bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MULTIPLE SOURCES OF SUPPORT AND STRAIN AND SELF-PERCEPTIONS OF AGING
Authors: Lee Gina , Chopik William 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
How people perceive the aging process is associated with important health, well-being, and cognition outcomes. For example, people with more positive self-perceptions of aging (SPA) live longer and have better cognition than those with negative self-perceptions (Levy et al., 2002; Tully-Wilson et al., 2021). One underappreciated source of variation in these aging perceptions might arise from our immediate social context—namely, the close relationships we find ourselves in. However, previous research has tested this in a piecemeal fashion, often neglecting the multiple relationships that we inhabit at once. The current study examined changes and variations in SPA and how these perceptions vary according to sources of support and strain from spouses, children, family, and friends. We used random intercept cross-lagged panel models to model within-person changes in SPA and support/strain over twelve years (2008-2020) among 22,160 older adults from the Health and Retirement Study. The results indicated that strain is more closely tied to SPA than support. Spousal support and SPA had positive reciprocal associations. SPA negatively predicted spousal strain, but not vice versa. Interestingly, higher strain from other family members and friends shaped more positive SPA, whereas support from these sources was largely unrelated to SPA. Child support/strain was not associated with SPA. Such findings provide a better understanding of how different close relationships shape aging perceptions. Future studies can test different mechanisms and outcomes underlying each relational contributor of SPA by exploring cognitive, psychological, and/or physiological factors.
WHEN DO FRIENDS MATTER? MODERATORS OF THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SOCIAL SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS
Authors: Yu Xinfang , Ang Shannon 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
With shrinking family sizes in many parts of the world, older adults are beginning to rely more on friendships for support in later life. Because individuals get to choose their own friends (unlike family), the typical assumption is that perceiving more social support from friends is protective of mental health. In this study, we examine if the association between social support from friends and depressive symptoms is contingent on other factors, such as age and support from family. We use three waves of data (2014-2018) from a nationally representative study of older adults aged 60 years and above in China (N = 6,304 person-year observations). We estimated growth curve models with an accelerated longitudinal design, using interaction terms to assess whether age, friends, and family ties moderate the relationship between support from friends and depressive symptoms. The results suggest that the protective effects of friend support on depressive symptoms reduces with increasing age and greater family support. We also found the relationship between social support from friends and depressive symptoms was curvilinear – the direction of the relationship depended on the degree of support perceived. Our findings provide a more nuanced view of the benefits of friendships for psychological well-being, suggesting moderation in the positive effects of friend support despite the common assumption that they are always beneficial. Understanding how social support from friends contributes to their health can help guide efforts to maximize gains and minimize losses that matter most to people as they age.
BOUNDARIES, STRUCTURE, AND TURNOVER: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF OLDER ADULTS’ CORE DISCUSSION NETWORKS
Authors: Compernolle Nell , Goldman Alyssa 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Decades of research have collected information about individuals’ core discussion networks as a fundamental measure of social integration, with implications for health and well-being. Growing interest in personal network dynamics—additions or losses of key social ties overtime—has sparked recent critiques of the validity and reliability of personal network measurement. Specifically: whether typically-used name generators accurately capture social ties on which individuals ultimately rely in times of need. Here, we compare findings from two longitudinal studies of older adults’ personal networks: the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP; four rounds of data collection spaced five years apart) and the Chicago Health and Aging in Real-Time (CHART; three waves spaced six months apart). Results suggest that oft-cited concerns of egocentric data collection may be less problematic than recently suggested. Regarding boundary specification, older adults in both studies report an average of 3-4 close confidants, with more than half reporting more than five and, among CHART respondents who do, an average of 1.4 additional confidants. Regarding network structure, the two studies yield near identical results in the proportion of core confidants being kin (~70%), co-residing (~20%), average frequency of interaction (a few times a week), and average closeness (very close). Last, regarding network turnover, we observe slightly fewer additions and losses between waves in the CHART study compared to NSHAP, although both show relatively little turnover. Together, findings support the utility of core discussion networks in capturing older adults’ core confidants at a given point in time.
SOCIAL CONTEXTS AND WELL-BEING IN AGING: EXPLORING NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENT, NETWORKS, FAMILY DYNAMICS, AND LONELINESS
Authors: Liu Hui , Carr Deborah 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The five papers presented in this symposium utilize data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) to investigate the impact of social context, encompassing neighborhood environment, social networks, family dynamics, and social isolation, on health and well-being in later life. Ashtiani and Moorman examine the influence of neighborhood factors on loneliness, revealing that the residential environment indirectly affects loneliness through perceived social cohesion and neighborhood characteristics. Li, Wong, and Waite explore the long-term dyadic effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on later-life social participation, while considering the moderating role of spousal support and strain. Their findings demonstrate that both individual and spousal ACEs correlate with diminished social participation in later life, with spousal effects more pronounced from husbands to wives and further varied by marital quality. Choi investigates the association between marital history and the availability, quality, and stability of older adults’ social network ties to their children, uncovering significant impacts of past and present marital experiences on parent-child relationships. Additionally, two other papers employ comparative analyses, drawing from NSHAP and European datasets. Iveniuk, Schafer, and Sun assess the extent to which the link between education and cognition is mediated by social network characteristics, revealing variations in findings across the U.S. and European countries. Azar examines variations in the relationships among loneliness, social isolation, and health across different institutional exposures to defamilization policies in the U.S. and Europe over the life course.
MOVING BEYOND RESEARCH: ARCH AND POLICY
Authors: Brinkley-Rubinstein Lauren 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
There is clear evidence that carceral systems negatively impact health, especially for aging populations. The ARCH network has invested in and funded a series of projects that underscore this connection and have clear policy and practice implications. This includes highlighting best practices for compassionate release (both in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond), creating guidance for the provision of palliative care, optimizing the receipt of correctional health services, outlining the treatment needs of older patients with dementia, and assessing the factors that are integral to implementing a precision-gerontology approach to substance use treatment. In addition, the network has partnered with scholars and practitioners around the country to engage in a series of webinars and “work in progress” meetings to deliver information relevant to best practices, policy guidance, and to brainstorm how best to approach policy change and innovation.
ENHANCING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN QUANTITATIVE STUDIES OF AGE AND LIFE COURSE
Authors: Kelley Jessica 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Despite best intentions to explore and represent the wide diversity of older adults in research, many are limited in their inquiry when utilizing secondary data sources to the the original investigators’ choices of measurement or sample inclusion. Limitations among these studies regularly include insufficient sample sizes of small groups, low statistical power, or over-aggregation in measurement. Using race/ethnicity for our examples, we highlight two key barriers to DEI initiatives in secondary data analyses and their consequences in studying aging and older adults: (1) Erasure of significant populations in aging research; and (2) Utilizing statistical logic to explain social realities. We then provide five immediate solutions that investigators can execute with the data at hand to increase diversity in aging research. These include greater attention to within-group variability, avoid over-interpreting small differences between groups, incorporating cohort membership and structural inequality into analysis, and integrating new measurement modules into ongoing studies.
STUDENT-LED INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS IN NURSING HOMES
Authors: Hawes Frances , Cernohous Inessah 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Recognized for fostering meaningful interactions across age groups, intergenerational programs offer numerous benefits, promoting social connections, empathy, and mutual understanding. This study compiles data from 25 intergenerational programs conducted by undergraduate students during their residency at nursing homes from 2020 to 2024. The aim is to pinpoint best practices and challenges in implementing such programs. The findings provide comprehensive summaries of the projects, detailing site contexts, methodologies, and results. We evaluate the effectiveness of these programs in various areas, including enhancing care quality, reducing social isolation, and improving the psychological well-being of nursing home residents. Furthermore, our analysis yields a consolidated understanding of both the successes and challenges encountered in intergenerational initiatives during this period, offering valuable guidance for future program development and implementation.
ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION INNOVATIONS FOR MOBILITY AND SAFETY AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Siren Anu , Charlton Judith 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
While technology holds immense promise in addressing challenges related to safety, mobility, and sustainability in older adults’ transportation, significant barriers remain, particularly concerning the acceptability, affordability, and age-friendliness of these technologies. This symposium will feature presentations and discussions highlighting the multifaceted nature of mobility among older adults and the ways in which innovative technologies can address the transportation needs. The five presentations in this symposium communicate research from Australia, Europe, and the USA, and will explore issues related to usability, accessibility, and user acceptance, highlighting the importance of designing technologies that are intuitive, inclusive, and culturally sensitive. Speakers of this symposium will delve into the importance of mobility for older adults’ physical health, mental well-being, and social connectedness. Further, the symposium will examine the potential of technology-driven solutions to address key challenges faced by older adults in transportation, including safety concerns, accessibility barriers, and environmental sustainability. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and international collaboration, the symposium seeks to create multidimensional discussions that not only acknowledge the pivotal role of technology in addressing safety, mobility, and sustainability challenges for older adults but also address the issues of acceptability, affordability, and age friendliness. Transportation and Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
UNDERSTANDING TRANSPORT NEEDS OF OLDER AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS: SUSTAINABLE AND SMART INITIATIVES FOR SAFE MOBILITY
Authors: Oxley Jennie , Charlton Judith , Koppel Sjaan , Logan David , Coxon Selby 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Access to adequate and appropriate transport options enables older people to continue as thriving community participants, to reach services and to maintain social connections. While transport needs are diverse, and tend to change over time, there is little information on current and future transport patterns, and the awareness, acceptance and adoption of new technologies. A national online survey was administered to current drivers in Australia. A sample of 705 drivers provided information on available travel modes and use of these modes, awareness of in-vehicle technologies and future use of vehicle technologies. The findings revealed high use of private vehicles, walking and taxis but little use of other travel modes (bicycles, motorcycles, rideshare, community services and public transport). Age, gender and residential location influenced the availability and use/potential use of some transport options. Overall awareness of in-vehicle technologies was generally low and particularly so amongst older and female participants. There was some appetite to use emerging technologies in the future. The findings inform the development of effective strategies and initiatives aligned with healthy ageing and wellbeing targets, increased sustainability, resilience and connectedness, creation of healthier travel choices and healthier environments to promote acceptance and use of a range of transport options and uptake of safer vehicles equipped with in-vehicle technologies to ultimately enhance safe and sustainable mobility of older road users. Such strategies may be particularly useful to support extended safe driving amongst older adults with chronic medical conditions, such as driver monitoring/alert systems.
EXPANDING REACH AND SCALABILITY OF EVIDENCE-BASED FALL PREVENTION PROGRAMS (ERASE FALLS)
Authors: Pappa Sara 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In 2016, Marymount University was awarded the first Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs (EBFPP) cooperative grant by the Administration for Community Living, initiating the Northern Virginia Falls Prevention Alliance. Subsequent funding supported the Academic-Community Partnership for Falls Prevention, addressing the critical need in Northern Virginia—a diverse region with over 250,000 older adults. From 2016 to 2021, our programs reached 5,060 individuals across 75+ sites, through initiatives like Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL), A Matter of Balance (AMOB), and the Otago Exercise Program (OEP). We established the innovative MU Regional Training Office (MU-RTO) for affordable EBFPP leader training and support, and have trained over 500 lay leaders in these EBFPP. We adapted to remote delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and founded the Northern Virginia Falls Prevention Alliance (NVFPA), growing it to over 135 members. As a founding member of the Virginia Arthritis and Falls Prevention Coalition (VAFPC), we’ve contributed majorly to regional falls prevention. Our efforts include significant research developments, such as the large data evaluation of EBFPPs, housed at the Marymount Center for Optimal Aging (MCOA). The MCOA focuses on aging research with an emphasis on minority inclusion and community-participatory approaches.
WHEN RESILIENCE BECOMES RISK: PSYCHOSOCIAL RESOURCE PROFILES AND ALLOSTATIC LOAD AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN
Authors: Tobin Courtney Thomas , Gutierrez Angela , Erving Christy , Norris Keith , Thorpe Roland 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
There is a well-established link between psychosocial risks and psychological health among African American (AA) men. The psychosocial sources and physical health consequences of resilience (i.e., the ability to maintain good health despite adversity) remain underexplored. Using data from 283 AA men in the Nashville Stress and Health Study, the present study investigated the links between psychosocial resilience and allostatic load (AL), a biological indicator of physiological dysregulation. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified distinct resilience profiles comprised of eight psychosocial resources across four categories: coping strategies, sense of control, racial identity, and social support. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests determined significant class differences in men’s AL scores. LCA results confirm a four-class model was the best fit: Class 1 (high resources, 32%); Class 2 (high coping but low control, 13%); Class 3 (low resources but high racial identity, 20%); and Class 4 (low resources but high mastery, 34%). Results reveal lower AL (better health) among Classes 4 (m=0.31) and 1 (m=0.35), and higher AL among Classes 2 (m=0.44) and 3 (m=0.44). Findings indicate that the “quality” rather than the “quantity” of psychosocial resources matters for physical health among AA men, as positive health outcomes were observed among both low and high resource classes. Results suggest different resource combinations produce distinct patterns of resilience among AA men and underscore the need to further elucidate complex resilience processes among this population.
