant in this “information era”. Future studies are needed to investigate significant factors associated with critical media literacy in later life via various contexts.
WHAT LINKS DIGITAL SKILLS AND LIFE SATISFACTION? ROLES OF DIGITAL BENEFITS AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
Authors: Kang Miseon , Lee Seolah , Lee Jungup , Lee Hyo Jung
Published: December 2023

The benefits of equipping enhanced digital skills in late life have been reported on many occasions. Yet, there have been few attempts to understand the association between digital skills and better psychological outcomes for older adults by integrating factors with multiple domains such as social and digital-related factors. This study investigated the causal structure of the association between ‘digital skills’ and ‘life satisfaction’ by specifying a mediator ‘self-reported benefits of digital use’ and a moderated mediator ‘living arrangements’. Using data from ‘2020 Digital Information Gap Survey’ by National Information Society Agency of Korea, the final sample included 1,680 older Koreans aged 55 and over. Analysis was performed by PROCESS macro model 4 and 8 in SPSS. We found a significant positive effect of digital skills on life satisfaction via self-reported benefits of digital use and moderated mediation effect of living arrangements. Specifically, digital skills positively affected self-reported benefits of digital use, and the effect was stronger for older adults living alone. However, we found no moderating effect on the direct path between digital skills and life satisfaction in late life. The conditional direct effect of digital skills on life satisfaction was only significant for older adults living with others. Findings indicate that digital skills can compensate for older adults living alone, who may have fewer sources within a family context. Heterogeneity in family structure needs to be considered when exploring the impact of digital technology use on older adults’ lives.
WITHIN- AND BETWEEN-PERSON DIFFERENCES IN ACTIVITY FACTOR STRUCTURE: RESULTS FROM AN EMA STUDY
Authors: Bielak Allison , Mogle Jacqueline , Sliwinski Martin
Published: December 2023

Analyses of activity participation scales are typically based on single time points and resulting factors focus on differences between participants. However, as real-world activity engagement varies at more micro-timescales, these analyses provide little insight into how activities cluster together within a person across moments or days. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) studies capture within-person fluctuations in activity engagement and allow us to compare within-person variability to that observed across persons. Using multilevel factor analysis we examined the factor structure of activity participation within-persons (i.e., across days) and between participants. Using tablet-based assessments, 81 adults aged 41 to 94 years (M=61.26, SD=12.12) reported the activities they completed in the past 3-4 hours 5 times per day (4 at semi-randomly scheduled intervals and 1 at bedtime) for 14 days. Multilevel factor analysis simultaneously computed both intra-individual factors (within-person structure of activity in daily life) and inter-individual factors (between-person structure of activity engagement). A solution of 4 within-person and 4 between-person factors provided the best model fit, with three common factors across levels: 1) cognitive (e.g., read, write, computer tasks); 2) social (e.g., events, mentoring, providing care); and 3) passive (e.g., TV, games) factors. There were notable differences in the fourth factor however. Although there are similarities, the factor structure of activity participation between individuals is different than factors describing activity participation within persons from day to day. Researchers should be aware that common between-person activity factors will not unilaterally fit EMA within-person data and should conduct additional preparatory factor analyses.
SOLO AND PARENT–CHILD DYAD CAREGIVING FOR OLDER ADULTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CAREGIVER WELL-BEING
Authors: Kurth Maria , Chandler Kelly
Published: December 2023

Family caregiving for an older adult is predominantly studied as a solo endeavor (NIA, 2022), overlooking care by family subsystems (see Keith, 1995) and youth (Armstrong-Carter et al., 2021). Informed by family systems theory (Cox & Paley, 1997), we analyzed data from the 2019 AARP caregiver survey (NAC & AARP, 2021) to examine demographics, experiences, and outcomes between solo (96%) and parent-child ( < 18) dyad (4%) caregivers of an adult 65+ (N = 921). Adult caregivers were mostly female (59%), non-Hispanic White (63%), and cared for an old-old recipient (Mage = 81. 97, SD = 8.93). On average, caregivers were in midlife (Mage = 60.98, SD = 14.86, range: 19-93). Caregivers with child assistance were more likely to be Hispanic, X2(1) = 6.34, p < .05, employed, X2(1) = 10.87, p < .01, younger, t(46) = 8.79, p < .001, and cared for a younger recipient, t(45) = 3.40, p <.01. They were more likely to receive unpaid help, X2(1) = 28.02, p < .001, care for their father, X2(1) = 5.15, p < .05, and less likely to provide care to a spouse, X2(1) = 5.91, p <. 05, and identify as the primary caregiver, X2(1) = 6.42, p < .05. Preliminary ANCOVA results suggested parent-child dyad caregivers had less emotional stress F(1) = 5.64, p < .05; groups were comparable for financial strain and sense of purpose. Results add to the family caregiving literature by highlighting the experiences of parent-child caregiving dyads, which might buffer against caregiving stress.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ROLE CAPTIVITY, COPING STRATEGIE,S AND DEMENTIA FAMILY CAREGIVER MENTAL HEALTH
Authors: Poe Abigail , Alvarez Loreli , Wood Mallory , Puga Frank
Published: December 2023

Informal caregivers of individuals living with dementia have an increased risk for experiencing depressive and anxiety symptoms. The stress-process model posits that situational stressors and stress moderators, such as role captivity and coping strategies, predict worse mental health outcomes; however, relatively little is known about the relationship between role captivity and specific coping strategies dementia caregivers use to manage caregiving-related stress. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between role captivity, coping strategies, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. A preliminary analysis was conducted on a sample of community-dwelling family caregivers (N=30) from an ongoing national study on daily caregiving experiences. Data were analyzed using regression analysis. Dementia family caregivers reported moderate anxiety symptoms, measured by the GAD-7 (M= 11.86, SD= 4.39) and moderate depressive symptoms, measured by the CESD, (M=19.59, SD= 12.67). The sample’s mean age was 54.7 years old and 76.7% female. Role captivity was positively associated with depression (β=2.98, t(28) = 3.94, p< 0.001) and anxiety (β= 0.92, t(28) = 3.31, p< 0.01) among dementia caregivers. Avoidant coping was positively associated role captivity (β=0.31, t(28) = 4.27, p< 0.001). The results of this study suggest role captivity is associated with an increase in depression and anxiety among dementia caregivers. Further, avoidant coping is associated with an increase in role captivity reported by caregivers. The findings from this study support the benefit of interventions that help dementia family caregivers in their role and promote the use of positive coping strategies.
AGE EFFECTS ON WHITE MATTER TOPOLOGY IN OLDER ADULTS AT HIGH RISK OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Authors: Ai Meishan , Tinney Emma , Hillman Charles , Spreng Nathan , Kramer Arthur , Geddes Maiya ,   PREVENT-AD Research Group
Published: December 2023

White matter integrity shows age-related declines in later life. Studies have found altered topological changes of white matter networks in healthy aging populations. We investigated cross-sectional association between white matter network topology, age, education, and cognition in older adults at high-risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A total of 153 cognitively healthy participants (age=67.78±5.03, 111 female, 54 APOE-4 carriers) who have at least one close family member diagnosed with AD from the Pre-symptomatic Evaluation of Experimental or Novel Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease (PREVENT-AD) cohort were included in the study. Whole brain diffusion images were obtained and submitted to preprocessing, fiber tracking and connectome creation in MRtrix. Test scores from the Trail Making task, Stroop task, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) were included as cognitive function measures. We found that older age was significantly associated with greater modularity (r2=0.48, p corrected< 0.001), lower density (r2=0.32, p corrected< 0.001), greater betweenness centrality (r2=0.39, p corrected=0.003), and greater clustering coefficient (r2=0.05, p corrected=0.042). Older age was also significantly associated with longer Trail Making time series B (r2=0.11, p corrected=0.012) and fewer recalled words (r2=0.18, p corrected=0.007). We further found that participants with higher educational attainment showed less age-related changes in modularity (t=2.42, p=0.017) and density (t=2.40, p=0.018). However, these graph theory measures were not associated with cognitive performance. In conclusion, age related to whole-brain white matter network topology in high-risk healthy older adults, and education may attenuate this relationship. The current study deepens our understanding of white matter changes in high-risk aging.
CHANGES IN ADIPOSITY AND COGNITION AMONG EARLY POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN FOLLOWING HORMONE TREATMENT
Authors: Dowling Maritza , Manson JoAnn , Naftolin Frederick , Harman Sherman , Hammers Dustin , Cedars Marcelle , Kantarci kejal , Gleason Carey
Published: December 2023

