Social support promoting health in older women

Given the aging of women and their increased risk for health problems, it is important to explicate factors that may foster health promotion. While social support has been a concept of interest in predicting health promotion in women, the concept has been inconsistently defined and poorly explicated. A qualitative study was conducted to describe the types and processes of social support for health promotion in older women. Focus group interviews with 51 women, aged 55-93, were held. Data were analyzed using open coding to categorize data with attention to consistency and variance. Data explicated aspects of social support unique to health promotion in community-dwelling older women. Broad categories identified included connectedness and collectivism. Findings validate existing conceptualizations and provide an expanded perspective of social support by demonstrating aspects of support unique to the social context of older, community-dwelling women. Findings also provide a basis for development of socially relevant interventions designed to promote health and optimize health outcomes in older women.     

Introduction: the need to address older women's mental health issues

Women are the primary consumers of mental health services. Ironically, research addressing their unique needs lags behind that of men's issues. The aging process introduces an important variable that accentuates the relative lack of information and specific treatment guidelines for older women who are confronted by mental health problems. This volume offers a comprehensive overview for the health professional who is seeking a greater depth of understanding with respect to the study of mental health problems in general, and how these issues pertain specifically to women and the aging process. A second goal of this project is to provide the practicing therapist and counselor with a research update and a broad clinical perspective offered by seasoned clinicians. Using current psychiatric diagnosis as a framework, the contributions address the range of mental health problems, including dementia and cognitive impairment, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse, mood and anxiety disorders, traumatic and dissociative conditions, sexual and eating disorders, and personality disorders. It is hoped that this book will inform, inspire and encourage students and health professionals in their work with middle aged and older women who are facing mental health challenges.     

百万以上少数民族老龄化程度的分层测算

老龄化是当今面临的一大社会问题。通常老龄化的界定主要采用老年人口占比这一指标来量化。以发展的视角与人口年龄结构划分标准而言．单一指标的老龄化论断削弱了学术的严谨性和对现实的指导性。为精确各个族群老龄化的差异,以发展的视角分析出台减缓老龄化进程的相关策略．使区域经济发展与老龄化进程趋向协调．本文基于第四、五、六次人口普查数据资料．对百万以上18个少数民族的老龄化程度进行新的分层测算。在分析其老龄化现状的基础上。给出1990年、2000年、2010年三个时段的年龄结构类型．分层测算了18个民族20年间年龄结构类型或老龄化进程的速度和差异．为国家制定分层策略提供数据化支撑,     

Gender and Aging in the Developing World: Where Are the Men?

In recent years, both population aging and gender issues have gained prominence in international forums concerned with population. It is frequently asserted or implied that older women are universally more vulnerable to social, economic, and health disadvantages than older men. The most significant manifestation of this exclusive concern with women when considering gender and aging is the Plan of Action adopted by the Second World Assembly on Aging in 2002. The assumed relative disadvantage of elderly women is commonly attributed to gender differences in earlier life experiences. But are older women truly disadvantaged globally with respect to all or most essential aspects of well‐being? The authors provide empirical evidence that clearly shows that older women are not invariably disadvantaged vis‐à‐vis men. In particular, they call into question the wisdom and equity of a virtually exclusive emphasis on the needs of women when incorporating gender concerns into policies and programs related to aging. A more balanced perspective that recognizes gender as a potential, but not necessarily central, marker of vulnerability for various aspects of well‐being in specific settings and times, and that allows for male as well as female disadvantage, would serve the current and future elderly generations far better.     

