Characteristics of social support in a community‐living sample of older people: The Sydney Older Persons Study

Objectives : Lower levels of social support have been associated with higher mortality, poor health and lower levels of well‐being. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of social support in a sample of community‐living people over the age of 75 years and secondly to identify sociodemographic variables associated with social support. Method : A sample of 647 community‐dwelling elderly (75 or older) were interviewed using a structured instrument assessing social support. Social support was defined as: instrumental support; emotional support including the presence of a confidant; perceived support (perceived availability and perceived adequacy of support) and finally, social involvement or participation. Chi‐squared tests were used to compare levels of social support between males and females. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted in order to examine the relationship between social support and sociodemographic variables.     

The so-called supernormal recovery phase of conduction in heart muscle

A case is reported exhibiting varying grades of heart-block. At times there was dissociation between auricles and ventricles except for brief intervals in early ventricular diastole when auricular excitations were capable of being transmitted.Four cases showing a somewhat similar incidence of transmission during block have been reported previously and interpreted as due to a supernormal phase in conduction.Alternative assumptions which equally well account for phenomena observed in our case are (1) prolongation of the rest period in the critical area of block prior to transmission or (2) transient improvement of the nutrition in the area of block due to ventricular systole and increased blood flow. The latter would seem to account for the phenomena observed in all cases thus far described quite as well as the hypothesis of a supernormal phase in conduction.     

Perceived social support and mortality in older people

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the effect of perceived social support on all-cause mortality at a 10-year follow-up as well as the plausible mediating factors in this association. METHODS: We measured perceived social support in 206 Finnish men and women aged 80 years old by using the Social Provision Scale, which consists of six dimensions: attachment, social integration, opportunity for nurturance, reassurance of worth, reliable alliance, and guidance. RESULTS: By using a theoretical framework that divided perceived social support into assistance-related and non-assistance-related support, we found that the risk of death was almost 2.5 times higher in women in the lowest tertile of non-assistance-related social support (comprising infrequent experiences of reassurance of worth, emotional closeness, sense of belonging and opportunity for nurturance) than in women in the highest tertile. The risk remained strong even when we controlled for the indicators of baseline sociodemographics and psychological and physiological health and functioning. Among men, none of the perceived social support dimensions showed a significant association with mortality. DISCUSSION: The results of this study present a challenge for society to find and develop new social innovations and interventions in order to promote a sense of emotional social support in older people, thereby contributing to their health and welfare.     

X-Ray Spectroscopy of Ultra-Thin Oxide/Oxide Heteroepitaxial Films: A Case Study of Single-Nanometer VO2/TiO2

Epitaxial ultra-thin oxide films can support large percent level strains well beyond their bulk counterparts, thereby enabling strain-engineering in oxides that can tailor various phenomena. At these reduced dimensions (typically < 10 nm), contributions from the substrate can dwarf the signal from the epilayer, making it difficult to distinguish the properties of the epilayer from the bulk. This is especially true for oxide on oxide systems. Here, we have employed a combination of hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) and angular soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to study epitaxial VO₂/TiO₂ (100) films ranging from 7.5 to 1 nm. We observe a low-temperature (300 K) insulating phase with evidence of vanadium-vanadium (V-V) dimers and a high-temperature (400 K) metallic phase absent of V-V dimers irrespective of film thickness. Our results confirm that the metal insulator transition can exist at atomic dimensions and that biaxial strain can still be used to control the temperature of its transition when the interfaces are atomically sharp. More generally, our case study highlights the benefits of using non-destructive XAS and HAXPES to extract out information regarding the interfacial quality of the epilayers and spectroscopic signatures associated with exotic phenomena at these dimensions.     

