International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Research

16 pages, 1059 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Suitability of the Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire Short Form for Use among Adults in Their 50s: A Cross-Sectional e-Survey Study

by Gail Low, Alex Bacadini França, Donna M. Wilson, Gloria Gutman and Sofia von Humboldt

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(22), 7035; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20227035 - 8 Nov 2023

Viewed by 2419

Abstract

This cross-sectional e-survey study examines the suitability (reliability and validity) of the 12-item Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire Short Form (AAQ-SF) for use among adults in their 50s. The AAQ-SF instrument was originally designed to capture subjective perceptions of physical change, psychosocial loss, and [...] Read more.

This cross-sectional e-survey study examines the suitability (reliability and validity) of the 12-item Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire Short Form (AAQ-SF) for use among adults in their 50s. The AAQ-SF instrument was originally designed to capture subjective perceptions of physical change, psychosocial loss, and psychological growth by asking people aged 60 and beyond how they feel about growing older. Our sample comprised 517 people residing in three Canadian provinces. Respondents completed the Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire Short Form, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and a short sociodemographic profile. Our findings replicate the original AAQ-SF structure for physical change, psychosocial loss, and psychological growth, with a promising internal consistency range for the third subscale. In our sample, psychological growth is best represented as ‘Self’ and ‘Generativity’, with a particularly greater capacity to explain variations in scores for item 18 and item 21. Physical change and psychosocial loss scores strongly differed based on perceived health and chronic illness presence. Psychosocial loss and psychological growth were moderately correlated with two aspects of self-esteem. We relate these patterns of findings within the context of prevailing growth and development theory and their perceived implications within the context of COVID-19 and post-pandemic life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Midlife and Healthy Aging)

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15 pages, 679 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social and Health Determinants of Quality of Life of Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Malaysia

by Shiang Cheng Lim, Yoke Mun Chan and Wan Ying Gan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 3977; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053977 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3024

Abstract

Quality of life (QOL) of older adults is a complex issue that requires an understanding of the intersection between socioeconomic and health factors. A poor quality of life (QOL) is frequently reported as sub-optimal among older adults whereby concerted and collective actions are [...] Read more.

Quality of life (QOL) of older adults is a complex issue that requires an understanding of the intersection between socioeconomic and health factors. A poor quality of life (QOL) is frequently reported as sub-optimal among older adults whereby concerted and collective actions are required through an evidence-based approach. Hence, this cross-sectional study aims to determine the social and health predictors of the QOL of a community-dwelling older adult Malaysian population through a quantitative household survey using multi-stage sampling. A total of 698 respondents aged 60 years old and older were recruited and the majority of them had a good quality of life. Risk of depression, disability, living with stroke, low household income, and lack of social network were identified as the predictors of a poor QOL among the community-dwelling older Malaysians. The identified predictors for QOL provided a list of priorities for the development of policies, strategies, programmes, and interventions to enhance the QOL of the community-dwelling older Malaysians. Multisectoral approaches, especially collective efforts from both social and health sectors, are required to address the complexities of the ageing issues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Midlife and Healthy Aging)

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13 pages, 2721 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Arterial Stiffness as a Predictor of the Index of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Hypertensive Patients

by Guili Chang, Yueliang Hu, Qian Ge, Shaoli Chu, Alberto Avolio and Junli Zuo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2832; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042832 - 6 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2016

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and cardiovascular disease in the hypertensive population in China and to determine the specific cfPWV cut-off value for assessing future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Methods: [...] Read more.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and cardiovascular disease in the hypertensive population in China and to determine the specific cfPWV cut-off value for assessing future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 630 hospital patients with primary hypertension and multiple cardiovascular risk factors or complications involving damage to clinical target organs. The study was conducted between July 2007 and October 2008. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk calculations were computed according to criteria presented by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. Patients were stratified by a predefined risk threshold of 10% and divided into two groups: ASCVD ≥ 10% or ASCVD < 10%. cfPWV was used as a marker of arterial stiffness. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was applied to establish the optimal cfPWV cut-off point to differentiate between participants with and without ASCVD risk. Results: In the study cohort of 630 patients (age 63.55.2 ± 8.6 years, 61.7% male) with primary hypertension, the pressure indices (augmented pressure, augmentation index [AIx], aortic pulse pressure, aortic systolic pressure [SBP]) and Framingham Risk Scores (FRS) were greater in females than in males (p < 0.001); ASCVD risk scores and peripheral diastolic pressure (DBP) were higher in males (p < 0.05). All hemodynamic indices showed a significant positive correlation with ASCVD risk scores and FRS; AIx was not correlated with ASCVD risk scores. In multivariate logistic analysis, cfPWV was significantly associated with ASCVD risk (OR: 1.324, 95% confidence interval: 1.119–1.565, p < 0.001) after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, body mass index, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, antihypertensive treatment, statin treatment, and DBP. In the ROC analysis, the area under the curve was 0.758 and 0.672 for cfPWV and aortic SBP (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively); the optimal critical value of cfPWV and aortic SBP was 12.45 m/s (sensitivity 63.2%, specificity 77.8%) and 124.5 mmHg (sensitivity 63.9%, specificity 65.3%). Conclusions: cfPWV is significantly correlated with the risk of ASCVD. The best cut-off value of cfPWV for assessing future CVD risk in the hypertensive population in China is 12.45 m/s. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Midlife and Healthy Aging)

