bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Decline and Retirement: Findings From the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Gosselin Catherine , Désilets-Jutras Meghan , Boller Benjamin 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Since increasing life expectancy leads to a longer period of retirement, several studies have been investigating the possible impact of retirement on cognitive health. Several epidemiological studies with cross-sectional designs have reported a negative association between retirement and cognitive capacities. However, very few studies with longitudinal designs have confirmed the negative effect of retirement on cognitive functioning. The present study was conducted to investigate the impact of retirement on cognitive capacities among older Canadians. We used data from the Comprehensive cohort of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) to compare performance retirees and workers (N = 1442), 45 to 85 years of age at baseline. Memory and executive functioning were assessed using standardized assessment tools at baseline and at three-year follow up. Retirees and workers were matched for age, gender and education using the nearest neighbor propensity score method with a caliper of 0.02. Mixed ANOVA and post hoc analyses were conducted separately for the English- and French-speaking samples. Results for the English-speaking sample showed a significant decline on both the Stroop and the Mental Alternation Task for retirees compared to workers from baseline to follow-up. These results support previous cross-sectional studies that have demonstrated a negative effect of retirement on executive functioning. The absence of significant results in the French-speaking sample will be discussed in terms of sample size and professional occupation.
Falling Between the Cracks: Experiences of Black Dementia Caregivers Navigating U.S. Health Systems
Authors: Alexander Karah , Oliver Sloan , Epps Fayron 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In addition to numerous care responsibilities, family caregivers are expected to navigate health systems and engage in healthcare management tasks on behalf of their persons living with dementia (PLWD). These challenging tasks pose additional difficulties for Black dementia caregivers. Due to the centuries-old, disadvantaged social history of Black Americans, several unique stressors, vulnerabilities, and resources have emerged which inform and affect Black dementia caregivers’ experiences and well-being. Focus groups were held with Black caregivers (N = 19) from the United States (U.S.) to explore the unique experiences and perspectives of this population navigating the U.S. health system on behalf of their PLWD. Five overarching themes were developed during thematic analysis: Forced Advocacy, Poor Provider Interaction, Payor Source Dictates Care, Discrimination, and Broken Health System. Black dementia caregivers unanimously concurred that the health system that they experience in America is “broken.” Gaps in the health system can lead to people [as one caregiver passionately expressed] “falling between the cracks,” in terms of care, services, and resources needed. Caregivers agreed that class, sex, utilizing public health insurance, and being a “person of color” contribute to their difficulties navigating the health system. Caregivers perceived being dismissed by providers, forcing them to advocate for both themselves and their PLWD. Healthcare providers and researchers can utilize these findings to improve the experiences and healthcare outcomes of Black patients with dementia and their caregivers. Additionally, these findings can lead to the development of culturally tailored caregiver education programs.
The Modified Mini Mental State (3MS) Test - Development of an Online Training Program
Authors: Rose Tara , Teng Evelyn , Chen Chia Ying , Manzo Elyse , Erickson Katherine , Chui Helena 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The Modified Mini Mental State (3MS), a screening test for cognitive abilities, can be administered in approximately 10 minutes and has a score range of 0-100. Early detection of cognitive impairment is important for clinical care. An individual’s score change over time can also help assess disease progression and treatment effects. The Web of Science, an online database, reports 1,864 publications using the 3MS, including 412 in the last 5 years. Articles came from 52 countries in 7 continents, with languages in English (98.7%), French (0.5%), Spanish (0.5%), German (0.2%), Czech (0.1%), and Korean (0.1%). The fields that publish with 3MS data included Geriatrics/Gerontology, Neurosciences/Neurology, Psychiatry, Psychology, and General/Internal Medicine. One reason for the popularity of the 3MS is its detailed manual for test administering and scoring; however, to date the manual is available only in print form. Here we present an online training program. It includes detailed directions on administering and scoring, video of a 3MS administration, and post-training tests on a trainee’s competency. This training material also covers clinical benefits of cognitive screening and a comparison of the 3MS with other measures. The 3MS helps clinicians with early detection of cognitive impairment, allowing time to address its underlying and potentially reversible causes, and aids in disease management. This online training program will help ensure accuracy and reduce between-tester variability of the obtained scores in both clinical care and research studies.