Simulation of dynamical properties of normal and superfluid helium

The formation of a superfluid when (4)He is cooled below the characteristic lambda transition temperature is accompanied by intricate quantum mechanical phenomena, including the emergence of a Bose condensate. A combination of path integral and semiclassical techniques is used to calculate the single-particle velocity autocorrelation function across the normal-to-superfluid transition. We find that the inclusion of particle exchange alters qualitatively the shape of the correlation function below the characteristic transition temperature but has no noticeable effect on the dynamics in the normal phase. The incoherent structure factor extracted from the velocity autocorrelation function is in very good agreement with neutron scattering data, reproducing the width, height, frequency shift, and asymmetry of the curves, as well as the observed increase in peak height characteristic of the superfluid phase. Our simulation demonstrates that the peak enhancement observed in the neutron scattering experiments below the transition temperature arises exclusively from particle exchange, illuminating the role of Bose-statistical effects on the dynamics of the quantum liquid.     

Interatomic Potential for InP

Classical modeling of structural phenomena occurring in InP crystal, for example plastic deformation caused by contact force, requires an interatomic interaction potential that correctly describes not only the elastic properties of indium phosphide but also the pressure-induced reversible phase transition B3↔B1. In this article, a new parametrization of the analytical bond-order potential has been developed for InP. The potential reproduces fundamental physical properties (lattice parameters, cohesive energy, stiffness coefficients) of the B3 and B1 phases in good agreement with first-principles calculations. The proposed interaction model describes the reversibility of the pressure-induced B3↔B1 phase transition as well as the formation of native point defects in the B3 phase.     

Towards comprehensive care in transition for young people with haemophilia

Summary. In the last two decades, the transition from paediatric to adult care has received increasing attention. Health care professionals have become more aware of the unique needs of adolescents and young adults with chronic illnesses and efforts have been made to support youth through this challenging time of change. For patients with haemophilia and their families, there is little evidence regarding best practice for transition of care. We reviewed the transition literature and current guidelines for transition for patients with haemophilia. We advocate that comprehensive haemophilia care includes a conscientious approach to transition of care that should start in early adolescence and be developmentally sensitive. In considering the needs of patients and parents, we must engage both paediatric and adult health care providers to make the transfer smooth and ensure the best care possible during this time.     

Promoting dementia‐friendly communities to improve the well‐being of individuals with and without dementia

A community is the totality of human relationships, in which individuals live with and for others. This article discusses promoting dementia‐friendly community from the perspective of human relationships within a community. Improving the social well‐being of aging people is important; it is especially important for people with dementia, as dementia is a life‐changing syndrome that affects all aspects of one's life, including human relationships. Dementia‐friendly community requires support from the community in improving the social adaptation of people with dementia, as they experience greater difficulties in social interaction as a result of cognitive decline, especially deterioration of social cognition. They need to be empowered to stay motivated for the opportunity to maintain an active and meaningful life, despite dementia. Flexible provisions of such tailored support can be effective to improve the support network in the community to meet the individual's needs. As social and human resources are limited, it is also necessary to discuss how to share socioeconomic burdens to meet both social sustainability demands and the welfare of aging adults. More discussions that include people with dementia and their family members are required to achieve the purpose of dementia‐friendly community. This is important to enhance the well‐being of individuals with and without dementia, as well as the society as a whole, through dementia support and dementia prevention activities. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; ??: ??–?? .     

Trajectories of smoking among freshmen college students with prior smoking history and risk for future smoking: data from the University Project Tobacco Etiology Research Network (UpTERN) study

AIMS: Little is known about smoking during the transition to college. The current study examined trajectories of smoking among college freshmen, how trajectories predicted later smoking and the social context of smoking. DESIGN: Weekly assessments of daily smoking were collected via the web during the first year of college for a large cohort with a previous history of smoking. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A total of 193 college freshmen from a large public university with a previous history of smoking who smoked frequently enough to be included in trajectory analysis. MEASUREMENTS: Measures included weekly reports of daily smoking, family smoking, perceived peer attitudes and smoking, social norms and social smoking environment. FINDINGS: Seven trajectories were identified: one of low-level sporadic smoking, one of low-level smoking with a small increase during the year, two classes with a substantial decrease during the year, two classes with relatively small decreases and one class with a substantial increase in smoking. Trajectories of smoking in the freshman year predicted levels of sophomore year smoking, and some social context variables tended to change as smoking increased or decreased for a given trajectory class. CONCLUSIONS: The transition into college is marked by changes in smoking, with smoking escalating for some students and continuing into the sophomore year. Shifts in social context that support smoking were associated with trajectories of smoking. Despite the focus of developmental models on smoking in early adolescence, the transition into college warrants further investigation as a dynamic period for smoking.     

