Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Associations Between Stereotypes Of Aging And Dementia And Self-Reported Health In Parent-Adult Child Dyads, Yunke Gu

Public Health Theses

Stereotypes and stigma about Alzheimer’s Disease continue to emerge, as the number of populations affected by the disease in society is escalating. The sociocultural context sets the stage for the significant impact that Alzheimer’s has on family dynamics, especially for the adult children who provide over half of informal caregiving. Our study aims to adopt a dyadic approach, examining the interrelated experiences of adult child caregivers and their parents with ADRD. 126 dyads were included in this secondary data analysis. Measures included depressive symptoms and self-reported physical and mental health, stereotypes of aging and of person with memory loss. Results …

Polypharmacy Is Associated With Biomarkers Of Cognitive Frailty In Older People With Hiv, Priya Kosana

Public Health Theses

Background: Little is known on the impact of taking multiple medications in older people with HIV (PWH), who have higher rates of medical comorbidities than HIV uninfected individuals. We assessed the prevalence and clinical impact of polypharmacy among a large, mixed gender cohort of PWH, and assessed for the relationship between polypharmacy and clinical and laboratory-based biomarkers of cognitive frailty.Methods: We used data from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5322 (HAILO) cohort of PWH aged 40 or older with plasma HIV RNA levels below 200 copies/µL from 2013 to 2014 study visits. We assessed the relationship between polypharmacy ( …

Exploring The Use Of Mobile Health Application To Promote Self-Managment Of Cardiovascular Disease: A Study Of Age-Related Differences And Technology Adoption Among Chinese Patients, Yunan Mei

Public Health Theses

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality globally, particularly in China's aging population. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies offer a promising avenue to address healthcare disparities and enhance CVD management among the elderly. This study aims to explore the acceptance of mHealth in improving self-management of CVD among older adults in China, focusing on its potential to mitigate accessibility and treatment challenges.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Xinhua Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Data were collected using an online Qualtrics questionnaire from 225 participants who met inclusion criteria including being Chinese speakers, diagnosed with …

The Influence Of Social Convoy On The Improvement Of Depressive Symptoms In A 3-Year Longitudinal Study: The Potential Role Of Urban-Rural Division, Qianyi Xu

Public Health Theses

Objective: This longitudinal study aims to delve into the complicated relationship between social convoy and the improvement of depressive symptomatology, while also investigating the potential mediating role of household registry status.Methods: The study utilized data from 2,511 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), specifically from the 2015 survey (Wave 3) and the 2018 survey (Wave 4). The selected sample comprised Chinese adults aged 45 and older who exhibited depressive symptoms in 2015 and for whom comprehensive data on various social convoy components and sociodemographic variables were available. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the associations …

Resilience In Self-Perception Of Aging Among Chinese Older Adults Under The One-Child Policy, Minyang Zhang

Public Health Theses

This study examines the resilience of self-perception of aging (SPA) among older Chinese adults affected by the One-Child Policy (OCP), based on data from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Implemented in 1979, the OCP reshaped family dynamics. It potentially influences aging perceptions among the elderly. Utilizing the stereotype embodiment theory, this research assesses if deep-rooted cultural attitudes towards aging could mitigate the psychological effects of these demographic changes. Results suggest that despite significant societal shifts, the SPA among Chinese elderly remains stable. That indicates a minimal direct impact of the OCP on aging perceptions. The finding underscores …

Resilience In Self-Perception Of Aging Among Chinese Older Adults Under The One-Child Policy, Minyang Zhang

Public Health Theses

This study examines the resilience of self-perception of aging (SPA) among older Chinese adults affected by the One-Child Policy (OCP), based on data from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Implemented in 1979, the OCP reshaped family dynamics. It potentially influences aging perceptions among the elderly. Utilizing the stereotype embodiment theory, this research assesses if deep-rooted cultural attitudes towards aging could mitigate the psychological effects of these demographic changes. Results suggest that despite significant societal shifts, the SPA among Chinese elderly remains stable. That indicates a minimal direct impact of the OCP on aging perceptions. The finding underscores …

