bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DEPENDENCY IN ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING: THE ROLE OF MULTIDIMENSIONAL FRAILTY AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Authors: Zijlstra G A Rixt , Vorst Anne van der , Op het Veld Linda P M , Witte Nico De , Schols Jos M G A , Kempen Gertrudis 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Most older adults prefer to “age in place” and maintain independent regarding activities of daily living (ADL). Dependency in ADL might be caused by frailty. This study explored the relationship between multidimensional frailty and ADL dependency, and if protective factors, derived from a systematic literature review, moderate this relationship. A longitudinal study with a 24-month follow-up was performed among 1,027 community-dwelling older adults. Multidimensional frailty was assessed with the Tilburg Frailty Indicator, and ADL dependency with the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale. Other measures included socio-demographic characteristics and seven protective factors against ADL dependency, such as physical activity and non-smoking. Logistic regression analyses showed that frail older people had a twofold risk of developing ADL dependency in comparison to non-frail older people after 24 months (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.50-3.00). Analyses with interaction terms indicated that the selected protective factors against ADL dependency did not signiﬁcantly moderate this relationship. Nonetheless, higher levels of physical activity and having suﬃcient ﬁnancial resources decreased the risk of becoming ADL dependent in the overall sample (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.46-0.98 and OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.35-0.71, respectively). In conclusion, multidimensional frail older people are at higher risk of developing ADL dependency and the studied factors against ADL dependency did not signiﬁcantly moderate this relationship. To develop prevention strategies for ADL dependency and facilitate aging in place, future studies might explore the relationship between each specific frailty domain and ADL dependency, and the role of (other) moderating factors.
CHANGES IN RELIGIOUSNESS AMONG OLDER ADULTS FOLLOWING CANCER DIAGNOSIS
Authors: Murphy Tonia K , Wilton Sara , Blackmar Amanda , Thompson Edward H , Futterman Andrew 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
This study aims to identify the changes in individuals’ religious beliefs after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Open-ended religious development interviews were completed with 278 older adults (aged 55 to 102) in the northeast United States. Of these 278, 16 of the interviewees had received a cancer diagnosis within the previous two years. These older adults who report a cancer diagnosis describe few changes in their overall religiousness. On the contrary, these individuals describe longstanding, generally consistent patterns of religiousness that began early in life, most often related to their family upbringing. While most of these cancer-diagnosed individuals have sustained their religious involvement over time, a few have rejected or substantially modified their religious involvement for reasons unrelated to their recent diagnosis (e.g., most often due to marrying someone of a different faith tradition). In addition, those who received a cancer diagnosis describe their religious involvement primarily in terms of its emotional and social reward. These individuals report little complexity of religious belief - little questioning, little doubt in religious doctrine. Instead they report a straightforward, deep, comforting religious belief. This is in contrast to frequent critical comments on religious belief and behavior reported by healthy older adults in our sample. Such findings are in keeping with previous research that describes a more extrinsically oriented religious involvement among older adults who are ill or vulnerable. We discuss these findings in light of both social selectivity theory (E.g., Carstensen, 1992) and stress and coping theory (Lazarus & lazarus, 2006).
DO PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS MODERATE LINKS BETWEEN CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AND COGNITION IN LATER LIFE?
Authors: Yorgason Jeremy B , Hill Melanie S , Wellar Hailey , Erickson Lance , Gale Shawn 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Cardiovascular health is related to cognition in later life (Samieri, 2018). Psychological factors, such as depressive symptoms, have been linked with cardiovascular health (Thomas, Kalaria, & O’Brien, 2004). Marital quality, an important indicator of social connection, has been linked with cardiovascular response (Seider et al., 2009), and both depression and marital satisfaction are linked with a quicker recovery from heart attacks (Keller, 1998). Depressive symptoms and marital quality may buffer links between cardiovascular health and cognitive functioning. The purpose of this study was to examine cardiovascular links with cognition, in connection with depressive symptoms and marital quality. Using data from 864 participants of the Life and Family Legacy study (Mean age = 61.78), we examined predictors from 2010 in relation to cognition measured in 2017/2018. Word recall and computation subscales of the Minnesota Cognitive Acuity Screen (MCAS) were used to assess cognitive functioning. Results from multiple regression models indicated that after controlling for age, gender, education, income, and marital status, having hypertension and higher depressive symptoms were predictive of word recall. Lower depressive symptoms were also predictive of higher computation scores. Depression did not moderate links between cardiovascular health and cognitive functioning. Among married participants (n=632), positive marital quality had no main effect nor moderating association with cardiovascular health predicting cognitive functioning. Further research is needed to better understand how biological, psychological, and social factors interact to affect cognition in later life. Longitudinal work should track these associations in context of cognitive changes with aging.
PURPOSE IN LIFE PROTECTS AGAINST COGNITIVE DECLINE AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Kim Giyeon , Shin Su Hyun , Scicolone Monica , Parmelee Patricia A 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Objective: This study examined whether having a sense of purpose in life protects against cognitive decline among older adults and whether purpose in life moderates the relationship between selected risk factors (age, sex, and race/ethnicity) and cognitive abilities. Methods: This was a longitudinal analysis of existing secondary data of adults (N = 11,557) aged 50 or older using the 2006 −2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. The study measured purpose in life, cognitive functioning score, and various covariates. Results: Growth curve modeling revealed that, after adjusting for covariates, purpose in life was positively associated with participants’ total cognition scores. Purpose in life significantly moderated the relationship between age and race/ethnicity and cognitive decline. Further, purpose in life was a protective factor against cognitive decline for those who were older and black. There was no significant interaction between purpose in life and sex. Conclusion: Having a purposeful life protects against cognitive decline in older adults, and the associations varied by age and race/ethnicity, but not by sex. Potential ways to increase purpose in life are discussed in a clinical context.
THE ROLE OF PRINT EXPOSURE IN SUPPORTING COGNITIVE ABILITY AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Liu Xiaomei , Stine-Morrow Elizabeth A L , McCall and Giavanna S 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Reading is an activity that has long been thought to have beneficial effects on cognitive ability, however, little is known about the effects of long-term reading engagement on cognition among older adults. Pre-test data are reported from an ongoing study of the effects of a literacy-based intervention on cognition among older adults. Participants (66.7% female) ranging from 60 to 79 years of age with education ranging from 11 to 19 years were administered a battery of measures, including print exposure checklists, which are objective indices for assessing long-term reading-related activities, as well as cognitive assessments. A composite measure of print exposure was based on the Author Recognition Test, Magazine Recognition Test, Non-fiction Author Recognition Test, and Fiction Recognition Test (alpha=.92). Cognition was assessed in a comprehensive battery, including measures of verbal ability, working memory, episodic memory, and verbal fluency (alpha=.83). Print exposure was marginally related to self-reported time spent reading (r=.27, p.4), suggesting criterion-related validity. Age-related declines were not evident for any of our cognitive measures in this sample, t(46)’s.8, and there was a modest increase in reading engagement with age (r=.36, p=.01). Controlling for verbal ability, print exposure had a significant positive influence on global cognition (standardized beta=0.38, p=.01); however, these effects were specific to episodic memory and verbal fluency, t(46)&gt;2, p&lt;.05. These preliminary findings are suggestive of selective cognitive benefits from continued literacy engagement in reading in later life.
BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS FOR COGNITION AND EVERYDAY FUNCTION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Sprague Briana N , Freed Sara A , Webb Christina E , Phillips Christine B , Hyun Jinshil , Ross Lesley A 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Behavioral interventions to improve cognitive function in older adults are widespread and can vary from theatre classes to cognitive training programs targeting one domain. However, the effectiveness in maintaining different cognitive domains varies greatly both across and within intervention types. To date, no systematic reviews have synthesized findings across more than a few types of interventions (e.g., cognitive vs. exercise). This systematic review examined nine types of behavioral interventions and the respective transfer to 18 cognitive domains and everyday function. The 2017 search yielded 75 unique eligible articles comprising of educational, theatre, mindfulness, cognitive, exercise, video game, and combination interventions. In general, there was limited evidence of consistent transfer from behavioral interventions to untrained cognitive domains. Few studies examined education, theatre, mindfulness, or video game interventions, leaving inconclusive results about their effect on cognitive function. Nine studies evaluated transfer to everyday function and found that both process- and strategy-based cognitive training conferred benefits up to 10 years posttest. These results suggest that while there is weak-to-moderate evidence of far transfer from behavioral interventions to untrained cognitive domains, it may be more important to examine far transfer to measures more indicative of older adult everyday life. Furthermore, it highlights the necessity to continue long-term follow-up. While there were notable limitations of the extant literature, including inconsistent use of terms such as active control or inadequate intervention description, there were strengths such as the recent implementation of factorial designs. Implications for future research and practice will be discussed.
