Showing papers in "Research on Aging in 1992"
TL;DR: A review of past research reveals apparent gaps in many current measures of positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) including the Bradburn (1969) Affect Balance subscales popular among gerontologists and other social scientists as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A review of past research reveals apparent gaps in many current measures of positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) including the Bradburn (1969) Affect Balance subscales popular among gerontologists and other social scientists. In many cases, the measures produce PA/NA correlations so high that some researchers claim subjective well-being is unidimensional. A viable alternative measure of positive and negative affect is the PANAS (Watson, Clark, and Tellegen 1988), which appears to distinguish clearly between these two emotional dimensions of subjective well-being. Unfortunately, however, only younger samples have served as subjects in research on the PANAS. Accordingly, the current study assessed the psychometric qualities of the PANAS applied to a sample of the old-old. Consistent with prior studies of younger samples, the results here clearly support the viability of the measure among the elderly. Of particular significance, the PA and NA dimensions appear completely independent of each other. M...
323Â citations
TL;DR: In this article, differentials in patterns of exchange of aid and assistance between elderly American parents and their non-coresidential adult children by marital status and other components of family structure using data drawn from the National Survey of Families and Households.
Abstract: This article documents differentials in patterns of exchange of aid and assistance between elderly American parents and their non-coresidential adult children by marital status and other components of family structure using data drawn from the National Survey of Families and Households. Descriptive results show that overall levels of giving and receiving support between elderly parents and their adult children are not especially high. However, these patterns vary considerably by marital status of the aging parent and of their adult children, with widowed and divorced parents less likely to provide support to their children. In contrast, widowed but not divorced parents are significantly more likely to receive support. Even with controls for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the parents and availability of adult children, parents who are widowed or divorced give less to their children, although there are few marital-status differences for reception of support. The marital status of children ...
248Â citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that mean level decline in everyday task competence may not represent the intraindividual developmental trajectory of many subjects.
Abstract: The present study examined longitudinal change in everyday task competence in a sample of 102 community-dwelling older adults from central Pennsylvania. Subjects were assessed on cognitive abilitie...
126Â citations
TL;DR: In this article, the burden concept, its lack of clear definition, the inconsistency between its conceptualization and operationalization, its inappropriate use within the stress paradigm, and its inconsistency with respect to stress management are examined.
Abstract: This article critically examines the burden concept, its lack of clear definition, the inconsistency between its conceptualization and operationalization, its inappropriate use within the stress pa...
118Â citations
TL;DR: This article focused on the frequency of severa-a-tation in intergenerational helping from adult children to parents and examined help in both directions, but few studies have examined help from adults to their children.
Abstract: Much research on intergenerational helping has focused on help from adult children to parents, but few studies have examined help in both directions. This article focuses on the frequency of severa...
97Â citations
TL;DR: Three measures of informal social networks were looked at: contacts with family members, contacts with friends, and social involvement outside the home, which indicated men appeared to be at high risk when social network was limited.
Abstract: Older African-Americans face many barriers that impede access to formal support services. Therefore, informal social networks may be the only source of support for many elderly African-Americans. This study looked at three measures of informal social networks: contacts with family members, contacts with friends, and social involvement outside the home. Data were from the 1984-1988 Longitudinal Survey of Aging. Bivariate associations with lower mortality occurred for all three social network indices. When controlling for sociodemographic, physical health variables, and self-rated health in logistic regression, church attendance retained significance. Men appeared to be at high risk when social network was limited. Other significant factors were: cancer, activities of daily living, sex-specific body mass, and self-rated health.
83Â citations
TL;DR: The concept of fictive kinship was discussed in this paper, and evidence was found to support the substitution principle, or the notion that individuals who have no kin tend to substitute for missing relatives by converting close friends into quasi-kin.
Abstract: This article discusses the concept of fictive kinship and presents the findings of a qualitative study that investigated the fictive family ties of elderly women. In-depth interviews with 142 respondents revealed that 40% could actually identify a fictive family member. Moreover, it was found that these relationships appeared to be a salient and meaningful component of the social networks of these elderly women. Evidence was found to support the substitution principle, or the notion that individuals who have no kin tend to substitute for missing relatives by converting close friends into quasi-kin. It is argued that fictive kinship ought to be given more research attention. Because current demographic trends indicate that a sizable proportion of future generations of elderly people will have considerably fewer "real" family ties, fictive kin could become a very relevant research focus for social gerontologists in particular.
76Â citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the definition of personal productivity based on paid work is expanded to include many forms of unpaid work and the productivity of these forms of work is estimated empirically, using several e...
Abstract: The definition of personal productivity based on paid work is expanded to include many forms of unpaid work. The productivity of these forms of unpaid work is estimated empirically, using several e...
