@article {13840, title = {Neighborhood Social Environment and Dementia: The Mediating Role of Social Isolation.}, journal = {Journal of Applied Gerontology, Series B, Psychological Sciences and social sciences}, volume = {79}, year = {2024}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: Despite the potential importance of the neighborhood social environment for cognitive health, the connection between neighborhood characteristics and dementia remains unclear. This study investigated the association between the prospective risk of dementia and three distinct aspects of neighborhood social environment: socioeconomic deprivation, disorder, and social cohesion. We also examined whether objective and subjective aspects of individual-level social isolation may function as mediators.

METHODS: Leveraging data from the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2018; N = 9,251), we used Cox proportional hazards models to examine the association between time-to-dementia incidence and each neighborhood characteristic, adjusting for covariates and the propensity to self-select into disadvantaged neighborhoods. We used inverse odds weighting to decompose significant total effects of neighborhood characteristics into mediational effects of objective and subjective social isolation.

RESULTS: The risk of dementia was associated with deprivation and disorder but not low cohesion. In deprived neighborhoods, individuals had an 18\% increased risk of developing dementia (cause-specific hazard ratio [CHR] = 1.18, 95\% CI: 1.02 to 1.38), and those in disordered areas had a 27\% higher risk (CHR = 1.27, 95\% CI: 1.03 to 1.59). 20\% of the disorder{\textquoteright}s effects were mediated by subjective social isolation, while the mediational effects of objective isolation were nonsignificant. Deprivation{\textquoteright}s total effects were not partitioned into mediational effects given its nonsignificant associations with the mediators.

DISCUSSION: Neighborhood deprivation and disorder may increase middle to older adults{\textquoteright} risks of dementia. The disorder may adversely affect cognitive health through increasing loneliness. Our results suggest a clear need for dementia prevention targeting upstream neighborhood contexts, including the improvement of neighborhood conditions to foster social integration among residents.

}, keywords = {Aged, Dementia, Humans, Prospective Studies, Residence Characteristics, Social Environment, social isolation}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbad199}, author = {Choi, Eun Young and Cho, Gawon and Chang, Virginia W} } @article {13427, title = {Contributions of neighborhood social environment and air pollution exposure to Black-White disparities in epigenetic aging.}, journal = {PLoS One}, volume = {18}, year = {2023}, month = {2023}, pages = {e0287112}, abstract = {

Racial disparities in many aging-related health outcomes are persistent and pervasive among older Americans, reflecting accelerated biological aging for Black Americans compared to White, known as weathering. Environmental determinants that contribute to weathering are poorly understood. Having a higher biological age, measured by DNA methylation (DNAm), than chronological age is robustly associated with worse age-related outcomes and higher social adversity. We hypothesize that individual socioeconomic status (SES), neighborhood social environment, and air pollution exposures contribute to racial disparities in DNAm aging according to GrimAge and Dunedin Pace of Aging methylation (DPoAm). We perform retrospective cross-sectional analyses among 2,960 non-Hispanic participants (82\% White, 18\% Black) in the Health and Retirement Study whose 2016 DNAm age is linked to survey responses and geographic data. DNAm aging is defined as the residual after regressing DNAm age on chronological age. We observe Black individuals have significantly accelerated DNAm aging on average compared to White individuals according to GrimAge (239\%) and DPoAm (238\%). We implement multivariable linear regression models and threefold decomposition to identify exposures that contribute to this disparity. Exposure measures include individual-level SES, census-tract-level socioeconomic deprivation and air pollution (fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone), and perceived neighborhood social and physical disorder. Race and gender are included as covariates. Regression and decomposition results show that individual-level SES is strongly associated with and accounts for a large portion of the disparity in both GrimAge and DPoAm aging. Higher neighborhood deprivation for Black participants significantly contributes to the disparity in GrimAge aging. Black participants are more vulnerable to fine particulate matter exposure for DPoAm, perhaps due to individual- and neighborhood-level SES, which may contribute to the disparity in DPoAm aging. DNAm aging may play a role in the environment "getting under the skin", contributing to age-related health disparities between older Black and White Americans.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aging, Air Pollution, Black or African American, Cross-Sectional Studies, Epigenesis, Genetic, Humans, Particulate Matter, Retrospective Studies, Social Environment, United States, White}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0287112}, author = {Yannatos, Isabel and Stites, Shana and Brown, Rebecca T and McMillan, Corey T} } @article {12890, title = {Polygenic Risk and Social Support in Predicting Depression Under Stress.}, journal = {The American Journal of Psychiatry}, volume = {180}, year = {2023}, pages = {139-145}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: Despite substantial progress in identifying genomic variation associated with major depression, the mechanisms by which genomic and environmental factors jointly influence depression risk remain unclear. Genomically conferred sensitivity to the social environment may be one mechanism linking genomic variation and depressive symptoms. The authors assessed whether social support affects the likelihood of depression development differently across the spectrum of genomic risk in two samples that experienced substantial life stress: 1,011 first-year training physicians (interns) in the Intern Health Study (IHS) and 435 recently widowed Health and Retirement Study (HRS) participants.

