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@article {9235, title = {Activity engagement among older adult spousal caregivers}, journal = {The Journals of Gerontology, Series B}, year = {Forthcoming}, abstract = {Objective Spousal caregiving can have strong implications for health and wellbeing given the strain and burden associated with the role. Maintaining activity engagement is important for late-life health and wellbeing, and may be a possible contributing mechanism to caregiver health and wellbeing. This paper examined longitudinal changes in activity engagement and asks how spousal caregiving status and caregiver age related to longitudinal activity engagement in a sample of older adults. Method Data from four waves of the Health and Retirement study were used to model associations between periods of being a spousal caregiver, age, and engagement in physical, social, self-care, passive, and novel information processing activities over a 6-year period. Results Caregiving status was associated with declines in physical activity engagement over time. Older age was associated with fewer physical and more self-care and passive activities. Discussion Caregivers{\textquoteright} declines in participation in physical activities may be an important indicator for preservation of health and management of caregiving stress.}, keywords = {Caregiving, Engagement}, issn = {1079-5014}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbx106}, url = {https://academic.oup.com/psychsocgerontology/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/geronb/gbx106}, author = {Tara L. Queen and Butner, Jonathan and Berg, Cynthia A. and Jacqui Smith} } @article {9167, title = {Health and social-physical environment profiles among older adults living alone: Associations with depressive symptoms.}, journal = {Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences}, volume = {74}, year = {2019}, pages = {675-684}, abstract = {
Objectives: We examined differences in depressive symptoms among people 65 and older who live alone, exploring whether these differences are associated with both health and environmental contexts.
Method: Data are from the 2006 wave of Health Retirement Study (N = 2,956, age range: 65-104). We used a two-step cluster analytical approach to identify subgroups of health-limitation profiles and environmental profiles. Logistic regression models determined associations between subgroups and depressive symptoms.
Results: Cluster analysis identified four health-profile subgroups (sensory-cognitively impaired, physically impaired, multiply impaired, and healthy) and three different physical-social environmental-profile subgroups (physically average/socially unsupported, physically unsupported/socially supported, and physically supported/socially above average). Compared to members of healthier groups, members of the multiply impaired group were the oldest and were more likely both to live in senior housing and to have depressive symptoms if they lived in a physically average/socially unsupported environment. Members of the sensory-cognitively impaired group were more likely to have depressive symptoms when they lived in a physically unsupported/socially supported environment.
Discussion: Findings regarding the range of both health and social-physical environmental profiles as well as the associations between person-environment profiles combinations (fit) and depressive symptomatology have important policy and intervention implications.}, keywords = {Depressive symptoms, Health Conditions and Status, Living arrangements}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbx003}, author = {Park, Sojung and Jacqui Smith and Dunkle, Ruth E. and Ingersoll-Dayton, Berit and Toni C. Antonucci} } @article {8584, title = {Activity engagement and activity-related experiences: The role of personality.}, journal = {Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences \& Social Sciences}, volume = {73}, year = {2018}, month = {2016 Aug 12}, pages = {1480-1490}, abstract = {
OBJECTIVES: The associations of personality with activity participation and well-being have been well studied. However, less is known concerning the relationship between personality and specific aspects of activity engagement in older adults. We conducted a fine-grained examination of the effects of extraversion and conscientiousness on reported activity engagement-which we define as participation, time allocated, and affective experience-during 8 everyday activities.
METHOD: Data were obtained using a day reconstruction measure from a subgroup of participants in the 2012 Health and Retirement Study (HRS: N = 5,484; mean age = 67.98 years).
RESULTS: We found mixed support for hypotheses suggesting that specific personality traits would be associated with activity participation, time allocated, and activity-affective experience. For example, extraverts were more likely to socialize and experienced higher socializing-related positive affect, but did not spend more time socializing.
DISCUSSION: Results are discussed in light of the value of including personality in, and its contribution to, studies of activity engagement in later life. In addition, the need to acknowledge the complexity of the concept of activity engagement in future research is highlighted.}, keywords = {Conscientiousness, Day reconstruction measure, Personality}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbw098}, url = {http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2016/08/12/geronb.gbw098.long}, author = {Newton, Nicky J. and Pladevall-Guyer, Jana and Gonzalez, Richard and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8493, title = {Linked Lives: Dyadic Associations of Mastery Beliefs With Health (Behavior) and Health (Behavior) Change Among Older Partners.}, journal = {The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences}, volume = {73}, year = {2018}, month = {07/2018}, pages = {787-798}, abstract = {
OBJECTIVES: Mastery beliefs are known to contribute to healthy aging. However, it is an open question whether individual mastery-health associations impact the health of close long-term partners.
METHOD: We applied actor-partner interdependence models to 4-wave, 6-year longitudinal dyadic data from married and cohabitating partners in the Health and Retirement Study (N = 1,981 partners; age at baseline: M = 67 years, SD = 8.93, range 50-94 years).
RESULTS: Higher individual mastery beliefs were associated with better individual physical health and health behaviors. Higher mastery beliefs were associated with subsequent increases in light physical activity. Having a partner with higher levels of mastery was uniquely associated with fewer functional limitations, better self-rated health, and more physical activity. Actor {\texttimes} Partner interaction effects for functional limitations indicated multiplicative associations of actor and partner mastery with health. Of note, mastery-health associations for individuals and their partners were invariant across age, gender, education, employment status, perceived stress over one{\textquoteright}s own and partner{\textquoteright}s health, and cognition.
DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that partner mastery beliefs matter for the health (behaviors) of older adults. We discuss possible mechanisms underlying partner interrelations in mastery and health, their age invariance, and consider implications arising from our results.}, keywords = {Aging, Health Behavior, Older Adults, Self-efficacy}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbw058}, url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27229003}, author = {Drewelies, Johanna and William J. Chopik and Christiane A. Hoppmann and Jacqui Smith and Denis Gerstorf} } @article {9430, title = {Work-Hour Trajectories and Depressive Symptoms Among Midlife and Older Married Couples}, journal = {Work, Aging and Retirement}, volume = {4}, year = {2018}, pages = {108-122}, abstract = {Life course theories highlight the importance of understanding psychological health of aging individuals in context. Work and marriage are influential contexts in later life that are increasingly relevant because both spouses of many households work and individuals are delaying retirement. Although there is extensive literature on predictors of depressive symptoms, incorporating life course histories of work and social contexts has been a critical omission in the aging and health field. This study identifies couples{\textquoteright} work trajectories as a function of husband{\textquoteright}s and wife{\textquoteright}s weekly work hours and examines the link between couple work-hour trajectory membership and individual depressive symptoms. Data are from 1,641 married couples who participated in the 1998{\textendash}2012 waves (ages 51{\textendash}89) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Findings revealed 6 distinct subgroups of work-hour trajectories among couples and that membership in these subgroups was associated with depressive symptoms. Retiring husbands with wives who continued to work and wives who worked minimally throughout the years (regardless of whether their husbands worked or retired) reported more depressive symptoms than other subgroups. These results suggest that work trajectories themselves, beyond current health status, may carry differential psychological health risk. Moreover, several sociodemographic and life course factors in 1998 were significant predictors of trajectory membership. These findings provide insight into midlife factors that may influence work trajectories (and the potential health risk) through to older adulthood. They suggest that a life course examination of work and social contexts is needed for a greater understanding of individual and couple health development.}, keywords = {Couples, Depressive symptoms, Employment and Labor Force}, issn = {2054-4642}, doi = {10.1093/workar/wax028}, url = {http://academic.oup.com/workar/article/4/1/108/4762667http://academic.oup.com/workar/article-pdf/4/1/108/23002634/wax028.pdf}, author = {Wan, Wylie H. and Toni C. Antonucci and Kira S. Birditt and Jacqui Smith and Gwenith G. Fisher} } @article {9230, title = {Age group differences in perceived age discrimination: Associations with self-perceptions of aging}, journal = {The Gerontologist}, volume = {57}, year = {2017}, pages = {S160 - S168}, abstract = {Background and Objectives: From midlife onwards, age stereotypes increasingly underlie social judgments and contribute to age-based discrimination. Whereas many studies compare differences between young and older adults in reports of age discrimination or sensitivity to age stereotypes, few consider age group differences among adults over 50. We form subgroups corresponding to social age group membership (early midlife, late midlife, young old, oldest old) and examine differences in reported experiences of everyday age discrimination and associations with self-perceptions of aging. Research Design and Method: Using cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS: N = 15,071; M Age = 68, range 50{\textendash}101), multivariate logistic regression was used to examine experiences of everyday discrimination attributed to age, and associations between age discrimination and self-perceptions of aging, in four age groups: early midlife, late midlife, young old, oldest old. Results: People in the early midlife group (aged 50{\textendash}59) reported more experiences of unfair treatment than the older age groups but were less likely to attribute their experiences to age discrimination. After controlling for covariates, individuals in all age groups who perceived their own aging positively were less likely to report experiences of age discrimination. The magnitude of this effect, however, was greatest in the early midlife group. Discussion and Implications: Findings support proposals that midlife is a pivotal life period when individuals adjust to life events and social role transitions. Future longitudinal studies will provide further insight into whether positive self-perceptions of aging are especially important in this phase of the life course.}, keywords = {Ageism, Discrimination, Self-reported health}, issn = {0016-9013}, doi = {10.1093/geront/gnx070}, url = {https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/geront/gnx070}, author = {Giasson, Hannah L. and Tara L. Queen and Larkina, Marina and Jacqui Smith} } @book {9899, title = {Health and Retirement Study: A Longitudinal Data Resource for Psychologists}, series = {Encyclopedia of Geropsychology }, year = {2017}, publisher = {Springer Singapore}, organization = {Springer Singapore}, address = {Singapore}, abstract = {This encyclopedia brings together key established and emerging research findings in geropsychology. It is a comprehensive coverage of the entire breadth of the field, giving readers access to all major subareas and illustrating their interconnections with other disciplines. Entries delve deep into key areas of geropsychology such as perception, cognition, clinical, organizational, health, social, experimental and neuropsychology. In addition to that, the encyclopedia covers related disciplines such as neuroscience, social science, population health, public policy issues pertaining to retirement, epidemiology and demography and medicine. Paying careful attention to research internationally, it cites English and non-English empirical literature from around the globe. This encyclopedia is relevant to a wide audience that include researchers, clinicians, students, policy makers and nongovernmental agencies.}, keywords = {Psychosocial, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction, Well-being}, isbn = {978-981-287-083-4}, doi = {10.1007/978-981-287-080-310.1007/978-981-287-080-3_39-1}, url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-981-287-080-3http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-981-287-080-3http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-981-287-080-3_39-1http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-981-287-080-3_39-1}, author = {Amanda Sonnega and Jacqui Smith}, editor = {Pachana, Nancy A.} } @article {9066, title = {HRS Psychosocial and Lifestyle Questionnaire 2006-2016}, year = {2017}, institution = {Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan}, address = {Ann Arbor, Michigan}, author = {Jacqui Smith and Lindsay H. Ryan and Gwenith G. Fisher and Amanda Sonnega and David R. Weir} } @article {8511, title = {Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging and Lower Rate of Overnight Hospitalization in the US Population Over Age 50.}, journal = {Psychosomatic medicine}, volume = {79}, year = {2017}, month = {01/2017}, pages = {81-90}, abstract = {
OBJECTIVE: The aging of the baby boomer generation has led to an unprecedented rise in the number of US adults reaching old age, prompting an urgent call for innovative and cost-effective ways to address the increasing health care needs of the aging population. Studying the role of psychosocial factors on health care use could offer insight into how to minimize hospitalizations among older adults.
