This preliminary study sought to determine the psychometric properties of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-Personality Disorders (IIP-PD-25) in a middle-aged to older adult sample in which personality pathology is common. Depressed inpatients (N = 62) between 55 and 92 years (M = 67.60, SD = 8.75) were administered self-report questionnaires to measure personality traits (NEO Five-Factor Inventory), interpersonal processes (IIP-PD-25), depression (Geriatric Depression Scale), and social role impairment (Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report). We investigated whether the IIP-PD-25 has convergent validity with these measures. After adjusting for covariates, IIP-PD-25 scores were associated with greater depression (ß = .459,  < .001), greater social role impairment (ß = .374,  = .004), greater neuroticism (ß = .614,  < .001), and less agreeableness (ß = -.260,  = .035). Three-fourths of the IIP-PD-25 subscales also showed convergent validity with these constructs in the predicted directions. Based on these findings, the IIP-PD-25 is valid for purposes of capturing interpersonal and personality pathology in a depressed, older inpatient population.

Situations of vulnerability are associated with reduced life satisfaction. Although social support moderates the influence of situations of vulnerability, little is known about their associations. This study aimed to document situations of vulnerability and examine their association with life satisfaction among older adults, and the moderating effect of social support. Secondary analyses of cross-sectional data ( = 21,491; 73.4 ± 0.04) from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, stratified by sex. Confirmatory factor analysis identified a vulnerability variable from physiological, psychological, socioeconomic and social indicators. Regression models examined the associations. For both sexes, depressive symptoms, chronic conditions and insufficient income best explained vulnerability, followed by dependence in basic activities of daily living, less social participation and living with fewer people. Vulnerability was associated with lower life satisfaction, and social support acted as a buffer against vulnerability. The buffering effect of social support reinforces recommendations concerning policies and interventions designed to increase networks.

This study aimed to identify pickleball-related injury prevalence and risk factors in older adults and evaluate injury incidence during a pickleball tournament. A cross-sectional study analyzed self-reported injuries from the past 12 months and new injuries during the 2018 US Open Pickleball Championships. Data were collected on demographics, play characteristics, and psychological attributes. Injury details came from self-reports and medical tent records. Hierarchical logistic regression identified significant injury predictors. Of 237 participants, 32.1% reported past-year injuries, mainly in lower extremities (57.9%) and muscle/tendon tissues (61.8%). The tournament had a 5.8% incidence of new injuries, primarily in lower extremities and skin/muscle tissues. Key risk factors were male gender, lower BMI, and increased weekly play hours. No significant associations were found with psychological variables. Pickleball players have a high injury prevalence, especially in lower extremities, linked to longer play hours, male gender, and lower BMI.

Understanding the factors protecting life satisfaction in older adults despite stressors is central to late-life wellbeing. This study examined whether self-efficacy moderated the relationships between negative life events, hassles, and life satisfaction in older adults. The sample comprised 176 older adults aged 60 or above. Two moderation models were tested, controlling for gender, socioeconomic status and health status. The negative relationship between adverse life event and life satisfaction was stronger for individuals with lower self-efficacy. There was no evidence that self-efficacy moderated the relationship between hassles and life satisfaction. The study is the first to provide empirical evidence for the role of self-efficacy in buffering the association between negative life events and lower life satisfaction. Strategies to increase self-efficacy can be incorporated in interventions and policies to enhance resilience in this growing population.

Well-being has been shown to improve with age, but underlying mechanisms are unclear. We tested a conceptual model that posited that age-related increases in present time orientation foster greater dispositional mindfulness and savoring the moment, and that these psychological processes are pathways that link older age to better well-being. U.S. adults (N = 797, M= 45.57 years, SD = 15.07, range: 20-88) completed an online, self-report survey of their present time perspective, dispositional mindfulness, savoring the moment, and hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Using structural equation modeling, our conceptual model was a good fit to the data. Older age was associated with greater present time orientation, which was associated with both greater mindfulness and savoring the moment, and ultimately related to greater eudaimonic and hedonic well-being. Mindfulness and savoring interventions may be beneficial for promoting present moment orientation, and subsequently, better well-being. However, longitudinal studies are needed to establish temporal associations.

The Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS) was developed by Lasher and Faulkender emphasizing a multidimensional approach to aging anxiety and addressing conceptual and psychometric issues of similar tools. Today this scale is one of the most used measures that allow to assess aging anxiety among younger and older populations. This study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the Lithuanian version of the AAS. A total sample of 528 Lithuanian adults, ages ranging from 18 to 82 ( () = 33.6 (14.5)); 22.7% male, were included in this study. Results showed that the Lithuanian version of AAS had good psychometric characteristics. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the four-factor structure originally proposed by Lasher and Faulkender was confirmed. The total AAS scale and all four subscales showed good internal consistency. This study confirmed that the Lithuanian version of AAS can be used in further studies as suggested by scale authors.

Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, particularly among older adults. We examined changes in cardiovascular risk factors among older adults in a community-based fitness program in Miami-Dade County, FL. We used repeated measures linear mixed models to examine participants' cardiovascular risk factor changes over 28 months. Outcomes (body mass index, blood pressure, pulse, arm/leg strength, and mobility) were modeled accounting for park, individual, time, and sociodemographic factors (2017-2019). The study included 210 participants (mean age 71 years; 86% female; 52% Hispanic, 38% non-Hispanic Black). Participation was positively associated with reductions in cardiovascular risk, including improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (-0.83 and -0.39 mmHg, respectively), mobility (-0.07 s) and arm strength (0.5 arm curls). Differences were observed in arm curls across sex and pulse across poverty areas. Participating in a park-based fitness program was associated with improved older adults' cardiovascular health.

Stereotypes about aging and aging anxieties are common and when internalized are related to poor physical and psychological outcomes. As a result, older adults may view themselves as having their best years behind them. The present study investigates ageism and aging anxiety as barriers to positive self-development. Participants ( = 360) between ages of 19 and 77 years old ( = 39,  = 15.9) were recruited using Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and completed measures of Ageism, Aging Anxiety, and were asked to identify when they have been or will be their Best Self. With increasing age, adults with more internalized ageism and more aging anxiety, specifically physical appearance and fear of loss, identified their Best Self with a time in the past. These findings support the idea that internalization of ageism and aging anxiety can be counterproductive for expectations for growth as one ages.

The present study evaluates the impact of grandchild distress on parental competence as mediated by Baumrind's parental styles in a sample of 238 custodial grandparents ( age = 58.06). AMOS structural equation findings yielded a model which indicated that both the Laissez-Faire and Authoritarian styles each predicted role stress and/or parental efficacy. Laissez-Faire's mediating role was defined by its link to the grandparent age-internalizing/externalizing behaviors relationship in predicting parental efficacy (= -.54, < .05) and parental role stress (= .36, < .05). The Authoritarian style's mediating role was driven by child externalizing behaviors (= .22, < .05), where Authoritarian styles in turn predicted ( = .21, < .05) parental efficacy. The Authoritative style did not emerge as mediational in nature. These findings illuminate the role of parental styles as explanatory factors in understanding the parental challenges that grandparents face in raising their grandchildren.

Creating interaction opportunities between people of different ages can reduce ageism and increase solidarity. However, spatial age segregation persists due to a lack of age-inclusive public spaces. We explored factors motivating older adults to seek/avoid contact with younger adults in regular neighborhood coffeeshops primarily frequented by younger customers. Semi-structured interviews in Study 1 (= 12) revealed that older adults perceived age-related exclusivity in "young" spaces like coffeeshops, were hindered from visiting by metastereotypes and discrimination, but were motivated by perceived learning opportunities. Studies 2 (= 107) and 3 (= 218) employed questionnaires and tracked coffee vouchers, showing that participants with stronger learning goals and more positive metastereotypes showed greater intention to seek contact. However, only the higher-powered Study 3 revealed the importance of frequent intergenerational contact and learning goals for initiating contact in real-life. The discussion highlights implications for creating more age-inclusive spaces to foster intergenerational interaction.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to researchers collecting data with older adults, particularly older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The goal of this article is to articulate the communicative and methodological challenges and lessons learned from collecting data with older adults in senior living communities with mild cognitive impairment and ADRD and their adult children (who were geographically separated) during the pandemic. Communication was much more than what we were studying; it was essential to the success and ethical implementation of our research. We were working with a vulnerable population during a pandemic where recruitment, consent, and data collection required heightened and adapted communication strategies to reduce confusion, promote safety, and ensure data could be collected in an effective manner. The way we communicated with the participants, their networks, and the senior living communities was crucial to establishing strong human connections and subsequently successful data collection.