Coming of age in twenty-first century america: Public attitudes towards the importance and timing of transitions to adulthood

This paper examines age norms on seven important transitions to adulthood. Americans rank finishing school as the most important hallmark of becoming an adult. This is followed closely by obtaining full-time employment, being able to support a family, and being financially independent. Among these seven standards of achieving adulthood the average transition age runs over a 5.3 year span, from being financially independent, living independently, and being employed full-time by the traditional age of majority (21) to being a parent by age 26. A large degree of consensus prevails across social groups on the importance of these transitions. The only notable pattern of differences is that on supporting a family, having a child, and getting married older adults and the widowed and married rate these as more important than younger adults and the never married do. Considerably more variation exists across social groups on the age or timing of these transitions. First, the young and never married favor earlier transitions on financial independence, living away from parents, and working full-time, and later transitions on supporting a family, getting married, and having children. Second, the better educated and those with higher incomes favor later transitions on all domains. Third, cultural differences related to race and religion appear. For example, blacks tend to favor the early transition model more than whites do. He specializes in the survey methodology and the study of social change.     

Volunteering and health among older people: a review

This paper presents a review of the available literature on the relationship between volunteering and health among older people. There is consistent evidence that morbidity rates, functional health indices, self reported health and life satisfaction are affected by formal and informal volunteering. Some studies suggest that the benefits of volunteering are reciprocal, in that both those who give and those who receive assistance benefit. The evidence is consistent with the proposal that social capital is generated through volunteering. It is likely that the presence of high levels of social capital supports and maintains the health of older persons, provides informal support in times of sickness and stress and thus enhances quality of life as well as reducing or delaying the onset of illness and death.     

ARVs and cash too: caring and supporting people living with HIV/AIDS with the Malawi Social Cash Transfer

Objectives The Malawian Social Cash Transfer Scheme (SCT) is a social protection programme for ultra poor and labour‐constrained households, including people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). We aimed to gain insight into respondents’ circumstances prior to becoming transfer beneficiaries and to examine how PLWHA used transfers to support themselves and their families. Methods We conducted 24 semi‐structured qualitative interviews with PLWHA who were also SCT beneficiaries and living in villages where the scheme was operational in 2008. Results Respondents were destitute and lacked food and basic necessities prior to the transfer. As cash recipients, the majority of respondents reported positive impacts on health, food security and economic well‐being as well as an improved ability to care for their families. Conclusion Important unanswered programmatic questions persist, such as ‘What is the appropriate transfer level?’ And ‘Should recipients graduate from the scheme?’ Moreover, the scheme’s long‐term sustainability is still unclear. Nevertheless, this analysis presents evidence describing how PLWHA used cash transfers to improve their situation and mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on families.     

Changing access to mental health care and social support when people living with HIV/AIDS become service providers

