Geropsychology Commons^™

Longitudinal Implications Of Social Integration For Age And Gender Differences In Late-Life Physical Functioning, Masahiro Toyama, Heather R. Fuller, Jonix Owino

Psychology Faculty Research

Social integration has documented benefits for late-life health; yet, little is known about its impacts on trajectories of physical functioning. This study examines age and gender differences in the longitudinal associations between social integration and activities of daily living (ADLs) using a hierarchical linear model with three waves of survey data collected over 4 years from the Social Integration and Aging Study (N = 400; baseline mean age = 80.3). Findings indicated some interaction effects of age, gender, and/or social integration on ADL trajectories. Among those of more advanced age, women showed greater increases in ADL limitations than men, …

Longitudinal And Age-Related Implications Of Primary And Secondary Control For Hedonic And Eudaimonic Well-Being, Masahiro Toyama

Psychology Faculty Research

The longitudinal associations of primary and secondary control with two distinct aspects of happiness including hedonic/subjective and eudaimonic/psychological well-being had not been fully studied. The present study aimed to contribute to the literature by examining these associations and their age differences. Using data from the second and third waves of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS; N = 4963, aged 28 to 84 at baseline), the present study conducted structural equation modeling analyses to examine whether one primary control strategy (persistence in goal striving) and two secondary control strategies (positive reappraisals and lowering aspirations) predicted residualized changes in the …

Covid-19 Medication Scams, Cognitive Decline, & The Elderly, Mark S. Johnson, Mkay Bonner

Contemporary Southern Psychology

Around the world, the elderly population continues to increase in numbers and financial access. With this growth, the potential for this aging population to be victimized has increased as well. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided scammers and thieves with an unprecedented opportunity to take advantage of the weak and defenseless. Older individuals have more pre-existing health conditions which increases their vulnerability to COVID-19. Age-related conditions such as cognitive decline affect scam awareness, decision-making, fear, and insecurities. These vulnerabilities have placed the elderly population at a higher risk of being victimized through scams and deception. These criminal acts of deceit can …

Encounters Between The Elderly And Law Enforcement

Contemporary Southern Psychology

The elderly population is growing dramatically throughout the world. Out of this growth comes an increase in the number of encounters between the aged and law enforcement. These encounters occur because of a variety of factors including mental illnesses and addictions. Furthermore, older adults may be victims as evidenced in different forms of abuse such as physical, emotional, or financial abuse. Sadly, some documentation exists that older adults are committing more crimes. Multiple reasons have been postulated for these crimes including poverty, jealousy, and boredom. All of these different situations with the aged have created an increase in the number …

Longitudinal Associations Of Conscientiousness And Neuroticism With Perceived Mastery And Constraints For Aging Adults, Masahiro Toyama, Heather R. Fuller, Joel M. Hektner

Psychology Faculty Research

It has not been well understood how conscientiousness and neuroticism are associated with two related but distinct dimensions of perceived control (i.e., perceived mastery and constraints) among aging adults. The present study examined these associations and their change over time, while addressing whether they differ by age or gender. For respondents aged 50+ at baseline (N = 2,768) in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, multilevel modeling analyses were conducted to assess how conscientiousness and neuroticism predicted perceived mastery and constraints over 2 decades. As expected, higher conscientiousness and lower neuroticism (for both between- and within-person variability) predicted …

Age-Related Microaggressions: A Descriptive Study, Luke J. Gietzen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The aim of this study was to expand the literature on ageism and microaggressions by defining a novel concept called an age-related microaggression. Participants (n = 51) were presented with explanations of gender and racially charged microaggressions and then were asked whether they had ever had an experience like that but related to their age. Participants described experiences of age-related microaggressions and were further guided through a series of questions via an online survey to determine the topography of the age-related microaggressions, emotional and behavioral reactions to being victimized, perpetrators and settings of the attacks, and perceived intent. A thematic …

Awareness And Knowledge Of Aging And Hiv-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder: Service User And Provider Perspectives And Experiences In Southern Nevada, Renato M. Liboro, Brandon Ranuschio, Sherry Bell, Jenna Despres, Trinity Puno, Aruna Sedere, Nadia Sheik Yosef, Esmeralda Villalobos, Janelle Wackens, Lianne Barnes

Psychology Faculty Research

This community report presents the findings and analysis of a survey that was part of the quantitative stage of a mixed-method Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) project dedicated to examine the awareness and knowledge of racially and ethnically diverse, middle-aged and older people living with HIV/AIDS, and their healthcare and service providers from Southern Nevada, on aging, brain health, HIV/AIDS, and the condition known as HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder. The CBPR project was conducted in collaboration with community partners such as the LGBTQIA+ Community Center of Southern Nevada, Southern Nevada Health District’s Ryan White Program, Community Counseling Center of Southern Nevada, and …

