Anxiety about aging,resilience and health Status among Chinese older adults: Findings from Honolulu and Wuhan

A growing body of literature found that anxiety about aging is related to health and well-being of older adults. However, very few studies have been conducted on Chinese older adults residing in different countries and examined the role of resilience. Using the Pearlin’s Stress Process Model, this study aims to fill in this gap by examining the relationship between anxiety about aging as the stressor and health status among Chinese older adults living in Honolulu, the United States (N = 292) and Wuhan, China (N = 532). The survey data were collected through June 2017 to September 2018, using snowball and convenience sampling strategy. The moderating role of resilience on the focal relationship is also explored. Results showed that for both samples, the negative relationship between anxiety about aging and self-rated health was significantly moderated by resilience (18 % and 13 %, respectively), implying the stress-buffering role of resilience. Although both mean levels of resilience and anxiety about aging were lower for the Honolulu sample, the moderating effect appeared to be stronger, implying that older adults in the Honolulu sample might rely more on psychological resources such as resilience in coping with stressors, compared with their counterparts in Wuhan. However, the moderating effect of resilience did not work for the association between anxiety about aging and number of chronic conditions for both samples. Our findings suggest that future research needs to take into account both social and psychological resources when examining anxiety about aging and health status among Chinese older adults residing in different cultural contexts.     

Communication Beliefs About Youth and Old Age in Asia and Canada

Two cross-cultural studies compared beliefs in Asia and Canada about communication in later life. With an expanded version of the Language in Adulthood Questionnaire, respondents rated a young or old adult target on communication skills selected to elicit both negative and positive stereotypes. Chinese, Chinese-Canadian, and Canadian participants were compared in Study 1 while younger and older respondents from South Korea and Canada were contrasted in Study 2. All groups showed negative beliefs about hearing and memory in old age. Positive communication beliefs were also evident for empathy, storytelling and social skills. Participants in Asia showed less stereotyping overall, for both negative and positive beliefs. Significant age interactions in Study 2 reflected positive communication beliefs only for the older participants. In line with recent investigations of the multidimensional impact of Eastern traditions, greater positivity toward older adults was not observed in Asia. This work highlights the importance of assessing both positive and negative age beliefs in cross-cultural comparisons.     

Aging and exchange: Differences between black and white elders

This article, which is based on anthropological fieldwork, examines black-white differences in the reciprocal exchanges of services and support between elders and persons in their exchange networks. Systematically collected qualitative and quantitative data revealed multiple dimensions of exchanges, including a temporal dimension that allows for past, present, ongoing, and potential support; this dimension is important for understanding apparent imbalances in informants' exchanges. The data also revealed that black and white elders attributed different meanings to the exchange of similar items. This finding suggests that the most important difference between the two groups may be in the realm of meaning rather than in the nature of the exchanges. The authors discuss the extent to which such differences might be attributed to cultural and socioeconomic forces, both independently and interactively.     

Old Age Is a Part of Living: Student Reflections on Intergenerational Service-Learning

Analysis of student journals examined the effect intergenerational service-learning had upon undergraduate students' attitudes and perceptions of older adults. Students (N?=?102) engaged in 12 hours of service-learning with older adults that included writing structured reflection journals. Coding involved open, axial, and selective coding with common themes identified from the journals. Results revealed a positive attitude shift toward older adults over the course of the semester, greater comfort with the idea of aging, and a propensity to describe the experience as being personally and professionally influential in their own lives. Students also reported increased course understanding and a desire to continue volunteering. Implications for intergenerational service-learning are discussed.     

Personal Views about Aging among Korean American Older Adults: The Role of Physical Health, Social Network, and Acculturation

Given the importance of a positive attitude towards one's own aging, we examined its predictors in a sample of 230 Korean American older adults (M (age)?=?69.8 years, SD?=?7.05). Personal views about aging, measured with a subscale of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS), were regressed on demographic variables, physical health-related factors, and psychosocial attributes (social network and acculturation). Results from the hierarchical regression analysis showed that better physical health conditions (fewer chronic conditions, less functional disability, and better vision) were associated with more positive personal views about aging. Other significant contributors included larger social networks and higher levels of acculturation. Findings suggest that personal views about aging among immigrant elderly populations can be enhanced by promoting physical health, social connectedness, and acculturation. Ways to maintain and improve positive attitudes about personal aging are discussed in a cultural context.     