METHODS: We use prospective data from a subsample of 4735 participants (mean [standard deviation] age = 69 [8.79] years, 61\% women) from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative study of US adults over age 50, to examine the association between self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and self-reported overnight hospitalizations after adjusting for a comprehensive list of sociodemographic, health-related, and behavioral factors.
RESULTS: Over the 4-year follow-up period, there were a total of 5196 overnight hospitalizations, and 44\% of the sample reported being hospitalized overnight at least once. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, each standard deviation increase in positive SPA was associated with a lower rate of overnight hospitalization (incidence rate ratio = 0.75; 95\% confidence interval = 0.71-0.80, p < .001). After dividing respondents into quartiles of SPA, we observed a dose-response relationship with individuals in higher quartiles showing increasingly lower rates of overnight hospitalization.
CONCLUSIONS: Positive self-perceptions of aging are associated with a lower rate of hospitalization among older adults over a 4-year period. Future research should examine the factors that contribute to older adults{\textquoteright} SPA and explore the pathways through which attitudes toward aging influence the use of health care resources.}, keywords = {Baby Boomers, Healthcare, Hospitalization, Older Adults, Self-perception}, issn = {1534-7796}, doi = {10.1097/PSY.0000000000000364}, url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27359184}, author = {Jennifer K. Sun and Eric S. Kim and Jacqui Smith} } @article {9231, title = {Self-perceptions of aging and perceived barriers to care: Reasons for health care delay}, journal = {The Gerontologist}, volume = {57}, year = {2017}, month = {Jul-06-2018}, pages = {S216 - S226}, abstract = {Abstract Background and Objectives: Self-perceptions of aging (SPA), or attitudes toward one{\textquoteright}s aging experience, have been linked to health through multiple pathways. Few studies, however, have investigated how older adults{\textquoteright} views on aging influence their care-seeking behaviors. Research Design and Methods: Using two independent subsamples from the Health and Retirement Study (2011 Health Care Mail Survey: N = 2,866; 2013 Health Care and Nutrition Study: N = 2,474), logistic regression and negative binomial regression were used to examine the association between SPA and health care delay over the next 12 months. Subsequently, we used latent class analysis to identify subgroups reporting different reasons for delay. With multinomial logistic regression, we then examined if, compared with the no delay group, SPA differentiated membership in the delay subgroups. Results: In both samples, more negative aging self-perceptions were associated with a higher likelihood of health care delay and more perceived barriers to care, after adjusting for predisposing, enabling, and need factors. Latent class analysis revealed three subgroups characterized by different reasons for delay: (a) limited health care access, (b) too busy to go to the doctor, and (c) dislike of going to the doctor. In fully adjusted models, individuals with more negative SPA were more likely to belong to {\textquotedblleft}limited-access{\textquotedblright} and {\textquotedblleft}dislike{\textquotedblright} subgroups compared with the no delay group. Discussion and Implications: SPA may affect decision-making processes regarding whether to seek care for worrisome symptoms. Efforts to promote more positive SPA may encourage older adults to be more proactive in addressing their health care needs.}, keywords = {Accessibility, Perception, Self-reported health}, issn = {0016-9013}, doi = {10.1093/geront/gnx014}, url = {https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/geront/gnx014}, author = {Jennifer K. Sun and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8856, title = {Successful Aging as the Intersection of Individual Resources, Age, Environment, and Experiences of Well-being in Daily Activities.}, journal = {The journals of gerontology. Series B, the Psychological sciences and social sciences.}, volume = {72}, year = {2017}, pages = {279-289}, abstract = {
OBJECTIVE: We conceptualize successful aging as a cumulative index of individual resources (the absence of disease and disability, high cognitive and physical functioning, social embeddedness) in the service of successful aging outcomes (global well-being, experienced well-being, and vital status), and conditioned by age, social structure, and environment.
METHOD: The study used baseline and follow-up data from the 2008-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 17,230; age = 51-101). Linear, multilevel, and logistic models compared individual resources at baseline as independent, cumulative, and binary predictors of outcomes 4 years later.
RESULTS: Individual resources were unequally distributed across age group and social structures (education, wealth, race, gender) and had a cumulative effect on all successful aging outcomes. For experienced well-being, individual resources were most important at midlife and for groups with lower education. Person-environment congruence (social cohesion, city satisfaction) was associated with all successful aging outcomes and conditioned the effect of individual resources on experienced well-being.