As people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) achieve more stable health, many have taken on active peer support and professional roles within AIDS service organizations. Although the increased engagement has been associated with many improved health outcomes, emerging program and research evidence have identified new challenges associated with such transition. This paper reports on the results of a qualitative interpretive study that explored the effect of this role transition on PHA service providers' access to mental health support and self care. A total of 27 PHA service providers of diverse ethno-racial backgrounds took part in the study. Results show that while role transition often improves access to financial and health-care benefits, it also leads to new stress from workload demands, emotional triggers from client's narratives, feeling of burnout from over-immersion in HIV at both personal and professional levels, and diminished self care. Barriers to seeking support included: concerns regarding confidentiality; self-imposed and enacted stigma associated with accessing mental health services; and boundary issues resulting from changes in relationships with peers and other service providers. Evolving support mechanisms included: new formal and informal peer support networks amongst colleagues or other PHA service providers to address both personal and professional challenges, and having access to professional support offered through the workplace. The findings suggest the need for increased organizational recognition of HIV support work as a form of emotional labor that places complex demands on PHA service providers. Increased access to employer-provided mental health services, supportive workplace policies, and adequate job-specific training will contribute to reduced work-related stress. Community level strategies that support expansion of social networks amongst PHA service providers would reduce isolation. Systemic policies to increase access to insurance benefits and enhance sector-wide job preparedness and post-employment support will sustain long-term and meaningful involvement of PHAs in service provision.     

山西省运城地区PLWHAS主观幸福感及影响因素的调查研究

目的了解艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染者／艾滋病（AIDs）病人（PLwHAs）的心理状况,探讨影响其主观幸福感的因素。方法选取山西省艾滋病高发地区8个乡镇的194例PLWHAS,用总体幸福感量表（GWB）及影响因素问卷进行调查。结果PLwHAs主观幸福感总体得分（108±11）分,低于普通村民。单因素分析表明,健康状况、身份公开程度、感染年限、社会歧视,是影响PLWHAS主观幸福感的因素（P〈0．05）。目前的社会关怀提升了PLWHAS对生活的满足和兴趣,但对总体主观幸福感作用不显著。结论PLWHAS的主观幸福感受多因素影响,改善其身体健康状况、消除社会歧视等,有助于提升PLWHAS主观幸福感。     

Incidence of disability in housebound elderly people living in a rural community

This study aimed to explore whether being housebound is a risk factor for disabilities and whether low social communication increases incidence of disability in elderly people. A self-reported questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics was administered to 2,046 community-dwelling elderly people (aged 65 and older) in October 2000, and subjects were followed up until March 2003. All subjects were independent in activities of daily living. In this study, being housebound was defined on frequency of going out, with those who left the house once or less per week being classified as housebound. We further classified the housebound into four groups: I, going out alone is difficult but social communication occurs; II going out alone is difficult and no social communication occurs; III, going out alone is possible but not undertaken often, and some social communication occurs; and IV, going out alone is possible but seldom undertaken and no social communication occurs. In this population, overall prevalence of being housebound was 8.5%, and about half of those who were housebound fit the third classification. At the end of the follow-up period, 12.7% of subjects reported disabilities. The incidence of disability was higher in the housebound compared with the non-housebound. The incidence of disability by age was higher in housebound groups than in the non-housebound in elderly individuals aged under 85, but no significant differences were recognized in those aged over 85. In terms of housebound status, all housebound groups had higher levels of disability than the non-housebound. However, the groups without social communication (H and IV) exhibited higher incidence of disability than those with social communication (I and II). From the results obtained, we conclude that being housebound is a risk factor for disability in elderly individuals aged 65 to 85 years who are living independently, and that lower social communication also represents a risk factor for disability. This study appears to indicate that a frequency of going out of once or less a week is a valid guide for determination of housebound status.     

Cardiovascular Risk and Cardiovascular Health Behaviours in the Transition From Childhood to Adulthood

The prevention and management of cardiovascular risk factors during the transition from childhood to adulthood is critically important in defining cardiovascular health trajectories. Unfortunately, many young people fall out of clinical care during this important time, leading to worsening cardiovascular risk and missed opportunities to modify future outcomes. The field of health care transition has evolved to support young people with complex health needs in developing self-management and self-advocacy skills to promote positive health outcomes despite changes in health care providers and resources. While transitional care efforts are largely focused on childhood-onset chronic illnesses such as sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis, young people with cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia also stand to benefit from structured supports to ensure continuity in care and positive health behaviours. On the backdrop of the broader health care transition literature, we offer practical insights and suggestions for ensuring that young people with cardiovascular risk factors experience uninterrupted high-quality care and support as they enter the adult health care system. Starting transition preparation in early adolescence, actively engaging all key stakeholders throughout the process, and remaining mindful of the developmental underpinnings and social context of transition are keys to success.     