Understanding the Predictive Factors that Influence the Perceived Burden of Dementia Caregivers
Authors: Lucas Kaitlyn , Judge Katherine 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Caregivers of individuals with dementia have increased levels of burden because of their caregiving duties which in turn results in negative effects on their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Few studies have examined individual difference-based constructs such as positive and negative affect in relation to caregiver burden. Positive affect is characterized by pleasant emotions and expressions and higher levels of overall life satisfaction whereas negative affect is characterized by more pessimistic emotions and expressions and lower overall life satisfaction. Analyses were performed on dementia caregivers (n=102) using the online data collection tool MTurk Prime. The average caregiver provided 21 or more hours of care with 76.9% of caregivers living with their loved one with dementia. Significant correlations were found between caregiving burden and positive affect (r= -.31, p=.002) and negative affect (r= .56, p=&lt;.001), with higher positive affect related to lower burden and higher negative affect related to greater burden. Results of multiple regression models showed that positive affect (β = -.24, p = .03) and negative affect (β = .35, p = .01) were significant predictors of burden even while controlling for other constructs including types of coping, compassion towards other, and assessment of family dynamics. Understanding the relationship between these constructs will allow for more individualized interventions to be created to help reduce the level of burden that dementia caregivers experience.
Working and Caring During the Coronavirus Pandemic: The Impact of Workplace Policy on Working Female Caregivers
Authors: McLaughlin Jessica , Taeckens-Seabaugh Ashley , Kennicutt Amy , Capellaro Taylor 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The unprecedented nature of the coronavirus pandemic created significant socioenvironmental changes for working caregivers who found themselves juggling a new landscape of working and caring. Changes in workplace policy were often intended to accommodate those with caring responsibilities, however, there is little information available on how working female informal caregivers of older adults (defined as individuals age 50 or older) received, interpreted, and experienced those policy changes. Given this, it is necessary to gather a complete picture of workplace policy in the daily lives of working female caregivers during the pandemic. This qualitative study involved interviews held between February and April 2021 via video conferencing technology with 29 working female caregivers, ranging in age from 27 to 75 years old. Using a Role Conflict framework and descriptive, structural, and emotion coding strategies, analysis of written transcripts revealed that, while many caregivers were grateful that their workplaces had become more accommodative during the pandemic, apprehension and uncertainty about the future, both with caregiving and with work, also weighed heavily on many of them. The most positively endorsed workplace policy changes were flexibility in work schedules and the ability to work remotely during the pandemic. This research elucidates policy implications for working female caregivers outside of the pandemic context, as many of these policies enabled caregivers to provide care while working with greater ease.
A Qualitative Analysis of Dietary Practices and Motivators Among Older Adults Living With Parkinson Disease
Authors: Ferguson Christine , Lawrence Jeannine , Douglas Joy , Jung Seung , Halli-Tierney Anne , Bui Chuong , Oden Kyndal , Ellis Amy 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Research supports the role of diet in the onset and progression of Parkinson disease (PD); however, there is no specific dietary pattern recommended for PD. This is partially due to a paucity of in-depth data on the dietary practices of this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the dietary practices and motivators of older adults with PD. Eleven dyadic semi-structured interviews with older adults and their care-partners were conducted via Zoom about their dietary practices and motivators. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and data were thematically analyzed using NVivo 12 software. The following themes were identified: 1) Intentionally making healthier choices on a regular basis; 2) Following a specific dietary pattern; for example, the Mediterranean diet, ketogenic diet, vegetarian diet, and/or intermittent fasting; 3) Limiting or avoiding certain foods, food components, and/or food groups, such as dairy, gluten, sugar, animal meat, and/or alcohol; 4) Purchasing or growing organic produce; and 5) Adjusting the timing of their protein intake to their medications. Their PD diagnosis and symptoms were reported as the primary motivators for following their respective diets. Overall, older adults with PD may be motivated by their diagnosis to modify their dietary intake; however, there are a variety of patterns or restrictions they may be adhering to. These results support the need for a consensus on the dietary recommendations for this patient population.
Discrimination and Sleep in Chinese American Older Adults
Authors: Dong Alexander , Bergren Stephanie , Le Qun , Lanza Lisa , Dychtwald Dana K 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Since the start of COVID-19, reports of discrimination in the US against Asian Americans have increased approximately 150%. Prior research has demonstrated that victims of discrimination are more likely to experience physiological health concerns, possibly linked to sleep. The objective of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between disordered sleep and discrimination among Chinese older adults using data collected from the Population Study of ChINese Elderly (N=3124, 59% female). To assess, the experience of discrimination in nine settings (school, hiring, work, housing, medical, service, finance, public, and authority) and four indicators of sleep quality (duration, trouble falling asleep, insomnia, and self-reported sleep quality) were evaluated using logistic- and multinomial logistic regression. With an average age of 75 years, discrimination was experienced by 7.2% of participants. Experiencing any discrimination was associated with lower odds of longer sleep durations (&gt;8 hours) compared to those sleeping 6-8 hours. Experiences of discrimination in housing (OR: 5.51 (95%CI:1.08-27.98)) and with authority figures (OR: 6.02 (95%CI:1.16-31.31)) were significantly associated with shorter sleep durations (&lt;6 hours), compared to those sleeping 6-8 hours. Those who experienced discrimination in a school setting were less likely to have trouble falling asleep (OR: 0.28 (95%CI:0.09-0.88)), while discrimination in medical settings were more likely to experience insomnia (OR: 2.29 (95%CI:1.13-4.63)). All other relationships between discrimination and sleep measures were non-significant. Given mixed evidence and the increased relevancy of discrimination against Asian Americans, further research on how discrimination may impact health outcomes and sleep quality is warranted.