DISCUSSION: A cumulative index allows for gradations in resources that can be compensated for by external factors such as person-environment congruence. This index could guide policy and interventions to enhance resources in vulnerable subgroups and diminish inequalities in successful aging outcomes.}, keywords = {Daily activities, Health Conditions and Status, Older Adults, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbw148}, url = {http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long\&pmid=28077430}, author = {Mejia, Shannon T. and Lindsay H. Ryan and Gonzalez, Richard and Jacqui Smith} } @book {8924, title = {Handbook of Theories of Aging}, year = {2016}, pages = {752}, publisher = {Springer Publishing Company}, organization = {Springer Publishing Company}, edition = {Third}, address = {New York City, NY}, keywords = {Aging, Older Adults}, author = {Vern L. Bengtson and Richard A. Settersten}, editor = {Brian K. Kennedy and Morrow-Howell, Nancy and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8392, title = {Methodological Aspects of Subjective Life Expectancy: Effects of Culture-Specific Reporting Heterogeneity Among Older Adults in the United States}, journal = {The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences}, volume = {71}, year = {2016}, pages = {558-568}, publisher = {71}, abstract = {Objectives. Subjective life expectancy (SLE) has been suggested as a predictor of mortality and mortality-related behaviors. Although critical for culturally diverse societies, these findings do not consider cross-cultural methodological comparability. Culture-specific reporting heterogeneity is a well-known phenomenon introducing biases, and research on this issue with SLE is not established.Method. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we examined reporting heterogeneity in SLE focusing on item nonresponse, focal points, and reports over time for five ethnic-cultural groups: non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, non-Hispanic other races, English-interviewed Hispanics, and Spanish-interviewed Hispanics.Results. On item nonresponse, Spanish-interviewed Hispanics said, I don t know, to SLE significantly more than any other groups. Nearly half of the respondents chose 0, 50, or 100, making them focal points. However, the focal points differed: 50 for Whites, 100 for Blacks, and 0 for Spanish-interviewed Hispanics. The relationship of SLE measured at two time points was higher for Whites than minorities. Moreover, those who said I don t know to SLE showed higher subsequent mortality than those who gave an answer. SLE was not a significant mortality predictor for Hispanics.Discussion. Overall, SLE is not free from culture-specific reporting heterogeneity. This warrants further research about its culture-relevant measurement mechanisms.}, keywords = {Demographics, Expectations, Health Conditions and Status, Methodology}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbv048}, url = {http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/08/20/geronb.gbv048.abstract}, author = {Lee, Sunghee and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8876, title = {Personality Polygenes, Positive Affect, and Life Satisfaction.}, journal = {Twin Res Hum Genet}, volume = {19}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Oct}, pages = {407-17}, abstract = {
Approximately half of the variation in wellbeing measures overlaps with variation in personality traits. Studies of non-human primate pedigrees and human twins suggest that this is due to common genetic influences. We tested whether personality polygenic scores for the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) domains and for item response theory (IRT) derived extraversion and neuroticism scores predict variance in wellbeing measures. Polygenic scores were based on published genome-wide association (GWA) results in over 17,000 individuals for the NEO-FFI and in over 63,000 for the IRT extraversion and neuroticism traits. The NEO-FFI polygenic scores were used to predict life satisfaction in 7 cohorts, positive affect in 12 cohorts, and general wellbeing in 1 cohort (maximal N = 46,508). Meta-analysis of these results showed no significant association between NEO-FFI personality polygenic scores and the wellbeing measures. IRT extraversion and neuroticism polygenic scores were used to predict life satisfaction and positive affect in almost 37,000 individuals from UK Biobank. Significant positive associations (effect sizes <0.05\%) were observed between the extraversion polygenic score and wellbeing measures, and a negative association was observed between the polygenic neuroticism score and life satisfaction. Furthermore, using GWA data, genetic correlations of -0.49 and -0.55 were estimated between neuroticism with life satisfaction and positive affect, respectively. The moderate genetic correlation between neuroticism and wellbeing is in line with twin research showing that genetic influences on wellbeing are also shared with other independent personality domains.}, keywords = {Genetics, Happiness, Polygenic Prediction, SSGAC, Well-being}, issn = {1832-4274}, doi = {10.1017/thg.2016.65}, author = {Weiss, Alexander and Baselmans, Bart M L and Hofer, Edith and Yang, Jingyun and Okbay, Aysu and Penelope A. Lind and Michael B Miller and Nolte, Ilja M and Wei Zhao and Hagenaars, Saskia P and Jouke-Jan Hottenga and Lindsay Matteson and Snieder, Harold and Jessica D. Faul and Hartman, Catharina A and Patricia A. Boyle and Henning Tiemeier and Mosing, Miriam A and Pattie, Alison and Gail Davies and David C Liewald and Schmidt, Reinhold and Philip L. De Jager and Heath, Andrew C and Markus Jokela and John M Starr and Oldehinkel, Albertine J and Johannesson, Magnus and Cesarini, David and Hofman, Albert and Harris, Sarah E and Jennifer A. Smith and Keltikangas-J{\"a}rvinen, Liisa and Pulkki-Raback, Laura and Schmidt, Helena and Jacqui Smith and Iacono, William G and McGue, Matt and David A. Bennett and Nancy L. Pedersen and Patrik K E Magnusson and Ian J Deary and Nicholas G Martin and Dorret I. Boomsma and Bartels, Meike and Luciano, Michelle} } @article {8688, title = {Personality trait development at the end of life: Antecedents and correlates of mean-level trajectories.}, journal = {Journal of Perssonality and Social Psychology}, volume = {111}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Sep}, pages = {411-29}, abstract = {
