@article {13175, title = {Physical Disability, Psychological Resilience and COVID-related Changes in Depressive Symptoms among U.S. Older Adults.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, year = {2023}, month = {2023 Feb 21}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: This study pursued three goals: (1) to determine how depressive symptoms among U.S. older adults changed in 2018-2020, a period transitioning to the first wave of COVID pandemic, compared to in pre-pandemic periods, (2) to determine whether physical disability predicts change in depressive symptoms in 2018-2020, and (3) to assess whether psychological resilience moderates the association between physical disability and change in depressive symptoms in 2018-2020.

METHODS: Based on biennial longitudinal data of the Health and Retirement Study from 2010 to 2020, we used a before-after design and latent change score model to examine whether depressive symptoms change in 2018-2020 represents a continuation or departure from the overall trend of between-wave changes in 2010-2018. We also used physical disability in 2018 and psychological resilience in 2016-2018 to predict depressive symptoms change score in 2018-2020.

RESULTS: In contrast to the relatively stable between-wave change trend in 2010-2018, there was an abrupt elevation in the latent change score of depressive symptoms in 2018-2020, which was primarily driven by increased affective symptoms (e.g., depressed mood, loneliness, unhappiness, and sadness). Increase in depressive symptoms in 2018-2020 was associated positively with physical disability but negatively with psychological resilience. Moderation effect of psychological resilience, however, was not significant.

DISCUSSION: Our findings reveal heavier COVID-related mental health burden for older adults with physical disabilities and the potential benefits of enhancing individual psychological resilience. They also suggest that health interventions addressing the COVID impacts need to particularly focus on the affective aspects of depressive symptoms.

}, keywords = {COVID-19, Depressive symptoms, Older Adults, Physical disability, United States}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbad025}, author = {Li, Miao and Luo, Ye} } @article {12079, title = {Factors influencing participation among adults aging with long-term physical disability.}, journal = {Disability and Health Journal}, volume = {15}, year = {2022}, pages = {101169}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: People aging with long-term physical disability (AwPD) experience barriers to participation and independent living. There are currently limited evidence-based interventions that address issues regarding participation for people AwPD.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined factors influencing participation in personal and life activities among people AwPD to inform future interventions.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study within an ongoing, community-based cohort study of participation was conducted. A purposive sample of people AwPD aged 45-65, living with a physical disability for at least five years, and who speak English was recruited through disability organizations, aging organizations, and social media. Participants answered open-ended questions about what supports they needed to successfully participate in nine activity categories derived from the Health and Retirement Study participation items (e.g., employment, community leisure). A content analysis was conducted using NVivo to categorize responses, and member checking occurred with four additional people AwPD.

RESULTS: A total of 215 participants completed the survey. Eight categories of factors emerged from the data: physical environment factors, social factors, symptoms, economic factors, policy factors, body structure and functions, mental and emotional state, and temporal factors. Participant responses illuminated a combination of environmental and individual factors. Physical effects of disability and accelerated aging, such as pain and fatigue, paired with environmental factors, such as accessibility of transportation, were reported as influencing participation.

CONCLUSIONS: People AwPD experience a range of factors that substantially impact their ability to remain independent and participate in society. By identifying barriers to participation, new interventions addressing these barriers may be developed, resulting in more effective service provision, enhanced participation in personal and life activities, and improved health and well-being.

}, keywords = {Aging, environment, Participation, Physical disability, Qualitative methods}, issn = {1876-7583}, doi = {10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101169}, author = {Heeb, Rachel and Putnam, Michelle and Keglovits, Marian and Weber, Courtney and Campbell, Margaret and Stark, Susan and Morgan, Kerri} } @article {10620, title = {Gender differences in health in Havana versus in Mexico City and in the US Hispanic population}, journal = {European Journal of Ageing}, year = {2020}, month = {2020/03/16}, type = {Journal}, abstract = {Health progress in the 1960s and 1970s placed Cuba at the vanguard of longevity in Latin America and the Caribbean. This success has often been attributed to equity of access to the health care system and its cost-effectiveness in the country. Cuba also has a small gender gap in life expectancy. In this study, we examined how this pattern is reflected in the gender differences in health among the population aged 60+ in Havana. We compared gender differences in health in samples drawn from Havana, Mexico City, and the US Hispanic population: three geographic settings with very different political, health care, and social systems. The data come from the Survey on Health, Well-Being, and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean and the 2000 Health and Retirement Study. Age-adjusted prevalence and logistic regressions were estimated for poor self-rated health, limitations on activities of daily living, depression, and mobility limitations. While an absolute female disadvantage in health was apparent in all three populations, the relative gender differences were inconsistent across all four health domains. Gender differences were most pronounced in Havana, even after adjusting for age, socio-economic status, family characteristics, and smoking behaviour. Despite having higher overall life expectancy and more equitable and universal access to primary care and preventive medicine, women in Havana appear to have a larger burden of ill health than women in less equitable societies. The study provides indirect evidence that Cuba faces challenges in combating the health threats posed by chronic diseases and other diseases and conditions common among the population aged 60+.}, keywords = {Cuba, depression, Female disadvantage, Physical disability, Self-reported health}, isbn = {1613-9380}, doi = {10.1007/s10433-020-00563-w}, url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10433-020-00563-w$\#$Abs1}, author = {K{\"u}hn, Mine and D{\'\i}az-Venegas, Carlos and Jasilionis, Domantas and Oksuzyan, Anna} }