International Journal of Aging & Human Development最新文献

The present study evaluates the impact of grandchild distress on parental competence as mediated by Baumrind's parental styles in a sample of 238 custodial grandparents (M age = 58.06). AMOS structural equation findings yielded a model which indicated that both the Laissez-Faire and Authoritarian styles each predicted role stress and/or parental efficacy. Laissez-Faire's mediating role was defined by its link to the grandparent age-internalizing/externalizing behaviors relationship in predicting parental efficacy (beta = -.54, p < .05) and parental role stress (beta = .36, p < .05). The Authoritarian style's mediating role was driven by child externalizing behaviors (beta = .22, p < .05), where Authoritarian styles in turn predicted (beta = .21, p < .05) parental efficacy. The Authoritative style did not emerge as mediational in nature. These findings illuminate the role of parental styles as explanatory factors in understanding the parental challenges that grandparents face in raising their grandchildren.

Situations of vulnerability are associated with reduced life satisfaction. Although social support moderates the influence of situations of vulnerability, little is known about their associations. This study aimed to document situations of vulnerability and examine their association with life satisfaction among older adults, and the moderating effect of social support. Secondary analyses of cross-sectional data (n = 21,491; 73.4 ± 0.04) from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, stratified by sex. Confirmatory factor analysis identified a vulnerability variable from physiological, psychological, socioeconomic and social indicators. Regression models examined the associations. For both sexes, depressive symptoms, chronic conditions and insufficient income best explained vulnerability, followed by dependence in basic activities of daily living, less social participation and living with fewer people. Vulnerability was associated with lower life satisfaction, and social support acted as a buffer against vulnerability. The buffering effect of social support reinforces recommendations concerning policies and interventions designed to increase networks.

This study aims to test the hypothesis that the association between aging anxiety and ageism will be enhanced by age differently in the United States and in Japan. Data were obtained from online surveys in the United States (M_age= 40.44, SD = 14.98; 39.7% women; n = 886) and in Japan (M_age= 50.32, SD = 16.38; 52.7% women; n = 556). Our findings illuminate that the levels of aging anxiety in the Japanese participants were positively associated with their levels of ageism regardless of their age. On the other hand, for the American participants, the level of aging anxiety was positively associated with higher ageism only among older adults, and not among younger adults. Differences in lifespan or traditional values are thought to have alleviated the strength of the association between aging anxiety and ageism.

ObjectivesThis study aims to conduct a psychometric evaluation of the Dementia Stigma Measure (DSM) with Vietnamese adults in two different studies.MethodsIn Study 1, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the original 11-item scale was conducted on a sample of 325 Vietnamese community-dwelling adults in a Northern area. In Study 2 with 407 adults living in Southern Vietnam, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using structural equation modeling to test the validity and reliability of the modified DSM with retained factors and items found in Study 1.ResultsThe EFA results in Study 1 suggested five retained items loaded on one factor. The CFA with another sample with close demographic characteristics but in a different region of Vietnam showed good model fit indices.ConclusionsBoth studies supported the one-factor structure of the modified five-item DSM, a valid and reliable brief measure of public stigma for Vietnamese community dwellers.

This paper documents the early-source determinants of retirement planning and financial literacy in China. Taking the 1959-1961 China Famine as a natural experiment, it compares the probability of retirement planning and the level of finance literacy in 2014 for the famine-affected cohorts (1953-1961) with those non-affected cohorts (1962-1963) born in provinces with varying famine severity. Taking advantage of a newly added module in 2014 China Family Panel Studies to construct a measure of financial literacy, this paper finds that nutritional deprivation in utero and during early childhood negatively affects financial literacy in older age. As a result of lower financial literacy, these individuals also report lower likelihoods of retirement planning. Further investigations suggest that impairments of cognitive ability are a likely channel through which famine impacts financial literacy and retirement planning, consistent with the notion that the cost of developing a retirement savings plan is higher for cognitively disadvantaged individuals.