Sociodemographic And Injury Severity Characteristics As Predictors Of Functional Independence In Older Adults With Tbi Up To 10 Years Post Injury, Carmen M. Tyler

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) incidence rates have been increasing in recent years, with the greatest number of TBIs and the highest morbidity and mortality rates in individuals aged 80 and over. As average life expectancy continues to increase, the older adult population is expected to comprise nearly one-quarter of the U.S. populace by 2060. With the increased risk to a larger proportion of the U.S. population posed by TBI, the aim of the current study was to examine the roles of sociodemographic and injury severity characteristics as predictors of functional independence trajectories across 1, 2, 5, and 10 years after …

Older Adults And Suicide As Examined Through The Lens Of Joiner's Interpersonal Theory Of Suicide, Pamela Holmes

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Older adults face the highest rates of suicide of all age groups. The older adult population is not a homogenous group, and each age range—young old, middle old, and oldest old—has specific risk factors. Although Joiner’s interpersonal theory of suicide (IPTS) has been deemed valid among these age groups, it has not been specifically researched in older adults in each older age range. Due to lack of research and low reporting rates, not enough is known to develop specific detection and prevention measures targeting this population. This paper addresses the application of Joiner’s IPTS to both genders in each of …

Validity Evidence For The Male Depression Risk Scale-22 (Mdrs-22) In Younger And Older Adult Males, Montgomery T. Owsiany

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Men are two times less likely to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder than women. However, suicide rates are nearly four times higher in men than women, increasing to six times when comparing older men to older women. Given that affective disorders are present in most individuals who die by suicide, investigators have begun researching the possibility that depression presents differently in individuals who adhere to traditional masculine norms, leading to the conceptualization of masculine depression. Presently, one assessment for masculine depression shows strong reliability and validity evidence: the Male Depression Risk Scale-22 (MDRS-22). Despite burgeoning validity evidence for the …

An Age-Based Analysis Of The Perceptions Of Ageing And Successful Ageing In Malaysia, Ming Yu Cheng, Sew Kim Low, Kai-Shuen Pheh

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

As ageism could have detrimental effects in the ageing society, it is important to know how people of different age groups perceive ageing and successive ageing. This study collected data from 648 respondents aged between 18 to 80 years old for an age-based analysis of the perceptions of ageing and successful ageing. Self- administered questionnaires were used. Correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between perception of successful ageing and factors associated with psychological well-being. Our results revealed that generally, being healthy, happy and physically active are considered as important aspects of successful ageing. Younger people considered life satisfaction …

Aging, Agency, And Self-Efficacy: A Phenomenological Case Study Of An Older Couple, David A. Hernandez

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Researchers have found that the majority of older individuals want to remain in their own home as they age. However, respecting the right of older individuals to exert control over their life while ensuring their safety can be a difficult undertaking to achieve. The aim of this research was to understand the lived experiences of an older couple who are in cognitive decline but are trying to maintain personal agency. The issue was studied using Bandura’s agency and self-efficacy theories as the theoretical framework. A phenomenological case study methodology was used. Participants were selected using a purposeful sampling strategy, and …

Artificial Intelligence: An Interprofessional Perspective On Implications For Geriatric Mental Health Research And Care, Brenna N. Renn, Matthew Schurr, Oleg Zaslavsky, Abhishek Pratap

Psychology Faculty Research

Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare aims to learn patterns in large multimodal datasets within and across individuals. These patterns may either improve understanding of current clinical status or predict a future outcome. AI holds the potential to revolutionize geriatric mental health care and research by supporting diagnosis, treatment, and clinical decision-making. However, much of this momentum is driven by data and computer scientists and engineers and runs the risk of being disconnected from pragmatic issues in clinical practice. This interprofessional perspective bridges the experiences of clinical scientists and data science. We provide a brief overview of AI with the main …

Intergenerational And Intragenerational Connections Within A University Art Museum Program For People With Dementia, Sujal Manohar, Jessica Kay Ruhle

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

This visual essay highlights the impacts of the Nasher Museum of Art’s Reflections program, which engages people with dementia (PWD) and their care partners through interactive art museum tours. This program’s conversation-based tours with built-in time to socialize are designed to foster intergenerational and intragenerational connections between PWD and museum gallery guides, PWD and care partners, and between PWD. Discussions about artwork are visitor-driven and encourage lifelong learning among participants. Anecdotal feedback from Reflections participants and gallery guides confirms the value of relationship building, improving quality of life for PWD.

