bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SUBJECTIVE AGE, DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION: DOES CHRONOLOGICAL AGE MATTER?
Authors: Lee Juhyeong , Kim Giyeon 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
This study examined the mediating effect of depressive symptoms between subjective age and cognitive function among Korean older adults, with a focus on the moderating effects of chronological age. Using data from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans, a nationally representative sample of individuals aged 65 or older (N=9,836) was examined. Subjective age was calculated by subtracting perceived old age from chronological age, with higher values indicating an older subjective age. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Short Form of Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K), and cognitive function was assessed using the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS). A moderated mediation analysis was conducted by PROCESS (Model=59) for SPSS. Results showed that depressive symptoms significantly mediated the relationship between subjective age and cognitive function among Korean older adults. Particularly, an older subjective age was associated with lower depressive symptoms (B=-.0420, p&lt;.001). Depressive symptoms were related to poor cognitive function (B=-.2372, p&lt;.001). The direct effect of subjective age on cognitive function was also significant (B=-.1017, p&lt;.001). Furthermore, chronological age moderated the indirect effects, demonstrating that subjective age was more strongly associated with lower depressive symptoms at younger chronological ages, whereas both subjective age and depressive symptoms were more strongly linked to poorer cognitive function at older chronological ages. The findings underscore the importance of considering both chronological and subjective age in understanding the interplay between depressive symptoms and cognitive function among Korean older adults.
EDUCATIONAL GRADIENTS IN HEALTH AND COGNITION: DOES THE TIMING OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT MATTER?
Authors: Bolz Fabio , Warren John , Grodsky Eric , Muller Chandra 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Educational attainment is a strong predictor of later-life health and cognition. However, studies on the relationship between educational attainment and these outcomes usually do not consider the role of the timing of educational attainment. There is considerable heterogeneity in the timing of college degree attainment in the US and there are pronounced differences in timing by gender and race. Using nationally representative longitudinal data from High School and Beyond (HSB) we ask: (1) Does the impact of educational attainment on midlife health and cognition vary by age of degree attainment? (2) Does age at degree attainment moderate the effects of education differently across racial/ethnic and gender groups? We estimate OLS and logistic regression models for a variety of health and cognitive outcomes including: hypertension, diabetes, mental health conditions, general cognition, immediate recall, semantic fluency, phonemic fluency, delayed recall and working memory. We control for an extensive set of potentially confounding variables such as cognitive skills and non-cognitive traits in adolescence, academic performance in high school, and health in adolescence. Preliminary results suggest that bachelor’s degrees obtained later in life are associated with substantially lower levels of cognitive functioning at midlife than degrees obtained earlier in life; however, people who obtain college degrees after age 40 still display higher levels of cognitive functioning than individuals without a bachelor’s degree. Rates of hypertension and diabetes among those who obtained their college degree after age 30, in contrast, do not differ from rates for individuals without college degrees.
LIFE EXPECTANCY WITH UNMET AND MET CARE NEEDS FOR OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Castro Jose Cabrero , Bramajo Octavio , Mehta Neil , Downer Brian 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Assessing unmet social care needs is crucial for understanding the challenges of an aging society like Mexico, where demographic changes have outpaced the development of formal care systems. This study examines the time lived with met and unmet care needs among Mexican adults aged 60 and over by estimating life expectancy according to limitations in instrumental (IADL) and basic activities of daily living (ADL) and receiving help. Analyzing 2012-2021 Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) data (6,215 males; 8,156 females), we used multistate life table models to estimate life expectancy with no limitations, limitations but not receiving help (unmet care needs), and limitations but receiving help (met care needs). We stratified estimations by gender and living arrangement. Findings revealed significant gender differences. Women lived a greater proportion of their remaining life expectancy with ADL (+7%) and IADL (+9%) limitations than men. Men with ADL limitations lived a greater proportion of their life with unmet (8.5%) versus met (4.7%) care needs, a disparity less pronounced among women (12% unmet vs. 8.4% met care needs). Conversely, participants with IADL limitations lived a greater proportion of their life with met care needs (8% vs 1.9% for men; 16.3% vs 2.5% for women). Participants living with spouses or other adults experienced a greater proportion of life lived with met care needs than those living alone, for both ADL and IADL limitations. These results underscore the interplay between gender, living arrangements, and care needs, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address care needs disparities.
