@article {11034, title = {Intergenerational Ambivalence and Loneliness in Later Life}, journal = {Journal of Marriage and Family}, volume = {83}, year = {2021}, pages = {75-85}, abstract = {Abstract Objective This brief report examined the relationship between intergenerational ambivalence and loneliness in later life among a group of older adults with at least one child. Background Previous work has explored the links between intergenerational ambivalence and other indicators of well-being but has not examined loneliness. Although studies show an association between positive and negative relationship quality with children and loneliness, there are conflicting findings, and there is also insufficient exploration of the role of gender. Method Utilizing pooled data from the 2012 and 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (n = 10,967) ( https://hrs.isr.umich.edu/documentation), structural equation models were used to examine the hypothesized relationships, and multiple group analysis was utilized to assess potential gender differences. Results The results indicated that greater intergenerational ambivalence was associated with increased loneliness in later life. However, there were no significant gender or marital status differences in the relationships. Conclusion This study adds to the existing literature on ambivalence and well-being by showing that ambivalent relationships are related to loneliness. Results underscore the emotional complexity of parent?child relationships and suggest the need for investigating the consequences of holding contradictory feelings.}, keywords = {Aging, ambivalence, gender, intergenerational relationships, Older Adults}, isbn = {0022-2445}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12716}, author = {Cassandra L. Hua and J Scott Brown and Jennifer R. Bulanda} } @article {11269, title = {Marital quality, gender, and later-life depressive symptom trajectories.}, journal = {Journal of Women \& Aging}, volume = {33}, year = {2021}, pages = {122-136}, abstract = {

We analyze six waves of data (2006-2016) from the Health and Retirement Study (n~=~4,342) to examine how marital quality is associated with depressive symptom trajectories among a group of continuously married older adults. Results show gender parity in how own perceptions of positive and negative dimensions of marital quality are related to depressive symptom trajectories. In addition, spousal perceptions of negative marital quality are positively associated with growth in depressive symptomatology regardless of gender. Spousal perceptions of positive marital quality, however, are associated with lower depressive symptoms only for women.

}, keywords = {Depressive symptoms, gender, Marital quality}, issn = {1540-7322}, doi = {10.1080/08952841.2020.1818538}, author = {Jennifer R. Bulanda and Takashi Yamashita and J Scott Brown} } @article {11341, title = {Dyadic Patterns of Marital Quality During Later Life}, journal = {Innovation in Aging}, volume = {4}, year = {2020}, pages = {344}, abstract = {Although earlier cross-sectional studies suggested a U-shaped curve in marital quality over the life course, recent longitudinal studies find stability or continual decline (Proulx, Ermer, \& Kanter, 2017). It is important to better understand patterns of marital quality during later life, as marital quality is associated with older adults{\textquoteright} marital stability, health, and longevity. However, few studies have utilized couple-level data to examine marital quality trajectories, and only one has examined dyadic patterns during later life (Wickrama et al., 2020). We use nationally-representative data from the 2006-2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to examine positive and negative dimensions of marital quality among a sample of continuously-married couples over age 50 in which both partners provided data on marital quality at three time points (n = 1,389 couples). A survey-weighted latent growth curve model simultaneously examines two marital quality trajectories: own and spouse{\textquoteright}s. Preliminary results show that mean baseline positive and negative marital quality are similar for own and spouse{\textquoteright}s trajectories. Although growth rates are statistically non-significant for positive marital quality, the variance of growth rate is statistically significant for spouse{\textquoteright}s trajectory (0.001, p < 0.05), and greater baseline own positive marital quality is associated with negative growth of spouse{\textquoteright}s positive marital quality. Growth rates are similar for own and spouse{\textquoteright}s trajectories of negative marital quality, and variance of growth rate is statistically significant for spouse{\textquoteright}s negative marital quality trajectory. Results point to stability in marital quality over time, and suggest the importance of using couple-level data.}, keywords = {dyadic patterns, Marital quality}, isbn = {2399-5300}, doi = {10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1106}, author = {Jennifer R. Bulanda and Yamashita, Taka and J Scott Brown} } @article {8585, title = {Marital quality, marital dissolution, and mortality risk during the later life course.}, journal = {Soc Sci Med}, volume = {165}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 09}, pages = {119-127}, abstract = {

This study examines the relationship between later-life marital quality, marital dissolution, and mortality using discrete-time event history models with data from nine waves (1992-2008) of the Health and Retirement Study (n~=~7388). Results show marital status is more important for men{\textquoteright}s mortality risk than women{\textquoteright}s, whereas marital quality is more important for women{\textquoteright}s survival than men{\textquoteright}s. Being widowed or divorced more than two years raises mortality risk for men, but later-life marital dissolution is not significantly associated with women{\textquoteright}s mortality risk, regardless of the type of dissolution or length of time since it occurred. Low-quality marital interaction is negatively related to women{\textquoteright}s odds of death, but none of the marital quality measures are significantly associated with mortality for men. Marital satisfaction moderates the relationship between widowhood and mortality for women, but the relationship between marital dissolution and mortality is similar for men regardless of marital quality prior to divorce/widowhood. Results suggest the importance of accounting for both marital status and marital quality when examining older individuals{\textquoteright} mortality risk.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Humans, Male, Marital Status, Marriage, Middle Aged, Mortality, Retirement, Sex Factors}, issn = {1873-5347}, doi = {10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.07.025}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953616303860}, author = {Jennifer R. Bulanda and J Scott Brown and Takashi Yamashita} } @article {6487, title = {Social Supports as Enabling Factors in Nursing Home Admissions: Rural, Suburban, and Urban Differences}, journal = {Journal of Applied Gerontology}, volume = {35}, year = {2016}, pages = {721-743}, chapter = {721}, abstract = {This study investigates differences in social support and nursing home admission by rurality of residence. We use discrete-time event history models with longitudinal data from seven waves (1998-2010) of the Health and Retirement Study to prospectively examine the risk of spending 30 or more days in a nursing home (n = 5,913). Results show that elders with a health problem who live in rural areas of the South or Midwest have approximately 2 times higher odds of nursing home entry than elders living in urban areas in the Northeast. Rural elders report somewhat higher social support than non-rural elders, and controlling for these forms of social support does not explain the higher risk of a nursing home stay for Southerners and Midwesterners living in rural areas. Results suggest that social support has a similar association with nursing home entry for rural, suburban, and urban elders.}, keywords = {Adult children, Demographics, Health Conditions and Status, Healthcare, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction}, doi = {10.1177/0733464814566677}, url = {http://jag.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/01/09/0733464814566677.abstract}, author = {Cohen, Adrienne and Jennifer R. Bulanda} } @article {8017, title = {Grandparenting Roles and Volunteer Activity}, journal = {The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences}, volume = {17}, year = {2014}, pages = {129-140}, publisher = {17}, abstract = {Objectives. We examine whether grandparenting roles are related to formal volunteering among older adults.Method. Logistic regression is used to examine the likelihood of volunteering based on grandchild care using data from the 2004 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (n = 13,785). Longitudinal analyses utilize treatment effects models to examine changes in volunteering for grandparents who begin nonresidential grandchild care between the 2004 and 2008 waves (n = 10,811).Results. Results show that grandparents raising coresidential grandchildren have lower odds of volunteering than grandparents providing no regular grandchild care. However, grandparents who provide nonresidential grandchild care are more likely to volunteer than grandparents not providing grandchild care and those raising a coresidential grandchild. Grandparents who provide nonresidential care for grandchildren engage in more volunteering before assuming grandchild care, and their volunteerism increases after becoming a caregiver for a grandchild.Discussion. Consistent with resource theory and the accumulation of roles, providing nonresidential grandchild care may draw grandparents into formal volunteer activity. The lower human capital resources evidenced by grandparents raising coresidential grandchildren may play a role in their lower likelihood of formal volunteering.}, keywords = {Adult children, Demographics, Methodology, Public Policy}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbu033}, url = {http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/04/10/geronb.gbu033.abstract}, author = {Jennifer R. Bulanda and Jendrek, Margaret Platt} } @article {7568, title = {Gender, marital power, and marital quality in later life.}, journal = {J Women Aging}, volume = {23}, year = {2011}, month = {2011}, pages = {3-22}, publisher = {23}, abstract = {

This study uses data from the 1992 Health and Retirement Study to examine gender differences in marital power and marital quality among older adults and to assess whether there are gender differences in the correlates of marital quality and marital power in later life. Results show that women report lower marital happiness, marital interaction, and marital power than do men, on average. These differences persist even after controlling for a number of life-course events and transitions. Further, results show that gender differences are also evident in the relationship of employment, childrearing, caregiving, and health factors with marital quality and power.