High-Quality Dietary Protein (Essential Amino Acids Matched To Reproductive Needs) Partially Breaks The Lifespan And Reproduction Trade-Off In Lubber Grasshoppers, Emma Kordek

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Finding interventions to break the trade-off between reproduction and lifespan can provide insight into physiological limitations of animals. Effects of dietary protein quality on the trade-off are currently unclear, but clarity could lead to better designed diets that match animal needs. Dietary amino acid blends matching yolk proteins support reproduction and extend lifespan in fruit flies. To test if this is conserved across species, we matched dietary amino acids to vitellogenin to test reproduction and lifespan in adult females of the lubber grasshopper. Specifically, we compared varying degrees of protein quality by manipulating dietary essential amino acids. We identified a …

Associations Of Social Isolation And Loneliness With Mci Among Older Adults From Underresourced Communities, Fang Fang, Tiffany Hughes, Yueting Wang, Erin Jacobsen

Research and Infrastructure Service Enterprise (RISE) Faculty Publications

Previous studies have shown social isolation and loneliness are associated with poor cognitive outcomes in later life, yet it is unclear if these findings could be confounded by selective attrition. This study examines longitudinal associations of social isolation and loneliness with incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) accounting for informative drop-out due to death or disease. Data were from a population-based cohort study of older adults in Southwestern Pennsylvania, whose once-vibrant economy heavily relied on the steel industry until it collapsed in the 1970s and has not fully recovered. Participants (N=1,254) were followed for 12 years for the development of MCI. …

Analyzing Sex Differences In Human Performance Through 3d Isotonic Resistance, Jacob M. Cunha

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Appraisal of scientific literature and understanding continues to grow in the domain of human performance. The effects of sex on concentric resistance training and power output are not well understood. Recent advancements in technology permit more precise measurements of force output and the kinematic changes elicited by training stress. A unique device in capturing kinematic performance output is Proteus Motion. The machine produces an external magnetic load through a protruding apparatus connected to a gyrosphere, which in turn captures concentric movement through all three planes of movement (sagittal, coronal, transversal). The aim of this study is to investigate power output …

Inclusion Of Curriculum In Higher Education Targeting Stigma For Working With Stigmatized Populations, Caitlin Nash

Open Access Dissertations

Background: Healthcare professionals often lack sufficient training to work with stigmatized populations such as persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), leading to poorer healthcare and health outcomes. Understanding and addressing stigmas surrounding these groups is crucial to inform the development of competency in student curricula. This study aimed to (1) examine predictors of faculty’s inclusion of HIV/AIDS and SUD curriculum and related stigmas, and (2) examine predictors of HIV/AIDS-stigma, SUD-stigma, and knowledge of these stigmas among undergraduate students.

Methods: Survey data were collected from undergraduate students (n=1,039) and faculty (n=123) at a …

Students Engaging In Public Health Research: An Opportunity To Enhance Education, M. Courtney Hughes, Sadia Afrin

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Society is on the heels of one of the largest public health crisis the world has experienced in over a century, the COVID-19 pandemic. Developing the next generation of adept public health researchers is paramount to protecting the world against future health threats and addressing legacy public health challenges. This article explores the transformative influence of research experience on education, presenting three major points: (1) students engaging in public health research is timely, (2) students can develop a variety of critical thinking skills and data-driven decision-making capabilities that prepare them for future careers, and (3) faculty and universities benefit from …

Exploring The Associations Between Cognitive Training, Social Determinants Of Health, And Driving Behaviors: A Longitudinal Analysis Of The Active Study, Katie Wheeler

All ETDs from UAB

As the average lifespan increases, older adults are remaining independent into older ages than before. The ability to drive a vehicle is an essential part of daily living that helps older adults maintain independence. Cognitive training, specifically speed of processing training (SOPT), is an intervention that has consistently shown to benefit older adult’s driving abilities and driving behaviors. This dissertation examined the longitudinal association between cognitive training and primary driving location on crash risk across 20 years (Paper 1), investigated the effects of cognitive training and dosage on driving mobility across 10 years (Paper 2), and explored social determinants of …

Collected Essays By Simon Arzigian, Simon J. Arzigian

Texas Silver-Haired Legislature

These Collected Essays by Simon Arzigian were written in Edgewood, New Mexico, between 1998 and 2009.