Assessing Adjustment to Aging: A Validation Study for the Adjustment to Aging Scale (AtAS)

Adjustment to aging (AtA) is a multifactor adjustment process with implications on aging well among older adults. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a scale to assess the factors that older adults recognized as indicators of their AtA, with a cross-national comparative perspective towards aging well. Convenience sampling was used to gather questionnaire data, including demographics and the proposed scale. Complete data was available for 1,291 older community-dwelling adults, aged between 75 and 102 years (M = 83.9; SD = 6.68), who represented four different nationalities. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed for dimension reduction and exploration of the factorial structure. Data gathered with the 22-items AtA five-factor scale showed overall good psychometric properties (in terms of distributional properties, statistical significant factor weights, factorial, convergent, discriminant criterion and external-related validities, as well as reliability). Five factors were selected for the Adjustment to Aging Scale: (a) sense of purpose and ambitions (b) zest and spirituality; (c) body and health; (d) aging in place and stability; and (e) social support. We present a 22-item scale with five factors for AtA estimation in a cross-national elderly population which produced valid and reliable data for elder persons from four different nationalities. Results showed that this scale is an adequate cross-cultural instrument for research, clinical practice and program development in the health care context. These may benefit from clearly understanding AtA as an important component for reducing health disparities and for aging well, across nationalities.     

中国老龄化对社会经济可持续发展的影响分析

人口老龄化与可持续发展是当今国际社会共同关注的两个重大问题。老龄化成为世界人口发展的普遍趋势,可持续发展是国际社会的共同发展战略。因此,如何保持社会经济的可持续发展和使老龄化与社会经济协调发展,成为我们必须研究和解决的一个重要问题。本文从人口老龄化与可持续发展的辨正关系着手,结合我国老龄化发展状况,运用2000年最新“回填”数据对未来人口发展进行百年预测,以此为依据分析老龄化对社会经济产生的不同影响,为国家制定可持续发展战略提供一定的参考价值。     

Der Capability-Ansatz in der Gesundheitsförderung: Ansatzpunkte für eine Neuausrichtung der Ungleichheitsforschung

Health-related well-being is a result of individual or collective agency. Understanding and influencing health-relevant behaviour, however, requires to account for physical and social contexts of agency. Accordingly, the authors suggest a focus in modern health promotion on people’s health-relevant resources and capabilities. This requires a theoretical basis onto which issues of social inequality can be linked to specific approaches of health promotion practice, namely empowerment and participation. To this purpose, the authors present Amartya Sen’s theory-based Capability Approach (CA) and complement it with insights from Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of capital interaction. Both of these theories shed light on key issues of social inequality and can fruitfully be associated with the guiding principles in health promotion stipulated by the Ottawa Charter. Together, they provide guidelines for new areas of research to analyse the complex interplay between health behaviour and social context.     

Families,social life,and well-being at older ages

As people age, many aspects of their lives tend to change, including the constellation of people with whom they are connected, their social context, their families, and their health—changes that are often interrelated. Wave I of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) has yielded rich information on intimate ties, especially dyads and families, and on social connections generally. Combined with extensive biological and other health measures, NSHAP enables researchers to address key questions on health and aging. We begin with recent findings on intimate dyads, then move to social participation, and finally to elder mistreatment. Among dyads, we find that whereas sexual activity drops sharply with age for both women and men, gender differences in partner loss as well as psychosocial and normative pressures constrain women’s sex more than men’s. However, surviving partnerships tend to be emotionally and physically satisfying and are marked by relatively frequent sex. In contrast to sex, nonsexual intimacy is highly prevalent at older ages, especially among women. Older adults are also socially resilient—adapting to the loss of social ties by increasing involvement with community and kin networks. Despite these social assets, older adults remain vulnerable to mistreatment. Overall, these findings yield a mixed picture of gender-differentiated vulnerabilities balanced by proactive adaptation and maintenance of social and dyadic assets.     

Understanding and Measuring LGBTQ Pathways to Health: A Scoping Review of Strengths-Based Health Promotion Approaches in LGBTQ Health Research

Health research traditionally has focused on the health risks and deficits of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) populations, obscuring the determinants that can promote health across the life course. Recognizing, appropriately measuring, and rendering visible these determinants of health is paramount to informing appropriate and engaging health policies, services, and systems for LGBTQ populations. The overarching purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the findings of a scoping review aimed at exploring strengths-based health promotion approaches to understanding and measuring LGBTQ health. Specifically, this scoping review examined peer-reviewed, published academic literature to determine (a) existing methodological frameworks for studying LGBTQ health from a strengths-based health promotion approach, and (b) suggestions for future methodological approaches for studying LGBTQ health from a strengths-based health promotion approach. The findings of this scoping review will be used to inform the development of a study aimed at assessing the health of and improving pathways to health services among LGBTQ populations in Nova Scotia, Canada.     

Anorexia and Aging

ABSTRACT

Very little is known about anorexia among older adults. Since there is controversy and discussion about anorexia and aging, further research needs to be done. This article will discuss the anorexia of aging, followed by a discussion of normal physiological changes and normal neurotransmitter regulation of food. Anorexia will also be addressed as a symptom of other diseases. Biochemical theories are reviewed along with the impact of physical, social and psychological variables. The discussion section examines the implications, identification and treatment of anorexia of aging.     

A comparative study of successful aging in three Asian countries

The purpose of this research is to examine successful aging in three Asian countries, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, using data from the WHO regional studies of Health and Social Aspects of Aging. Successful aging is defined as having no ADL difficulties, and at most, one Nagi difficulty. For the most part, the results are similar to those using more developed populations in that gender, age, no morbid conditions, positive attitude toward one's own aging and the ability to manage money are all correlated with successful aging. An interesting finding is that for the least developed country, Indonesia, being an unskilled worker is significantly associated with increased odds for successful aging. The final section of the paper discusses the theoretical implications regarding a disability transition for elderly populations as countries develop. We also focus on the current political and economic situations in the countries under study, and consider the possible impacts on elderly health.     

No One Is Immune: A Community Education Partnership Addressing HIV/AIDS and Older Adults

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of new HIV diagnoses among people aged 50 to 64 in the United States, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in just 7 years (by 2015) 50% of those living with AIDS will be aged 50 or older. To address this public health concern, viable HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment options for individuals over the age of 50 are necessary. This article discusses the No One Is Immune initiative that planned, implemented, and coordinated evidence- based HIV/AIDS prevention and education programs specifically tailored for middle-aged and older adults. Guided by the health belief model, an educational conference entitled "Sexuality, Medication, and HIV/AIDS in Middle and Later Adulthood" was conducted along with research activities that assessed HIV/AIDS knowledge gained using both qualitative and quantitative measures. This project can be replicated by other providers within the aging network.     

健康老龄化与卫生服务利用探析

为探讨我国健康老龄化现状与卫生服务利用的关系,提供有效卫生服务、制定合理卫生策略,采用人口学理论与流行病学技术相结合的方法,调查分析黑龙江省大庆市部分60岁及以上老年人的健康情况及卫生服务需求与利用现状。调查显示,除躯体健康较差外,部分老年人还存在一定程度的心理损伤和社会功能缺失。加大社区医疗机构投入,提高医疗服务质量,倡导老年人积极锻炼身体、与子女建立和谐的关系以及有效改善睡眠,对促进老年人健康,推进我国健康老龄化的进程具有重要的现实意义。     

中国特色的人口老龄化过程、前景和对策

基于基本国情 ,中国老龄化具有老年人数多、老龄化速度快、未富先老和老龄化地区差别大的特点。老年人健康长寿水平与发达地区有很大差距 ,中国老龄政策要把老年人健康作为优先考虑的内容。老龄化速度快是低生育的结果 ,应充分利用“人口红利”为老龄化做好物质准备。老龄政策必须与经济社会发展水平相适应。在未富先老的条件下 ,老年人提高生活质量必须政府主导、社会参与、群众支持     

Conceptual dimensions of crowding reconsidered

A recent and noteworthy facet of crowding research has been the exploration of the perception of high density/crowding experiences. A review of the methods and results of these investigations reveals considerable variation across studies on the dimensions of stimulus domain and selection, attention to intersubject differences, and approaches to interpreting results. The outputs of these studies do not appear as clearcut as has been suggested. It is hoped that the raising of these issues will result in more careful and fruitful research in this area. The links between conceptual crowding, situational variables, intrapersonal variables, and behavioral responses to high density/crowding are discussed.     