METHODS: Participants{\textquoteright} depressive symptoms and social support were assessed with questionnaires that were administered before and after the life stressor. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for major depressive disorder were calculated for both samples.

RESULTS: Depressive symptom scores increased by 126\% after the start of internship in the IHS sample and by 34\% after widowing in the HRS sample. There was an interaction between depression PRS and change in social support in the prediction of depressive symptoms in both the IHS sample (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=0.96, 95\% CI=0.93, 0.98) and the HRS sample (IRR=0.78, 95\% CI=0.66, 0.92), with higher depression PRS associated with greater sensitivity to changes in social support. Johnson-Neyman intervals indicated a crossover effect, with losses and gains in social support moderating the effect of PRS on depressive symptoms. (Johnson-Neyman interval in the IHS sample, -0.02, 0.71; in the HRS sample, -0.49, 1.92).

CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that individuals with high genomic risk for developing increased depressive symptoms under adverse social conditions also benefit more from nurturing social environments.

}, keywords = {depression, Risk Factors, Social Environment, Social Support, Stress}, issn = {1535-7228}, doi = {10.1176/appi.ajp.21111100}, author = {Cleary, Jennifer L and Fang, Yu and Zahodne, Laura B and Bohnert, Amy S B and Burmeister, Margit and Sen, Srijan} } @article {11661, title = {Healthy Debate: Major Depression among Older Immigrants and the United States 2016 Election.}, journal = {Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health}, volume = {24}, year = {2022}, pages = {360-367}, abstract = {

This study investigated whether anti-immigrant sentiment leading up to the 2016 election increased risk of major depression among older U.S. immigrants. Drawing data from the Health and Retirement Study, we tested whether there was a disproportionate increase in major depression among U.S. immigrants than non-immigrants from 2014 to 2016 using a Difference in Difference approach. Older immigrants had a higher relative change in major depression from 2014 to 2016 than non-immigrants (RRR 1.35; 95\% CI 1.06, 1.73). This relationship was driven by associations among those who are White (RRR 2.07; 95\% CI 1.26, 3.41) or Hispanic (RRR 1.55; 95\% CI 0.99, 2.40). Anti-immigrant sentiment leading up to the 2016 election was associated with an increase in major depression among older U.S. immigrants. Findings may help identify high-risk groups in future election years and inform treatment strategies for major depression that consider the influence of sociopolitical factors.

}, keywords = {Foreign born, Gerontology, Health Disparities, Psychiatric epidemiology, Social Environment}, issn = {1557-1920}, doi = {10.1007/s10903-021-01217-4}, author = {Rachel S. Bergmans and Kelly, Kristen M and Riley Wegryn-Jones} } @article {12564, title = {Cohort Profile: The Ageing Trajectories of Health - Longitudinal Opportunities and Synergies (ATHLOS) project.}, journal = {International Journal of Epidemiology}, volume = {48}, year = {2019}, pages = {1052-1053i}, keywords = {Female, Global Health, Health Behavior, Health Status, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Mental Health, Physical Functional Performance, Social Environment, Socioeconomic factors}, issn = {1464-3685}, doi = {10.1093/ije/dyz077}, author = {Sanchez-Niubo, Albert and Egea-Cort{\'e}s, Laia and Olaya, Beatriz and Caballero, Francisco F{\'e}lix and Ayuso-Mateos, Jose L and Prina, Matthew and Bobak, Martin and Arndt, Holger and Tobiasz-Adamczyk, Beata and Paj{\k a}k, Andrzej and Leonardi, Matilde and Koupil, Ilona and Panagiotakos, Demosthenes and Tamosiunas, Abdonas and Scherbov, Sergei and Sanderson, Warren and Koskinen, Seppo and Chatterji, Somnath and Haro, Josep Maria} } @article {8537, title = {Correlates and predictors of loneliness in older-adults: a review of quantitative results informed by qualitative insights.}, journal = {Int Psychogeriatr}, volume = {28}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Apr}, pages = {557-76}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Older persons are particularly vulnerable to loneliness because of common age-related changes and losses. This paper reviews predictors of loneliness in the older population as described in the current literature and a small qualitative study.

METHODS: Peer-reviewed journal articles were identified from psycINFO, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar from 2000-2012. Overall, 38 articles were reviewed. Two focus groups were conducted asking older participants about the causes of loneliness.

RESULTS: Variables significantly associated with loneliness in older adults were: female gender, non-married status, older age, poor income, lower educational level, living alone, low quality of social relationships, poor self-reported health, and poor functional status. Psychological attributes associated with loneliness included poor mental health, low self-efficacy beliefs, negative life events, and cognitive deficits. These associations were mainly studied in cross-sectional studies. In the focus groups, participants mentioned environmental barriers, unsafe neighborhoods, migration patterns, inaccessible housing, and inadequate resources for socializing. Other issues raised in the focus groups were the relationship between loneliness and boredom and inactivity, the role of recent losses of family and friends, as well as mental health issues, such as shame and fear.

CONCLUSIONS: Future quantitative studies are needed to examine the impact of physical and social environments on loneliness in this population. It is important to better map the multiple factors and ways by which they impact loneliness to develop better solutions for public policy, city, and environmental planning, and individually based interventions. This effort should be viewed as a public health priority.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Focus Groups, Humans, Loneliness, Male, Marital Status, Motor Activity, Qualitative Research, Quality of Life, Residence Characteristics, Sex Factors, Social Environment, social isolation, Socioeconomic factors}, issn = {1741-203X}, doi = {10.1017/S1041610215001532}, url = {http://www.journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S1041610215001532}, author = {Cohen-Mansfield, Jiska and Hazan, Haim and Lerman, Yaffa and Shalom, Vera} } @article {8123, title = {Perceived neighbourhood social cohesion and myocardial infarction.}, journal = {J Epidemiol Community Health}, volume = {68}, year = {2014}, note = {Times Cited: 0 0}, month = {2014 Nov}, pages = {1020-6}, publisher = {68}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: The main strategy for alleviating heart disease has been to target individuals and encourage them to change their health behaviours. Although important, emphasis on individuals has diverted focus and responsibility away from neighbourhood characteristics, which also strongly influence people{\textquoteright}s behaviours. Although a growing body of research has repeatedly demonstrated strong associations between neighbourhood characteristics and cardiovascular health, it has typically focused on negative neighbourhood characteristics. Only a few studies have examined the potential health enhancing effects of positive neighbourhood characteristics, such as perceived neighbourhood social cohesion.

METHODS: Using multiple logistic regression models, we tested whether higher perceived neighbourhood social cohesion was associated with lower incidence of myocardial infarction. Prospective data from the Health and Retirement Study--a nationally representative panel study of American adults over the age of 50--were used to analyse 5276 participants with no history of heart disease. Respondents were tracked for 4 years and analyses adjusted for relevant sociodemographic, behavioural, biological and psychosocial factors.

RESULTS: In a model that adjusted for age, gender, race, marital status, education and total wealth, each SD increase in perceived neighbourhood social cohesion was associated with a 22\% reduced odds of myocardial infarction (OR=0.78, 95\% CI 0.63 to 0.94. The association between perceived neighbourhood social cohesion and myocardial infarction remained even after adjusting for behavioural, biological and psychosocial covariates.

