Title | At risk on the cusp of old age: living arrangements and functional status among black, white and Hispanic adults. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1999 |
Authors | Waite, LJ, Hughes, MElizabeth |
Journal | J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci |
Volume | 54 |
Issue | 3 |
Pagination | S136-44 |
Date Published | 1999 May |
ISSN Number | 1079-5014 |
Call Number | pubs_1999_Waite_LJGSeriesB.pdf |
Keywords | Activities of Daily Living, Aging, Black or African American, Cultural Characteristics, Family Relations, Female, Hispanic or Latino, Housing, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Retirement, Risk Factors, White People |
Abstract | OBJECTIVES: We examine the relationship between living arrangements and multiple measures of physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning in late midlife. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from the Health and Retirement Study, we first assess the bivariate relationship between living arrangements and functioning; we then take into account demographic characteristics and measures of household resources and demands. RESULTS: We find evidence of differential functioning among individuals in various living arrangements. Married couples living alone or with children show the highest levels of functioning, whereas single adults living in complex households show the lowest levels. Functional deficits for those in complex households are reduced but not eliminated when we take demographic characteristics and household resources and demands into account. We find few differences by gender and race/ethnicity in the relationship between living arrangements and functioning. DISCUSSION: We show a pattern of poorer functioning among those in arguably the most demanding and least supportive household environments. This points to a vulnerable and risk-filled transition from middle to old age for these persons. Because Blacks and Hispanics show lower levels of functioning than Whites and are more likely to live in complex households, they may be particularly disadvantaged. |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10363044?dopt=Abstract |
DOI | 10.1093/geronb/54b.3.s136 |
User Guide Notes | |
Endnote Keywords | Aging/Ethnicity/Gender/Cultural Characteristics/Family Relations/Housing/Middle Age/Quality of Life/Retirement/Risk Factors/Support, Non U.S. Government/Support, U.S. Government--PHS |
Endnote ID | 4200 |
Alternate Journal | J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci |
Citation Key | 6641 |
PubMed ID | 10363044 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC1201047 |
Grant List | P20 AG012857 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States P30 AG012857 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States P20 AG12857 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R03 AG14816-01 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States T32 AG00243 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States T32 AG000243 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |