Depressive Symptoms,Self-Reported Physical Functioning,and Identity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

In this study, we examined the relationship between self-reported physical functioning and depressive symptoms by testing the mediation of identity processes in linking this relationship. Sixty-eight older adults (mean age = 74.4) participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed measures of physical functioning (Physical Symptoms Checklist), depressive symptoms (CESD-20) and identity processes (IES-G). The relationship between physical functioning and depressive symptoms was partially mediated by sensitivity of older adults to feedback from experiences, the process known as identity accommodation (Whitbourne et al. 2002). Not only are physical changes relevant to negative psychological outcomes in later adulthood, but it is the interpretation of these changes that seems to have particular relevance for aging individuals. Though preliminary based on cross-sectional data, the findings suggest that examining individual differences in sensitivity to aging stereotypes may help identify factors related to depressive symptoms in later adulthood. Future research is needed to disentangle these interrelated concepts.     

Coping Styles for Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

The aim of the present study was to examine whether specific coping styles are associated with self-reported anxiety in a sample of older adults. A total of 210 community-dwelling older adults completed self-report measures of anxiety and depression and the Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced scale. Results indicated that a tendency to utilize dysfunctional coping strategies predicted anxiety symptomatology in late life, with older adults who reported high levels of anxiety more likely to report using dysfunctional coping. After controlling for depressive symptoms, use of venting and self-blame made an independent contribution in predicting anxiety symptoms. Overall, 65% of the variance in anxiety symptoms was explained by education, depressive affect, and use of self-blame and venting as coping strategies. Our findings indicate that specific coping styles such as venting and self-blame are associated with experiencing high levels of anxiety symptoms in late life. These results suggest that targeting specific dysfunctional copying styles may be useful for prevention strategies and interventions treating anxiety in late life.     

Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults in Mexico City

BACKGROUND  Ageing and depression are associated with disability and have significant consequences for health systems in many other developing countries. Depression prevalence figures among the elderly are scarce in developing countries. OBJECTIVE  To estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their cross-sectional association with selected covariates in a community sample of Mexico City older adults affiliated to the main healthcare provider. DESIGN  Cross-sectional, multistage community survey. PARTICIPANTS  A total of 7,449 persons aged 60 years and older. MEASUREMENTS  Depression was assessed using the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS); cognitive impairment, using the Mini-Mental State Examination; and health-related quality of life with the SF-36 questionnaire. MAIN RESULTS  The prevalence of significant depressive symptoms was estimated to be 21.7%, and 25.3% in those aged 80 and older. After correcting for GDS sensitivity and specificity, major depression prevalence was estimated at 13.2%. Comparisons that follow are adjusted for age, sex, education and stressful life events. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was estimated to be 18.9% in depressed elderly and 13.7% in non-depressed. SF-36 overall scores were 48.0 in depressed participants and 68.2 in non-depressed (adjusted mean difference = −20.2, 95% CI = −21.3, −19.1). Compared to non-depressed elderly, the odds of healthcare utilization were higher among those depressed, both for any health problem (aOR 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1, 1.7) and for emotional problems (aOR 2.7, 95% CI = 2.2, 3.2). CONCLUSIONS  According to GDS estimates, one of every eight Mexican older adults had major depressive symptoms. Detection and management of older patients with depression should be a high priority in developing countries.     

Neighborhood Social Cohesion,Physical Disorder,and Daily Activity Limitations Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