CONCLUSIONS: Higher perceived neighbourhood social cohesion may have a protective effect against myocardial infarction.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic, Female, Health Behavior, Health Status, Health Surveys, Humans, Incidence, Interviews as Topic, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Multilevel Analysis, Myocardial Infarction, Perception, Prospective Studies, Protective factors, Residence Characteristics, Self Report, Social Environment, Socioeconomic factors, United States}, issn = {1470-2738}, doi = {10.1136/jech-2014-204009}, author = {Eric S Kim and Armani M. Hawes and Jacqui Smith} } @article {7646, title = {Consequences of stroke in community-dwelling elderly: the health and retirement study, 1998 to 2008.}, journal = {Stroke}, volume = {42}, year = {2011}, note = {Divani, Afshin A Majidi, Shahram Barrett, Anna M Noorbaloochi, Siamak Luft, Andreas R K24 HD062647-01/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States K24 HD062647-02/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States K24HD062647/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States R01 NS055808/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States R01 NS055808-01A2/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States R01 NS055808-02/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States R01 NS055808-03/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States R01 NS055808-04/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t United States Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation Nihms297056 Stroke. 2011 Jul;42(7):1821-5. Epub 2011 May 19.}, month = {2011 Jul}, pages = {1821-5}, publisher = {42}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke survivors are at risk of developing comorbidities that further reduce their quality of life. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of developing a secondary health problem after stroke.

METHODS: We performed a case-control analysis using 6 biennial interview waves (1998 to 2008) of the Health and Retirement Study. We compared 631 noninstitutionalized individuals who had a single stroke with 631 control subjects matched for age, gender, and interview wave. We studied sleep problems, urinary incontinence, motor impairment, falls, and memory deficits among the 2 groups.

RESULTS: Stroke survivors frequently developed new or worsened motor impairment (33\%), sleep problems (up to 33\%), falls (30\%), urinary incontinence (19\%), and memory deficits (9\%). As compared with control subjects, the risk of developing a secondary health problem was highest for memory deficits (OR, 2.45; 95\% CI, 1.34 to 4.46) followed by urinary incontinence (OR, 1.86; 95\% CI, 1.31 to 2.66), motor impairment (OR, 1.61; 95\% CI, 1.16 to 2.24), falls (OR, 1.5; 95\% CI, 1.12 to 2.0), and sleep disturbances (OR, 1.49; 95\% CI, 1.09 to 2.03). In contrast, stroke survivors were not more likely to injure themselves during a fall (OR, 1.14; 95\% CI, 0.72 to 1.79). After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, social status, psychiatric symptoms, and pain, the risks of falling or developing sleep problems were not different from the control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS: The risk of developing a secondary health problem that can impact daily life is markedly increased after stroke. A better understanding of frequencies and risks for secondary health problems after stroke is necessary for designing better preventive and rehabilitation strategies.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Case-Control Studies, Cohort Studies, Comorbidity, Female, Geriatrics, Humans, Male, Quality of Life, Retirement, Risk, Social Environment, Stroke}, issn = {1524-4628}, doi = {10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.607630}, author = {Afshin A Divani and Shahram Majidi and Anna M Barrett and Noorbaloochi, Siamak and Andreas R Luft} } @article {7560, title = {Neighborhoods and chronic disease onset in later life.}, journal = {Am J Public Health}, volume = {101}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Jan}, pages = {79-86}, publisher = {101}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: To strengthen existing evidence on the role of neighborhoods in chronic disease onset in later life, we investigated associations between multiple neighborhood features and 2-year onset of 6 common conditions using a national sample of older adults.

METHODS: Neighborhood features for adults aged 55 years or older in the 2002 Health and Retirement Study were measured by use of previously validated scales reflecting the built, social, and economic environment. Two-level random-intercept logistic models predicting the onset of heart problems, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis by 2004 were estimated.

RESULTS: In adjusted models, living in more economically disadvantaged areas predicted the onset of heart problems for women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.20; P < .05). Living in more highly segregated, higher-crime areas was associated with greater chances of developing cancer for men (OR = 1.31; P < .05) and women (OR = 1.25; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: The neighborhood economic environment is associated with heart disease onset for women, and neighborhood-level social stressors are associated with cancer onset for men and women. The social and biological mechanisms that underlie these associations require further investigation.

}, keywords = {Aged, Chronic disease, Environment Design, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Health Resources, Health Status Disparities, Humans, Logistic Models, Male, Middle Aged, Poverty Areas, Residence Characteristics, Risk Factors, Small-Area Analysis, Social Environment, Social Problems, Socioeconomic factors, United States}, issn = {1541-0048}, doi = {10.2105/AJPH.2009.178640}, author = {Vicki A Freedman and Irina B Grafova and Jeannette Rogowski} } @article {7603, title = {Volunteer transitions among older adults: the role of human, social, and cultural capital in later life.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {66}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Jul}, pages = {490-501}, publisher = {66B}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: We aim to understand how human, social, and cultural capitals are associated with the volunteer process, that is, engagement (starting), intensity (number of hours), and cessation (stopping), among older adults.

METHOD: Data from the 2000 through 2008 Health and Retirement Study and the 2001 through 2009 Consumption and Activity Mail Survey provide a sample of 4,526 respondents. Random-effects pooled time series analyses incorporate not only the presence of various types of capital but also the quality of that capital.

RESULTS: Human and cultural capitals were positively associated with increased volunteer involvement. Effects of social capital (relationships in the family, employment status, and the community) depended on the quality of the relationships, not necessarily on their presence alone.

DISCUSSION: Results suggest that bolstering older adults{\textquoteright} capitals, particularly among lower socioeconomic status groups, can increase volunteer engagement and intensity and reduce cessation. Additionally, a variety of organizational policies including respite programs for caregivers and employer policies allowing employees to reduce their work hours might indirectly affect participation rates and commitment. Potential pools of volunteers exist in families, workplaces, and religious organizations, but more research is necessary to identify how to recruit and retain individuals in social networks where volunteer participatory rates are low.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aging, Caregivers, Community Participation, Cost of Illness, Educational Status, Employment, Female, Health Status, Health Surveys, Humans, Likelihood Functions, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Multivariate Analysis, Religion and Psychology, Social Environment, Social Identification, Social Support, Socioeconomic factors, United States, Volunteers}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbr055}, author = {Tay K. McNamara and Guillermo Ernest Gonzales} } @article {7481, title = {Early-life characteristics, psychiatric history, and cognition trajectories in later life.}, journal = {Gerontologist}, volume = {50}, year = {2010}, note = {Using Smart Source Parsing pp. Oct Gerontological Society of America, Washington DC}, month = {2010 Oct}, pages = {646-56}, publisher = {50}, abstract = {

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Although considerable attention has been paid to the relationship between later-life depression and cognitive function, the relationship between a history of psychiatric problems and cognitive function is not very well documented. Few studies of relationships between childhood health, childhood disadvantage, and cognitive function in later life consider both childhood health and disadvantage, include measures for psychiatric history, or use nationally representative longitudinal data.

DESIGN AND METHODS: This study uses growth curve models to analyze the relationships between childhood health and disadvantage, psychiatric history, and cognitive function using 6 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, controlling for demographics, health behavior, and health status.

RESULTS: A history of psychiatric problems is associated with lower cognitive function and steeper declines in cognitive function with age. The influence of childhood health is mediated by later-life health status and behaviors. A combined history of childhood disadvantage and psychiatric problems more strongly affects cognitive function, but cognitive declines remain consistent with those associated with psychiatric history. These effects are partially mediated by later-life demographic, socioeconomic, or health characteristics.