Empirical evidence over the past 20 years has documented that key aspects of personality traits change during adulthood. However, it is essentially an open question whether and how traits change at the very end of life and what role health, cognitive performance, perceived control, and social factors play in those changes. To examine these questions, we applied growth models to 13-year longitudinal data obtained from now-deceased participants in the Berlin Aging Study (N = 463; age at baseline M = 85.9 years, SD = 8.4; 51\% men). Results revealed that neuroticism, on average, increases (about 0.3 SD in the last 10 years) and that this increase becomes even steeper at the end of life. In contrast, extraversion and openness decline rather steadily at the end of life (about -0.5 SD in the last 10 years). Additionally, poor health manifested as a risk factor for declines in extraversion and openness late in life but not neuroticism. Similar to earlier phases of life, better cognitive performance related to more openness. More loneliness was associated with higher neuroticism, whereas more social activity was associated with higher levels of extraversion and openness. Intriguing additional insights indicated that more personal control was associated with higher levels of extraversion and openness, whereas the feeling that one{\textquoteright}s life is controlled by others was associated with higher neuroticism but also with higher openness closer to death. We discuss potential pathways by which health, cognitive performance, control, and social inclusion resources and risk factors affect personality development late in life. (PsycINFO Database Record}, keywords = {End of life decisions, Older Adults, Personality}, issn = {1939-1315}, doi = {10.1037/pspp0000071}, author = {Wagner, Jenny and Ram, Nilam and Jacqui Smith and Denis Gerstorf} } @article {8912, title = {Assessing Quality of Answers to a Global Subjective Well-being Question Through Response Times.}, journal = {Survey Research Methods}, volume = {9}, year = {2015}, month = {2015}, pages = {101-109}, abstract = {
Many large-scale surveys measure subjective well-being (SWB) through a single survey item. This paper takes advantages of response time data to explore the relation between time taken to answer a single SWB item and the reliability and validity of answers to this SWB item. We found that reliability and validity of answers to the SWB item are low for fast respondents aged 70 and above and slow respondents between the age of 50 and 70. The findings indicate that longer time spent answering the single SWB item is associated with data of lower quality for respondents aged between 50 and 70, but data of higher quality for respondents aged 70 and above. This paper speaks to the importance of capitalizing response times that are readily available from computerized interviews to evaluate answers provided by respondents and calls for survey researchers{\textquoteright} attention to differences in time taken to answer a survey question across respondent subgroups.}, keywords = {Meta-analyses, Survey Methodology}, author = {Yan, Ting and Lindsay H. Ryan and Becker, Sandra and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8911, title = {Changes in Optimism Are Associated with Changes in Health Over Time Among Older Adults.}, journal = {Social Psychological and Personality Science}, volume = {6}, year = {2015}, month = {2015 Sep}, pages = {814-822}, abstract = {
Little is known about how optimism differs by age and changes over time, particularly among older adults. Even less is known about how changes in optimism are related to changes in physical health. We examined age differences and longitudinal changes in optimism in 9,790 older adults over a four-year period. We found an inverted U-shaped pattern between optimism and age both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, such that optimism generally increased in older adults before decreasing. Increases in optimism over a four-year period were associated with improvements in self-rated health and fewer chronic illnesses over the same time frame. The findings from the current study are consistent with changes in emotion regulation strategies employed by older adults and age-related changes in well-being.}, keywords = {Health Changes, Health Conditions and Status, Older Adults, Optimism}, issn = {1948-5506}, doi = {10.1177/1948550615590199}, author = {William J. Chopik and Eric S. Kim and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8178, title = {Life Satisfaction and Use of Preventive Health Care Services}, journal = {Health Psychology}, volume = {779-782}, year = {2015}, publisher = {779-782}, abstract = {Objective: Although a growing body of research shows that life satisfaction is linked with enhanced health behaviors and physical health, no study has examined life satisfaction s association with use of preventive health care services. From prior research the authors hypothesized that people with higher life satisfaction would be more proactive in taking care of their health, hence more likely to use preventive health care services. Method: Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the association between life satisfaction and preventive services. Participants were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study, a prospective and nationally representative panel study of adults (age 50). Participants use of preventive services was collected over 2 years of follow-up. Results: In models adjusting for sociodemographic factors, each standard deviation increase in life satisfaction was associated with a higher likelihood that people would obtain a cholesterol test. Further, women with higher life satisfaction were more likely to obtain a mammogram x-ray or pap smear and also regularly check their breasts for lumps, whereas men were more likely to obtain a prostate exam. Conclusion: Higher life satisfaction was associated with higher use of several preventive services. A growing body of randomized controlled trials targeting life satisfaction has shown that levels of life satisfaction are modifiable. Thus, if these findings are replicated, life satisfaction may provide an important target for interventions aimed at enhancing preventive behaviors and health.}, keywords = {Expectations, Healthcare, Other, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction}, doi = {10.1037/hea0000174}, author = {Eric S. Kim and Laura D. Kubzansky and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8009, title = {Are people healthier if their partners are more optimistic? The dyadic effect of optimism on health among older adults}, journal = {Journal of Psychosomatic Research}, volume = {76}, year = {2014}, pages = {447-453}, publisher = {76}, abstract = {Objective Optimism has been linked with an array of positive health outcomes at the individual level. However, researchers have not examined how a spouse{\textquoteright}s optimism might impact an individual{\textquoteright}s health. We hypothesized that being optimistic (and having an optimistic spouse) would both be associated with better health. Methods Participants were 3940 adults (1970 couples) from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative panel study of American adults over the age of 50. Participants were tracked for four years and outcomes included: physical functioning, self-rated health, and number of chronic illnesses. We analyzed the dyadic data using the actor partner interdependence model. Results After controlling for several psychological and demographic factors, a person{\textquoteright}s own optimism and their spouse{\textquoteright}s optimism predicted better self-rated health and physical functioning (bs = .08 .25, ps .01). More optimistic people also reported better physical functioning (b = .11, p .01) and fewer chronic illnesses (b = .01, p .05) over time. Further, having an optimistic spouse uniquely predicted better physical functioning (b = .09, p .01) and fewer chronic illnesses (b = .01, p .05) over time. The strength of the relationship between optimism and health did not diminish over time. Conclusions Being optimistic and having an optimistic spouse were both associated with better health. Examining partner effects is important because such analyses reveal the unique role that spouses play in promoting health. These findings may have important implications for future health interventions.