Simon John Arzigian was born March 20, 1921 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and spent most of his childhood in this New England factory town. His entire professional life was with the Department of Defense, living in the dense urban setting in Washington D.C. During World War II he served in The Army as a medic in Africa and Europe. After the war he attended Catholic University and the University of Illinois graduate school, training as a parasitologist. He moved to Edgewood New Mexico in 1995 …

Perceptions Of Acute Care Telemedicine Among Caregivers For Persons Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Study, Anita Chary, Norvin Hernandez, Ana Paulina Rivera, Vivian Ramont, Tracey Obi, Ilianna Santangelo, Christine Ritchie, Hardeep Singh, Emily Hayden, Aanand D Naik, Shan Liu, Maura Kennedy

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Persons living with dementia (PLWD) have high emergency department (ED) utilization. Little is known about using telemedicine with PLWD and caregivers as an alternative to ED visits for minor acute health problems. This qualitative interview-based study elicited caregivers' perspectives about the acceptability of telemedicine for acute complaints. We performed telephone interviews with 28 caregivers of PLWD from two academic EDs, one in the Northeast and another in the South. Using a combined deductive-inductive approach, we coded interview transcripts and elucidated common themes by consensus. All caregivers reported they would need to participate in the telemedicine visit to help overcome communication …

The Relationship Of Neighborhood Disadvantage, Biological Aging, And Psychosocial Risk And Resilience Factors In Heart Failure Incidence Among Black Persons: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Ganga S Bey, James R Pike, Anthony S Zannas, Qian Xiao, Bing Yu, Amil M Shah, Priya Palta

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Deprived living environments contribute to greater heart failure (HF) risk among non-Hispanic Black persons, who disproportionately occupy disadvantaged neighborhoods. The mechanisms for these effects are not fully explicated, partially attributable to an insufficient understanding of the individual factors that contribute additional risk or resilience to the impact of neighborhood disadvantage on health. The objective of this study was, therefore, to clarify the complex pathways over which such exposures act to facilitate more targeted, effective interventions. Given the evidence for a mediating role of biological age and a moderating role of individual psychosocial characteristics in the neighborhood disadvantage-HF link, we …

Fostering A Culture Of Belonging Within Women Working In A Hybrid Environment, Jam Narte Harley

Theses and Dissertations

This research discusses the opportunity presented by the post-pandemic return to work to support Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives by creating a new belonging framework for women working in a hybrid environment. The transition to remote and hybrid work arrangements amid the pandemic highlighted the importance of leaders tackling ongoing challenges in leadership and management, such as digital transformation and remote management, which led to rapid change, anxiety, and uncertainty. The lack of daily contact has significantly impacted workplace relationships and highlighted the importance of belongingness for employees' well-being and retention. Hybrid work arrangements are likely to become a …

Sms : A Smartwatch Application Suite For Mobility Assessment, Suresh Avula

Theses

Regular assessment of mobility can detect changes in physical health over time and discover underlying health issues. Some of these changes in mobility may indicate an increased risk of falls, which can lead to serious injuries. Identifying mobility changes can help prevent these incidents. Wearable technology can facilitate mobility tests at home and alert caregivers or medical professionals to any irregularities and promote proactive healthcare. Adoption of smartwatches with various built-in sensors like accelerometer and gyroscope creates new opportunities for wearable health monitoring. We developed the Smartwatch Application Suite to evaluate functional mobility using standard mobility tests: Timed Up and …

Assessing Providers’ Readiness To Integrate Mat Services In A Primary Care Setting, Carmen Ingram-Thorpe

Theses and Dissertations

Opioid use disorder is a growing concern in the United States. Despite medication-assisted treatment (MAT) being a more effective treatment option than behavioral treatment alone, primary care providers’ rate of adoption and utilization of MAT has not matched the demand of the opioid crisis. The largest barrier facing our local community is the availability of organizations and providers that can and will actually provide MAT services. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that impact primary care providers’ readiness to treat individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) using MAT. This study used the ADKAR model as framework, which …

Addressing Aggressive Behaviors In Long Term Care Settings: How Do Caregivers Feel Supported?, Betty Kortey

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Caregivers are faced with great challenges when it comes to handling aggressive behaviors among long term care residents and, therefore, need support in managing resident aggression. Qualitative in depth interviews will be cond ucted with a convenience sample of caregivers on the occurrence and management of aggressive behaviors in long term care settings. The findings of the research will show that caregivers have difficulties handling aggressive situations which sometimes leads to caregiver stress and high turnover. Long term care facilities give inadequate support in managing aggressive behaviors leading to challenges in staffing. Findings will help fill the gap in the …

Beyond The Classroom: An Internship Model That Builds Age-Friendliness & Career Readiness, Kristin Souza, Skye N. Leedahl, Emma Pascuzzi, Alexandra Morelli

Human Development and Family Science Faculty Publications

Since 2015, the University of Rhode Island (URI) Engaging Generations Cyber-Seniors Program has provided over 500 students from 19 different majors with the opportunity to mentor older adults through internships and service learning courses. Due to the pandemic, interest in the program significantly increased from the community and from students in need of opportunities to work with individuals. As a result, a robust internship program was developed that focused on building age and digital inclusivity across campus and throughout the state. The program integrates a three-pronged approach where students complete field hours, enhance the Career Readiness Competencies employers seek in …

Overwhelmed And Unsupported: The Experiences Of Long-Term Care Certified Nursing Assistants With Traumatic Events, Nicole L. Carlson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Association Of Cancer Diagnosis With Disability Status Among Older Survivors Of Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study, Shiming Zhang, Lin-Na Chou, Michael D Swartz, Hemalkumar B Mehta, James S Goodwin, Yong-Fang Kuo, Sharon Hermes Giordano, Carole A Tucker, Karen M Basen-Engquist, Elizabeth J Lyons, Brian Downer, Susan K Peterson, Tru Cao, Maria C Swartz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Older cancer survivors likely experience physical function limitations due to cancer and its treatments, leading to disability and early mortality. Existing studies have focused on factors associated with surgical complications and mortality risk rather than factors associated with the development of poor disability status (DS), a proxy measure of poor performance status, in cancer survivors. We aimed to identify factors associated with the development of poor DS among older survivors of colorectal cancer (CRC) and compare poor DS rates to an age-sex-matched, non-cancer cohort.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized administrative data from the Texas Cancer Registry Medicare-linked database. …

Developing A National Implementation Strategy To Accelerate Uptake Of Evidence-Based Family Caregiver Support In Us Cancer Centers, J Nicholas Odom, Heather M Young, Katherine Sterba, Timothy S Sannes, Susan Reinhard, Chandylen L Nightingale, Diane Meier, Tamryn F Gray, Betty Ferrell, Maria E Fernandez, Heidi Donovan, Kayleigh Curry, Erin R Currie, Tara Bryant, Marie A Bakitas, Allison J Applebaum

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: Characterize key factors and training needs of U.S. cancer centers in implementing family caregiver support services.

METHODS: Sequential explanatory mixed methods design consisting of: (1) a national survey of clinicians and administrators from Commission-on-Cancer-accredited cancer centers (N = 238) on factors and training needed for establishing new caregiver programs and (2) qualitative interviews with a subsample of survey respondents (N = 30) to elicit feedback on survey findings and the outline of an implementation strategy to facilitate implementation of evidence-based family caregiver support (the Caregiver Support Accelerator). Survey data was tabulated using descriptive statistics and transcribed interviews were analyzed …

Effects Of Glyphosate-Based Herbicide Exposure On Life History, Stress Tolerance, And Microbiome—From Plasticity To Evolution, Jacob R. Whitlock