INFORMAL CARE NETWORK CHARACTERISTICS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG CHINESE OLDER ADULTS
Authors: You Jin , Shen Xinyue , Dong Yue , He Ziyi 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
With population ageing, China is susceptible to heavy burdens related to caring for older people. With rural-to-urban migration, the availability of traditional family care has substantially declined. This study investigates the characteristics of informal care networks and their associations with mental health outcomes (i.e., depressive symptoms, life satisfaction) from social network perspective among Chinese middle-aged and older adults with care needs. Results from five waves (2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study showed that, among 11,949 informal care receipts aged over 50 years, 62.83% received care from a spouse, 49.55% from children or grandchildren (with the mean size of 2.65), 3.78% from relatives (with the mean size of 3.61), and 5.13% from nonrelatives. The size of family care network (number of spouse, children or grandchildren, relatives), especially the number of children or grandchildren, predicted fewer depressive symptoms and greater life satisfaction. By contrast, care network diversity (number of care sources) predicted lower life satisfaction. Our findings suggest that Chinese older adults largely rely on and might psychologically benefit from a multiple-caregiver family network rather than on a single primary caregiver to address care needs. Further efforts should be made to understanding task sharing function, effective organization, and dynamic development of informal care network.
EXPLORING CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS TO UNDERSTAND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR OLDER AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
Authors: Haverhals Leah , Peterson Lindsay 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
As disasters continue to increase in frequency and disproportionately impact older adults and other vulnerable populations, more directed focus is needed to facilitate cross-disciplinary partnerships to better support and encourage disaster preparedness and response for these groups. Gerontologists and social scientists have opportunities to partner with engineers, geologists, demographers, epidemiologists, and other community partners to best address gaps in disaster preparation and response in research and practice. This symposium highlights current cross-sector partnerships supporting older adults before, during, and after disasters in various settings across the United States (US). Dr. Tamar Wyte-Lake will explore how interorganizational relationships between the US Department of Veterans Affairs and home health agencies can be leveraged to maintain care across providers during disasters. Emily Killian will describe the Disaster PrepWise (DPW) program, developed through community-engaged processes involving disaster management and public health agencies as well as aging service providers. Dr. Omolola Adepoju will share academic-community partnerships created to build a geospatial-photoethnography dashboard to chronicle and assess successive disaster events on affordable housing and mental health outcomes in Houston. Dr. Holly Dabelko-Schoeny will address how older adults in affordable housing experience extreme weather, and roles and experiences of service coordinators in preparedness and response. Elana Kieffer will describe how older New Yorkers and professionals working with them have demonstrated resilience since the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Lindsay Peterson will act as discussant. This is a Disasters and Older Adults Interest Group Sponsored Symposium. Disasters and Older Adults Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
USING PRE-EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS TO CREATE PIPELINES OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS SUPPORT FOR HOME HEALTH AGENCIES
Authors: Wyte-Lake Tamar , Hall Lauren , Solorzano Emily , Franzosa Emily 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Home-health agencies (HHAs) provide community-based services that are a vital lifeline for older adults and can play a critical role in protecting older adults’ health and independence during disasters. Yet, HHAs are often under-resourced and disconnected from broader community emergency planning efforts, and therefore can struggle to maintain services during such events, putting clients’ health and safety at risk. Healthcare coalitions have demonstrated a variety of ways to effectively share critical resources during disasters, strategies that could be leveraged to better support community HHAs. Through interviews with 19 stakeholders from six Veterans Health Administration (VA) Medical Centers and associated, contracted HHAs, we used the VA as a case study to explore how interorganizational relationships can be leveraged to maintain continuous care across providers during disasters. VA staff demonstrated interest in partnering around emergency management and identified a range of low- and higher-effort resources, from informational bulletins to staff training and emergency plan preparations that could be shared with HHAs. Creating a pipeline of support through existing relationships can provide a model for health systems to extend available emergency resources and make clinical care teams, patients, and communities more resilient to disasters. We will focus on specific resources and strategies and how to develop and sustain those cross-sector relationships.