69Â citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed data from the Supplement on Aging of the National Health Interview Survey to examine gender differences in the configuration of care among married elderly couples living in two-person households.
Abstract: This article analyzes data from the Supplement on Aging of the National Health Interview Survey to examine gender differences in the configuration of care among married elderly couples living in two-person households. The rational choice model provides the conceptual framework for the analysis. Results support the hypothesis that husband caregivers are more likely to incorporate extra-household assistance than are wife caregivers. There were no gender differences, however, in the source of extra-household assistance.
62Â citations
TL;DR: Bias due to nonresponse represents a potent threat to the validity of the mean prevalence estimate found in this body of research, and this review outcome is tentative at best and must be tested with future, better controlled primary studies.
Abstract: This review synthesizes the findings of 17 independent studies dealing with the prevalence of elder care responsibilities among the work force population. Across-study, summative findings were: (a) approximately one fifth (M = 21.1%) to one quarter (Md = 23.1%) of employees provide care for an elderly dependent; primary study findings varied by a factor of nearly 25, ranging from a high estimate of 46.0% to a low of 1.9%; (b) the average response rate was fairly low (M = 45.0% and Md = 41. 1%), indicating that the studies captured only slightly more than one third, but less than half of all eligible in-sample assignments; (c) the correlation of prevalence and response rates was found to be r = -.69, p < .01; (d) the partial correlation of prevalence with response rate, adjusted for the breadth of the elder care operational definition, remained significant, r = -.50,p < .05; and (e) these two methodological characteristics together accounted for half (R2 = .505) of the variability in reported prevalence, r...
57Â citations
TL;DR: A conceptual model is developed to identify those factors that account for racial and ethnic group differences in health and functional capacity as well as the documented greater propensity of Black and Latino elderly to rely on informal sources of support in the community rather than on formal long-term care.
Abstract: This study examines patterns of change in functional capacity among Black and non-Latino White older persons over a 4-year period using the 1988 Longitudinal Study of Aging. The results reveal that among all three groups, improvements in functional capacity often follow declines, but they also show that Blacks are more likely than non-Latino Whites to suffer protracted declines in functional capacity, ultimately resulting in more serious incapacity. The central objective of the article is the development of a conceptual model to identify those factors that account for racial and ethnic group differences in health and functional capacity as well as the documented greater propensity of Black and Latino elderly to rely on informal sources of support in the community rather than on formal long-term care.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the association between the experience of loneliness and the emotional closeness older persons have in their social relationships with their children, friends, and spouses, and found that the loneliness expressed by these older persons was related, not to variation in age, but to their gender, health status, and economic condition; their need for affection and security, and desire to be part of a social network; and the existence, but not the emotional commitment, to a set of friends.
Abstract: Based on a social support model, the authors analyzed the association between the experience of loneliness and the emotional closeness older persons have in their social relationships with their children, friends, and spouses. The effects on loneliness of age, sex, subjective health status, economic situation, need for attachment, and need for social integration were also examined and controlled. Results are based on 1,071 participants in the congregate and home-delivered meal programs of the Senior Citizens Nutrition and Activities Program in Hillsborough County, Florida. An analysis of covariance showed that the loneliness expressed by these older persons was related, not to variation in age, but to their gender, health status, and economic condition; their needs for affection and security, and desire to be part of a social network; and the existence, but not the emotional commitment, to a set of friends. Whether these persons had children or spouses or not, and if they had either, and were emotionally ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined factors related to the participation of adult children in their elderly parents' helping networks, and a three-stage decision model was tested which predicts the likelihood that:
Abstract: This article examines factors related to the participation of adult children in their elderly parents' helping networks. A three-stage decision model was tested which predicts the likelihood that: ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared various types of agoraphobia (aggressive, physically nonaggressive, verbal) to dimensions of the social network (intimacy, size/density) in 408 nursing home residents.
Abstract: Syndromes of agitation (aggressive, physically nonaggressive, verbal) were compared to dimensions of the social network (intimacy, size/density) in 408 nursing home residents. Results showed that t...
TL;DR: Logit models used to predict changes in the helping behaviors of adult children indicate that there are both differences and similarities in the factors that affect the likelihood of becoming a caregiver and of discontinuing assistance over time.
Abstract: This research uses data from the longitudinal file of the 1982-1984 National Long-Term Care Survey to (a) describe changes in the caregiving responsibilities of adult children over time and (b) estimate the effect of adult child, impaired elder, and sibling participation characteristics on changes in the participation of adult children as providers of ADL and IADL assistance. The results show that 5.2% of adult children who did not provide ADL help and 12.6% of those who did not provide IADL help at Time 1 were helping with these tasks at Time 2. Conversely, 50.7% of adult children who provided ADL assistance and 29.9% of those who provided IADL assistance at Time 1 had stopped providing such care by Time 2. Logit models used to predict changes in the helping behaviors of adult children indicate that there are both differences and similarities in the factors that affect the likelihood of becoming a caregiver and of discontinuing assistance over time.