Drag Expression Among Older Gay Men: Exploratory Findings of a Pilot Study
Authors: Chapman Brian , Donorfio Laura , Tomasino Debra 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This poster presentation highlights pilot findings of how older gay male drag queens define drag expression and its associated positive and negative attributes. While drag has become more mainstream, little is known about this sexual and gender minority (SGM) and what it means to be an older drag queen and how it interfaces with societal gender expectations. (Knutson, Koch, Sneed, Lee, & Chung, 2020; O’Brien, 2018). Research to date reports that while sexual minority youth experience bullying, anxiety, lower self-esteem, and suicidal ideation at higher rates than their heterosexual and gender conforming peers, research has not examined the role drag expression plays as a healthy coping mechanism and, in particular, what role it may play for older drag queens. (Levasseur, Kelvin, Rosskopf, 2013; Mueller, James, Abrutyn, & Levin, 2015). Several studies have found that familial support and connectedness offers valuable protective factors for sexual minority youth in their sexual identity development, but again, little is known about the benefits this may provide older drag queens (Brandon-Friedman & Kim, 2016; Eisenberg & Resnick, 2006). Utilizing Grounded Theory, in-depth interviews were conducted with gay males over the age of fifty (n=5) who identified as drag queens to understand how drag expression is integrated into one’s persona, how it may serve as a healthy coping mechanism, and how it interfaces with dragism, generativity, and family relationships over their lifespan (Donorfio, 2020). In addition to sharing the qualitative findings, demographic and data measures of personality, coping, resilience, and mood are also be reported.
Hope As A Motivator For Healthy Behaviors In Older Adults: Findings From A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Khan Mushira , Hill Patrick , O'Brien Catherine , O'Connor Dugan 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Hope can be understood as a motivational state that enables people to move toward their goals. Yet, how hope may act as a motivator for healthy behaviors in older adults is not well-understood. Further, the extant literature utilizes varied conceptualizations of hope, and a better understanding of the constructs that underlie the relationship between hope and health behaviors is needed. This study examined the relationship between hope and health behaviors, explored how this relationship may differ across different socio-demographic groups, and considered how hope relates to perceived future selves among older adults. Community-dwelling adults 55 years and older (n = 711; mean age 67.38 years; 280 men, 431 women) completed an online, cross-sectional survey. Survey measures included, along with the Adult Hope Scale (AHS) and the Herth Hope Index (HHI), a health behaviors checklist, self-reported health, and a future self scale. We found a moderately strong positive correlation between hope and healthy behaviors in older adults (AHS r = 0.46, p &lt; .01; HHI r = 0.50, p &lt; .01). Participants with higher levels of hope also reported more positive future selves and better health. The associations were similar across different racial/ethnic groups and the magnitude of this effect held even after controlling for gender, education, marital status, and income. Of the two hope scales, we recommend the AHS measure given its relative parsimony, greater use in the field, and the fact that the associations were fairly similar to the HHI with respect to health and health behavior.
Current and Future Directions in Minority Aging: Embracing Interdisciplinary Models
Authors: Farmer Heather , Thierry Amy , Whitfield Keith 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Racial/ethnic disparities in health among older adults are well-documented. More research is needed to clarify the complex and multifactorial mechanisms underlying these associations. This symposium will feature research that employs innovative theoretical and methodological approaches to understand the biopsychosocial mechanisms that underlie racial/ethnic disparities in older adults’ health and determine sources of within-group heterogeneity in minority aging. Dr. Forrester will integrate stress biology and intersectionality to demonstrate the importance of stress and resilience (e.g., John Henryism) with biological aging within Black adults participating in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. Dr. Brown Hughes will present innovative research using data from the African American United Memory and Aging Project (AA-UMAP) on the importance of Alzheimer’s disease-specific knowledge and perceptions among Black older adults. Dr. Gamaldo will employ a within-race approach to understand how knowledge and perceptions of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) shape cognitive performance among Black older adults in the AA-UMAP study. Dr. Mitchell will use Health and Retirement Study data to explore the role of midlife stress exposure in accounting for racial disparities in trajectories of cognitive functioning. Drs. Thierry and Farmer will use HRS data to examine how psychosocial resilience (e.g., mastery) affects the relationship between perceived neighborhood conditions (e.g., disorder) and cognition among Black older adults. This work highlights the importance of applying an interdisciplinary lens to move the study of minority aging forward and ultimately, to reduce the unnecessary burden of morbidity and mortality among minoritized groups.