MULTISTATE CHARACTERISTICS AMONG OLDER POPULATION IN CHINA (2024–2050): GLOBAL COMPARISON AND DYNAMIC SIMULATION
Authors: Li Yichao , Mi Hong 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Global long-term care (LTC) issues become complex with diverse aging process. China’s population has entered deep and accelerated aging stage with multiple health status, which has heterogeneity among population with different features. However, overlooking the biases of multistate characteristics of aging due to lack of systematic methodology would affect LTC policies. Therefore, this study simulates the complex LTC demand by estimating life expectancy with disability and structure of disability population under different demographic scenarios, and compares China’s LTC demands with typical developed countries. In methods part, we used three-parameter lifetable model (DCMD model), Lee-Carter Coherent model and Bayesian multistate model to simulate the prevalence of mild, moderate and severe disability among older people. China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2020 was used for the initial dependency status. CHARLS 2011-2018 and Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey 2008-2014 was used as prior information. Death probabilities in Bayesian health transition matrixes were modified by estimated mortality patterns by sex, age and residential types (urban or rural areas). Healthy life expectancy in 2020 was also calculated by multistate lifetable model. Results showed that older people with moderate and severe disability in China had an increasing trend during 2023 to 2050 after simulating posterior distributions of health transition probabilities. China’s public long-term care expenditures will account for less than 0.7% of GDP in 2050, which is lower than developed countries. This study proposed an actuarial framework for estimating LTC demand with credible interval, which enables developing countries to dynamically adjust LTC policies.
TEACHING AGING WITH A GLOBAL CLASSROOM
Authors: Mulhorn Kristine 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In a time of heightened interest in teaching about aging in undergraduate programs, Drexel launched a competitive effort to offer courses that would be of interest across a variety of majors and minors. As a scholar working in aging in Japan for several years, as well as a background in aging policy, I launched a course called “Aging, Aging Policy and Health in Asia”. The highlight was the global classroom—a three-week project between Drexel students and students at KAIST (Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) on the topic of aging and technology. The focus of the effort to teach aging across the university was to assure that the AGHE competencies were included in these courses. We included competencies such as the bio-psycho-social model for healthy aging, the epidemiologic transition, and the ethics of caregiving. This course resulted in close collaboration related to a product or concept that had potential for direct application In the lives of older adults. For example, one project addressed the use of research and technology applied to aging policies of Korea and the US, and another looked closely at strategies that improve intergenerational interactions that improve the lives of older adults and children. This presentation will demonstrate the integration of AGHE competencies into the course, as well as the ways the students met the learning objectives within the course.
BIOLOGICAL AGING AS A MEDIATOR OF DEPRESSION AND MORTALITY
Authors: Wei Kai , Chen Xiaotong 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Depression has been linked to death from all-cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to examine the mediating role of biological aging in the association of depression with mortality in a representative sample of the US population.

Methods
Longitudinal data were obtained from 33,434 participants aged ≥20 years in the 2005-2018 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and their mortality data through 2019. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to measure depressive symptoms, and major depression was defined as a PHQ-9 score ≥10. Three measures of aging, including phenotypic aging acceleration (PA-Accel), anthropometric aging acceleration (AA-Accel), and Klemera and Doubal method-based biological aging acceleration (KDBA-Accel), were calculated. Weighted multiple linear regression model, Cox proportional hazards model, and mediation analysis were performed.

Results
The major depression were positively associated with biological aging acceleration (PA-Accel β=1.34, KDBA-Accel β=0.88, AA-Accel β=0.36, all p &lt; 0.0001). The mediation proportion of biological aging acceleration in associations of major depression with all-cause mortality were 21.53% (PA-Accel, p=0.0005), 14.63% (KDBA-Accel, p=0.0006), and 11.36% (AA-Accel, p=0.0004), respectively. Similar results were found in the Health and Retirement Study. Conclusions: Accelerated aging partially mediated the associations of major depression all-cause mortality in US populations.
CHANGES IN DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS ACROSS MIDDLE AND OLDER ADULTHOOD IN THE ORANJ BOWL LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF AGING
Authors: Yang Kaite , Ferri Christine , Girgus Joan 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Life course fluctuations in depressive symptoms are important to document and understand. Previous research has suggested a U-shaped pattern in depressive symptoms across the lifespan, with more symptoms in younger and older adulthood compared to middle adulthood (Sutin et al., 2013). The present study used hierarchical linear modeling to examine changes in depressive symptoms in middle and older adulthood and the degree to which participants’ age at baseline affected symptom trajectories across 13 years. Participants were a representative sample of community-dwelling adults in New Jersey aged 50-74 (M=60.53) at baseline (ORANJ BOWL; Pruchno et al., 2010). N=4266 participants (64.3% female) who completed at least two waves of data collection from five timepoints were included in this study (T1: 2006-2008; T3: 2011; T4: 2013-2015; T5: 2015-2017; T6: 2017-2019). The trajectory of depressive symptoms (CESD-R-10) was best captured by a cubic model wherein symptoms peaked at T3, decreased, and then increased again after T4. There were significant intercept, linear, quadratic, and cubic terms for the effect of age as a continuous variable on depressive symptoms. Participants who were younger at the start of the study had more symptoms initially and then flatter trajectories compared to participants who were older. Participants who were older started with less symptoms but had a steeper increase in symptoms over time. These findings suggest that age-dependent fluctuations as well as impacts of and recovery from exogenous events like the Great Recession are reflected in depressive symptom trajectories in older adults (Pruchno et al., 2021).
DEPRESSION PREVALENCE IS HIGHER IN DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS
Authors: Mitchell Jacob , Pfoh Elizabeth , Gunzler Douglas , Kenyhercz Michael , Mourany Lyla , Gunsalus Paul , Perzynski Adam , Dalton Jarrod 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Depression is associated with premature morbidity and mortality. Knowing depression prevalence across diverse neighborhoods can inform healthy aging interventions. In this retrospective study, we analyzed electronic health data for mid-life adults (40-55 years) with ≥1 primary care appointment between 2010 and 2016 at two health systems in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Patients were categorized as having depression if they had a diagnosis within 6 months of their first visit. Patient’s addresses were associated with the block group Ohio Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a measure of disadvantage. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify the predicted probability of depression across patients living in advantaged (ADI quintile 1) versus disadvantaged (ADI quintile 5) neighborhoods. We included race, given histories of neighborhood segregation in our location. We used a three-way interaction term between sex, race, and ADI quintile. Our sample included 150,710 patients, of which 14% had a diagnosis of depression. A higher percentage of patients with depression (versus not) were female (70% versus 54%), White (63% versus 56%), and lived in ADI quintile 5 (28% versus 25%). The predicted probability of depression was lower for patients living in ADI quintile 1 versus 5: White males (0.08, 95%CI: 0.08, 0,08 versus 0.16, 95%CI: 0.15, 0.17); White females (0.17, 95%CI: 0.16, 0.17 versus 0.25, 95%CI: 0.24, 0.26), Black males (0.05, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.07 versus 0.09, 95%CI: 0.09, 0,10) and Black females (0.14, 95%CI: 0.12, 0.16 versus 0.16, 95%CI: 0.15, 0.16). Place-based, mental health-promoting interventions may be needed to promote healthy aging among mid-life adults.
DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN: DIFFERENCES IN SYMPTOM CRITERIA ENDORSEMENT
Authors: Walker Teresa , Renn Brenna 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Scientific literature and clinical wisdom often cite older adults as more likely to endorse somatic rather than mood symptoms of depression compared to younger people. However, this is based on older data and needs updating with demographic shifts. As many older adults with clinically significant symptoms of depression go undiagnosed and untreated, with deleterious effects on health outcomes and quality of life, identifying and treating depression is necessary to provide quality healthcare for older adults. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to investigate differences in endorsements of depressive symptoms across age groups with recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2020 Pre-Pandemic dataset. Participants (N = 8299) were categorized into young adults (18-24 years), middle adults (25-55 years), young-older adults (56-75 years), and older adults (76+ years). Responses to items on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were dichotomized into meeting criteria for a depressive episode (vs. not). Chi-squared tests of independence revealed significant differences across some age groups for symptoms including sleep disturbance, feelings of worthlessness/guilt, and suicidal ideation. Young-older adults were the only age group to significantly differ from at least one other age group on all three of these items. Of particular note, older adults did not significantly differ from other age groups on any items, contradicting previous findings that older adults report more somatic symptoms than their younger counterparts. These findings contribute nuance to understanding depressive symptom presentation across the lifespan to guide clinical assessment of older adults.
DISCRIMINATION AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG OLDER ADULTS: THE CONFOUNDING ROLE OF PERSONALITY
Authors: Stangl Morgan , Guo Man , Wang Yi 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Existing literature shows that the perception of discrimination is related to poorer mental health. Personality may confound this association by shaping an individual’s coping style, social support seeking, and emotional regulation in the face of adversity. However, such a confounding role of personality hasn’t been well studied, and it’s unclear whether different personality traits have similar effects. Using data from middle-aged and older adults (aged 50+) in the 2018 Health and Retirement Study Psychosocial Leave-Behind Questionnaire (N = 5,529), this research delves deeper into the potential moderating role of two personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion) in the associations between perceived discrimination and mental health outcomes (depression and anxiety). Findings from regression analyses revealed that increased perceived discrimination was consistently associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. While such associations did not vary based on individuals’ levels of neuroticism, the associations were weaker among individuals with a higher level of extraversion. This study revealed that the two personality traits, neuroticism and extraversion, have different effects on the relationship between perceived discrimination and mental health. Extroverted individuals may perceive and cope with discrimination differently with more adaptive coping mechanisms, such as seeking social support and engaging in problem-solving behaviors, which may buffer against the negative effects of discrimination on mental health. Further studies of the underlying mechanisms are needed. This can inform the customization of mental health interventions to align with individuals’ personality profiles for better-tailored and targeted support that effectively promotes their resilience in the face of discrimination.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE IMPACT OF COVID-19’S HARDSHIP ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY AMONG MEXICAN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Gutierrez Sirena , Wong Rebeca , Milani Sadaf 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Older women in Mexico report depressive symptoms more often than men. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the exacerbation of mental health inequities among older adults remains unclear. We investigated whether the association between experiencing hardship and depressive symptoms varied by attributing these events to the pandemic. We used data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (2018/2021) and included participants aged 50+ (n=13,046). Participants self-reported whether they experienced the following hardship events: child or spousal death, caregiving for a sick family member, worsened finances, or job loss. If they said yes, they could attribute the event to COVID-19, resulting in two binary measures of hardship events (0 vs. 1+), pandemic-related or non-pandemic. Our primary outcome was a 9-item depressive symptom score. We used generalized estimating equations models adjusting for sociodemographic covariates and a time fixed effect. Gender heterogeneity was examined with stratified models and multiplicative interaction terms. Participants averaged 63.7 years, and 56.3% were women. Both non-pandemic (b=0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30, 0.46) and pandemic-related (b=0.43, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.56) hardship were associated with greater depressive symptoms. The magnitude of the associations was stronger for women (b=0.44, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.55 vs. b=0.29, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.40 for non-pandemic hardship; b=0.49, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.66 vs. b=0.34, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.53 for pandemic-related hardship). However, the gender difference was only statistically significant for non-pandemic hardship (interaction p=0.042). Understanding mechanisms for gender differences in the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of older adults is essential for targeted interventions.
PREDICTORS OF ANXIETY SYMPTOMS AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT BY THEIR COGNITIVE STATUS
Authors: Hwang Mina , Hwang Yeji 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Anxiety is common neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. While various factors can trigger anxiety in individuals with cognitive impairment, there is limited information available regarding whether these factors vary based on one’s cognitive status. Therefore, this study aimed to examine predictors of anxiety in older adults with cognitive impairment by their cognitive status. Using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) Round 12, 1,040 older adults with probable or possible dementia were analyzed. Participants were categorized into possible (n=508, 48.8%) and probable dementia (n=532, 51.2%) groups. For data analyses, descriptive analyses, chi square tests, and logistic regression analyses were conducted. In the group of possible dementia, when participants had pain (OR=3.48, p &lt; 0.001) or depression (OR=6.55, p&lt; 0.001), they were more likely to present anxiety. In the group of probable dementia, when participants had pain (OR=3.54, p &lt; 0.001), depression (OR=7.84, p&lt; 0.001), low community cohesion (OR=1.59, 0=0.044), or were dependent on activities of daily living (OR=2.42, p&lt; 0.001), they were more likely to present anxiety. This study found that while pain and depression were related to anxiety in both probable and possible dementia groups, factors such as dependency on activities of daily living or community cohesion were only related to anxiety in probable dementia group. When persons living with cognitive impairment present anxiety, healthcare professionals and caregivers should consider those triggers to reduce their anxiety.
RUMINATION MEDIATES THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN REGIONAL GRAY MATTER VOLUME AND SUBTHRESHOLD DEPRESSION IN OLDER WOMEN
Authors: Wu Dongmei 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
This study aimed to identify distinctive characteristics of gray matter volume alterations in older women with subthreshold depression and to explore the mediating role of rumination in the relationship between changes in brain structure and depressive symptoms. A total of 102 older women residing in the community were divided into two groups: those with depression symptoms (DS) (n=50) and a healthy control (HC) group (n=52). Whole-brain two-sample t-tests on voxelwise gray matter volumes in the brains were conducted to identify gray matter volume alterations in older women with subthreshold depression, and mediation analysis was performed to test whether rumination mediates the impact of gray matter volumes on depressive symptoms in older women. Even after controlling for age, education level, monthly income, Mini-Mental State Examination score, and total gray matter volume, we identified significant increases in local gray matter volume in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left fusiform gyrus in the DS group. Moreover, rumination was found to partially mediate the relationship between the gray matter volumes in both regions and depressive symptoms. These findings indicated that the volumes of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left fusiform gyrus serve as potential neurostructural markers for subthreshold depression in non-clinical older female adults. Additionally, an underlying mediation mechanism in which gray matter volume affected depressive symptoms through individual rumination tendencies was proposed.