Showing papers by "Linda J. Waite published in 2022"
TL;DR: There was an increase in loneliness from pre-pandemic to COVID-19 data for both loneliness assessments, and ROC curves demonstrated the positive response on the single question corresponded most optimally with a cutpoint of >=6 points on the UCLA scale, and that the AUC was higher in the COVID -19 data compared with the pre- pandemic data.
Abstract: Presents a study which aims to compare the relationship between the single question and scale loneliness assessments in COVID-19 and prepandemic samples. The study used the nationally-representative National Social Life Health and Aging Project (NSHAP), including participants interviewed in Round 3 (R3) and reinterviewed in the COVID-19 supplement (September 14, 2020-January 27, 2021) (conditional response rate: 58%), yielding a sample of 2168 community-dwelling older adults. Loneliness was measured using a single direct question and the gold-standard 3-item UCLA Loneliness scale. There were notable differences in administration of each assessment in prepandemic data which were resolved in COVID-19 data. The study first re-established the optimal cut-point to translate between the single question and the UCLA scale (range: 3-9 points) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves,4 and computed the area under the curve (AUC), a global measure of test discrimination. The study then examined the bivariate associations of the single question and the UCLA scale with demographic and health measures to demonstrate construct validity and whether different sub-groups responded differently to each assessment. Results showed there was an increase in loneliness from pre-pandemic to COVID-19 data for both loneliness assessments. ROC curves demonstrated the positive response on the single question corresponded most optimally with a cutpoint of >=6 points on the UCLA scale, and that the AUC was higher in the COVID-19 data compared with the pre-pandemic data. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
10 citations
TL;DR: For instance, this paper found that the Baby boom cohort is more socially disconnected from friends and particularly family compared with the Silent Generation cohort, and the Baby Boom cohort had significantly higher odds of not listing any kin in their core discussion network.
Abstract: Abstract Dramatic changes in family life may have altered the structure and quality of social ties to family and friends. However, little is known about whether and how social relationships vary between older adults from different cohorts. Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, we compared social network composition and social support between older adults at ages 57 to 67 from the Silent Generation cohort (N=2,316) and the Baby Boom cohort (N=1,500). Compared with the Silent Generation cohort, the Baby Boom cohort had significantly higher odds of not listing any kin in their core discussion network. There were no cohort differences in proportion of friends in the network. The Baby Boom cohort also reported lower levels of family and friend support than their counterparts. Results suggest that the Baby Boom cohort is more socially disconnected from friends and particularly family compared with the Silent Generation cohort.
TL;DR: In this article , four groups of participants were considered based on their response status at W3: alive, incapacitated, deceased, and nonrespondents, and the nonrespondent group displayed significantly worse outcomes (Least Squares Means) than the alive group.
Abstract: Abstract Nonrespondents generally suffer from worse health outcomes than respondents. Are they unwilling or unable to respond? Our aim was to address this issue. Data (N=3,130) from 2010-2015 waves of National Social Life Health and Aging Project (NSHAP, W2, W3) was used. Four groups of participants were considered based on their response status at W3: alive, incapacitated, deceased, and nonrespondents. Nonrespondents represented cases with no information at W3, beyond their disability and death information. General linear models were used to compare group means at baseline (W2) in terms of mortality risk (Lee index) or cognitive impairment (MOCA), adjusted for demographic variables. Like the deceased or incapacitated groups, the nonrespondent group displayed significantly worse outcomes (Least Squares Means) than the alive group: Lee index alive=5.82, deceased=9.66, incapacitated=8.29 and nonrespondents=7.80; MOCA alive=21.57, deceased=19.79, incapacitated=19.19 and nonrespondents=19.84. Being a nonrespondent likely indicates incapacity, not reluctance to responding. Earlier follow-up surveys could optimize response rates.
TL;DR: In this paper , the extent to which changes in mental health among older adults from pre- to during the pandemic varied by cognitive functioning and the role that decreases in social resources played in this association.
Abstract: Abstract This study assesses the extent to which changes in mental health among older adults from pre- to during the pandemic varied by cognitive functioning and the role that decreases in social resources played in this association. We use data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP)—a population-based panel study of older U.S. adults that has surveyed respondents every 5 years since 2005—and the NSHAP COVID-19 supplement, conducted between September 2020 and January 2021 (N=2,672). Results from linear regression models suggest that (1) higher cognitive functioning in 2015 was associated with greater loneliness (β=-0.03; p<.05) during the pandemic; (2) this association is explained in part by a decrease in emotional support during COVID-19 (β=0.94; p<.001); and (3) cognitive status did not moderate links between social resources with happiness nor loneliness. Results emphasize the importance of social resources for older adults’ mental health, regardless of cognitive ability.
TL;DR: Choi et al. as discussed by the authors used data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) to study changes and differences between groups in the experience of older adults.
Abstract: Abstract Aging, the process of getting older, takes many forms. This symposium uses data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project to study changes and differences between groups in the experience of older adults. Dale and coauthors look at the implications for future mortality of failing to respond to a follow-up interview in an ongoing survey. Those who drop out of NSHAP are more similar to those who died than to those who are reinterviewed, suggesting that survey dropout carries important information about health that has been ignored to this point. Choi and Waite compare social networks and social support for the Silent Generation cohort, born 1920-1947, to the Baby Boom cohort, born 1947-1965, and finds that the BB cohort has fewer kin in their networks and receive less support from family and friends than the older cohort, suggesting that they are more disconnected. Piedra and Iveniuk compare social networks of White, Black and Hispanic older adults. They find that Hispanics are initially more likely to have restricted networks, showing low social connectivity but increase in network diversity over time, suggesting resilience, whereas White and Black move toward lower connectivity as they get old. Iveniuk and Gupta compare marital histories of older adults in different racial and ethnic subgroups, with Blacks least and Whites most likely to be married at older ages, and Hispanics more likely to be recently widowed. These presentations point to the diversity of pathways through aging, and their consequences.