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12 pages, 390 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Psychological Well-Being of Older Chinese Immigrants in Canada amidst COVID-19: The Role of Loneliness, Social Support, and Acculturation

by Chang Su, Lixia Yang, Linying Dong and Weiguo Zhang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8612; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148612 - 15 Jul 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4037

Abstract

This study examined the effects of loneliness, social support, and acculturation on psychological well-being, as indexed by general emotional well-being and life satisfaction, of older Chinese adults living in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 168 older Chinese adults, recruited via [...] Read more.

This study examined the effects of loneliness, social support, and acculturation on psychological well-being, as indexed by general emotional well-being and life satisfaction, of older Chinese adults living in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 168 older Chinese adults, recruited via WeChat and the internet, completed an online study through a facilitated Zoom or phone meeting, or through a website link, individually or in a group. The testing package included demographic information, The UCLA Loneliness Scale, The Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, Vancouver Index of Acculturation, The Satisfaction with Life Scale, and The World Health Organization’s Five Well-Being Index. The results showed that the psychological well-being (both general emotional well-being and cognitively perceived life satisfaction) was positively predicted by perceived social support but negatively predicted by loneliness. Acculturation was not predictive of both outcomes, and it did not moderate the predictive relationships of social support or loneliness. The results shed light on the importance of community services that target enhancing social support and reducing loneliness in promoting psychological well-being of older Chinese immigrants in Canada amidst and post the pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Midlife and Healthy Aging)

19 pages, 1396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modifiable Resources and Resilience in Racially and Ethnically Diverse Older Women: Implications for Health Outcomes and Interventions

by Sparkle Springfield, Feifei Qin, Haley Hedlin, Charles B. Eaton, Milagros C. Rosal, Herman Taylor, Ursula M. Staudinger and Marcia L. Stefanick

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7089; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127089 - 9 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2377

Abstract

Introduction: Resilience—which we define as the “ability to bounce back from stress”—can foster successful aging among older, racially and ethnically diverse women. This study investigated the association between psychological resilience in the Women’s Health Initiative Extension Study (WHI-ES) and three constructs defined [...] Read more.

Introduction: Resilience—which we define as the “ability to bounce back from stress”—can foster successful aging among older, racially and ethnically diverse women. This study investigated the association between psychological resilience in the Women’s Health Initiative Extension Study (WHI-ES) and three constructs defined by Staudinger’s 2015 model of resilience and aging: (1) perceived stress, (2) non-psychological resources, and (3) psychological resources. We further examined whether the relationship between resilience and key resources differed by race/ethnicity. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis on 77,395 women aged 62+ (4475 Black or African American; 69,448 non-Hispanic White; 1891 Hispanic/Latina; and 1581 Asian or Pacific Islanders) who enrolled in the WHI-ES, which was conducted in the United States. Participants completed a short version of the Brief Resilience Scale one-time in 2011. Guided by Staudinger’s model, we used linear regression analysis to examine the relationships between resilience and resources, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, and stressful life events. To identify the most significant associations, we applied elastic net regularization to our linear regression models. Findings: On average, women who reported higher resilience were younger, had fewer stressful life events, and reported access to more resources. Black or African American women reported the highest resilience, followed by Hispanic/Latina, non-Hispanic White, and Asian or Pacific Islander women. The most important resilience-related resources were psychological, including control of beliefs, energy, personal growth, mild-to-no forgetfulness, and experiencing a sense of purpose. Race/ethnicity significantly modified the relationship between resilience and energy (overall interaction p = 0.0017). Conclusion: Increasing resilience among older women may require culturally informed stress reduction techniques and resource-building strategies, including empowerment to control the important things in life and exercises to boost energy levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Midlife and Healthy Aging)

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18 pages, 1043 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association of Neighborhood Changes with Health-Related Quality of Life in the Women’s Health Initiative

by Benjamin W. Chrisinger, Sparkle Springfield, Eric A. Whitsel, Aladdin H. Shadyab, Jessica L. Krok-Schoen, Lorena Garcia, Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson and Marcia L. Stefanick

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5309; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095309 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2277

Abstract

Longitudinal studies can help us understand the effects of long-term neighborhood changes, as these can capture individual self-appraisal of current and future circumstances. We analyzed the association between neighborhood changes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes among older women from the Women’s [...] Read more.

