@article {11135, title = {Self-perceptions of aging and domain-specific health outcomes among midlife and later-life couples.}, journal = {Journal of Aging and Health}, year = {2020}, abstract = {

This study places the self-perceptions of aging (SPA)-health link in the couple context and examines how changes in one{\textquoteright}s own and spouse{\textquoteright}s SPA influence multiple health domains and how such associations differ by gender. : Fixed-effects regression models were estimated. Data were drawn from the Health and Retirement Survey ( = 5972). For both husbands and wives, almost all health domains declined when their own SPA became more negative. The spouse{\textquoteright}s SPA were associated with one{\textquoteright}s self-rated health, regardless of gender. Gender differences existed in some cross-spousal health effects; while the husband{\textquoteright}s SPA were associated with his wife{\textquoteright}s depressive symptoms, the wife{\textquoteright}s SPA were associated with her husband{\textquoteright}s physical disability, functional limitations, and chronic diseases. The SPA-health association extends beyond the individual in married persons, demonstrating intertwined health trajectories in older couples. The detrimental effects of ageism might be underestimated if the spillover effects were not considered.

}, issn = {1552-6887}, doi = {10.1177/0898264320966263}, author = {Luo, Meng Sha and Lydia W Li and Rita Xiaochen Hu} } @article {10453, title = {TRANSITIONING OUT OF GRANDCHILDREN CAREGIVING: EFFECTS ON GRANDPARENTS{\textquoteright} EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING}, journal = {Innovation in Aging}, volume = {3}, year = {2019}, month = {2019/11/08}, pages = {S280 - S281}, abstract = {Research has suggested that grandparents caring for grandchildren experience both psychological gains and loss. Less clear is what happens to these grandparents after they exit from the caregiving role. This study used the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) 2010 to 2014 data to examine the effects of transitioning out of caregiving on the psychological well-being of grandparents. Psychological well-being was measured by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. We defined caregiving grandparents as grandparents who provide 100+ hours of care per year to their grandchildren. In the first wave, 8,278 respondents in the HRS were identified as caregiving grandparents. Among them, 3,914 continued to be caregivers and 4,364 transitioned out of the caregiving role by indicating they are no longer providing care in the second wave. Grandparents who transitioned out of caregiving are more likely to be older in age, less educated and not married. Linear regression analysis was conducted to compare the two groups (continuing vs. exiting caregiving) on positive and negative affect, controlling for the first wave{\textquoteright}s measures of the dependent variable, sociodemographic characteristics and health status of respondents. Results show that grandparents who continued caregiving had less decline in positive affect than grandparents who transitioned out of caregiving (b = -0.05, SE = 0.02, p<0.01), adjusting for covariates. But they were not significantly different in negative affect. These findings indicate that older adults may have fewer sources of joy after exiting the role of caregivers of their grandchildren.}, keywords = {emotional well-being, grandchildren caregiving, Grandparent childcare, Grandparents}, isbn = {2399-5300}, url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6840433/}, author = {Rita Xiaochen Hu and Lydia W Li and Toni C Antonucci} } @article {7456, title = {Successful aging in the United States: prevalence estimates from a national sample of older adults.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {65B}, year = {2010}, month = {2010 Mar}, pages = {216-26}, publisher = {65B}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of successful aging in the United States, with the broad aim of contributing to the dialogue on Rowe and Kahn{\textquoteright}s concept of successful aging.

METHODS: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, the prevalence of successful aging was calculated for adults aged 65 years and older at four time points: 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004. Successful aging was operationalized in accordance with Rowe and Kahn{\textquoteright}s definition, which encompasses disease and disability, cognitive and physical functioning, social connections, and productive activities.

RESULTS: No greater than 11.9\% of older adults were aging "successfully" in any year. The adjusted odds of successful aging were generally lower for those of advanced age, male gender, and lower socioeconomic status. Between 1998 and 2004, the odds of successful aging declined by 25\%, after accounting for demographic changes in the older population.

DISCUSSION: Few older adults meet the criteria put forth in Rowe and Kahn{\textquoteright}s definition of successful aging, suggesting the need for modification if the concept is to be used for broad public health purposes. Disparities in successful aging were evident for socially defined subgroups, highlighting the importance of structural factors in enabling successful aging.

}, keywords = {Affect, Aged, Aging, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, United States}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbp101}, author = {Sara J McLaughlin and Cathleen M. Connell and Steven G Heeringa and Lydia W Li and J Scott Roberts} }