IMPLICATIONS: These findings demonstrate that cumulative disadvantage and a history of psychiatric problems shape later-life cognition and cognitive decline. This evidence can enhance public understanding of the trajectories of cognitive decline experienced by groups living with disadvantage and can enable policy makers and human services providers to better design and implement preventative interventions and support services for affected populations.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Cognition, Cognition Disorders, Cohort Studies, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Mental Disorders, Middle Aged, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Social Environment, Socioeconomic factors, Time Factors}, issn = {1758-5341}, doi = {10.1093/geront/gnq049}, author = {Maria T. Brown} } @article {7260, title = {Lifecourse social conditions and racial disparities in incidence of first stroke.}, journal = {Ann Epidemiol}, volume = {18}, year = {2008}, month = {2008 Dec}, pages = {904-12}, publisher = {18}, abstract = {

PURPOSE: Some previous studies found excess stroke rates among black subjects persisted after adjustment for socioeconomic status (SES), fueling speculation regarding racially patterned genetic predispositions to stroke. Previous research was hampered by incomplete SES assessments, without measures of childhood conditions or adult wealth. We assess the role of lifecourse SES in explaining stroke risk and stroke disparities.

METHODS: Health and Retirement Study participants age 50+ (n = 20,661) were followed on average 9.9 years for self- or proxy-reported first stroke (2175 events). Childhood social conditions (southern state of birth, parental SES, self-reported fair/poor childhood health, and attained height), adult SES (education, income, wealth, and occupational status) and traditional cardiovascular risk factors were used to predict first stroke onset using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS: Black subjects had a 48\% greater risk of first stroke incidence than whites (95\% confidence interval, 1.33-1.65). Childhood conditions predicted stroke risk in both blacks and whites, independently of adult SES. Adjustment for both childhood social conditions and adult SES measures attenuated racial differences to marginal significance (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95\% CI, 1.00-1.28).

CONCLUSIONS: Childhood social conditions predict stroke risk in black and White American adults. Additional adjustment for adult SES, in particular wealth, nearly eliminated the disparity in stroke risk between black and white subjects.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Black or African American, Cardiovascular Diseases, ethnicity, Female, Health Status Disparities, Humans, Incidence, Interviews as Topic, Life Style, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Statistical, Risk Factors, Social Environment, Socioeconomic factors, Stroke, United States, White People}, issn = {1873-2585}, doi = {10.1016/j.annepidem.2008.09.010}, author = {M. Maria Glymour and Mauricio Avendano and Steven A Haas and Lisa F Berkman} } @article {7255, title = {Neighborhoods and obesity in later life.}, journal = {Am J Public Health}, volume = {98}, year = {2008}, month = {2008 Nov}, pages = {2065-71}, publisher = {98}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: We examined the influence of neighborhood environment on the weight status of adults 55 years and older.

METHODS: We conducted a 2-level logistic regression analysis of data from the 2002 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. We included 8 neighborhood scales: economic advantage, economic disadvantage, air pollution, crime and segregation, street connectivity, density, immigrant concentration, and residential stability.

RESULTS: When we controlled for individual- and family-level confounders, living in a neighborhood with a high level of economic advantage was associated with a lower likelihood of being obese for both men (odds ratio [OR] = 0.86; 95\% confidence interval [CI] = 0.80, 0.94) and women (OR = 0.83; 95\% CI = 0.77, 0.89). Men living in areas with a high concentration of immigrants and women living in areas of high residential stability were more likely to be obese. Women living in areas of high street connectivity were less likely to be overweight or obese.

CONCLUSIONS: The mechanisms by which neighborhood environment and weight status are linked in later life differ by gender, with economic and social environment aspects being important for men and built environment aspects being salient for women.

}, keywords = {Aged, Air Pollution, Crime, Emigrants and Immigrants, Environment Design, Female, Health Status Indicators, Humans, Income, Logistic Models, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Odds Ratio, Overweight, Population Density, Residence Characteristics, Retirement, Social Class, Social Conditions, Social Environment, Socioeconomic factors, United States}, issn = {1541-0048}, doi = {10.2105/AJPH.2007.127712}, author = {Irina B Grafova and Vicki A Freedman and Kumar, Rizie and Jeannette Rogowski} } @article {7223, title = {Productive activities and psychological well-being among older adults.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {63}, year = {2008}, month = {2008 Mar}, pages = {S64-72}, publisher = {63B}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test whether paid work and formal volunteering reduce the rate of mental health decline in later life.

METHODS: Using four waves of Health and Retirement Study data collected from a sample of 7,830 individuals aged 55 to 66, I estimated growth curve models to assess the effects of productive activities on mental health trajectories. The analytical strategy took into account selection processes when examining the beneficial effects of activities. The analyses also formally attended to the sample attrition problem inherent in longitudinal studies.

RESULTS: The results indicated that activity participants generally had better mental health at the beginning of the study. Full-time employment and low-level volunteering had independent protective effects against decline in psychological well-being. Joint participants of both productive activities enjoyed a slower rate of mental health decline than single-activity participants.

DISCUSSION: The results are consistent with activity theory and further confirm the role accumulation perspective. The finding that full-time work combined with low-level volunteering is protective of mental health reveals the complementary effect of volunteering to formal employment. Methodological and theoretical implications are discussed.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Cohort Studies, depression, Employment, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Psychological Theory, Psychomotor Performance, Quality of Life, Social Environment, Volunteers}, issn = {1079-5014}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/63.2.s64}, author = {Hao, Yanni} } @article {7133, title = {Urban neighborhoods and depressive symptoms among older adults.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {62}, year = {2007}, month = {2007 Jan}, pages = {S52-9}, publisher = {62}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to determine whether depressive symptoms among older persons systematically vary across urban neighborhoods such that experiencing more symptoms is associated with low socioeconomic status (SES), high concentrations of ethnic minorities, low residential stability and low proportion aged 65 years and older.

METHODS: Survey data are from the Study of Assets and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD), a 1993 U.S. national probability sample of noninstitutionalized persons born in 1923 or earlier (i.e. people aged 70 or older). Neighborhood data are from the 1990 Census at the tract level. Hierarchical linear regression is used to estimate multilevel models.

RESULT: The average number of depressive symptoms varies across Census tracts independent of individual-level characteristics. Symptoms are not significantly associated with neighborhood SES, ethnic composition, or age structure when individual-level characteristics are controlled statistically. However, net of individual-level characteristics, symptoms are positively associated with neighborhood residential stability, pointing to a complex meaning of residential stability for the older population.

DISCUSSION: This study shows that apparent neighborhood-level socioeconomic effects on depressive symptoms among urban-dwelling older adults are largely if not entirely compositional in nature. Further, residential stability in the urban neighborhood may not be emotionally beneficial to its aged residents.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Comorbidity, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depressive Disorder, Female, Health Status Indicators, Health Surveys, Humans, Incidence, Male, Minority Groups, Peer Group, Population Dynamics, Risk Factors, Social Environment, United States, Urban Population}, issn = {1079-5014}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/62.1.s52}, author = {Carol S Aneshensel and Richard G Wight and Miller-Martinez, Dana and Amanda L. Botticello and Arun S Karlamangla and Teresa Seeman} } @article {7014, title = {Health events and the smoking cessation of middle aged Americans.}, journal = {J Behav Med}, volume = {28}, year = {2005}, month = {2005 Feb}, pages = {21-33}, publisher = {28}, abstract = {

This study investigates the effect of serious health events including new diagnoses of heart attacks, strokes, cancers, chronic lung disease, chronic heart failure, diabetes, and heart disease on future smoking status up to 6 years postevent. Data come from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative longitudinal survey of Americans aged 51-61 in 1991, followed every 2 years from 1992 to 1998. Smoking status is evaluated at each of three follow-ups, (1994, 1996, and 1998) as a function of health events between each of the four waves. Acute and chronic health events are associated with much lower likelihood of smoking both in the wave immediately following the event and up to 6 years later. However, future events do not retrospectively predict past cessation. In sum, serious health events have substantial impacts on cessation rates of older smokers. Notably, these effects persist for as much as 6 years after a health event.

}, keywords = {Diabetes Mellitus, Female, Health Behavior, Health Status, Heart Failure, Humans, Logistic Models, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Smoking, Smoking cessation, Social Environment, Socioeconomic factors, United States}, issn = {0160-7715}, doi = {10.1007/s10865-005-2560-1}, author = {Tracy Falba} } @article {7041, title = {Processes of cumulative adversity: childhood disadvantage and increased risk of heart attack across the life course.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {60 Spec No 2}, year = {2005}, month = {2005 Oct}, pages = {117-24}, publisher = {60B}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: This article examines how processes of cumulative adversity shape heart attack risk trajectories across the life course.