IntroductionAlthough extensive factors have been examined for limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), it remains unclear as to the impacts of neighborhood-level factors on ADL and IADL limitations. Thus, we aim to examine whether neighborhood characteristics are predictive of limitations in ADL and IADL.MethodsA total of 7,407 participants were selected from the National Health and Aging Trend Study. We used data from round 1 (2011) to round 8 (2018). Neighborhood characteristics were measured as social cohesion and physical disorder. Daily activity limitations were counted based on the domains of ADL and IADL. Mixed-effects negative binomial regression analyses were performed to estimate the effects of neighborhood features on ADL and IADL limitations.ResultsBetter neighborhood social cohesion significantly predicted less limitations in ADL (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.96 - 0.99) and IADL (IRR=0.96, 95% CI = 0.95 - 0.98). More physical disorder predicted more IADL limitations (IRR=1.04, 95% CI = 1.01 - 1.06), but was not associated with ADL limitations.ConclusionNeighborhood social cohesion is essential in enabling older adults to perform both basic self-care activities and more complex tasks, while neighborhood physical disorder is significant to older adults’ capability in performing more complex sets of activities so as to age in place. The study findings underscore the importance of improving both social and physical aspects of neighborhood environment to facilitate older adults’ daily activity performance.     

Walking Cadence and Mortality Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Older adults are encouraged to walk ≥100 steps?minute^?1 for moderate-intensity physical activity (i.e., brisk walking). It is unknown if the ability to walk ≥100 steps?minute^?1 predicts mortality.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the ability to walk ≥100 steps?minute^?1 predicts mortality among older adults.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS

A population-based cohort study among 5,000 older adults from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III; 1988–1994). Vital status and cause of death were collected through December 31, 2006. Median follow-up was 13.4 years. Average participant age was 70.6 years.

MEASUREMENTS

Walking cadence (steps?minute^?1) was calculated using a timed 2.4-m walk. Walking cadence was dichotomized at 100 steps?minute^?1 (≥100 steps?minute^?1 versus <100 steps?minute^?1) to demarcate the lower threshold of absolutely defined moderate-intensity physical activity. Walking cadence was also analyzed as a continuous variable. Predicted survival was compared between walking cadence and gait speed. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included cardiovascular-specific and cancer-specific mortality and mortality from other causes.

RESULTS

Among 5,000 participants, 3,039 (61 %) walked ≥100 steps?minute^?1. During follow-up, 3,171 subjects died. In multivariable-adjusted analysis, ability to walk ≥100 steps?minute^?1 predicted a 21 % reduction in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.79; 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI], 0.71–0.89, p?p??1 predicted reductions in cardiovascular-specific mortality (HR, 0.79 [0.67–0.92], p?=?0.002), cancer-specific mortality (HR, 0.76 [0.58–0.99], p?=?0.050), and mortality from other causes (HR, 0.82 [0.68–0.97], p?=?0.025). Predicted survival, adjusted for age and sex, was not different using walking cadence versus gait speed.

LIMITATIONS

Walking cadence was a cross-sectional measurement.

CONCLUSIONS

The ability to walk ≥100 steps?minute^?1 predicts a reduction in mortality among a sample of community-dwelling older adults.     

Cognitive Activity Engagement Predicts Future Memory and Executive Functioning in Older Adults

This study examined cognitive activity engagement, depression, executive functioning, and memory in a sample of older adults. Participants were assessed at baseline and 15 months later. Depression and activity level were significantly correlated at baseline, such that increased depressive symptoms were associated with decreased cognitive activity. Higher baseline activity scores, particularly on a measure of participation in cognitively challenging activities, predicted higher scores on memory and executive functioning tests at follow up. Findings highlight the benefits of activity engagement in later life, such that activity engagement is associated with reduced cognitive decline in older adults.     

Depressive Symptoms Among Urban Hispanic Older Adults in Miami: Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates

This study documents a 35% prevalence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms in a population-based sample of mostly Cuban older adults residing in a low-income, urban Miami neighborhood. This rate is comparable to, or higher than, prevalence rates reported by most other population-based samples of U.S. older adults. Logistic regression analyses indicate that perceived financial strain was the only sociodemographic factor associated with greater odds of clinically relevant symptoms when other sociodemographic factors were statistically controlled. Gender, age, and marital status were not related to elevated depressive symptoms. A case study illustrates the impact of financial strain on older adults' mental health. Findings highlight the need for mental health screening and case management services among these older adults, particularly those who experience financial strain.     