}, keywords = {Health Conditions and Status, Healthcare, Other}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.03.104}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399914001731}, author = {Eric S. Kim and William J. Chopik and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8095, title = {Cohort differences in the marriage-health relationship for midlife women}, journal = {Social Science and Medicine}, volume = {116}, year = {2014}, note = {Times Cited: 0 0}, pages = {64-72}, publisher = {116}, abstract = {The present study aimed to identify potential cohort differences in midlife women{\textquoteright}s self-reported functional limitations and chronic diseases. Additionally, we examined the relationship between marital status and health, comparing the health of divorced, widowed, and never married women with married women, and how this relationship differs by cohort. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (FIRS), we examined potential differences in the level of functional limitations and six chronic diseases in two age-matched cohorts of midlife women in the United States: Pre-Baby Boomers, born 1933-1942, N = 4574; and Early Baby Boomers, born 1947-1956, N = 2098. Linear and logistic regressions tested the marital status/health relationship, as well as cohort differences in this relationship, controlling for age, education, race, number of marriages, length of time in marital status, physical activity, and smoking status. We found that Early Baby Boom women had fewer functional limitations but higher risk of chronic disease diagnosis compared to Pre-Baby Boom women. In both cohorts, marriage was associated with lower disease risk and fewer functional limitations; however, never-married Early Baby Boom women had more functional limitations, as well as greater likelihood of lung disease than their Pre-Baby Boom counterparts (OR = 0.28). Results are discussed in terms of the stress model of marriage, and the association between historical context and cohort health (e.g., the influence of economic hardship vs. economic prosperity). Additionally, we discuss cohort differences in selection into marital status, particularly as they pertain to never-married women, and the relative impact of marital dissolution on physical health for the two cohorts of women. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, keywords = {Adult children, Expectations, Health Conditions and Status, Methodology, Other}, doi = {10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.06.040}, author = {Newton, Nicky J. and Lindsay H. Ryan and King, Rachel T. and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8070, title = {Life Satisfaction and Frequency of Doctor Visits}, journal = {Psychosomatic Medicine}, volume = {76}, year = {2014}, pages = {86-93}, publisher = {76}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Identifying positive psychological factors that reduce health care use may lead to innovative efforts that help build a more sustainable and high-quality health care system. Prospective studies indicate that life satisfaction is associated with good health behaviors, enhanced health, and longer life, but little information about the association between life satisfaction and health care use is available. We tested whether higher life satisfaction was prospectively associated with fewer doctor visits. We also examined potential interactions between life satisfaction and health behaviors. METHODS: Participants were 6379 adults from the Health and Retirement Study, a prospective and nationally representative panel study of American adults older than 50 years. Participants were tracked for 4 years. We analyzed the data using a generalized linear model with a gamma distribution and log link. RESULTS: Higher life satisfaction was associated with fewer doctor visits. On a 6-point life satisfaction scale, each unit increase in life satisfaction was associated with an 11\% decrease in doctor visits--after adjusting for sociodemographic factors (relative risk = 0.89, 95\% confidence interval = 0.86-0.93). The most satisfied respondents (n = 1121; 17.58\%) made 44\% fewer doctor visits than did the least satisfied (n = 182; 2.85\%). The association between higher life satisfaction and reduced doctor visits remained even after adjusting for baseline health and a wide range of sociodemographic, psychosocial, and health-related covariates (relative risk = 0.96, 95\% confidence interval = 0.93-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Higher life satisfaction is associated with fewer doctor visits, which may have important implications for reducing health care costs.}, keywords = {Health Conditions and Status, Healthcare, Other, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction}, doi = {10.1097/psy.0000000000000024}, url = {http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/content/76/1/86.abstract}, author = {Eric S. Kim and Nansook Park and Jennifer K. Sun and Jacqui Smith and Christopher Peterson} } @article {8914, title = {Loneliness in a day: activity engagement, time alone, and experienced emotions.}, journal = {Psychology and Aging}, volume = {29}, year = {2014}, month = {2014 Jun}, pages = {297-305}, abstract = {