Effect of Inflammation in the Periodontium in Early Old Age on Mortality at 21-Year Follow-Up

OBJECTIVES: To analyze whether inflammatory processes in the periodontium in early old age are related to subsequent mortality during 21 years of follow-up in a nondisabled 70-year-old population.
SETTING: Community-based population in Copenhagen.
DESIGN: The study was based on the Glostrup Aging Study of the 1914 population, with baseline in 1984 when the participants were 70 years old and follow-up 21 years later.
PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred thirty-five dentate men and women participated in the clinical oral health examination.
MEASUREMENTS: Severe periodontal inflammation was measured for all teeth present as the number of teeth with inflammation and periodontal pockets 6 mm deep or more. Mortality data were obtained from the Danish Death Register at 21-year follow-up. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used. Covariates were measured at baseline and included number of teeth, caries, sex, education, income, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, arteriostenosis, myocardial infarction, comorbidity, fatigue, and ability to brush teeth.
RESULTS: The analyses showed that severe periodontal inflammation in at least three teeth at age 70 was marginally related to mortality during 21-year follow-up (crude hazard ratio (HR)=1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.91–1.78). The estimate increased slightly when adjusted for sex, income, fatigue, and smoking (adjusted HR=1.37, 95% CI=0.97–1.92). The estimates were attenuated when adjusted for the specific diseases, especially arteriostenosis and osteoarthritis.
CONCLUSION: Inflammation in the periodontium in early old age tends to be associated with mortality in older age.     

Aging with Pride in Israel: An Israeli Perspective on the Meaning of Homosexuality in Old Age

This article deals with the meaning of aging for gay men and for the lesbian population. A unique segment of the population, approximately 10% statistically, this group has yet to be researched in Israel and has received relatively little attention in gerontological literature. The lack of Israeli research here is particularly remarkable considering the overall increase in aging research. The purpose of the research herein is to examine the world of older lesbians and gay men, to present their experiences firsthand, life stories, remarks and inner concepts. The study attempts to learn from and understand the components that gay men and lesbian experience in old age, the implication of aging for them and whether or not aging brings a change in the understanding of homosexuality and lesbianism. The findings show that aging as a gay man or lesbian means living with many contradictions. On one hand, this study shows that in Israel the aging gays and lesbians are likely to suffer from a double stigma: from homophobia and ageism. The interesting finding of this study is that older gays and lesbians also suffer from a third type of oppression: ageism within the gay-lesbian community. In addition, the study’s findings indicate that the common image of older gays and older lesbians as being depressed, lonely, despairing and inactive sexually is empirically groundless. Old age, it turns out, has some liberating aspects, including liberation from sexual influences and from multiple personal and social obligations.     

Attitudes Toward Older Adults: A Reexamination of Two Major Scales

No abstract available for this article.     

Patients' Perceptions of Asthma Control and Impact on Attitudes and Self-Management

The objective of this work was to describe the incidence of chronic breathing problems, particularly asthma-related breathing problems, in a cross-section of the United States population and to assess the perceived impact of these problems on daily living. An initial screening survey was used in a nationwide panel of 30,000 households; an in-depth follow-up questionnaire was sent to a random sample of respondents who reported a breathing problem. A sample (n = 2685) of respondents who reported persistent cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing within the previous 2 years were sent a newly developed questionnaire. A subsample (n = 723) of respondents reported a primary diagnosis of asthma and of these, 59.4% were female and 90.2% were white. Their mean age was 37.4 years. Respondents (n = 723) characterized their level of perceived asthma control as completely controlled, well controlled, somewhat controlled, or poorly/not controlled. At least 31% of those with a perception of some control and 59% of those with a perception of poor/no control reported their breathing problems had increased in the last year. Those who perceived their asthma-related breathing problems as poorly controlled reported significantly greater symptom frequency, activity restriction, fears and concerns about their breathing difficulties, less helpful coping strategies, and less confidence in their doctor's ability to care for them. Responses to many of the questions indicated that the worst levels of disease control were associated with poorer quality of life and a more negative perception of the disease and its effects on daily living. A significant portion of the U.S. population appears to suffer from chronic breathing problems; this requires confirmation and further exploration to reduce the potential mortality and morbidity due to asthma in the United States.     

Two Thumbs Up: Using Popular Films in Introductory Aging Courses

Good teaching requires thoughtful planning and creative thinking, especially when trying to engage students in material that is unfamiliar to them or encumbered by stereotypes, like aging. Classic and contemporary media can provide unique teaching opportunities in gerontology classrooms. Popular films can have a powerful influence over viewers’ attitudes and perceptions, and spur in-depth discussions of aging-related topics common to introductory aging courses (e.g., ageism, abuse, inequality, caregiving, healthy aging, and intimate relationships). Additionally, films appeal to multiple learning styles, engaging a variety of learners. This article examines the value of using films in introductory aging courses, offers strategies for incorporating films in the gerontology classroom, suggests sample activities and assignments that pair popular films with aging course topics, identifies challenges of using film in various classrooms settings, and provides a detailed typology of films on each of the following aging topics: ageism and stereotypes, cognitive impairment, death and dying, diversity, family relationships, health and wellness, sexuality and intimacy, and work and retirement.     