人口流动对农村人口老龄化的影响研究——基于“五普”和“六普”数据分析

我国农村人口老龄化程度和提高的速度全面超越了城市,这与当前的人口城市化进程密切相关。人口流动的年龄选择性,使得农村流出人口平均年龄和老年人口比例都远低于农村人口整体水平。流动人口内部在不断地"更新",年轻的流动人口不断替代年老的流动人口,从而保持较年轻的年龄结构,这种人口流动的年龄选择性加速了农村人口老龄化。通过人口老龄化模型的进一步分析发现,在2000～2010年间,农村人口自然老化速度基本保持稳定。而随着农村流动人口的增加,其对农村人口老龄化速度的影响从2000～2005年间的0.031岁/年增加到2006～2010年间的0.07岁/年;农村流出人口对农村人口平均年龄增加的贡献也从8.04%上升到16.91%,人口流动已成为农村人口老龄化的重要推动力。从人口流动的角度,需要关注农村留守老人的照料问题,进一步完善农村社会保障体系以及解决如何让流动人口在城市沉淀下来等问题。     

Toward a gender politics of aging

The article proposes a Gender Politics of Aging approach to the study of aging societies. The approach recognizes the feminization of old age, ageism’s roots in sexist discourse, and the need to recognize the role of politics in driving demographic debates. Drawing together arguments from feminist gerontology and political demography, the article argues that the intersection of politics and gender must be considered if appropriate responses to an older, feminized demography are to be produced. I conclude that the work of aging feminists provides a rich vein of research and praxis from which a gender politics of aging approach can draw.     

Biological and social determinants of body size across the life span

The accuracy of demographic models designed to project future trends of population-level health and disease can be improved by incorporating biological data. One barrier to this process are quantitative characteristics of the data themselves. Biological data are characteristically time-dependent phenomena that behave in a nonlinear fashion. To develop accurate projections of the morbidity, disability, and mortality experience among future cohorts in late life, research needs to focus on development of models that create the opportunity to distinguish all-or-none, boundaries, and latency aspects of biological factors driving demographic phenomena, development of methods to identify time-dependent effects, and development of genetically informative samples. This presentation focuses on the biology of adult body size, its behavior as a variable in statistical analyses, and strategies for the incorporation of this variable into demographic models of population aging in the United States. First, several examples of generally observed quantitative characteristics of biological variables are reviewed. To illustrate the nonlinear character of biological data, three general patterns of change with aging are presented. Next, issues concerning the measurement of body size are discussed. Scenarios describing body size over the adult life span are described. By the end of this process, recommendations for starting a dialogue between researchers interested in biological endpoints (individual weight change, disease risk) and those interested in demographic outcomes (population-level disease and disability issues) using body size will be presented.     

老年人与子女同住 对老年健康的影响分析

随着我国老龄化程度的持续加深和疾病谱的转变,当前社会存在大量老年照料需求,尽管国家和社会在积极构建养老服务体系,但短期内与子女同住的家庭养老模式仍将发挥重要作用。与子女同住会对老年健康产生一定的影响,这种影响对于不同健康程度的老年人也存在差异。本文基于南加州大学经济与社会研究中心提供的Harmonized CHARLS 2013-2015年追踪数据,选取我国60岁及以上老年群体为研究对象,以虚弱指数表征健康结果,采用OLS回归和分位数回归的方法探讨与子女同住的居住模式对老年健康的影响及这一影响对不同虚弱程度的老年人是否匀质,通过滞后模型设计和倾向值匹配法控制可能存在的内生性问题。研究发现居住模式与虚弱指数存在显著的正向关系,表明居住模式会影响老年健康水平;与子女同住对老年人健康存在负面效应,而在父母附近分而不离的居住模式相较于与子女同住而言对老年人的健康更为有利;与子女同住对老年健康的这种负向影响对于不同虚弱程度的老年人而言是非线性、非匀质的,大致呈先增后降的倒U形分布,表明不同健康状况的老年人对子女的照料需求是不同的,这种影响在不同性别、城乡和年龄段的老年群体间各有差异。这就为与子女同住的居住模式提供了一些警示,与子女同住不能改变老年健康衰减的趋势,应尽量减少或规避可能增加老年人晚年健康负担的风险性因素,让"家"真正成为老年人安享晚年的港湾。