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Glyphosate (GLY) is the most used pesticide worldwide, and GLY-based herbicides (GBHs) can affect animals’ microbiomes and, in turn, their physiology and morphology. Environmental stressors can be mitigated by flexibility in life-history strategies, which can also dictate animal physiology and morphology. However, we lack an understanding of how GBH influences life-history strategies and stress tolerance, in addition to its effects across generations. Thus, I exposed the variable field cricket, Gryllus lineaticeps, to GBH within- and across-generations to examine the role of GBH in developmental plasticity and evolution. Specifically, I measured its effects on life-history traits (e.g., developmental duration and a …

Heart Rate Variability Is Reduced In Covid-19 Survivors And Associated With Physical Activity And Fatigue, Michael H. Haischer, Lauren E. Opielinski, Lindsey M. Mirkes, Toni D. Uhrich, Rachel E. Bollaert, Michael E. Danduran, Marie K. Hoeger Bement, Linda B. Piacentine, Paula E. Papanek, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) and fatigue are common after COVID-19 infection and both are potentially influenced by physical activity (PA). We compared resting HRV, PA from accelerometers and questionnaires, and self-reported fatigue in 41 COVID-19 survivors (~8 months postinfection, 38 ± 17 years) with 41 matched controls. Differences in HRV were observed on acceleration capacity (p = 0.041), deceleration capacity (p = 0.032), high-frequency peak frequency (p = 0.019), absolute low-frequency power (p = 0.042), relative very low-frequency power (p = 0.012), SD2 (from Poincare plot; p = 0.047), and DFA2 (slope of long-term …

Childlessness And Sibling Positioning In Upward Intergenerational Support: Insights From Singapore, Dahye Kim, Christine Ho, Bussarawan Teerawichitchainan

Research Collection School Of Economics

Objective: This brief report aims to explore the role of child-lessness and its interaction with sibling positioning (i.e., birth order and gender) in upward intergenerational support within the context of Asian familial and patrilineal values. Background: Despite the increasing rates of childlessness in Asia, little is known about how childless individuals deviate from or adhere to the patrilineal gendered practices of supporting their older parents. Singapore, a rapidly aging nation that emphasises Confucian familism values and patrilineal practices in guiding its welfare policies, provides an ideal setting for this research investigation. Method: We analysed a sample of 475 Singaporeans aged …

Behavior Change Techniques On Perceived Engagement And Adherence Rates In Ehealth Exercise Programs For Young Adult Cancer Survivors, Ean Katz

Research Papers

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Exercise In Cognitive Function In Older Ad, Josephine Sagan

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

2024 Community-Based Care. Resident And Community Characteristics Report On Assisted Living, Residential Care, And Memory Care Communities, Ozcan Tunalilar, Sarah Dys, Yuliana Levchenko, Diana Jacoby, Minju Kim, Wafi Albalawi, Paula Carder

Institute on Aging Publications

This report marks the 10th anniversary of the Resident and Community Characteristics Report on Assisted Living (AL), Residential Care (RC), and Memory Care (MC) Communities as part of the Oregon Community Based Care project. This study includes rotating questions that focus on emerging areas of interest in the AL/RC/MC settings based on feedback from ODHS and interested parties alongside a core set of questions that are asked every year or every other year to allow comparisons over time. In this year’s study, we included information about various resident, community, and staff characteristics, including:

• Residents: sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, sex, …

Examining Potential Causal Associations Of Sedentary Time And Physical Activity With Heart Failure Using Subjective And Objective Measures: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis, Jessica Geller

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the causal relationship between both subjectively and objectively measured sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) with heart failure (HF) risk, utilizing Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach.

Methods: The present MR used genetic instruments identified for self-reported ST and PA extracted from 51 genome wide association studies (GWAS), encompassing data from 703,901 individuals. The GWAS identified 89 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with leisure screen time. Eleven loci were reported to be associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). From another GWAS examining accelerometer-based activities, three loci were found to …