METHODS: Our sample includes 9,760 Health and Retirement Study respondents born between 1931 and 1941. Using self-reported retrospective measures of respondents{\textquoteright} early background, we first identify three latent classes with differential exposure to childhood disadvantage. Intervening covariates associated with educational attainment, employment status, income attainment, marital history, and health behaviors are added to capture sequential processes of adversity. Final latent-class cluster models estimate the cumulative impact of these covariates on three different heart attack risk trajectories between 1992 and 2002: high, increasing, and low.

RESULTS: Early disadvantage and childhood illness have severe enduring effects and increase the risk for heart attack. Adult pathways, however, differentially influence trajectories of heart attack risk and mediate the effects of early disadvantage.

DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that future research should consider how processes of cumulative adversity initiated in childhood influence health outcomes in older ages.

}, keywords = {Child, Cluster Analysis, Family Characteristics, Female, Human Development, Humans, Likelihood Functions, Male, Middle Aged, Myocardial Infarction, Psychosocial Deprivation, Regression Analysis, Risk Factors, Social Environment, Socioeconomic factors, United States}, issn = {1079-5014}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/60.special_issue_2.s117}, author = {Angela M O{\textquoteright}Rand and Jenifer Hamil-Luker} } @article {6764, title = {Changes in driving patterns and worsening depressive symptoms among older adults.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {56}, year = {2001}, month = {2001 Nov}, pages = {S343-51}, publisher = {56B}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether changes in driving patterns-driving cessation and reduction-have negative consequences for the depressive symptoms of older Americans and whether these consequences are mitigated for people with a spouse who drives.

METHODS: The project used data from 3 waves of the Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD) study. Depressive symptoms were assessed with an abbreviated Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale. Using 2 models, the project examined how driving cessation and reduction that occurred between Waves 1 and 2 contributed to increases in depressive symptoms between Waves 2 and 3. The first model included the entire sample (N = 5,239), and the second model focused on drivers only (n = 3,543). A third model added interaction terms to the analysis to consider whether respondents who stopped driving but had a spouse who drove were less at risk of worsening depressive symptoms.

RESULTS: Respondents who stopped driving had greater risk of worsening depressive symptoms. Drivers who restricted their driving distances before the study began also had greater risk of worsening depressive symptoms, but seemingly less so than the respondents who stopped driving altogether. For respondents who stopped driving, having a spouse available to drive them did not mitigate the risk of worsening symptoms.

DISCUSSION: Changes in driving patterns can be deleterious for older people{\textquoteright}s depressive symptoms. Initiatives for assisting older people should focus on strategies that help them retain driving skills, that prepare them for the possible transition from driver to ex-driver, and that ensure that they have access to mental health therapies if driving changes are imminent.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Adaptation, Psychological, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Automobile Driving, depression, Female, Humans, Male, Quality of Life, Risk Factors, Social Environment}, issn = {1079-5014}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/56.6.s343}, author = {Stephanie J. Fonda and Robert B Wallace and A. Regula Herzog} } @article {6638, title = {Racial differences in the multiple social roles of older women: implications for depressive symptoms.}, journal = {Gerontologist}, volume = {39}, year = {1999}, month = {1999 Aug}, pages = {465-72}, publisher = {39}, abstract = {

The relationship between multiple role participation and depressive symptoms experienced by African American (n = 547) and White (n = 2,152) women aged 55-61 was explored. Data were obtained from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Racial differences in the social roles of marriage, employment, grandmother, care provider, and volunteer and their influence on level of depressive symptoms were examined. African Americans reported higher levels of depressive symptoms than Whites. Additionally, marriage, employment, and total number of social roles were the most powerful predictors of depressive symptoms for both African American and White women. However, employment was more important in diminishing depressive symptoms among African American than White women occupying multiple social roles.

}, keywords = {Analysis of Variance, Black or African American, Chi-Square Distribution, Cross-Sectional Studies, Demography, depression, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Regression Analysis, Self Concept, Social Environment, Social Support, White People, women}, issn = {0016-9013}, doi = {10.1093/geront/39.4.465}, author = {Cochran, Donna and Brown, Diane R. and McGregor, Karl C.} }