Depressive Symptoms Among Urban Hispanic Older Adults in Miami: Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates

This study documents a 35%?prevalence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms in a population-based sample of mostly Cuban older adults residing in a low-income, urban Miami neighborhood. This rate is comparable to, or higher than, prevalence rates reported by most other population-based samples of U.S. older adults. Logistic regression analyses indicate that perceived financial strain was the only sociodemographic factor associated with greater odds of clinically relevant symptoms when other sociodemographic factors were statistically controlled. Gender, age, and marital status were not related to elevated depressive symptoms. A case study illustrates the impact of financial strain on older adults' mental health. Findings highlight the need for mental health screening and case management services among these older adults, particularly those who experience financial strain.     

Health Perception and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Korean Americans

Given the increasing recognition of racial/ethnic health disparities, the present study focused on older Korean Americans. Using data from 230 older Korean Americans in Florida (M age = 69.8, SD = 7.05), we assessed (a) how background variables (demographic information and acculturation), health constraints (chronic conditions and functional disability), and psychosocial factors (sense of mastery and filial satisfaction) were associated with health perception and depressive symptoms; and (b) whether health perception mediated the connections between health constraints and depressive symptoms. We observed positive perceptions of health and emotional states among individuals with higher levels of acculturation, fewer chronic conditions, less disability, and a greater sense of mastery. We also found that persons who were more satisfied with their relationships with adult children and who had more positive health perception were less depressed. Additionally, the findings supported a mediation model of health perception in the linkages between physical and mental health. Findings and implications are discussed here in a cultural context.     

Exploring the Role of Housing Type on Physical Activity and Health Status in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

This study compared physical activity (PA) and perceived health status in older adults living in seniors' housing (SEN) versus those living in nonseniors' housing (NON). After adjusting for potential confounders, PA levels were significantly higher in the NON group. No significant differences in health status were evident between housing groups. Regression analyses showed that both physical and mental health status were associated with PA level in the NON group. In the SEN group, only physical health status was significantly associated with PA level. This supports a positive relationship between health status and physical activity levels in older adults regardless of housing arrangement.     

Depressive Symptomatology and Priming Effects Among Younger and Older Adults

Background/Study Context: This study examined the potential impact of self-reported depressive symptoms on the age-related capacity for inhibition and suppression, utilizing a negative priming paradigm.

Methods: One hundred eighty-five community-residing adults varying in age (98 younger adults, M_age = 22; 87 older adults, M_age = 69) completed a nonconscious priming task, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI), the Depression Sensitivity Scale (DSS), a free thought suppression task, as well as several measures indexing overall cognitive ability and psychomotor speed. Hierarchical regressions investigated the interaction of depressive symptoms with age and its effect on both positive and negative priming performance, indexing both facilitation and inhibition effects, respectively.

Results: Results support the hypothesis that noncognitive factors affect effortful performance among older adults, although this influence varied with the specific component of the GDS, i.e., Dysphoria, Social Withdrawal, and Cognitive Control, and with the measure of depressive symptoms, i.e., GDS versus DSS.

Conclusion: These data suggest that aging’s impact on both facilitation and inhibition, e.g., positive and negative priming, are to an extent, a function of individual differences in depressive symptoms that interact with age in influencing the necessity to reallocate one’s cognitive resources to deal with depressive thoughts and feelings.     

Predictors of Activity Involvement Among Older Adults

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of age and other predictors (gender, health status, education, region) on activity participation among older adults. A stratified probability sample of 601 subjects was surveyed with in-depth structured interviews. Data on the frequency of involvement in four types of activity and on potential predictor variables were analyzed. A major finding is that old age per secannot explain lower involvement in any of the four types of activity under study. A canonical correlation analysis confirms previous research findings indicating that health status and education are the primary impediment to leisure participation among older adults.