International Journal of Aging & Human Development最新文献

This study elucidates the direct and indirect effects of perceived age discrimination on depressive symptoms and life satisfaction among young, middle-aged, and older adults-through the mediator variables of psychosocial resources and aging stereotypes. Data were collected through a web-based survey conducted in Japan. The total sample size was 2400: 400 men and women in each of the age groups 20 to 39, 40 to 59, and 60 to 79. Our findings indicate that perceived age discrimination is linked depressive symptoms, even among young adults, who report more age discrimination than older adults. Its effect on life satisfaction, however, is stronger among older adults. Across age groups, most of its effect on life satisfaction was explained by both psychosocial resources and aging stereotypes. By contrast, its effect on depressive symptoms did not differ significantly by age group, and was partly explained by the mediators. These differing results may be attributable to selection bias in the web survey.

The global rise in chronic noncommunicable diseases poses a growing challenge to healthcare systems, particularly in developing countries. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations between chronic diseases and mobility, balance, and visual memory in middle-aged adults. Ninety-seven participants aged 40-64 were categorized based on the Age-Adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index. Assessments included the Timed Up and Go Test for mobility, the One-Leg Standing Balance Test for static balance, the Y Balance Test for dynamic balance, and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test for visual memory. Individuals with chronic diseases had significantly lower scores in all outcome measures compared to those without (P < .05). However, after adjusting for confounders such as age, body mass index, education, and employment status, group differences were no longer statistically significant. Age, education level, static balance, and right foot dynamic balance were significantly associated with mobility. The results highlight the need for early assessment and preventive strategies targeting mobility, balance, and cognitive functioning in middle-aged individuals with chronic diseases.

This study explored grandparent caregiving experiences in Korea and the United States. Using a phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 custodial grandparents (10 in Korea, 10 in the United States) to understand their lived experiences. Under the guidance of role theory, the caregivers' experiences were explained by themes of role consensus, role conformity, and role conflict. Despite Korean and U.S. grandparent groups performing a similar role, relative differences were observed, including Korean grandparents with increased role conformity and the U.S. grandparents with increased role conflict. The distinction highlights the importance of understanding grandparent caregiving in cultural contexts and ensuring that interventions are culturally responsive. Regardless of cultural context, the grandparent caregivers disclosed relatively positive experiences of the pandemic, testifying to their resilience. Lastly, critical role supporters were identified at various levels, demonstrating that developing support systems can be a key in empowering grandparent caregivers.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between autobiographical memory, exposure to traumatic events, and quality of life, in a group of elderly people. Method: The study was conducted using a sample of 362 participants (M_age = 68.35, SD = 6.67; 65.5% women and 34.5% men). They completed the questionnaires to measure quality of life, exposure to traumatic events, autobiographical memory, and time perspective. Results: Direct exposure to major traumatic life events negatively predicted quality of life, while autobiographical memory was not a predictor for quality of life. Time perspective mediated the relationship between exposure to traumatic life events, autobiographical memory, and quality of life. Discussion: How people manage their lives after exposure to traumatic events should be of particular interest to society as a whole and it is necessary to take into account various factors related to quality of life, especially in the case of elderly people.

Creating interaction opportunities between people of different ages can reduce ageism and increase solidarity. However, spatial age segregation persists due to a lack of age-inclusive public spaces. We explored factors motivating older adults to seek/avoid contact with younger adults in regular neighborhood coffeeshops primarily frequented by younger customers. Semi-structured interviews in Study 1 (N = 12) revealed that older adults perceived age-related exclusivity in "young" spaces like coffeeshops, were hindered from visiting by metastereotypes and discrimination, but were motivated by perceived learning opportunities. Studies 2 (N = 107) and 3 (N = 218) employed questionnaires and tracked coffee vouchers, showing that participants with stronger learning goals and more positive metastereotypes showed greater intention to seek contact. However, only the higher-powered Study 3 revealed the importance of frequent intergenerational contact and learning goals for initiating contact in real-life. The discussion highlights implications for creating more age-inclusive spaces to foster intergenerational interaction.

ObjectivesLesbian and gay individuals face unique experiences and expectations associated with growing older.MethodsIn a pilot study of perceptions of aging in lesbian and gay adults, 45 gay and 46 lesbian adult participants (ages = 55-87, 70% white) self-reported their health, perceptions of aging, community engagement, identity congruence, and stressful experiences.ResultsAccounting for age, health, subjective socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity, lesbian women reported better self-perceptions of aging than gay men (b = 0.50, SE = 0.16, p < .01). Greater outness (b = 0.04, SE = 0.01, p = .01) and fewer daily stressful experiences (b = -0.14, SE = 0.05, p < .01) were associated with better self-perceptions of aging. In contrast, LGBTQ+ community engagement (b = -0.11, SE = 0.12, p = .38) showed no relation.DiscussionThe study provides a preliminary model of how lesbian and gay adults view their aging and identifies psychosocial risk and resilience factors.

This study estimated the cross-sectional associations of self-perceptions of aging with self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction in dementia caregivers and non-caregivers; and tested whether these associations are stronger among dementia caregivers compared to non-caregivers. Data from the German Aging Study comprising 190 dementia caregivers (mean age = 65.69 years; SD = 10.11) and 4480 non-caregivers (mean age = 68.81 years; SD = 10.49) was used. Felt age, attitudes towards own aging, age-related cognitions, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction were assessed. Regression models were estimated. Association for younger felt age with greater self-efficacy; younger felt age, more positive attitudes towards own aging, and fewer perceived physical losses with fewer depressive symptoms; and younger felt age and more positive attitudes towards own aging with greater life satisfaction were stronger for dementia caregivers than non-caregivers. Positive self-perceptions of aging may help maintaining self-efficacy, good mood, and life satisfaction when assuming challenging roles such as caregiving.

Although adverse mental health outcomes linked to discrimination among older adults have been well acknowledged, our understanding of the discrimination-mental health link in non-Western paradigms is still limited. Using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) with an intersectional approach, we examined how perceived discrimination was linked to the level of depressive symptoms among older adults in India and how this association was moderated by caste and gender. Our ordered logistic regression models indicated that higher levels of perceived discrimination are associated with an increased likelihood of reporting the most severe depressive symptoms among Scheduled Tribe (ST) women, as well as men and women from Other Backward Castes (OBC). In cases of less severe depression levels, the probabilities decline with increasing discrimination. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how intersecting caste and gender-based disadvantages shape mental health trajectories in later life within the Indian context.

The positivity effect and the positivity bias were examined in voluntary and involuntary autobiographical memories in a sample of younger (n = 69, M_age = 23.2) and older adults (n = 57, M_age= 67.72). The positivity effect has been shown to be sensitive to instructional constraints and cognitive resources. Instructions were manipulated in the voluntary autobiographical memory condition such that participants were instructed to retrieve memories with different levels of constraints. Participants also completed two measures of cognitive control and an assessment of future time perspective. There was no evidence of the positivity effect or positivity bias once depressive symptoms were included as a covariate in the analyses, nor did cognitive control influence memory valence. Future time perspective did not mediate the relationship between age and memory valence. These results suggest that additional research should focus on potential variables that may influence the positivity effect and bias within autobiographical memories.

Our study contributes to the scholarship by examining the concrete ways in which two distinct types of interpersonal connection-strong/close versus weak/distant-are independently related to self-rated health and life satisfaction cross-nationally. In addition, we explore whether and how the two types of interpersonal connection modify the magnitude of the associations between subjective social status (SSS) and health and well-being of older populations cross-nationally. According to results from our multilevel analysis, social capital available through strong ties (family and friends) is positively associated with both outcomes. On the other hand, social capital via weak ties (acquaintances) is positively related to health but negatively related to well-being. We also find that social capital mediated by strong ties significantly buffers the harmful implications of status disadvantage or low SSS on health and well-being of older adults. In comparison, weak tie-mediated social capital provides buffering against status disadvantage only for well-being.