The current study examined onset and maintenance insomnia as mediators of the bidirectional relation between anxiety and depressive symptoms over a three-year period. The sample included 3,415 US community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged 66-103. Participants completed measures of types of insomnia, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms at four time points. Analyses included two double mediation models adjusted for baseline depressive or anxiety symptoms, chronic health problem burden, use of sleep medications, age, and sex. Both covariate-adjusted models showed significant direct relations between anxiety and depressive symptoms, and these relations were modestly partially mediated by onset and maintenance insomnia. In older adults, onset and maintenance insomnia are distinct outcomes of both anxiety and depressive symptoms and also predictors of each symptom cluster. Further research testing these models is warranted and, if supported, may support prevention and treatment studies focused on primary and secondary prevention of these problems in older adults.

This study explored grandparent caregiving experiences in Korea and the United States. Using a phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 custodial grandparents (10 in Korea, 10 in the United States) to understand their lived experiences. Under the guidance of role theory, the caregivers' experiences were explained by themes of role consensus, role conformity, and role conflict. Despite Korean and U.S. grandparent groups performing a similar role, relative differences were observed, including Korean grandparents with increased role conformity and the U.S. grandparents with increased role conflict. The distinction highlights the importance of understanding grandparent caregiving in cultural contexts and ensuring that interventions are culturally responsive. Regardless of cultural context, the grandparent caregivers disclosed relatively positive experiences of the pandemic, testifying to their resilience. Lastly, critical role supporters were identified at various levels, demonstrating that developing support systems can be a key in empowering grandparent caregivers.

The communication ecology model of successful aging (CEMSA) proposes that the messages individuals receive from the social environment, and their own communication about aging, shape the communication ecology of aging, which in turn influences the degree to which individuals experience successful aging. This content analysis study provides insight into the communication ecology of aging by examining the messages about aging forwarded by positive aging TikTok videos. Two-hundred and seventy videos from the top five most viewed positive aging hashtags were coded. Messages about appearance and evaluations of aging appear more frequently than messages about ability or advice about aging. Overall, these videos presented aging in a positive light; however, messages about skin, cognitive ability, advice about aging, and the #agingwell hashtag represented aging in a more negative light. The majority of positive aging TikTok videos feature middle-aged and older adults. Implications for the CEMSA are discussed.

Caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia presents significant challenges which were amplified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, care partners were forced to navigate uncertain terrain as well as new and challenging relational tensions. This study investigated the experiences of dementia care partners and the relational tensions present as they managed the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic using Relational Dialectics Theory framework. By analyzing recorded support groups from the early days of the pandemic (April through June, 2020), we identified two chief tensions expressed by participants throughout their support groups: and . Participants experienced these tensions in different ways, and they engaged in four tension management strategies (, , , and ) through the support group. As the pandemic progressed, participants' tension management evolved, highlighting the complexity inherent in caring for a person with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Little is known about widowhood's effects on externalizing expressions of distress, like substance use, among sexual minorities. Our study is the first to address this issue using a large national sample of LGB individuals living in the United States. Using the 2010 Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study ( = 2,258), we ran logistic regression models predicting current smoking, past 30-day binge drinking, and past year drug use. Widowhood predicted higher odds of drug use. These results were found for currently partnered individuals, suggesting that widowhood's effects are not completely offset by current partnership. In contrast, widowhood did not predict smoking or binge drinking. All results held for women and men. Results suggest that LGB widowhood's effects on substance use vary by current partner status and substance type. These findings contrast with those of studies examining widowhood's effects on internalized expressions of distress, which consistently find detrimental effects.

