Dataset Information

Generativity and Social Well-Being in Older Women: Expectations Regarding Aging Matter.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Beliefs about aging can contribute to health and well-being in older adults. Feeling generative, or that one is caring for and contributing to the well-being of others, can also impact health and well-being. In this study, we hypothesized that those with more positive expectations regarding aging (ERA) in the mental health domain would report greater levels of perceived social support (PSS) and lower levels of loneliness in response to a generativity intervention (vs control condition).

Method

Participants in this study (n = 73, 100% female) were randomly assigned to a 6-week generativity condition, which involved writing about life experiences and sharing advice with others, or to a control condition, which involved writing about neutral topics. Pre- and postintervention, PSS, and feelings of loneliness were measured.

Results

Those in the generativity condition with more positive ERA in the mental health domain reported greater PSS and lower loneliness postintervention.

Discussion

These results highlight the importance of psychological factors, such as ERA, in moderating the efficacy of interventions to promote social well-being in older adults.

SUBMITTER: Moieni M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7813180 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Generativity and Social Well-Being in Older Women: Expectations Regarding Aging Matter.

Moieni Mona M Seeman Teresa E TE Robles Theodore F TF Lieberman Matthew D MD Okimoto Stephanie S Lengacher Clara C Irwin Michael R MR Eisenberger Naomi I NI

The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences 20210101 2

<h4>Objectives</h4>Beliefs about aging can contribute to health and well-being in older adults. Feeling generative, or that one is caring for and contributing to the well-being of others, can also impact health and well-being. In this study, we hypothesized that those with more positive expectations regarding aging (ERA) in the mental health domain would report greater levels of perceived social support (PSS) and lower levels of loneliness in response to a generativity intervention (vs control c ...[more]

PMID: 32064530

Similar Datasets

Project description:ImportanceResearchers and policy makers are expanding the focus from risk factors of disease to seek potentially modifiable health factors that enhance people's health and well-being. Understanding if and to what degree aging satisfaction (one's beliefs about their own aging) is associated with a range of health and well-being outcomes aligns with the interests of older adults, researchers, health systems, and politicians.ObjectivesTo evaluate associations between changes in aging satisfaction and 35 subsequent health and well-being outcomes.Design, setting, and participantsThis cohort study used data from the Health and Retirement Study, a national, diverse, and longitudinal sample of 13 752 US adults older than 50 years, to evaluate if changes in aging satisfaction (between combined cohorts from 2008 and 2010 and 4 years later, in 2012 and 2014) were subsequently associated with 35 indicators of physical, behavioral, and psychosocial health and well-being in 2016 and 2018. Statistical analysis was conducted from July 24, 2020, to November 6, 2021.ExposureAging satisfaction.Main outcomes and measuresA total of 35 physical (eg, stroke), behavioral (eg, sleep problems), and psychosocial (eg, depression) outcomes were evaluated using multiple linear and generalized linear regression models. Data from all participants, irrespective of how their levels of aging satisfaction changed from the prebaseline to baseline waves, were incorporated into the overall estimate, which was conditional on prior satisfaction.ResultsDuring the 4-year follow-up period, participants (N = 13 752; 8120 women [59%]; mean [SD] age, 65 [10] years; median age, 64 years [IQR, 56-72 years]; 7507 of 11 824 married [64%]) in the highest (vs lowest) quartile of aging satisfaction had improved physical health (eg, 43% reduced risk of mortality [risk ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.46-0.71]), better health behaviors (eg, 23% increased likelihood of frequent physical activity [risk ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12-1.34]), and improved psychosocial well-being (eg, higher positive affect [β = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.44-0.58] and lower loneliness [β = -0.41; 95% CI, -0.48 to -0.33]), conditional on prebaseline aging satisfaction.Conclusions and relevanceThis study suggests that higher aging satisfaction is associated with improved subsequent health and well-being. These findings highlight potential outcomes if scalable aging satisfaction interventions were developed and deployed at scale; they also inform the efforts of policy makers and interventionists who aim to enhance specific health and well-being outcomes. Aging satisfaction may be an important target for future interventions aiming to improve later-life health and well-being.

Dataset Information

Generativity and Social Well-Being in Older Women: Expectations Regarding Aging Matter.

Objectives

Method

Results

Discussion

Publications

Generativity and Social Well-Being in Older Women: Expectations Regarding Aging Matter.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets