TY - JOUR T1 - Gender Differences in Functional Health: Latent Curve Analysis Assessing Differential Exposure JF - Journals of Gerontology Series B-Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences Y1 - 2014 A1 - Leah Rohlfsen A1 - Jennie J. Kronenfeld KW - Demographics KW - Health Conditions and Status KW - Methodology AB - Objectives. To examine gender difference in trajectories of functional limitations among middle-aged and older adults using a comprehensive set of predictors and method not previously used to examine this topic. Method. Two-part latent curve models were used to analyze data from the Health and Retirement Study. These models differentiate the occurrence of limitations from the number of limitations at both baseline and over time. Results. Females had 3.70 times greater odds of having any limitations and had 28 more limitations at baseline compared with males, but there was no gender difference in the onset of limitations over time or in the number of limitations over time. Differences in employment status, income, wealth, depressive symptoms, arthritis, cancer, and eyesight partially explained the gender gap. Discussion. Females are disadvantaged in terms of occurrence and number of limitations at baseline but the gender gap remains stable over time, suggesting differences occur before late-middle and old age. Females' lack of full-time employment, and lower levels of income and wealth translate into worse functional health. It is important to improve the socioeconomic status of females while also addressing the health conditions that contribute to functional limitations for males and females. PB - 69 VL - 69 IS - 4 N1 - Times Cited: 0 U4 - Functional limitations/Gender/methodology/Two-part latent curve analysis. ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Gender Differences in Trajectories of Self-Rated Health in Middle and Old Age: An Examination of Differential Exposure and Differential Vulnerability JF - Journal of Aging and Health Y1 - 2014 A1 - Leah Rohlfsen A1 - Jennie J. Kronenfeld KW - Demographics KW - Health Conditions and Status KW - Methodology AB - Objective: This research examined gender differences in self-rated health (SRH) using the differential exposure and differential vulnerability explanations of gender differences in health. Method: Trajectories of SRH were estimated using data that spanned 12 years (1992-2004) from the Health and Retirement Study. Results: There was no gender difference in SRH at baseline, but SRH declined faster for males over time. Factors that mediated the gender difference included changes in employment status, smoking behavior, and the onset of health conditions. Moreover, were it not for gender differences in various structural and health status factors, females would have better SRH at baseline and over time. Discussion: Our results differ from previous research, which often shows a female disadvantage that is reduced or disappears at older ages. Furthermore, gender differences in the predictors of SRH (exposure) contribute more to understanding gender differences in SRH than different responses to the predictors (vulnerability). PB - 26 VL - 26 UR - http://jah.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/04/02/0898264314527477.abstract IS - 4 U4 - gender differences/self-rated health/growth curve analysis/differential exposure/differential vulnerability ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Race/ethnic and nativity disparities in later life physical performance: the role of health and socioeconomic status over the life course. JF - J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Y1 - 2012 A1 - Steven A Haas A1 - Patrick M. Krueger A1 - Leah Rohlfsen KW - Aged KW - Aged, 80 and over KW - Aging KW - ethnicity KW - Female KW - Gait KW - Hand Strength KW - Health Status KW - Health Status Disparities KW - Health Surveys KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Racial Groups KW - Respiratory Function Tests KW - Social Class KW - United States AB -

OBJECTIVES: We examine race/ethnic and nativity differences in objective measures of physical performance (i.e., peak expiratory flow, grip strength, and gait speed) in a nationally representative sample of older Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics. We also examine whether detailed measures of childhood and adult health and socioeconomic status (SES) mediate race/ethnic differences in physical performance.

METHOD: We use data from the Health and Retirement Study, a population-based sample of older Americans born before 1947, and 3 measures of physical performance. Nested ordinary least squares models examine whether childhood and adult health and SES mediate race/ethnic differences in performance.

RESULTS: We find large and significant race/ethnic and nativity differences in lung function, grip strength, and gait speed. Adjusting for childhood and current adult health and SES reduces race/ethnic differences in physical performance but does not eliminate them entirely. Childhood health and SES as well as more proximal levels of SES are important determinants of race/ethnic disparities in later life physical performance.