: This study aimed to examine the differential impacts of two forms of social isolation on depressive symptoms and investigate the mediating role of activity engagement among older Chinese immigrants. Data were from four waves of the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago Study (PINE) (= 2,075). Social disconnectedness was measured by social network size and range, living arrangement, and marital status. Perceived isolation was measured by loneliness and lack of social support. Activity engagement was assessed by engagement with various social and cognitive activities. The latent growth curve models indicated that social disconnectedness and perceived isolation were associated with a higher initial level of depressive symptoms. However, perceived isolation predicted a faster decline in depressive symptoms. Activity engagement had significant mediating effects on the relationships. Efforts should focus on reducing social isolation and providing opportunities for activity engagement to mitigate depression among older Chinese immigrants.

Informal childcare supply may have a double-edged effect on grandparents' health and quality of life, as different aspects of it may exceed or subceed the capacity of the older persons, in various ways. This study aimed to assess the effect of grandparenting on physical activity, nutrition, and quality of life of older people. The study involved 152 grandparents ≥65 years old (69.2 ± 4.5 years). Data were collected by a self-reported questionnaire consisting of four sections: (a) sociodemographic profile, (b) physical activity assessment (IPAQ), (c) compliance with the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet score), and (d) quality of life assessment (WHOQOL-BREF). Significant correlations were found concerning the care of grandchildren with physical activity, eating habits, and quality of life of older adults. The most notable results of regression analysis, regarding grandparenting effect, were the number of grandchildren being taken care of, which had a statistically significant negative effect on dietary habits, physical activity and quality of life, and being the only caregivers, which was positively associated with dietary habits, but negatively with the two other outcomes (all  < .01). The results showed that different aspects of informal childcare had statistically significant effects on dietary habits, physical activity, and overall quality of life in older people.

Grounded in Lin and Giles' communication model of elder abuse and neglect and McCubbin and Patterson's double-ABCX model of family stress, this study examined whether caregiver self-efficacy and perceptions of positive caregiving outcomes predicted caregivers' lowered tendency to engage in potential harmful behaviors (PHB) toward care receiver directly or indirectly through lowered reports of care receivers' problem behaviors and negative coping strategy (i.e., communication neglect coupled with expressed anger). These expectations were tested through structural equation modeling of survey responses of 339 family caregivers in the U.S. Model results identified "negative coping strategy" as a strong mediating variable for the effects of reports of care receivers' problem behaviors on PHB. A serial mediation path from higher caregiver self-efficacy to lowered reports of care receivers' problem behavior, to reduced use of "negative coping strategy" and finally to reduced PHB was significant. Perceptions of positive caregiving outcomes did not yield similar results.

In prospective studies on religiousness and depressive symptoms, it remains unclear whether religiousness is a predictor or parallels the fluctuating course of depressive symptoms. The current study focuses on several affective aspects of religiousness in their associations over time with late life depressive symptoms. As part of the population-based Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, a subsample of 222 respondents (mean age 76.3 years) completed up to three postal questionnaires with 3-year intervals. The questionnaires included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale and subscales of the Questionnaire God Representations and the Brief Religious Coping scale. Analyses were performed using mixed model analysis and logistic regression. Positive feelings toward God were associated with fewer depressive symptoms over time. Anxiety toward God, discontent about God, and negative religious coping predicted more depressive symptoms over time (between-subject effects) but also tended to run parallel to the course of depressive symptoms (within-subject effects).

This study delves into the complex challenges surrounding the employment of older adults, investigating perceived barriers and their interaction with sociodemographic variables and life satisfaction. Utilizing data from 153 older adults and employing a cross-sectional design and multivariate analysis of covariance, the study uncovers significant associations between gender, age, race, and perceived barriers. Female, older, and racially diverse individuals report higher perceived employment barriers, indicating disparities influenced by sociodemographic factors. Gender and race interactions on these barriers are substantial, with life satisfaction emerging as a significant covariate affecting perceived employment barriers. These findings stress the importance of targeted interventions and policy reforms to address systemic inequalities and promote age-inclusive practices. By embracing diversity, fostering inclusivity, and championing age-friendly policies, stakeholders can create a more equitable labor market, empowering older adults to contribute meaningfully to society.