The experience of chronic loneliness has been associated with poorer physical health and well-being, including declines in cardiovascular health and higher levels of distressed affect. Given the long-term effects of loneliness on health and well-being, much research has focused on loneliness in older age. The purpose of the current study was to obtain a more detailed picture of the experience of loneliness in midlife and older adulthood by incorporating the context of a day{\textquoteright}s activities. We use a modified day reconstruction task to examine the activities in which middle-age and older adults engaged, the amount of time they spent alone, and the emotions experienced while engaging in a day{\textquoteright}s activities. Lonely individuals did not participate in different daily activities or spend more time alone during the day; however, loneliness was associated with engaging in more activities alone than with others. In regards to emotional experiences, daily activities yield a different profile of positive emotional experiences for lonelier individuals. The social context of daily activities was an important factor in understanding the effects of loneliness on experienced negative emotions. The results of this study provide insight into the influence of loneliness on the structure of a day and context for understanding the emotional experiences of lonely older adults.}, keywords = {Depressive symptoms, Loneliness, Marriage, Older Adults}, issn = {1939-1498}, doi = {10.1037/a0036889}, author = {Tara L. Queen and Stawski, Robert S and Lindsay H. Ryan and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8123, title = {Perceived neighbourhood social cohesion and myocardial infarction}, journal = {Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health}, volume = {68}, year = {2014}, note = {Times Cited: 0 0}, pages = {1020-1026}, publisher = {68}, abstract = {Background The main strategy for alleviating heart disease has been to target individuals and encourage them to change their health behaviours. Although important, emphasis on individuals has diverted focus and responsibility away from neighbourhood characteristics, which also strongly influence people{\textquoteright}s behaviours. Although a growing body of research has repeatedly demonstrated strong associations between neighbourhood characteristics and cardiovascular health, it has typically focused on negative neighbourhood characteristics. Only a few studies have examined the potential health enhancing effects of positive neighbourhood characteristics, such as perceived neighbourhood social cohesion. Methods Using multiple logistic regression models, we tested whether higher perceived neighbourhood social cohesion was associated with lower incidence of myocardial infarction. Prospective data from the Health and Retirement Study-a nationally representative panel study of American adults over the age of 50-were used to analyse 5276 participants with no history of heart disease. Respondents were tracked for 4 years and analyses adjusted for relevant sociodemographic, behavioural, biological and psychosocial factors. Results In a model that adjusted for age, gender, race, marital status, education and total wealth, each SD increase in perceived neighbourhood social cohesion was associated with a 22 reduced odds of myocardial infarction (OR=0.78, 95 CI 0.63 to 0.94. The association between perceived neighbourhood social cohesion and myocardial infarction remained even after adjusting for behavioural, biological and psychosocial covariates. Conclusions Higher perceived neighbourhood social cohesion may have a protective effect against myocardial infarction.}, keywords = {Health Conditions and Status, Methodology, Risk Taking}, doi = {10.1136/jech-2014-204009}, author = {Eric S. Kim and Hawes, Armani M. and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8103, title = {Prospective Study of the Association Between Dispositional Optimism and Incident Heart Failure}, journal = {Circulation-Heart Failure}, volume = {7}, year = {2014}, note = {Times Cited: 1}, pages = {394-U29}, publisher = {7}, abstract = {Background: Although higher optimism has been linked with an array of positive health behaviors, biological processes, and cardiovascular outcomes, the relationship between optimism and heart failure has not been examined. In the United States, 80 of heart failures occur in adults aged 65 years. Therefore, we examined whether higher optimism was linked with a reduced incidence of heart failure among older adults. Methods and Results: Prospective data were from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative study of older US adults. Our sample included 6808 participants who were followed for 4 years. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess whether optimism was independently associated with incident heart failure. We adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral, biological, and psychological covariates. Higher optimism was associated with a lower risk of incident heart failure during the follow-up period. In a model that adjusted for sociodemographic factors, each SD increase in optimism had an odds ratio of 0.74 (95 confidence interval, 0.63-0.85) for heart failure. Effects of optimism persisted even after adjusting for a wide range of covariates. There was also evidence of a dose-response relationship. As optimism increased, risk of developing heart failure decreased monotonically, with a 48 reduced odds among people with the highest versus lowest optimism. Conclusions: This is the first study to suggest that optimism is associated with a lower risk of heart failure. If future studies confirm these findings, they may be used to inform new strategies for preventing or delaying the onset of heart failure.}, keywords = {Demographics, Health Conditions and Status, Methodology}, doi = {10.1161/circheartfailure.113.000644}, author = {Eric S. Kim and Jacqui Smith and Laura D. Kubzansky} } @article {8016, title = {Satisfaction with aging and use of preventive health services}, journal = {Preventive Medicine}, volume = {69}, year = {2014}, note = {Times Cited: 0 0}, pages = {176-180}, publisher = {69}, abstract = {Objective. Preventive health service use is relatively low among older age groups. We hypothesized that aging satisfaction would be associated with increased use of preventive health services four years later. Method. We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses on a sample of 6177 people from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative study of U.S. adults over the age of 50 (M age = 70.6; women n = 3648; men n = 2529). Results. Aging satisfaction was not associated with obtaining flu shots. However, in fully-adjusted models, each standard deviation increase in aging satisfaction was associated with higher odds of reporting service use for cholesterol tests (OR = 1.10, 95 CI = 1.00-1.20). Further, women with higher aging satisfaction were more likely to obtain a mammogram/x-ray (OR = 1.17, 95 Cl = 1.06-1.29) or Pap smear (OR = 1.10, 95 CI = 1.00-1.21). Among men, the odds of obtaining a prostate exam increased with higher aging satisfaction (OR = 120 95 CI = 1.09-1.34). Conclusion. These results suggest that aging satisfaction potentially influences preventive health service use after age 50. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved.}, keywords = {Demographics, Health Conditions and Status, Healthcare, Methodology, Other}, doi = {10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.09.008}, author = {Eric S. Kim and Moored, Kyle D. and Giasson, Hannah L. and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8048, title = {Snapshots of Mixtures of Affective Experiences in a Day: Findings from the Health and Retirement Study}, journal = {Journal of Population Ageing}, volume = {7}, year = {2014}, pages = {55-79}, publisher = {7}, abstract = {In 2009, a representative subsample of participants in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS: N = 5333; Age 50 101) responded to a short day reconstruction self-administered questionnaire that asked about their time and experiences on seven activities the previous day. We evaluate the quality and reliability of responses to this 10-min measure of experienced well-being and compare the properties and correlates of three intensity-based composites reflecting mixtures of activity-linked affective experiences (Activity-Positive Affect, Activity-Negative Affect, and Net Affect), and a frequency-based index, Activity Affective Complexity, that summarizes the proportion of activities that include a mixture of positive and negative affective experiences regardless of intensity. On average, older adults reported that 36 of the activities in their day provided some mixture of feelings (e.g., interested and frustrated). Regression models revealed differential associations for the four constructs of affective well-being with socio-demographic factors, physical and mental health, and proximal indicators of the day s context. We conclude that the HRS short day reconstruction measure is reliable and discuss the conceptual issues in assessing, summarizing, and interpreting the complexity of emotional experience in older adults.}, keywords = {Demographics, Expectations, Health Conditions and Status, Methodology}, doi = {10.1007/s12062-014-9093-8}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12062-014-9093-8}, author = {Jacqui Smith and Lindsay H. Ryan and Tara L. Queen and Becker, Sandra and Gonzalez, Richard} } @article {8913, title = {Spousal social support and strain: impacts on health in older couples.}, journal = {Journal of Behavioral Medicine}, volume = {37}, year = {2014}, month = {2014 Dec}, pages = {1108-17}, abstract = {
Using a nationally representative sample of couples aged 51+ in the United States (N~=~1,923 couples), the current study investigated whether both partners{\textquoteright} perceptions of relationship support and strain are associated with an individual{\textquoteright}s self-rated health and functional limitations. The sample had an average age of 67.17~years (SD~=~9.0; range 50-97). Actor-Partner Interdependence Models adjusting for couple interdependencies were applied using multilevel models. After accounting for age, education, gender, race, and couple differences in length of marriage, results indicate that individual perceptions of support were significantly associated with higher self-rated health and fewer functional limitations. These individual-level benefits increased if the spouse also perceived positive support and low strain. Finally, the negative association of an individual{\textquoteright}s perceived support on functional limitations was greater in those with a spouse reporting low levels of perceived strain. Findings are discussed relative to theory on behavioral and psychological pathways between partners{\textquoteright} perceptions of support and health.}, keywords = {Health Conditions and Status, Marriage, Older Adults, Social Support, Stress}, issn = {1573-3521}, doi = {10.1007/s10865-014-9561-x}, author = {Lindsay H. Ryan and Wan, Wylie H. and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8515, title = {Psychosocial and Lifestyle Questionnaire 2006 - 2010: Documentation Report}, year = {2013}, month = {02/2013}, pages = {62}, institution = {Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan}, address = {Ann Arbor}, abstract = {In 2004, HRS piloted a new feature for data collection in the form of self-administered questionnaires that were left with respondents upon the completion of an in-person Core Interview. Since 2006, this mode of data collection has been utilized to obtain information about participants{\textquoteright} evaluations of their life circumstances, subjective wellbeing, and lifestyle. This psychosocial information is obtained in each biennial wave from a rotating (random) 50\% of the core panel participants who complete the enhanced face-to-face interview (EFTF). Longitudinal data will be available at four-year intervals: the 2010 wave provides the first longitudinal psychosocial data from the 2006 participants. Some longitudinal data is also available for the 2004 participants in subsequent waves. Electronic versions of the HRS Participant (Psychosocial) Lifestyle Questionnaires used in the 2004 pilot, and the 2006, 2008, and 2010 waves are available on the HRS website (Documentation/Questionnaires - scroll down to the end of the Biennial Content to Psychosocial - Section LB). Because the questionnaire was left with respondents at the end of the EFTF interview for them to complete and mail back to study offices, the questionnaire came to be known and is referred to on the HRS website as the LeaveBehind (LB). We use the terms Participant Lifestyle Questionnaire and Leave-Behind (or LB) in this report to refer to the self-administered psychosocial data collection.}, keywords = {Data collection, Meta-analyses, Psychosocial, Question Characteristics}, author = {Jacqui Smith and Gwenith G. Fisher and Lindsay H. Ryan and Philippa J. Clarke and House, Jim and David R. Weir} } @article {5723, title = {Guide to Content of the HRS Psychosocial Leave-Behind Participant Lifestyle Questionnaires: 2004 and 2006}, year = {2008}, institution = {Ann Arbor, The University of Michigan}, abstract = {In 2004, HRS added a new feature for data collection in the form of self-administered questionnaires that were left with respondents upon the completion of an in-person Core Interview. These are referred to as Leave-Behind Questionnaires and electronic versions of the questionnaires are included in the 2004 Final release and 2006 Early Release. The purpose of the Leave-Behind Questionnaire is to collect additional information from respondents without adding to the interview length. Two separate questionnaires on different topics were included in HRS 2004: a) Participant Lifestyle Questionnaire, which measures psychosocial issues that are described in much more detail later in this report, and b) Participant questionnaire on Work and Health, which included a series of disability vignettes in which people with various levels of physical and mental health impairment were described and respondents were asked to indicate the extent to which they think the person described is limited in the kind or amount of work they can do. At the beginning of the vignettes, respondents were asked to rate their own degree of limitation in the kind or amount of work they can do.}, keywords = {Disabilities, Health Conditions and Status}, url = {http://hrsonline.isr.umich.edu/sitedocs/userg/HRS2006LBQscale.pdf}, author = {Philippa J. Clarke and Gwenith G. Fisher and House, Jim and Jacqui Smith and David R. Weir} }