TL;DR: The findings support the concept of a substitution hierarchy where sibling help is given when the elder has functional impairments and support from a spouse or adult children is unavailable.
Abstract: Most older people regard their siblings as a caregiving resource, but only small percentages actually receive sibling help. The purpose of the present study was to determine what elder characterist...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors apply a conceptual framework to the living arrangements of older unmarried Asian Indian women in the United States that allows for the evaluation of cultural diversity, and show that despite the strong family norms of Asian Indians and their minority group status, older unmarried Asians are more likely than their White counterparts to live alone.
Abstract: This study applies a conceptual framework to the living arrangements of older unmarried Asian Indian women in the United States that allows for the evaluation of cultural diversity. The model holds that living arrangements at the end of the life cycle are determined by three sets of factors: availability of kin, feasibility as related to economic and health status, and desirability of living arrangements as related to cultural identity and adaptation. The multinomial logistic regression results show that despite the strong family norms of Asian Indians and their minority group status, older unmarried Asian Indian females are more likely than their White counterparts to live alone. In a separate analysis of Asian Indian women, the evidence shows that acculturated Asian Indian females are more likely than less acculturated members of this ethnic group to live alone as compared to living as part of a larger household without headship.
TL;DR: It is shown that caregiver variables are as important as need, predisposing, and enabling variables in explaining the number of days per week of ADC used and African-American elderly will be especially affected by incorporating caregiver needs into research and policy.
Abstract: A representative sample of 317 adult day care (ADC) participants from most ADC centers in Missouri in 1990 is analyzed to determine whether there are different patterns of ADC use by African-Americans and Whites. The data show that African-American elderly use ADC at twice the rate of older Whites. No racial differences were found in the functional or cognitive need levels of participants, but African-American participants are much more likely than Whites to depend on children as primary caregivers and to rely on Medicaid. Multivariate analysis shows that caregiver variables are as important as need, predisposing, and enabling variables in explaining the number of days per week of ADC used. African-American elderly will be especially affected by incorporating caregiver needs into research and policy.
TL;DR: This article integrates the results of a series of prospective studies that used data from the 1982-1984 National Long Term Care Survey to provide a comprehensive view of the effects of caregiver burden over a two-year period, suggest ways in which caregIVER burden intersects with the continuum of care, and explore the implications for long-term care research and policy.
Abstract: This article integrates the results of a series of prospective studies that used data from the 1982-1984 National Long Term Care Survey to (a) provide a comprehensive view of the effects of caregiver burden over a two-year period, (b) suggest ways in which caregiver burden intersects with the continuum of care, and (c) explore the implications for long-term care research and policy. Each dimension of caregiver burden had different consequences for each long-term care outcome. Neither personal nor inter-personal burden had an independent effect on changes in the informal task support network. Personal burden, but not interpersonal burden, influenced changes in the use of formal services. Interpersonal burden, but not personal burden, influenced nursing home admissions.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the reporting format and age may influence what is reported about chronic health problems, and two different formats, the interview and diary, are similar or different in eliciting health data from older people.
Abstract: The daily health diary has been used as a research instrument to collect information on health, illness, and associated behaviors. There is conflict in the literature, however, on whether the diary is useful in studying gerontological health. The purpose of this study is to examine whether two different formats, the interview and the diary, are similar or different in eliciting health data from older people. Interviews were conducted with 728 randomly selected adults ranging in age from 45 to 94; a random subsample of 83 was selected subsequently to keep a diary. The study focused exclusively on chronic health problems. The results suggest that the reporting format and age may influence what is reported about chronic health problems.
TL;DR: The development of the sociology of aging and, more particularly, social gerontology has been strongly influenced by the demographic imperative of a growing older population, which, in turn, has le... as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The development of the sociology of aging and, more particularly, social gerontology has been strongly influenced by the demographic imperative of a growing older population, which, in turn, has le...
TL;DR: The well-known aging of the American Jewish population has continued during the 1980s, and at a more rapid rate than that described by recent projections as mentioned in this paper, and a substantially higher proportion of America's Jews were 75 years or older in 1990 than was true for the general population.
Abstract: The well-known aging of the American Jewish population has continued during the 1980s, and at a more rapid rate than that described by recent projections. Data for Medicare enrollees, in combination with a surname technique, are used to construct estimates that reveal a substantially higher proportion of America's Jews were 75 years or older in 1990 than was true for the general population. The methodology developed for this study also permits the construction of estimates of the old old in state and local areas.