The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences
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J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci · Mar 2020
Effects of Age on Emotion Regulation, Emotional Empathy, and Prosocial Behavior.
The degree to which older adults experience emotional empathy and show subsequent prosocial behavior versus experience personal distress in response to another's distress remains unclear. ⋯ These findings contribute to clarification of mixed previous evidence regarding the experience of emotional empathy in young versus older adulthood. We discuss the importance of considering additional subcomponents of empathy such as emotion regulation, while also accounting for the relevance of the empathy induction to each age group.
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J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci · Feb 2020
Cultural Engagement Is a Risk-Reducing Factor for Frailty Incidence and Progression.
Given that frailty is a multifaceted health condition of increasing importance to policy-makers and care providers, it is relevant to consider whether multimodal interventions could provide combined psychophysiological support. As studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of cultural engagement (including visiting museums/theatre/cinema) for many of the components of frailty, this study sought to explore whether community cultural engagement is associated both with a reduced risk of becoming frail and a slower trajectory of frailty progression in older adults. ⋯ Older adults who engaged in cultural activities every few months or more had a reduced risk of becoming frail and a slower progression of frailty over time. Findings are in line with current calls for multimodal, multifactor, community approaches to support health in older age.
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J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci · Jan 2020
Multiple Chronic Conditions in Spousal Caregivers of Older Adults With Functional Disability: Associations With Caregiving Difficulties and Gains.
Multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) are common and have harmful consequences in later life. Along with managing their own health, many aging adults care for an impaired partner. Spousal caregiving may be more stressful when caregivers have MCCs, particularly those involving complex management. Yet, little is known about combinations of conditions that are most consequential for caregiving outcomes. ⋯ Spousal caregivers with MCCs involving discordant management strategies appear to be at risk for adverse care-related outcomes and may benefit from support in maintaining their own health as well as their caregiving responsibilities.
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J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci · Feb 2019
Dietary Habits and Cognitive Impairment Risk Among Oldest-Old Chinese.
This study examined the longitudinal relationship between dietary habits and cognitive impairment among the oldest-old Chinese. ⋯ Dietary habits might profoundly impact cognitive functioning among the oldest-old Chinese. This work has limitations pertaining to study design and measure. Future work adopting experimental design and refined dietary measures is warranted to confirm these findings and inform public nutrition practices aiming at preventing cognitive decline among the oldest-old Chinese population.
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J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci · Sep 2018
Loss of Trust in the Neighborhood: The Experience of Older African Americans in Detroit.
Although evidence suggests that neighborhood conditions are related to stress and health, the processes connecting neighborhood conditions and stress for older minorities is little explored. The purpose of this analysis is to contribute new insights into this issue. ⋯ The life course of neighborhoods and the trust placed in them appears to be intimately connected to the well-being of older African Americans. We therefore hypothesize that a fundamental pathway through which neighborhood stressors are experienced for older African Americans in United States "Rust Belt" cities is the multifaceted loss of trust in the neighborhood.