Longitudinal studies can help us understand the effects of long-term neighborhood changes, as these can capture individual self-appraisal of current and future circumstances. We analyzed the association between neighborhood changes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes among older women from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study. We used a subset (n = 49,254) of the longitudinal WHI dataset of female participants, aged 50–79 at baseline, recruited from 40 clinical centers across the U.S. beginning in 1993. Two HRQoL outcomes were explored: self-rated quality of life (SRQoL), and physical functioning-related quality of life (PFQoL). We used U.S. census tract-level changes in median household income between the 2000 census and 2007–2011 American Community Survey to classify neighborhoods as “upgrading,” “declining,” or “stable.” Multi-level models were used to identify significant associations between neighborhood change and HRQoL outcomes over time. Compared to participants residing in upgrading neighborhoods, participants in stable and declining neighborhoods reported significantly lower PFQoL. A significant interaction was observed with income such that the effect of neighborhood change was greater at lower levels of income. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Midlife and Healthy Aging)

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14 pages, 773 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Generativity and Gendered Pathways to Health: The Role of Human, Social, and Financial Capital Past Mid-Life

by Yu-Chih Chen, Natalee Hung, Bobo H. P. Lau, Rebecca M. P. Choy Yung, Ellmon S. M. Fung and Cecilia L. W. Chan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 4956; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19094956 - 19 Apr 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3651

Abstract

Generativity has recently received increasing attention as a key contributor to healthy aging. Personal resources and social expectations are shown to influence the desire to be generative and that generativity affects later-life health. However, whether generativity has a mediating role in linking its [...] Read more.

Generativity has recently received increasing attention as a key contributor to healthy aging. Personal resources and social expectations are shown to influence the desire to be generative and that generativity affects later-life health. However, whether generativity has a mediating role in linking its driving factors and health, and how gender may affect these pathways, is underexplored. Cross-sectional online data from 1085 Hong Kong residents aged 45+ were collected between November and December 2020. Latent variable path analysis was used to examine the mediating effect of generativity between human, social, and financial capital, and physical and mental well-being. Gendered pathways were investigated using multi-group analysis. Results showed that human, social, and financial capital contributed to better health through generativity, and gendered pathways were observed. Human capital had a stronger effect on generativity for men, but for women, social capital was vital for increased generativity and consequently improved health. Findings suggested that health benefits of generativity depend on different capital drivers and differ by gender. Implications for program development that aim to facilitate health should include generativity components that maximize physical and psychosocial engagement so that individuals can reap the health benefits through contributions to others. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Midlife and Healthy Aging)

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9 pages, 344 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Are the Physical and Cognitive Functions of Older Adults Affected by Having a Driver’s License?—A Pilot Study of Suburban Dwellers

by Keisuke Itotani, Ippei Suganuma and Hiroyuki Fujita

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4573; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084573 - 11 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2173

Abstract

Previous studies have frequently reported that those with a driver’s license have better physical and cognitive functions than those without. However, there are many people in the world who do not need or who cannot have a driver’s license. We hypothesized that if [...] Read more.

Previous studies have frequently reported that those with a driver’s license have better physical and cognitive functions than those without. However, there are many people in the world who do not need or who cannot have a driver’s license. We hypothesized that if the non-driver’s license group had the same or better physical and cognitive functioning as the driver’s license group, they could lead healthy lives without the risk of functional decline or loss of functioning due to surrendering their licenses or giving up driving. The subjects were 47 community-dwelling older adults. We measured their physical function and cognitive function and performed psychological assessment via the following tests: grip strength, Timed Up and Go test, walking speed, Five Times Sit to Stand test, Functional Reach test, Two-Step Test, Mini-Mental State Examination, Trail Making Test, Modified Falls Efficacy Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, and University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale. In previous studies, it has been said that having a driver’s license provides good physical, cognitive, and psychological functions. However, in this study, loneliness and executive function were strongly influenced by age and sex, and no direct relationship to a driver’s license was suggested. Rather, non-driver license holders may be relieved because there is no risk of accidents due to driving, and there is no possibility of a suddenly decline in physical or cognitive function due to revocation of a driver’s license. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Wellbeing in Midlife and Healthy Aging)

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