@article {13610, title = {Couples{\textquoteright} Cognition, Intimacy, and Activity Engagement: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Analysis.}, journal = {Clinical gerontologist}, year = {Forthcoming}, pages = {1-13}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the actor and partner effects of cognition on activity engagement and the potential mediating role of intimate relationship in older couple dyadic context.

METHODS: Data for this study were obtained from heterosexual couples who participated in the 2020 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. Constructing a dyadic model of couples{\textquoteright} cognitions, activity engagement, and intimacy using structural equation modeling to analyze the relationship between variables and mediating effects.

RESULTS: At the actor level, cognition was positively correlated with their activity participation. At the partner level, wives{\textquoteright} cognition and husbands{\textquoteright} activity engagement were positively correlated. Husband{\textquoteright}s cognitive score affect wife{\textquoteright}s subjective feelings about intimacy. The mediation effect of Wife{\textquoteright}s intimacy on the relationship between husband{\textquoteright}s cognition and wife{\textquoteright}s activity engagement was significant.

CONCLUSIONS: In older couples, cognition influences activity engagement at a binary level, and this association is influenced by the level of intimacy. Improving intimacy can help increase activity engagement in older couples, which in turn promotes health. Clinical Implications Maintaining cognition helps older people enjoy good marriage and participation in activities. For women, the closer the partnership, the higher the frequency of participating in various activities.

}, keywords = {Activity engagement, Cognition, dyadic analysis, spouse relationship}, issn = {1545-2301}, doi = {10.1080/07317115.2023.2274524}, author = {Su, Fan and Chao, Jianqian and Zhang, Bowen and Zhang, Na and Luo, Zongyu and Han, Jiaying} } @article {11613, title = {Advance Directives Completion among Older American Couples: A Dyadic Perspective on the Role of Cognitive Function and Other Factors.}, journal = {The Journals of Gerontology, Series B}, volume = {77}, year = {2022}, pages = {1144-1153}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: Dyadic perspective is scarce in existing advance directive (AD) literature. Particularly, the significance of one{\textquoteright}s own and/or one{\textquoteright}s partner{\textquoteright}s cognitive function on AD remains unknown. This study investigates the relationship of cognitive function and other factors with AD completion within the spousal context.

METHODS: Data from the Health and Retirement Study (2014-2015) were used. Older heterosexual couples (age >=65) married for 10+ years were asked if they had a living will and/or appointed a durable power of attorney for healthcare (DPAHC). Structural Equation Models examined the actor and partner effects of sociodemographic, health, and couple-level characteristics on wife{\textquoteright}s and husband{\textquoteright}s AD, respectively.

RESULTS: Moderate spousal interdependence was observed in living will (Kappa coefficient, k =0.60) and DPAHC (k=0.53). Older age and higher education were related to both spouses having AD. Less household wealth and being racial/ethnic minority were associated with a lower probability of having AD. Notable gender contrasts in actor and partner effects were found. Wife{\textquoteright}s higher level of cognitive function was associated with husband{\textquoteright}s AD completion. Contrarily, husband{\textquoteright}s lower level of cognitive function was associated with wife{\textquoteright}s AD completion. Retirement status had primarily actor effects for both husbands and wives. More chronic conditions were linked to husband{\textquoteright}s AD completion.

DISCUSSION: The spousal interdependence of AD warrants practitioner efforts to facilitate family-oriented end-of-life planning. Wives and husbands may have different thoughts regarding their spouse{\textquoteright}s cognitive capacity to surrogate. Facilitating couple-based discussions may be a feasible approach to promote engagement with AD among older adults.

}, keywords = {actor-partner interdependence model, advance directive, Couples, dyadic analysis}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbab077}, author = {Lu, Peiyi and Kong, Dexia and Lee, Jeongeun and Shelley, Mack} } @article {11527, title = {Negative marital interaction, purpose in life, and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older couples: evidence from the Health and Retirement Study.}, journal = {Aging \& Mental Health}, volume = {26}, year = {2022}, pages = {860-869}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: Negative marital interaction and purpose in life have been associated with depressive symptoms. Yet, these associations have not been fully explored in a dyadic context. This study examines the actor (intra-individual) and partner (cross-spousal) effects of negative marital interaction on depressive symptoms in couples and the potential mediating role of purpose in life.

METHODS: Data came from 1186 heterosexual married couples who participated in the 2016 (T1) and 2018 (T2) waves of the Health and Retirement Study and completed the psychosocial questionnaire in 2016. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the direct and indirect associations among T1 negative marital interaction, T1 purpose in life, and T2 depressive symptoms at the actor and partner levels. Models controlled for age, race, educational level, self-rated health, and length of marriage.

RESULTS: At the actor level, a greater negative marital interaction was associated with significantly lower levels of purpose in life for husbands and wives. Negative marital interaction was also associated with depressive symptoms for wives. Purpose in life mediated the relationship between negative marital interaction and depressive symptoms. At the partner level, wives{\textquoteright} negative marital interaction was negatively associated with husbands{\textquoteright} purpose in life, independent of husbands{\textquoteright} own effects.

CONCLUSION: The findings support the dominant marital discord model of depression and highlight gender differences in the cross-spousal effects of negative marital interaction on purpose in life. Positive psychology interventions can be beneficial to promote purpose in life and subsequently improve mental health outcomes among couples.

}, keywords = {dyadic analysis, Mental Health, psychological well-being, relationship quality}, issn = {1364-6915}, doi = {10.1080/13607863.2021.1904831}, author = {Irani, Elliane and Park, Sumin and Hickman, Ronald L} }