DISCUSSION: The analysis highlights that a large proportion of race/ethnic and nativity disparities result from health and socioeconomic disadvantages in both early life and adulthood and thus suggests multiple intervention points at which disparities can be reduced.

PB - 67B VL - 67 IS - 2 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22391749?dopt=Abstract U2 - PMC3410696 U4 - Racial differences/Socioeconomic factors/Cultural differences/Cultural differences/Aging/Intervention ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Functional Ability and Disability among Older Adults with Arthritis: The impact of age, duration of arthritis, and severity of arthritis JF - Research in the Sociology of Health Care Y1 - 2008 A1 - Leah Rohlfsen A1 - Jennie J. Kronenfeld KW - Disabilities KW - Health Conditions and Status AB - Arthritis is the most prevalent chronic condition in persons ages 65 and older and is projected to increase substantially as the population ages. The purpose of this research is to assess if age, duration of arthritis, and severity of arthritis exert independent effects on various aspects of the disability process: functional limitations, activities of daily living (ADL) limitations, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) limitations. Type of arthritis, socio-demographic factors, behavioral factors, and additional health statuses are also examined. Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement study, results show age and severity of arthritis are related to the number of functional limitations one has and to the odds of having ADL and IADL limitations. Duration of arthritis is positively related to functional limitations and to the odds of reporting ADL limitations. Duration of arthritis is not significantly related to IADL limitations, which are strongly linked to performing social roles and have less to do with physical functioning compared to ADL tasks and functional tasks. There is no difference between those with established arthritis compared to those who have had it for a shorter time period, suggesting those with arthritis adapt to social tasks better than physical tasks. The resources used to cope with IADL limitations may be more effective over time compared to those used to cope with functional limitations and ADL disability. Understanding the context of functional limitations and disability among those with arthritis may lead to improved support and care for those living with arthritis. PB - 26 VL - 26 U4 - arthritis/DISABILITY/DISABILITY/Age Factors ER - TY - THES T1 - Gender disparities in trajectories of functional, mental, and self-rated health: An analysis of older adults Y1 - 2008 A1 - Leah Rohlfsen KW - Health Conditions and Status KW - Healthcare AB - Recent research has shown the disadvantage women experience in functional, mental, and self-rated health is not as uniform as once thought. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on gender differences in mental health outcomes that characterize males. Most studies are based on cross-sectional data or data from two time-points and fail to examine trajectories of functional, mental, and self-rated health. This dissertation addresses these limitations to more thoroughly understand gender differences in health. Latent growth curve modeling is used to model trajectories of functional limitations, depressive symptoms, problem drinking, and self-rated health for males and females using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the Study of Assets and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD). The differential exposure and differential vulnerability explanations are used to examine the extent to which an extensive set of social structural, childhood background, behavioral, and health status factors explain gender differences in health. Females have higher odds of having functional limitations and depressive symptoms, as well as have more functional limitations and depressive symptoms compared to males. Males have higher odds of problem drinking. Different factors explain gender differences in problem drinking and depressive symptoms, and the factors that cause females to be depressed differ from those that cause males to drink problematically. This suggests depressive symptoms and problem drinking are not gender-comparable outcomes. There are no gender differences in self-rated health at baseline, but females have slightly higher odds of reporting good health over time. This provides evidence of a new health paradox, in which females have the same or better self-rated health compared to males regardless of more physical limitations, acute and non-fatal chronic health conditions, and depressive symptoms. The gender differences in depressive symptoms and self-rated health are fully explained by the factors in the analysis, while the differences in functional limitations and problem drinking are only partially explained. Findings confirm the differential exposure explanation, which suggests differences exist because males and females occupy different positions in society, as well as the differential vulnerability explanation, which suggests males and females react differently to their positions in society. PB - Arizona State University CY - Tempe, AZ VL - Doctor of Philosophy U4 - Health ER -