Higher levels of neuroticism in older adults predict lower executive functioning across time: the mediating role of perceived stress
AbstractNeuroticism has been associated with individual differences across multiple cognitive functions. Yet, the literature on its specific association with executive functions (EF) in older adults is scarce, especially using longitudinal designs. To disentangle the specific influence of neuroticism on EF and on coarse cognitive functioning in old adulthood, respectively, we examined the relationship between neuroticism, the Trail Making Test (TMT) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in a 6-year longitudinal study using Bayesian analyses. Data of 768 older adults (Mage = 73.51 years at Wave 1) were included ...
Source: European Journal of Ageing - December 16, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Socioeconomic differences in informal caregiving in Europe
This study examines the association between individual-level socioeconomic status and informal care provision within the household. We also examine the role of contextual factors, income inequality, and the generosity of social spending, to identify how macro-level socioeconomic resource structures shape individuals ’ provision of care to household members. We use pooled data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE, waves 1, 2, 4, 5, 6) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA, waves 2, 3, 4, 6, 7). Poisson regression multilevel models estimate the associations between hous ehold socio...
Source: European Journal of Ageing - December 14, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Online assessment of cognitive functioning across the adult lifespan using the eCOGTEL: a reliable alternative to laboratory testing
AbstractAs the population ages, risks for cognitive decline threaten independence and quality of life of older adults. Classically, psychological assessment tools that evaluate cognitive functioning are administered in face-to-face laboratory sessions, which are time- and resource-consuming. The present study set out to examine whether the eCOGTEL —an online adaptation of the Cognitive Telephone Screening Instrument (COGTEL; Kliegel et al. in J Psychol 141(2):147–170, 2007)—represents a reliable measure of cognitive performance in adulthood. Therefore, an age-stratified adult lifespan sample of 253 participants (aged...
Source: European Journal of Ageing - December 9, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Why do men extend their employment beyond pensionable age more often than women? a cohort study
In conclusion, men were more likely to extend their employment beyond pensionable age than women. This difference was largely explained by men being more likely to have a full-time working spouse, low job strain, high work time control, no pain, and not being on part-time retirement. (Source: European Journal of Ageing)
Source: European Journal of Ageing - December 5, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Childhood adversity and healthy ageing: a study of the Chinese older population
This study examines the relationship between childhood adversities and healthy ageing in the Chinese older population. The data come from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS), a national survey that collected life history and ageing-related information on 9248 older people aged over 60 in 2014 and 2015. The analysis of healthy ageing focuses on seven indicators: IADL limitations, ADL limitations, cognitive functioning, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, self-reported health, and chronic illness. Using k-means clustering, an unsupervised learning technique, we identified four qualitatively diffe...
Source: European Journal of Ageing - December 1, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Social relationships as predictors of extended employment beyond the pensionable age: a cohort study
AbstractThe aim is to examine whether characteristics of social relationships predict extended employment beyond the pensionable age among Finnish public sector workers. The study population consisted of 4014 participants (83% women, age 62.56 ± 1.21) of the Finnish Retirement and Aging Study followed between 2014 and 2019. Extended employment was defined as the difference between actual retirement date and individual age-related pensionable date and classified into three groups: no extension (retired on pensionable age or extended by < 3 months), short extension (3 months–< 1 year), and long exten...
Source: European Journal of Ageing - December 1, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Associations and correlates of general versus specific successful ageing components
AbstractThe heterogeneity in the operationalisation of successful ageing (SA) hinders a straightforward examination of SA associations and correlates, and in turn, the identification of potentially modifiable predictors of SA. It is unclear which SA associations and correlates influence all facets of the SA construct, and whether psychosocial reserve models developed in neuropathological ageing research can also be linked to SA. It was therefore the aim of this study to disentangle the effect of various previously identified SA associations and correlates on (1) a general SA factor, which represents the shared underpinning...
Source: European Journal of Ageing - December 1, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Is lifestyle change around retirement associated with better physical performance in older age?: insights from a longitudinal cohort
AbstractA growing evidence base links individual lifestyle factors to physical performance in older age, but much less is known about their combined effects, or the impact of lifestyle change. In a group of 937 participants from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development, we examined their number of lifestyle risk factors at 53 and 60 –64 years in relation to their physical performance at 60–64, and the change in number of risk factors between these ages in relation to change in physical performance. At both assessments, information about lifestyle (physical activity, smoking, diet) was obtained via self-report...
Source: European Journal of Ageing - December 1, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Gender differences in time to first hospital admission at age 60 in Denmark, 1995 –2014
AbstractWomen have consistently lower mortality rates than men at all ages and with respect to most causes. However, gender differences regarding hospital admission rates are more mixed, varying across ages and causes. A number of intuitive metrics have previously been used to explore changes in hospital admissions over time, but have not explicitly quantified the gender gap or estimated the cumulative contribution from cause-specific admission rates. Using register data for the total Danish population between 1995 and 2014, we estimated the time to first hospital admission for Danish men and women aged 60. This is an intu...
Source: European Journal of Ageing - December 1, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Associations between social burden, perceived stress, and diurnal cortisol profiles in older adults: implications for cognitive aging
AbstractStress can be a risk factor for mental and physical health. We investigated the role of social burden as a potential stressor in older age and its associations with cognitive aging (i.e., within the domains inhibition and cognitive flexibility of executive functioning). Eighty-three older adults (N = 38 male, mean age = 74.0 ± 5.7 years, body-mass index = 25.5 ± 4.1 kg/m2) aged 64 years or older participated. Cognitive flexibility and inhibition were assessed by means of a Trail-Making Test (TMT) and a Stroop task. Perceived levels of social burden and perceived stress in general were asse...
Source: European Journal of Ageing - December 1, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Mini-mental state examination trajectories after age 50 by religious affiliation and practice in Ireland
AbstractReligious attendance is sometimes associated with better health outcomes, although the link between religion and cognitive ageing is inconclusive. We aimed to assess differences in cognitive performance trajectories by religious affiliation and religious attendance. We further sought to test possible mechanisms for an association.Data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), a nationally representative study of the over 50 s population in Ireland, was used. We identified latent class trajectories of Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) performance over five waves using Latent Growth Class Analysis (LG...
Source: European Journal of Ageing - December 1, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