The impact of befriending and peer support on family carers of people living with dementia: A mixed methods study

BackgroundVolunteer led befriending and peer support is provided to a wide range of people with varying needs. Despite large numbers of such schemes for carers of people with dementia, there is little evidence for any benefits they may offer. The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of befriending and peer support on carers of people with dementia and to explore their experiences of receiving the interventions using a mixed methods approach.MethodsNineteen carers of people with dementia were recruited from befriending and peer support services. Carers completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and UCLA Loneliness Scale at baseline, three months and six months. Of the 16 carers who completed the quantitative phase, eight took part in depth semi-structured interviews.ResultsA statistically significant increase in perceived social support from a significant other between baseline and three months was found (Z = 2.487, p = 0.013). Qualitative findings showed befriending and peer support to be important sources of emotional and social support for carers, which was facilitated by the volunteers’ experiential similarity.ConclusionVolunteer led befriending and peer support offers carers of people with dementia emotional and social support which enables them to cope better with challenges and continue caring. This has important implications for potentially reducing breakdowns in carer mental and physical health. Future research should explore whether these finding are replicable in other locations and in more diverse populations.     

The application of ecological thinking to better understand the needs of communities of older people

Aim: This research applied ecological thinking to develop a more integrated or ecological understanding of the needs and aspirations of communities of older people. Methods: A three‐stage methodology was utilised. Stage one entailed the thematic analysis of resident satisfaction surveys collected from 1000 residents of aged living and care facilities to identify issues impacting upon their lives. In stage two these findings were critiqued through a key stakeholder forum. In stage three findings were authenticated through resident interviews and workshops. Results: The findings suggest that an ecological framework for the well‐being of older people living in residential communities can be conceptualised as the four domains of the physical environment, social environment, governance and active living. Conclusions: This framework for the ecology of resident well‐being developed through this research informs an ecological approach to service providers' planning to promote the health and well‐being of residents of communities of older people.     

Relationship between living arrangements and the psychological well‐being of older people in Hong Kong

Objectives: This study explored the relationship between three types of living arrangements, namely living alone, living with family, and living in a hostel, and the psychological well‐being of older people in Hong Kong. The impact of various sociodemographic factors on the choice of living arrangements of older people was also studied. Methods: Ninety healthy Hong Kong Chinese were recruited from four multi‐service centres and one hostel. An individual interview was conducted with each participant and the General Health Questionnaire‐12 and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale‐10 were administered. Results: The results suggested that the psychological well‐being of older people living in hostels was better than that of older people living alone, but that the psychological well‐being of older people living with their family was not different from that of older people living alone. Conclusion: That the psychological well‐being of older people in different living arrangements is different may be explained by the differences in time for leisure, access to social services, as well as changes in their attitude towards co‐residence with children.     

Social support and depression among elderly Chinese people in Hong Kong.

This study examines the association between social support and depressive symptomatology in a representative community sample of 1106 Chinese people in Hong Kong aged sixty years or older. Significant bivariate relationships were found between depression and all dimensions of social support including social network size, network composition, social contact frequency, satisfaction of social support, instrumental/emotional support, and helping others. Using multiple regression models, the authors found that at least one measure of these six dimensions of social support was associated with depressive symptomatology, even after controlling for socio-demographic, and functional disability. We found that social support from family is important for elderly Chinese people in Hong Kong, and satisfaction with support is a more important predictor of depression levels than other objective measures of network relationships. Lastly, it was found that material aid and instrumental support is more important in preventing depression for elderly individuals in Hong Kong than emotional support.