Evidence suggests that early postmenopausal hormone treatment (MHT) may attenuate metabolic effects on dementia pathogenesis. Using Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS) and KEEPS-Continuation data, we investigated heterogeneity in the associations between longitudinal central adiposity (CA), MHT, and cognition, hypothesizing that CA would be related to cognition and that MHT would favorably alter this relationship. KEEPS participants (previously randomized to 48 months treatment with placebo or HT with oral conjugated equine estrogens + progesterone or transdermal 17-β-estradiol+ progesterone) were recruited for KEEPS-Continuation ~10 years post-randomization. Cognitive tests from both studies were analyzed as four-factor scores. Using the original KEEPS data (n=662), growth mixture modeling identified distinct CA trajectories (classes) across 48 months of MHT, which predicted cognition at 48 months and ~10 years, adjusting for covariates. Adiposity trajectories included “low-CA” and “high-CA” classes. Low-CA women exhibited stable low-CA throughout MHT. High-CA women’s adiposity was initially elevated but declined significantly after 48 months of MHT. After adjusting for covariates, the high (versus low) CA class predicted significantly lower cognitive factors scores at month 48 with one exception – Verbal-Learning & Memory. Ten years later, high-CA women (n=299) scored significantly lower on two factors. MHT predicted neither CA trajectories nor cognitive performance at 48 months or 10 years later. Adiposity levels significantly declined in the high-CA class on MHT but not placebo and was associated with diminished cognitive function. CA influenced short-and long-term cognition. Organ/tissue studies should examine how heterogeneity in adiposity levels interacts with MHT and other factors driving dementia pathogenesis.
DIGITAL CLOCK DRAWING PERFORMANCE ASSOCIATIONS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE GENETIC RISK SCORE AND APOE IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Thompson Louisa , Cummings Michael , Emrani Sheina , Libon David , Ang Alvin , Karjadi Cody , Au Rhoda , Liu Chunyu Liu Chunyu
Published: December 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in older adults, but most people are not diagnosed until clinical signs and symptoms are present. Non-invasive and cost-effective digital biomarkers for AD have the potential to improve early detection. We examined the validity of DCTclockTM (a digitized clock drawing task) as an AD susceptibility biomarker. We used two primary independent variables, Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 allele carrier status and polygenic risk score (PRS). We examined APOE and PRS associations with DCTclockTM composite scores as dependent measures. We used existing data from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), a community-based study with the largest dataset of digital clock drawing data to date. The sample consisted of 2,398 older adults ages 60-94 with DCTclockTM data (mean age of 72.3, 55% female and 92% White). PRS was calculated using 38 variants identified in a recent large genome-wide association study (GWAS) and meta-analysis of late-onset AD (LOAD). Results showed that DCTclockTM performance decreased with advancing age, lower education, and the presence of one or more copies of APOE ε4. Lower DCTclockTM Total Score as well as lower composite scores for Information Processing Speed and Drawing Efficiency were significantly associated with higher PRS levels and more copies of APOE ε4. Associations displayed similar effect sizes in men and women. This is the first study to demonstrate significant differences in clock drawing performance on the basis of APOE status or PRS.
IDENTIFYING MARKERS OF NEURODEGENERATION FOR MOTORIC COGNITIVE RISK SYNDROME
Authors: Ofori Edward , Hooten Madeline , Ortega Marcus , Barajas Jordan , James Dara
Published: December 2023

Cognitive disorders, particularly dementia, are a major cause of disability in the elderly population. Gait disturbances, decreased grip strength and memory complaints are early signs of dementia that can occur well before the disease manifests. To better understand the close interactions between the physical and cognitive domains, the concept of Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCRS) has been proposed. We had 25 older adults (10 cognitively unimpaired and 15 with MCRS) generate multiple force pulses at 15% of their maximum voluntary contraction with a fixed duration of 2 seconds for each pulse in which participants must rely on visual spatial abilities to gauge the amount force required in real-time to reach the criterion target. We also assessed neurofilament light chain levels also a blood-based marker of neuronal loss. Our results indicate the MCRS group demonstrated blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) hyperactivity in visual cortical/hippocampal regions, parahippocampal regions, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The MCRS group also demonstrated BOLD hypoactivity in primarily involved with movement, such as cerebellar lobules, supplementary motor areas, middle frontal gyrus, and prefrontal cortex areas.be useful in tracking disease progression. We also found a significant strong positive correlation (0.83) between serum NFL levels and Right BOLD coefficients only for the CI group. This finding suggests that these motor task fMRI measures may be specific in tracking neurodegeneration in MCRS group. Overall, the current preliminary findings provide novel insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying early changes in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
THE EFFECT OF EARLY SCHOOLING EXPERIENCES AND ADHD POLYGENIC RISK ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN LATE LIFE
Authors: Mansoor Marrium , Katz Benjamin
Published: December 2023

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by executive function (EF) deficits that may impact academic performance, workplace achievement, and other outcomes throughout adulthood. Although 6.76% of adults worldwide may be affected by ADHD, the interplay of early life factors and genetic risk is still not fully understood, especially in the context of cognitive function in later life. While literature suggests that early life experiences may moderate the links between genetic risk for ADHD and later life cognition, few studies have examined these links quantitatively. This research included ~7000 participants from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally-representative longitudinal study of 37,000 Americans. A moderation analysis was conducted to examine the effect of repeating a year of school before the age of 18 on the relationship between ADHD risk and EF performance as measured by scores on Number Series and Serial 7s tests. Results showed that ADHD genetic risk significantly predicted performance on EF measures; furthermore, the interaction term was significant while controlling for demographics, self-rated health, and maternal education. However, only older adults with low polygenic risk for ADHD displayed differential cognitive performance as a function of early-life academic adversity, while those with high polygenic risk displayed reduced performance on EF-related measures regardless of whether they repeated a grade. This finding suggests that the effect of genetic risk for ADHD on later life EF performance may remain stable across earlier educational experiences and informs future work examining the impact of gene-environment interactions on cognition in later life.