By fostering community and strong connections, Reflections programs help reduce …

Assessing Preference And Stability Of Preference For Individuals With Neurocognitive Disorder, Megan N. Ford, Makenzie W. Bayles, Jennifer L. Bruzek

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Poor engagement can lead to a reduced quality of life for individuals with neurocognitive disorder (NCD). Research on determining preference and increasing engagement with this population is limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of four preference assessment formats in identifying preferred activities and predicting engagement for six females with NCD and to measure the stability of preference and engagement over time. We compared the predictability of single stimulus(SS) verbal and multimedia assessments, caregiver ranking (CR) assessments, and multiple-stimulus without-replacement (MSWO) assessments. Participants responded consistently on SS assessments, but we noted inconsistencies between the CR and …

Racial And Gender Discrimination Predict Mental Health Outcomes Among Healthcare Workers Beyond Pandemic-Related Stressors: Findings From A Cross-Sectional Survey, Rachel Hennein, Jessica Bonumwezi, Max Jordan Nguemeni Tiako, Petty Tineo, Sarah R. Lowe

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Racial and gender discrimination are risk factors for adverse mental health outcomes in the general population; however, the effects of discrimination on the mental health of healthcare workers needs to be further explored, especially in relation to competing stressors. Thus, we administered a survey to healthcare workers to investigate the associations between perceived racial and gender discrimination and symptoms of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and burnout during a period of substantial stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a national racial reckoning. We used multivariable linear regression models, which controlled for demographics and pandemic-related stressors. Of the 997 participants (Mean …

Impact Of Aging Information On The Continuing Education Preferences Of Behavioral Health Clinicians, Nicholas Schmidt

Dissertations

The United States population is aging rapidly and the behavioral health workforce is ill-prepared to meet the concurrent rise in demand for services for older adults. Clinicians specializing in working with older adults make up a very small portion of providers and the majority of service provision falls on general practitioners. The discipline of counseling has emphasized multicultural competencies in training and practice but has not specified standards of competence for work with older adults; little is known about the interests and training preferences of Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). This study examined the impact of receiving foundational information about aging …

Challenges Associated With Treatment Of Borderline Personality Disorder In Older Adults And The Impact On Psychosocial Development, Marisa Victory

Dissertations

The continued growth of the global aging population calls for further expansion and development of the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of older individuals living with borderline personality disorder (BDP), yet there is limited information regarding the impact of the disorder in later adulthood. The pivotal work of Erik Erikson, specifically his psychosocial stages of development, is a widely accepted conceptual framework for understanding human development including into older adulthood. During the late adulthood psychosocial stage of development, people experience a multitude of changes in relationships, work status, family, and what they define as meaningful. These changes can have a negative …

"It's The Way You Sing It": Translating Music Therapy For Isolated Older Adults Affected By Covid-19 To The Television Screen, Eunice Wong

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The current Covid-19 pandemic has increased the likelihood of loneliness and social isolation among older adults due to the restrictions on movement and visitations in care facilities. Loneliness and social isolation have consistently been identified as risk factors for poor mental and physical health in older people. Meanwhile, a growing number of older adults are utilizing technological resources to enhance their interpersonal relationships and overall quality of life. In the winter of 2020/2021, an innovative music therapy-informed television program was designed and produced for isolated older adults in need of mental and emotional support. This project, produced jointly by a …

Remote Neuropsychological Assessment: Does Mode Of Administration Matter?, Renee Dematteis

Dissertations

Neuropsychology relies heavily on standardization of administration to increase the validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of an assessment instrument. The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly increased the need to be able to provide neuropsychological assessments remotely. Teleneuropsychology can be conducted through various avenues, including telephone, computerized, and televideo modalities. Given neuropsychology's reliance on standardization for proper use of normative data that accompanies individual assessments, the question arises how mode of administration impacts the validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of an assessment instrument. The literature review summarizes the research conducted regarding the validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of telephone neuropsychological assessments, computerized …

Ageism And Perceptions Of Vulnerability: Framing Of Age During Covid-19 Pandemic, Jordan Broussard, Frauke Schnell, Jasmin Tahmaseb Mcconatha, Jacqueline Magnarelli

Psychology Student Work

Media representations of the Covid-19 pandemic and its devastating consequences have shaped people’s fears, anxiety, and perceptions of vulnerability. Social scientists have examined the consequences of how information is “framed.” Framing theory asserts that issues can be portrayed differently by emphasizing or de-emphasizing aspects and information. According to Lakoff (2004) the impact of a message is not based on what is said but how it is said. Theories of framing focus on how the media frames issues, which then structure and shape attitudes and policies. A news article serves as a frame for an intended message. This paper examines the …

Activities In A Long-Term Care Facility Amidst A Global Pandemic, Kayla Valente

Honors Projects

This paper focuses on the lives of individuals in Wood Haven Health Care in Bowling Green, Ohio during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Living in a long-term care facility can be difficult any time, but since the lockdown began life has been especially challenging for the individuals in nursing facilities. I worked directly with the residents at Wood Haven during my internship with the activities department. With this position, I was tasked with creating fun and engaging activities that also kept residents safe. I will be discussing different research about activities in long-term care facilities, specifics about activities during the COVID-19 …

اثر طول الاختبار على تحديد درجة القطع لاختبار تحصيلي محكي ا لمرجع في مادة علم نفس الشخصية, أ. م.د. إيمان عبد الكريم ذيب

Midad AL-Adab Refereed Quarterly Journal

No abstract provided.

Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics And Cognitive Function Among Older Adults: Examining The Role Of Depression, Allison Sullivan, Mph

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: African American older adults have a greater risk of cognitive impairment compared to White older adults. While some research has established that neighborhoods are an important determinant of health, relatively little research has examined the relationship between perceived neighborhood characteristics and cognitive functioning among older adults. Moreover, little is known about how depression is implicated in the relationship between perceived neighborhood characteristics and cognitive functioning, and if racial differences exist. Thus, this thesis aims to determine the mediating and moderating role of depression in the association between perceived neighborhood characteristics and cognitive functioning in older African American and White …

A Person-Centered Care Model’S Effectiveness For Older Adults With Dementia: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Karen Goeschel

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

I evaluated the effectiveness of person-centered care interventions for older adults with dementia. Quality of life and agitation levels were used as primary outcomes for the effectiveness of the intervention. Electronic databases were searched for studies which satisfied the inclusion principles and did not satisfy exclusion principles. Cluster-randomized trials and non-randomized control trials which compared person-centered care approaches to usual care were included. I performed two random-effects meta-analyses. Six studies with 1,384 patients were included. For older adults with dementia, person-centered care had no significant impact on quality-of-life improvement (SMD = -0.116, p = 0.206) or agitation reduction (SMD = …

Wisdom Program As A Treatment For Geriatric Psychopathology, Darrell Gene Rice

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

As the population of older adults continues to rise, the prevalence and incidence of psychopathology in this group will increase as well. The most common psychopathologies observed in older adults include depression, anxiety, and mild cognitive impairment. These conditions are often co-occurring; however, few interventions are designed to simultaneously address all three. We examined whether the LLU WISDOM adult partial outpatient program was effective in reducing depression and anxiety, as well as improving cognitive function in a sample of older adults. We hypothesized that compared to a control group receiving usual clinical care, participants in the WISDOM program will demonstrate …

Understanding Resident-To-Resident Conflicts In Long Term Care Settings From The Perspective Of Administrative Staff, John F. Walker

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Assisted living facilities are expanding in response to the growing population of older adults in the United States. Assisted living facilities offer a wide array of services including memory care. Research has shown that a majority of assisted living facilities have residents with cognitive impairments living along with non-cognitively impaired individuals (i.e., mixed populations). Little is known about the conflicts that may arise between cognitively and non-cognitively impaired residents in a mixed population. The present study hoped to better understand what conflicts occur, how direct care staff are trained to handle these conflicts, from the perspective of assisted living facility …

Skills For Living With Loss, Emily Mcneil

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Grief is a normative but highly life changing experience. Bereavement may disrupt one’s life as well as alter the way in which one lives and takes care of oneself. By approaching an individual’s grief as unique, specific skills and goals can be created to assist them in the midst of their new life. Specific skills and goals include engaging in self-care, developing a routine, and staying connected to others. Through the development of specific skills, one can learn to live with the losses experienced as well as take care of their physical and mental well-being. This talk will focus on …

Analyzing The Use Of A Montessori-Based Activity & Its Effect On Engagement & Affect In Persons With Dementia: A Replication Study, Emilee J. Andersen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Activities are an essential element in institutionalized settings for persons with dementia. Challenges are faced, however, when developing and implementing stimulating and meaningful activities for this population. Over the past two decades, Montessori-based activities (MBAs) have been investigated as a means for meeting the needs of persons with dementia residing in long-term care facilities. MBAs were developed to enhance the quality of life for individuals experiencing dementia through maximization of engaging and meaningful activities. The purpose of the current study was to expand on the empirical literature related to the use of MBAs for persons with dementia by replication of …

Resident Centered Behavioral Health: A Program Evaluation, Anna Olinger

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Behavioral health concerns, such as depression and behavioral symptoms, impact older adults at significant rates. These concerns impact an individual’s quality of life, health status, and mortality. When behavioral health concerns cannot be effectively managed in the community by the individual or their caregivers, a skilled-nursing facility is often the next step. Unfortunately, those caring for older adults in these settings have not always had access to the training they need to care for individuals with depression or behavioral symptoms. The Resident Centered Behavioral Health program set out to change this. The program implemented an interactive, behavioral health training program …