This study applied the WHO ICOPE framework to identify patterns of intrinsic capacity (IC) decline among community-dwelling older adults in rural Taiwan. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1,367 adults aged 65 and above using the ICOPE Step 1 screening tool, assessing six IC domains. Cluster analysis (k-means and hierarchical) identified distinct IC profiles. Eight IC subgroups were identified, ranging from robust (17.0%) to severely frail (6.9%). Sensory impairments (vision 49.1%, hearing 46.0%) were most common and often co-occurred with cognitive and mood impairments. Older age and multimorbidity were significantly associated with greater IC decline (p < .01).Findings highlight the heterogeneity of aging and suggest that tailored, cluster-based care strategies can enhance community health planning. The results support the implementation of ICOPE-based risk stratification models in local aging policies.

This study explored how midlife and older adults' social comparison tendencies are associated with their self-assessment of memory compared to peers. We measured social comparison orientation (SCO), specific types of everyday comparisons (eating behavior and physical activity), and anxiety. Data were collected from 496 adults (249 men; M_age = 58.7) who completed the web-based survey between June and August 2022. Binary logistic regression was used along with a series of models. The findings suggested that older age and better self-rated cognitive functioning were associated with fewer reported memory problems, while higher anxiety was associated with more memory problems. When these variables were controlled, the association between SCO and memory problems, as well as domain-specific comparisons, was no longer significant. Future research should consider the complex mental processes involved in social comparisons and the importance of lateral comparisons, which prompt less intense cognitive and emotional responses.

Understanding how different types of losses accumulate and are perceived in later life is essential for designing effective mental health interventions. This study examined the types, co-occurrence, and perceived intensity of losses experienced by older adults in Chile, where no prior research has systematically addressed this phenomenon. We also analyzed how sociodemographic variables (sex, education, income, and social network characteristics) and cognitive impairment without dementia relate to the experience of loss. One hundred ninety-four community-dwelling older adults in Chile completed the Scale of Losses in Old Age (SLO), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results confirmed the accumulation of diverse, mostly moderate-intensity losses, particularly the death of significant others and declines in health and physical capacity. Losses tended to co-occur and were significantly associated with socioeconomic disadvantage and dissatisfaction with close relationships, especially with children. Cognitive impairment was associated with greater intensity of specific losses but did not independently predict overall burden. These findings highlight the importance of considering the number and types of losses, their subjective appraisal, and the structural and relational conditions that shape their psychological impact. The study offers a novel framework for assessing loss in old age and provides context-sensitive evidence to inform policy and intervention design.

This cross-sectional study investigated the influence of neighborhood environments and health-related behaviors on self-rated health among older adults in Kitaibaraki City, Japan. A questionnaire was mailed to 5,000 individuals aged 65-85 years to collect data on demographics, social connections (Lubben Social Network Scale 6), social participation, and frequency of going out. Neighborhood walkability was assessed using Walk Score®. Path analysis with structural equation modeling was used to analyze 1,779 responses to evaluate direct and indirect effects on self-rated health. We found significant indirect effects of social connections on self-rated health via social participation (β = 0.058, p < .01) and frequency of going out (β = 0.051, p < .01). Direct effects of social participation (β = 0.194, p < .01) and frequency of going out (β = 0.194, p < .01) were also significant. Promoting social participation, encouraging outings, and strengthening social connections through community resources are crucial for increasing self-rated health.

This study delves into the complex challenges surrounding the employment of older adults, investigating perceived barriers and their interaction with sociodemographic variables and life satisfaction. Utilizing data from 153 older adults and employing a cross-sectional design and multivariate analysis of covariance, the study uncovers significant associations between gender, age, race, and perceived barriers. Female, older, and racially diverse individuals report higher perceived employment barriers, indicating disparities influenced by sociodemographic factors. Gender and race interactions on these barriers are substantial, with life satisfaction emerging as a significant covariate affecting perceived employment barriers. These findings stress the importance of targeted interventions and policy reforms to address systemic inequalities and promote age-inclusive practices. By embracing diversity, fostering inclusivity, and championing age-friendly policies, stakeholders can create a more equitable labor market, empowering older adults to contribute meaningfully to society.