}, keywords = {Female, Health Status, Health Surveys, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Marriage, Middle Aged, Power, Psychological, Quality of Life, Regression Analysis, Sex Distribution, Socioeconomic factors, United States, Women, Working}, issn = {1540-7322}, doi = {10.1080/08952841.2011.540481}, author = {Jennifer R. Bulanda} } @article {7369, title = {Racial-Ethnic Differences in Subjective Survival Expectations to the Retirement Years}, journal = {Research on Aging}, volume = {31}, year = {2009}, pages = {688-709}, publisher = {31}, abstract = {Prior research finds a race anomaly in subjective life expectancy such that Blacks expect to live longer than Whites even though their actual life expectancy is lower, but it does not include other racial-ethnic groups. Using data from the 1998 Health and Retirement Study (n = 8,077), the authors find that the race anomaly in subjective survival expectations can be extended to Mexican Americans: Mexican Americans, regardless of their nativity, expect a lower chance of living to ages 75 and 85 than do Whites net of age and gender even though their actual life expectancy is higher. In addition, foreign-born Mexican Americans expect a lower chance of survival to older ages than native-born Mexican Americans, which is also opposite of actual mortality patterns. We also find that education and wealth interact with race-ethnicity to influence subjective survival expectations.}, keywords = {Demographics, Expectations}, author = {Jennifer R. Bulanda and Zhang, Zhenmei} } @article {7083, title = {Cohabitation among older adults: a national portrait.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {61}, year = {2006}, month = {2006 Mar}, pages = {S71-9}, publisher = {61}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: Older adults are increasingly likely to experience cohabitation, or living together unmarried in an intimate, heterosexual union. In order to begin building a conceptual framework, we provide a descriptive portrait of older adult cohabitors, emphasizing how they compare to older remarrieds and unpartnereds.

METHODS: We used data from both Census 2000 and the 1998 Health and Retirement Study ( HRS; Health and Retirement Study, 1998) to estimate the size and composition of the cohabiting population aged 51 and older. Also, using HRS data, we estimated multinomial logistic regression models to identify the correlates associated with cohabitation and remarriage (vs being unpartnered) among women and men who were previously married.

RESULT: More than 1 million older adults, composing 4\% of the unmarried population, currently cohabit. About 90\% of these individuals were previously married. We identify significant differences among cohabitors, remarrieds, and unpartnereds across several dimensions, including sociodemographic characteristics, economic resources, physical health, and social relationships. Cohabitors appear to be more disadvantaged than remarrieds, and this is especially evident for women.

DISCUSSION: Older cohabitors differ from individuals of other marital statuses, and therefore future work on marital status should explicitly incorporate cohabitation.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Demography, Female, Health Status, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Marriage, Middle Aged, Residence Characteristics, Sexual Partners, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States}, issn = {1079-5014}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/61.2.s71}, author = {Susan L. Brown and Lee, Gary R. and Jennifer R. Bulanda} } @mastersthesis {6234, title = {Marriage in Later Life: The Relationship between Marital Quality, Health, and Divorce}, year = {2006}, month = {2006}, school = {Bowling Green State University}, keywords = {Adult children, Health Conditions and Status}, author = {Jennifer R. Bulanda} } @article {6996, title = {The significance of nonmarital cohabitation: marital status and mental health benefits among middle-aged and older adults.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {60}, year = {2005}, month = {2005 Jan}, pages = {S21-9}, publisher = {60B}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: According to the 2000 Census, about 1.2 million persons over age 50 are currently cohabiting. Do these unmarried cohabiting partnerships provide adults with mental health benefits that are similar to those enjoyed by marrieds? We extended prior work on marital status and depression by including cohabitation in our conceptualization of marital status.

METHODS: We used data from the 1998 Health and Retirement Study (N = 18,598) to examine the relationship between marital status and depressive symptoms among adults over age 50. We also examined gender differences in this association.

RESULTS: We found that cohabitors report more depressive symptoms, on average, than do marrieds, net of economic resources, social support, and physical health. Additional analyses revealed that only among men do cohabitors report significantly higher depression scores. Cohabiting and married women as well as cohabiting men experience similar levels of depression, and all of these groups report levels that are significantly higher than married men{\textquoteright}s.

DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate the importance of accounting for nontraditional living arrangements among persons aged 50 and older. Cohabitation appears to be more consequential for men{\textquoteright}s than women{\textquoteright}s depressive symptoms.

}, keywords = {Aged, depression, Female, Humans, Insurance Benefits, Male, Marital Status, Mental Health Services, Middle Aged, Sexual Partners, Social Support, United States}, issn = {1079-5014}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/60.1.s21}, author = {Susan L. Brown and Jennifer R. Bulanda and Lee, Gary R.} }