EFFECT OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON COGNITION IN ADULT DAY PARTICIPANTS
Authors: Stucki Bradford , Katz Ben , Briganti Jonathan , Schepisi Ila , Jarrott Shannon 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Aerobic exercise has been demonstrated to be one of the most effective means of improving cognition in older adults. However, less is known about how exercise programs may improve cognition in older adults participating in Adult Day Service (ADS) programs. We analyzed a ten-year longitudinal data set from the Virginia Tech ADS center. We limited our analyses to individuals for whom we had two time points of the Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) (n=142; average age = 78.48; 63 female, average days at center = 347; SD=432.71). Participants in the center completed approximately 30 minutes of physical exercise each day of attendance. The exercise regimen was largely composed of aerobic chair exercise, stretching, and lifting. Facilitator ratings of engagement with the exercise activity between the two test administrations were used to create an average engagement score for each participant. Multiple regression analyses were conducted using engagement as a predictor and change in MMSE as an outcome; no significant relationship was identified between exercise engagement and change in cognitive status. However, a moderation analysis conducted with diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or dementia as a predictor, change in MMSE as an outcome, and exercise engagement as a moderator revealed a significant moderation effect (p = .001). Greater exercise engagement was associated with improvements on the MMSE, but only for individuals without a diagnosis of AD or dementia. Given that many ADS programs serve individuals both with and without AD or dementia, these findings may inform more personalized exercise interventions at ADS centers.
STABILITY AND CHANGE IN DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND COGNITION FOR CENTENARIAN COHORTS
Authors: Lee Gina , Martin Peter 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the stability and change of cognition and depression levels and how they predict each other over time. Participants of the Health and Retirement Study who survived to centenarian status (N = 331) were included in this study. The total cognition summary score and the CES-D summary score of depressive symptoms were used to conduct four cross-lagged regression analyses from wave 2 to wave 6. Age was used as a covariate. Results indicated that the stability coefficients for depressive symptoms and cognition from wave 2 to wave 6 were high. Depressive symptoms at wave 2 significantly predicted change in cognition at wave 3, whereas depressive symptoms at all other waves did not predict change in cognition in the next wave. Cognition did not predict changes in depressive symptoms for any wave. Age as a covariate predicted change in cognition in each following wave, particularly from wave 2 to wave 5. The coefficients without stability for depressive symptoms and cognition from wave 2 to wave 5 predicted each other significantly over time, except for the last wave. In conclusion, cognition and depressive symptoms predict each other over time, but they do not predict each other if stabilities are included in the analyses. Further research needs to examine the stability and change in depressive symptoms and cognition including more waves in order to examine whether cross-lagged effects fade or continue in very late life.
THE ASSOCIATION OF OBJECTIVE FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY, EDUCATION, AND MATH SKILLS
Authors: Sunderaraman Preeti , Ho Sarah , Stern Yaakov , Cosentino Stephanie 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Rationale: Financial decision-making (FDM) is a critical ability with implications across the adult life-span. In healthy adults, demographic and cognitive factors impact FDM. However, the impact of these factors on FDM has yet to be fully investigated. The aim of the current study was to understand the extent to which demographics (age, education, sex), financial literacy (crystallized ability), and mathematical ability (fluid ability) influence FDM. Participants and Methods: The sample, recruited from a larger ongoing study, consisted of 73 adults; mean age=61.31 (13.76) years, mean education=15.68 (2.61) years, 59.5% female, 58% Caucasian. FDM was measured using the Financial Competence Assessment Inventory, financial literacy using a standard set of 23 questions, and math skills using WAIS-III Arithmetic, WRAT-IV Math and Cognitive Reflection Test. Results: Only variables that were significantly associated with FDM in bivariate analysis were selected for the multiple regression analysis. After adjusting for multicollinearity, stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that the overall model with 3 predictors (education, financial literacy, WAIS-III Arithmetic) was significant (F =23.64, p &lt; .001) and explained 50.7% of the variance in FDM. Education and WAIS-III Arithmetic predicted FDM to a higher extent than financial literacy. Conclusions: The finding that education and fluid ability has a relatively higher impact on FDM as compared to crystallized ability is important. As one ages, fluid abilities decline more rapidly than crystallized abilities. This may be one explanation for why FDM ability worsens with age. To increase confidence in these findings, future research should test these models using age-stratified analyses.
AFFECTING COGNITION: HOW DO POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE AFFECT PREDICT THE FUTURE COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE OF MIDLIFE ADULTS
Authors: Lee Jungmin , Troutman Sara B W , Gertel Victoria , Molenaar Peter , Almeida David M 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The purpose of the present study is to examine whether positive affect and negative affect can predict the changes in cognitive abilities, assessed by episodic memory and executive functioning, during the transition to late adulthood. Using the longitudinal data from the national survey of midlife development in the United States (MIDUS), this study implements a cross-lagged panel model to test the significance of two pathways; one from affect to cognition and the other in the opposite direction. The results show the three main findings: First, the relationship between affect and cognition is unidirectional in which only positive affect and negative affect during the first occasion significantly predict episodic memory in the second occasion. Second, regardless of the type of affect, higher levels of both positive and negative affect predicts worse episodic memory and this tendency is more prominent in older adults. The combined results emphasize the benefits of using affect as a predictor of changes in the specific types of cognition and suggest using the longitudinal model to account for complex relationships between these psychological constructs.
PROMOTING AND ATTRACTING STUDENTS TO CAREERS IN AGING SERVICES
Authors: Heinz Melinda 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Three student focus groups were conducted at residential, center, and online university locations (N = 15) to investigate interest and understanding of careers in gerontology and exposure to aging issues. Students majoring in health services administration, psychology, and human services were recruited and given an honorarium for participating. Sessions were recorded and transcribed with two researchers independently coding to identify themes. Center and online participants were more likely to be non-traditional students. Eighty-seven percent of participants were female, 13 percent were male. Ages ranged from 19 to 34 (M = 23.4). Eighty-seven percent were upperclassmen. This study is unique as most research has investigated aging issues with traditional aged students. Center students reported aging issues were discussed in courses outside of their majors, whereas residential students stated issues did not receive attention outside of gerontology classes. Online students stated discussions depended on the class. Common deterrents for not considering careers in gerontology were concerns about performing “physical cares” or coping with death anxiety. Few considered what a career in gerontology looked like outside of nursing homes. To increase awareness, some students felt “gerontology classes should be mandatory.” Students felt taking field trips to modern nursing homes “changed their perspective,” from medical model facilities. All participants reported little exposure to older adults or gerontology as a viable career path in high school. With the rapidly aging population, we suggest incorporating a “Careers in Aging” unit in high schools to increase awareness of gerontology opportunities.
LATER-ADULTHOOD TRAUMA REENGAGEMENT IN VIETNAM VETERANS WITH PTSD: FINDINGS FROM A PROGRAM EVALUATION PROJECT
Authors: Malley Kelly A O , Bamonti Patricia M , Graham Kirsten , Smith Ronald , Gurevitch Jacqueline , Kaiser Anica Pless 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
As Veterans age, they may experience an emergence or exacerbation of stress symptomatology. Later-Adulthood Trauma Reengagement (LATR) is an intervention that provides psychoeducation on the LATR process, teaches mindfulness and coping, facilitates trauma re-integration, and fosters meaning-making in late life. This program evaluation project evaluated the LATR group offered in the Geriatric Mental Health Clinic at VA Boston. Twenty-one Vietnam Veterans with PTSD symptomatology were referred to the group between 2017-2018. Fifteen completed the 10-week group, and 12 completed pre- and post-intervention assessments and offered feedback. At the conclusion of the group, Veterans reported a decrease in depressive and PTSD symptoms. Of the 4 Veterans who endorsed suicidal ideation at the start of the group, 3 reported a decrease post-group. Veterans endorsed slightly more positive appraisals of their military service. Veterans reported that the group offered support, connection, and a sense of belonging with other Veterans, helped increase coping, and increased insight into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A suggested improvement to the group was to offer more sessions. Eleven Veterans sought continued mental health services following the group; three newly sought trauma-focused interventions. Four Veterans reported that their trauma-related symptoms were resolved and declined referral. Veterans found the LATR group helpful as evidenced by reduction in symptoms and responses to open-ended questions. A small number sought additional trauma-focused treatment; others reported that their symptoms were resolved and did not require additional treatment. Findings support the continued offering of the LATR group within this clinical setting.
MOTIVATION TO LEARN, LITERACY, NUMERACY, AND LATER-LIFE ADULT EDUCATION PARTICIPATION IN THE U.S.
Authors: Yamashita Takashi , Cummins Phyllis , Millar Roberto J , Sahoo Shalini , Smith Thomas J 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The objective of this study is to examine the associations between the motivation to learn, basic skills (i.e., literacy and numeracy), and organized formal and non-formal adult education and training (AET) participation among middle-aged and older adults in the U.S. Rapid technological advancement and globalization requires that adults engage in lifelong learning to actively participate in society. However, little is known about the roles of motivation to learn and basic skills in AET participation among aging adults in the U.S. We obtained restricted data from the 2012/2014 Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies, and included adults aged 50 years and older (n = 2,580) in the analysis. Structural equation models were used to examine (1) any AET, (2) formal AET and (3) non-formal AET participation as a function of the latent construct of motivation to learn, literacy and numeracy scores (0 – 500), and covariates. Per the confirmatory factor analysis, the motivation to learn latent construct was a valid measure among the older adults. Results from the structural equation models showed that the motivation to learn (b = 0.35, p &lt; 0.05), literacy (b = 0.05, p &lt; 0.05) and numeracy (b = 0.03, p &lt; 0.05) are all positive predictors of non-formal AET participation. However, only motivation to learn (b = 0.47, p &lt; 0.05) is associated with formal AET participation. Findings from this study inform future interventions as well as policy changes to promote specific types of organized AET programs among the aging populations in the U.S.