The Emergence of Legal Prevention in Old Age: Findings from an Israeli Exploratory Study

The aging of the world has led the field of law to the realization that it must respond and change in order to deal with this phenomenon. One way in which law has responded to societal aging was by adopting preventive measures in the field of elder law. The Israeli legal system is only in its initial stages of establishing and implementing preventive tools for old age. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory study was twofold: First, it looked into the knowledge about, understanding of, and actual usage of preventive legal tools in old age in Israel. Second, it compared the Israeli findings to those of a similar American study. The findings of this exploratory study indicate that overall in Israel, the actual usage of preventive legal tools in old age is low both in absolute terms and compared to the American rates. Another important finding is the significant gap between the knowledge about preventive legal tools and their actual use by older adults. The findings suggest that Israel and other countries that are in their initial stages of developing preventive laws for older persons should consider broader socio-legal issues than the mere enactment of preventive legislation.     

Gambling in Britain: the application of restraint erosion theory

Aim To provide an overview of gambling and problem gambling in Britain, including historical background, current regulations and the recognition, prevalence and treatment of problem gambling. Methods A new theory, Gambling Restraint Erosion Theory (GRET), is used as a framework for understanding the history of gambling regulation in Britain in the 20th century and evidence about the prevalence of gambling and problem gambling, as well as public attitudes towards gambling, in Britain in the first decade of the 21st century. Findings Restraints on gambling were progressively dismantled as regulation moved from partial prohibition, to tolerance, and then to liberalization by the turn of the millennium. British adult gambling prevalence surveys carried out in 1999/2000, 2006/07 and 2009/10 suggest that the British public is still relatively restrained in its engagement in gambling, and is still suspicious of gambling. There is evidence from the last of those surveys that engagement in some forms of gambling, and the prevalence of problem gambling, have risen, and that attitudes have become less negative towards gambling. Conclusions Restraints which kept British gambling circumscribed, and the prevalence of problem gambling low, may be in the process of being eroded. Meanwhile, an effective public health response to problem gambling is constrained by lack of Department of Health interest and a failure to develop a research and treatment base independent of the gambling industry.     

Comparative Study of Thermal-Oxidative Aging and Salt Solution Aging on Bitumen Performance

The aging of bitumen is detrimental to the durability and service life of asphalt pavement. Previous studies found that bitumen was suspected to be aged by not only thermal oxidation but also solution immersion. This research aims to compare the effect of thermal-oxidative aging and salt solution aging on bitumen performance. For this purpose, a thin film oven test (TFOT) and pressure aging vessel aging (PAV) were selected as thermal-oxidative aging, and 10% NaCl aging and 10% CaCl₂ aging were selected as salt solution aging. The morphology, oxygen content, physical properties, low-temperature properties, and high-temperature properties of bitumen were analysed by employing scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), physical tests, a bending beam rheometer (BBR), and a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR). Test results show that both thermal-oxidative aging and salt solution aging had similar influencing trends in the oxygen content, physical, low-temperature, and high-temperature properties of bitumen but had different changes in morphology. The aging degrees caused by four kinds of aging methods were obtained based on the summed values of the absolute aging factor of all parameters: PAV > 10% NaCl > TFOT > 10% CaCl₂. The conclusions could provide a theoretical basis to establish a standard for the solution aging of bitumen.     

Monocytes in HIV and SIV Infection and Aging: Implications for Inflamm-Aging and Accelerated Aging

Before the antiretroviral therapy (ART) era, people living with HIV (PLWH) experienced complications due to AIDS more so than aging. With ART and the extended lifespan of PLWH, HIV comorbidities also include aging—most likely due to accelerated aging—as well as a cardiovascular, neurocognitive disorders, lung and kidney disease, and malignancies. The broad evidence suggests that HIV with ART is associated with accentuated aging, and that the age-related comorbidities occur earlier, due in part to chronic immune activation, co-infections, and possibly the effects of ART alone. Normally the immune system undergoes alterations of lymphocyte and monocyte populations with aging, that include diminished naïve T- and B-lymphocyte numbers, a reliance on memory lymphocytes, and a skewed production of myeloid cells leading to age-related inflammation, termed “inflamm-aging”. Specifically, absolute numbers and relative proportions of monocytes and monocyte subpopulations are skewed with age along with myeloid mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, an increase in biomarkers of myeloid activation (IL-6, sCD14, and sCD163) occurs with chronic HIV infection and with age, and may contribute to immunosenescence. Chronic HIV infection accelerates aging; meanwhile, ART treatment may slow age-related acceleration, but is not sufficient to stop aging or age-related comorbidities. Overall, a better understanding of the mechanisms behind accentuated aging with HIV and the effects of myeloid activation and turnover is needed for future therapies.