Lifespan Developmental Analysis of Health Problems and Problem Drinking Across White and Underrepresented Adults
Authors: Boyd Willard , Li Yimei , Ahmed Mohammed , Mohammed Dania , Kwan Thomas , Lee Matthew 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Research has illustrated potential health benefits from moderate drinking, but also health risks from excessive drinking. Few studies have contrasted drinking effects on health across different periods of the lifespan, and how such contrasts may vary across sociodemographic subpopulations. In this study, we investigated underrepresented racial and ethnic group status as a moderator of drinking effects on health across the lifespan. Analyses used data from two waves of a large U.S.-representative sample. We estimated a series of 3*3 between-persons ANOVAs testing effects of Wave-1 drinking group (abstainer, moderate drinkers, and excessive drinkers), age (young adulthood, midlife, and older adulthood), and drinking-group-by-age interactions in White versus underrepresented status. The outcome variable was Wave-2 hypertension (controlling for Wave-1 hypertension). In the older-adult White group, results reflected the familiar “j-shaped” curve of alcohol effects on health. Specifically, abstainers experienced higher hypertension than moderate drinkers (with marginal significance: p=.054), and excessive drinkers experienced higher hypertension than moderate drinkers (p= .002). In contrast, among underrepresented older adults, hypertension levels did not vary significantly by drinking group. Graphical results clarified that the lack of drinking effects among underrepresented older adults reflected that they had similarly elevated hypertension across all three drinking groups, whereas the White older adults only had comparably elevated hypertension in the excessive-drinker group. These findings suggest that the positive health effects of moderate drinking apply primarily to White older adults. Our poster will discuss potential explanations for the apparent lack of health benefits of safe-drinking practices among underrepresented older adults.
Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Frontline Responders and Students in Training
Authors: Revell Andrew , Gauvin Mitchell 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Medical personnel have been in the frontlines of the pandemic leading to increased levels of stress and an impact on mental health. Risks may include, but are not limited to, pronounced burnout (Shechter et al., 2020), vicarious trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The goal of this investigation was to gain insight on the psychological effects that the pandemic had on both frontline responders (EMTs and emergency room staff) and students in clinical training. Emerging adults and adult participants (N=150; ages 18-46; 70.4% ages 18-24) were recruited through the introductory psychology subject pool, community healthcare, and social media. Linear regression and means testing were employed to assess differences between current frontline workers and future workers on the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21; Lovibond, 1995) on irritability, sleep, covid-19 positive presence, concentration, and other mental health factors. Hierarchical linear regression, controlling for age, indicated higher anxiety subscale scores (b=2.49, p=.008) and higher stress subscale scores (b=2.25, p=.035) were present on the DASS-21 for women. Dichotomous means testing indicated higher anxiety, stress, and depression levels for those who also reported a significant change in sleep habits (p &lt;.001) and for those who reported being more irritable on their days off (p &lt;.001) during the pandemic. Students in training (37.7%) indicated interest in considering a different career path (r = .302, p = .02). Future studies should examine these dynamic relationships among mental health factors among healthcare professionals and the implications for training the next generation.
Psychosocial Predictors of Psychological Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ryou Yeon Ji , Lee Gina , Arieli Rotem , Martin Peter , Choi Shinae , Cho Jinmyoung , Heinz Melinda 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
People worldwide have been largely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition to worries about physical health, it also causes concerns about psychological and mental health. This research aims to explore predictors affecting psychological well-being during the pandemic using the 2018 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) RAND longitudinal data (N = 42,233) and the 2020 HRS COVID-19 module (N = 3,266). Demographics (i.e., gender, age, and education), psychosocial (i.e., personality traits), and health (i.e., comorbidity) variables were included in multivariate logistic and ordinary least square regression analyses predicting feeling “overwhelmed,” “stressed,” and “lonely” during the pandemic. Our results indicated that neuroticism was positively associated with all outcomes. Women were more likely to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and lonely compared to men. Age negatively predicted the overwhelmed and stressed feelings. Furthermore, the effect of depressive symptoms in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018 on psychological well-being was assessed by conducting a latent growth curve model. Findings indicate that initial level and increasing change of depressive symptoms over four-time points (waves 11-14) were positively related to psychological feelings. A higher level of depressive symptoms at the initial level of 2012 and increasing reports of depression symptoms predicted higher rates of being stressed, feeling overwhelmed, and lonely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results have implications for future research and interventions that should target the emotional antecedents and consequences of pandemics.