@article {13517, title = {Determinants of Hispanic and non-Hispanic Workers{\textquoteright} Intent to Work Past Age 65: An Analysis From the Life Course Perspective.}, journal = {Int J Aging Hum Dev}, year = {2023}, pages = {914150231196095}, abstract = {

The average retirement age in the United States (U.S.) has increased over the past few decades. However, the rate of increase for Hispanics is lower than that for non-Hispanics. For Hispanics, the decision to retire later may be more influenced by their migration history and context rather than health or finances. This study aims to explore the differences in the determinants of intentions to delay retirement (i.e., work beyond the age of 65) between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites in the U.S. A pooled sample was generated from all waves of the Health and Retirement Study (1992-2014), including a unique record for each non-institutionalized individual aged 55-61 who was employed. All eligible Hispanics ( = 3,663) were included, while a random sample of non-Hispanic Whites ( = 3,663) was selected. Logistic mixed models were conducted for each group, and a Two-fold Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis was used to explore differences between the groups. The results indicate that non-Hispanic Whites are more likely to plan to postpone retirement. Furthermore, significant differences were found between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites regarding their intentions to delay retirement, specifically related to socioeconomic indicators such as individual earnings, amount of debt, level of education, and parents{\textquoteright} level of education. The differences between the groups were primarily influenced by the amount of debt, having a defined benefit plan, and parents{\textquoteright} level of education, reflecting the cumulative disadvantage experienced by Hispanics over their life course. Most existing research on the topic has focused on middle-class Whites, while few studies have examined race or ethnicity as the primary focus or explored the extent to which commonly identified predictors of delayed retirement apply to different ethno-racial groups. This is significant because Hispanics and other disadvantaged groups tend to experience financial insecurity during retirement, which directly impacts their health and well-being.

}, keywords = {Hispanics retirement intentions; decomposition analysis; delayed retirement; life course theory; retirement timing}, issn = {1541-3535}, doi = {10.1177/00914150231196095}, author = {Diaz-Valdes, Antonia and Matz-Costa, Christina and Rutledge, Mathew S and Calvo, Esteban} } @article {9957, title = {Expanding the Happiness Paradox: Ethnoracial Disparities in Life Satisfaction Among Older Immigrants in the United States}, journal = {Journal of Aging and Health}, volume = {31}, year = {2019}, month = {Jun-02-2021}, pages = {231-255}, abstract = {Objective: This study investigated nativity disparities in life satisfaction among ethnoracial groups of older adults in the United States and the factors associated with such disparities. Method: Cross-sectional data from 7,348 respondents aged 60 and older from the 2012/2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used to estimate linear regression models. Results: Older immigrants experienced higher levels of life satisfaction than comparable native-born individuals. This {\textquotedblleft}happiness advantage{\textquotedblright} was particularly salient for Hispanic immigrants, who reported the highest levels of life satisfaction of all groups included in the study. With increasing education, life satisfaction increased for White and {\textquotedblleft}Other Race{\textquotedblright} groups, regardless of nativity. However, for both Black groups and native-born Hispanics, higher levels of education were associated with lower life satisfaction. Discussion: Findings suggest that the {\textquotedblleft}happiness paradox{\textquotedblright} may not only be a matter of Hispanic ethnicity, but that it may also extend to immigrants from other ethnoracial backgrounds.}, keywords = {Health Disparities, Racial/ethnic differences}, issn = {0898-2643}, doi = {10.1177/0898264317726608}, author = {Roc{\'\i}o Calvo and Dawn C Carr and Matz-Costa, Christina} } @article {9356, title = {Does Becoming A Volunteer Attenuate Loneliness Among Recently Widowed Older Adults?}, journal = {Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences \& Social Sciences}, volume = {73}, year = {2018}, pages = {501-510}, abstract = {

Objectives: Loneliness is a significant public health concern, particularly for those who have lost a spouse through widowhood. This study examines whether becoming a volunteer at the time of widowhood is associated with reduction of these risks.

Method: A pooled sample of 5,882 married adults age 51+, drawn from the 2006-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, was used to estimate regression models of the relationship between becoming widowed (relative to staying continuously married) and loneliness, and whether the associated loneliness of having lost a spouse is moderated by starting to volunteer (<2 hr, 2+ hr/week).

Results: Our results show that for those who become widowed, loneliness is significantly higher than those who stay continuously married. However, starting to volunteer 2+ hr per week is related to attenuated loneliness among the widowed such that widows who volunteer at that intensity have levels of loneliness similar to those of continuously married individuals volunteering at the same intensity.

Discussion: This study suggests higher intensity volunteering may be a particularly important pathway for alleviating loneliness among older adults who have recently become widowed. Results are discussed in light of theory, future research, and potential interventions.

}, keywords = {Bereavement, Depressive symptoms, Loneliness, Volunteerism, Widowhood}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbx092}, author = {Dawn C Carr and Ben Lennox Kail and Matz-Costa, Christina and Yochai Z Shavit} } @article {6509, title = {Another Paradox? The Life Satisfaction of Older Hispanic Immigrants in the United States.}, journal = {J Aging Health}, volume = {29}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 Feb}, pages = {3-24}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: To investigate disparities in life satisfaction among older Hispanic immigrants in the United States relative to their native-born Hispanic and non-Hispanic White counterparts, and to identify factors associated with such disparities.

METHOD: Cross-sectional data from 9,798 individuals age 60 and above from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used to estimate ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models.

RESULTS: Hispanic immigrants reported the highest levels of life satisfaction of all groups. Wealthier older adults, who were socially engaged, had social support, and experienced fewer functional limitations and lower exposure to discrimination, were more satisfied with their lives in the overall sample. Interaction effects revealed that although education was associated with greater life satisfaction only among non-Hispanic Whites, co-residing with children was associated with greater life satisfaction only among Hispanics.

DISCUSSION: Although older Hispanic immigrants had the least amount of socioeconomic resources of all groups in our study, they were the most satisfied with their lives. Possible explanations and directions for future research are discussed.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cross-Sectional Studies, Emigrants and Immigrants, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Theoretical, Personal Satisfaction, Surveys and Questionnaires}, issn = {1552-6887}, doi = {10.1177/0898264315624901}, url = {http://jah.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/01/14/0898264315624901.abstract}, author = {Roc{\'\i}o Calvo and Dawn C Carr and Matz-Costa, Christina} } @article {6440, title = {Physical, Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Mediators of Activity Involvement and Health in Later Life.}, journal = {Res Aging}, volume = {38}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Oct}, pages = {791-815}, abstract = {

The current study tests the indirect effect of activity-related physical activity, cognitive activity, social interaction, and emotional exchange on the relationship between activity involvement and health (physical and emotional) in later life. Longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 5,442) were used to estimate a series of linear regression models. We found significant indirect effects for social interaction and benefit to others (emotional exchange) on emotional health (depressive symptoms) and indirect effects for use of body and benefit to others (physical) on physical health (frailty). The most potent indirect effect associated with emotional and physical health was experienced by those engaged in all four domains (use of body, use of mind, social interaction, and benefit to others). While effect sizes are small and results should be interpreted with caution, findings shed light on ways in which public health interventions aimed toward increasing role engagement in later life could be improved.

}, keywords = {Aged, depression, Efficiency, Employment, Exercise, Female, Health Status, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Volunteers}, issn = {1552-7573}, doi = {10.1177/0164027515606182}, url = {http://roa.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/09/30/0164027515606182.abstract}, author = {Matz-Costa, Christina and Dawn C Carr and Tay K. McNamara and Jacquelyn Boone James} }