Research on Aging最新文献

As global populations age, identifying modifiable factors to enhance later-life well-being is vital. Self-perceptions of ageing (SPA), internalised beliefs about one's ageing, may shape psychological well-being (PWB). We synthesised 33 studies (n = 43,556). Random-effects models showed that more positive SPA related to higher PWB (pooled r = .35; I² ≈ 89%). By domain: hedonic r = .24 (95% CI .09-.37); eudaimonic/relational r = .26 (95% CI -.50-.80; small k); self-evaluation r = .07 (95% CI -.41-.53); mental ill-health r = .21 (95% CI -.05-.44). Because higher mental-illness scores denote worse outcomes, the positive coefficient indicates an inverse relation (more positive SPA, less distress). Univariable moderators suggested stronger effects in Europe, larger SPA-hedonic associations with higher sample % married, and larger self-evaluation effects in longitudinal designs; none remained significant in the multivariable model. Findings position SPA as a culturally sensitive target for improving later-life well-being.

A growing body of research suggests that the early-life family environment plays a critical role in shaping cognitive health in later life. However, limited attention has been given to the quality of parent-child relationships and the psychosocial mechanisms that may underlie this association. Drawing on data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1979-2020), this study examines how positive and negative parent-child relationships during childhood influence later-life cognitive health. Findings indicate that parental love and affection in childhood are linked to better self-rated memory, while negative parental relationships are associated with worse memory outcomes in later life. Moreover, self-esteem and sense of control in adulthood partially mediate these associations. These results highlight the lasting impact of early parent-child relationships on subjective cognitive health and underscore the importance of nurturing positive family dynamics to support cognitive well-being in older adulthood.

As a modifiable social determinant of health, housing conditions present an opportunity to promote healthy aging. This study investigated the relationship between housing condition changes and health among Chinese. Participants from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (aged 45+, N = 8,423) reported their housing conditions in 2011-2013 and their lung function, mobility limitations, and depressive symptoms were measured in 2013-2018. Regression models with interaction terms were used. Individuals living in homes with better physical environments (e.g., barrier-free facilities) and more utilities (e.g., water, electricity) reported lower risk of mobility limitations and depressive symptoms. Home improvement in utilities lowered the risk of mobility limitations, especially among individuals living in homes with no or few utilities. Many Chinese older adults resided in homes lacking aging-friendly amenities, which was associated with worse physical and mental health. Enhancing home utilities could modify the negative impact of poor housing on physical health.

To identify strategies and supports to enhance retention and reduce turnover of personal care workers in residential aged care. Interviews were conducted from August 2023 to September 2024 with 20 former personal care workers who had worked in residential aged care. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five major themes were identified: (1) managers who engage with residents, (2) managers who value, recognize and support personal support workers, (3) comprehensive onboarding and continuing training programs, (4) strengthening the workforce and working arrangements, and (5) inclusive, collaborative and respectful work culture. Persistent workforce shortages in residential aged care underscore the need for targeted strategies and supports to retain staff. The findings of this study illustrate strategies and supports to promote personal care worker retention, offering practical guidance for further consideration by residential aged care operators, policymakers, and researchers.

Germany's division into the GDR (East) and FRG (West) in 1946, and subsequent reunification in 1989, had lasting impacts on individual life courses. While East-West differentials in physical health and mortality have been well-studied, cognitive health differences remain underexplored. This study examines cognitive trajectories among individuals living in the GDR and FRG, focusing on exposure duration and age at reunification. We find that former GDR residents perform better in memory, verbal fluency, numeracy, and orientation. Cognitive advantages for East Germans are most pronounced among individuals who experienced reunification in their twenties, suggesting a critical period during young adulthood. In contrast, West Germans who experienced reunification in their forties show relative disadvantages. No significant differences are observed among those near retirement age at the time of reunification. These findings contribute to understanding how political regimes shape cognitive aging and highlight the long-term effects of sociopolitical contexts on aging processes.

This study explores how basic psychological needs and personality traits relate to the types of information that older adults use on social media platforms. Relying on a nationally representative survey of 1100 German Facebook and Instagram users aged 60+, it examines the relationship between three psychological needs-autonomy, competence, and relatedness-and four types of information use: undirected, topic-related, group-related, and problem-related. The study also explores associations with fear of missing out (FOMO), political interest, and openness to experience. Findings indicate that the need for relatedness and FOMO are key predictors of older adults' information use, emphasizing the social motivations behind their social media engagement. Notably, Facebook is more frequently used than Instagram across all types of information use. These insights provide a deeper understanding of the interactions between psychological needs, personality traits, and information behaviors among older adults, informing future research on their social media usage.

Area-level socioeconomic disadvantage is an established risk factor for functional limitations. Yet, mechanisms underlying this association and whether such processes vary by gender is unknown. Guided by stress process theory, we examine whether county- and tract-level poverty rates are differentially associated with functional limitations by gender and whether secondary ecological stressors (e.g., perceived neighborhood danger and physical disorder) and individual-level psychosocial factors (e.g., coping behaviors and social support) mediate these relationships. Using data from the Midlife in the United States study, findings from the path analyses revealed that while the total effect of county-level poverty rate did not differ by gender, indirect effects via mediators-especially stress eating-were significant for women only. Tract-level poverty exhibited a gendered total effect and gendered pathways through neighborhood safety and physical activity (significant for women exclusively). This study highlights gendered processes through which area socioeconomic disadvantage may influence the aging process.

This study applied Richardson's Resiliency Model to measure resilience in depressive symptoms among older adults with disabilities in rural China and examined its association with age-related and cohort-specific temporal effects using the Growth Curve Model to analyze resilience trajectories. We innovatively used propensity score matching to address confounding variables when calculating the resilience score. Data were derived from the Longitudinal Study of Older Adults in Anhui Province, China, with 3,672 observations from 2001 to 2021. The results revealed that 28.30 percent of rural older adults demonstrated resilience by maintaining or improving depressive symptoms post-disability onset. Resilience scores exhibited inverted U-shaped trajectories with increasing age. Similarly, resilience trajectories followed an inverted U-shape from the earlier cohort (born in 1924 or earlier) to the later cohort (born in 1950 or later). These insights into resilience trajectories can inform targeted policies and interventions, crucial as populations age and the prevalence of disability increases.

Loneliness became an increasing concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as countries enacted "physical distancing" mitigation measures. Under these conditions, older adults with limited family availability (e.g., unpartnered, childless, and "kinless") might have been at higher loneliness risk, or perhaps were more accustomed to less social interaction. Using individual-level data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) and country-level data from the Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT), we analyzed loneliness outcomes for 34,943 older Europeans in 26 countries to examine associations between various types of family availability and loneliness under different COVID-19 stringency conditions. More stringent COVID-19 country contexts and being unpartnered were associated with loneliness, but "kinless" older adults had similar risk of loneliness as unpartnered older adults, underscoring the highly protective role of partnership. We discuss these findings considering the growing global population with limited family ties and make recommendations for future pandemic mitigation efforts.