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- Does spirituality really matter?: A study on the potential of spirituality for older adult’s adjustment to agingPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Leal, I.; Pimenta, FilipaThis study intended to analyze the indicators of adjustment to aging (AtA) and to investigate the latent constructs that can work as major determinants in spirituality for a cross-national older community-dwelling population. Questionnaires were completed to assess the participants’ background information. Interviews were performed, addressing one core area: indicators of AtA. Complete data were available for 154 older adults from two nationalities (German and Portuguese), aged between 75 and 103 years (M = 86.6; SD = 6.98). The data were subjected to content analysis. Representations of the associations and latent constructs were analyzed using a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). The most prevalent response of the interviewed participants for indicators of AtA was spirituality (43.2%). Spiritual activities was the most reported response regarding spirituality (20.0%). A significant moderate association was found between spiritual activities and nationality (V = .365; p < .001). Spirituality for older adults was explained by a three-dimensional overall model: spiritual and existential meaning, limit-related awareness and community embeddedness. The findings presented in this paper emphasized the need to explore the potential of spirituality for AtA and the need for improving the spiritual dimension of health care for the older cross-national population.
- Sexual expression in old age: How older adults from different cultures express sexually?Publication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Gonçalves, José Alberto Ribeiro; Costa, Andrea; Low, Gail; Leal, Isabel PereiraObjective This study aims to analyze how older adults express themselves sexually. For this purpose, a qualitative research was carried out, which analyzes their perspectives at a cross-cultural level. Methods Four hundred ninety-five older participants, aged 65 to 98 years, were interviewed. Participants were of three different nationalities and lived in the community. All the interviews went through the process of verbatim transcription and subsequent content analysis. Results A content analysis produced nine themes: tenderness and care (k = .91, p < .01); altruism and gratitude (k = .81, p < .01); attractiveness (k = 94, p < .01); positive communication (k = .89, p < .01); sexual activity (k = .88, p < .01); good health and physical condition (k = .96, p < .01); supportive relationship (k = .84, p < .01); eroticism (k = .94, p < .01); and feeling active and alive (k = .92, p < .01). Conclusions This study stressed different ways on expressing sexuality in old age and underlined the importance of tenderness and care and eroticism for older adults who are sexually active.
- Bullying in old age: A qualitative study on older adults’ perceptions about being bulliedPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Gonçalves, José Alberto Ribeiro; Leal, Isabel Maria PereiraSignificant demographic changes and a growing aging population increasingly emphasize the importance of assessing phenomena of violence against older adults, who constitute a vulnerable population. Therefore, bullying in old age is a poorly studied phenomena, but of growing importance. This study aims to analyze the perspectives of bullying in old age, using qualitative research at a cross-national level. We interviewed 173 older participants aged 65–91 years. Participants were Portuguese and English and lived in the community. Participants were subjected to semi-structured interviews. All the interviews went through a process of content analysis. Sample recruitment occurred through initial telephone contact, followed by a request to participate. Outcomes of content analysis produced seven themes, all of them associated with bullying experiences such as compromised learning capacity, loss of sense of agency and decision-making, asexuality, less attractive appearance, less social skills, gender discrimination, and less financial resources. Portuguese older adults felt mostly bullied for their loss of sense of agency and decision-making, less attractive appearance, less social skills, and less financial resources, while English participants mostly felt bullied for their compromised learning capacity, gender discrimination, and asexuality. The themes identified as being the most prominent in bullying are valuable guidelines for social policies and interventions toward bullying among older adults. Considering the scarcity of studies on bullying in older adults, this study is relevant for understanding the experience of older adults in relation to being bullied and for implementing psychosocial intervention programs including bullying situations that affect community-dwelling older adults.
- Underneath the sheets: A cross-cultural cluster analysis of older adults’ patterns of aging and sexual well-being in Portugal and MexicoPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Mendoza Ruvalcaba, Neyda Ma; Low, Gail; Leal, I.This study aims to assess the patterns of life satisfaction with life (SwL), sexual satisfaction, and adjustment to aging (AtA), of older adults in Mexico and Portugal. A sample of 658 older adults, aged 65 years-old and older, from Mexico and Portugal were recruited for this cross-cultural study. The following measures were applied: (a) Adjustment to Aging Scale (ATAS); (b) Satisfaction with Life Scale (SwLS); (c) New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS); (d) Mini-Mental State Exam; and (e) Sociodemographic, health and lifestyle questionnaire. Clusters were identified and characterized by using K-means cluster analysis, encompassing SwL, AtA, and sexual satisfaction. Sexual well-being differences among clusters were analyzed with One-way ANOVAs. Findings indicated three clusters, which explained 76.4% (R-sq=0.764) of the total variance: Cluster #1: “Moderately adjusted older adults” (n=355, 53.9%), Cluster #2: “Moderately fulfilled older adults” (n=265, 40.3%), and Cluster 3: “Well adjusted and satisfied older adults” (n=38, 5.8%). Participants in Cluster #1 were mostly Mexican, with moderate levels of AtA and reduced sexual satisfaction and SwL. Conversely, Cluster #2 predominantly consisted of Portuguese participants with moderate sexual satisfaction and SwL, and lower levels of AtA. Participants from Cluster #3 were mostly Portuguese with high levels of AtA, sexual satisfaction, and SwL. This innovative study explored the intricate relationship between sexual well-being, the ability to adjust to aging, and overall SwL, in two different cultural contexts. Findings contributed to the understanding of the relationship between these three variables and for developing tailored future interventions and service planning with older adults in different cultures.
- How do older adults experience pet companionship? A qualitative study of the affective relationship with pets and its effect on the mental health of older adults during the Covid-19 pandemicPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Silva, Sara; Leal, Isabel Maria PereiraThis study aimed to explore the affective relationship of older adults with their pets during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to assess how this contributed to their mental health. This qualitative study included 351 participants aged 65–88 years from Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Spain. All interviews went through content analysis. Findings indicated five themes: (1) Enabling a meaningful affective relationship (86%); (2) Strengthening affective sharing with partner (68%); (3) Easing new affective relationships (61%); (4) Enhancing sensory stimuli and physical touch (55%); and; (5) Feeling physical pleasure (23%). Three main themes emerged from the content analysis regarding the second objective: (1) Fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms (73%); (2) Fewer feelings of loneliness (68%); and (3) Fewer mood swings (43%). The affective relationship between older adults and their pets was relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic since it solidified affective relationships with their partners and fostered the creation of new relationships. Additionally, it contributed to a deeper affective relationship with themselves, in terms of sensory stimuli, physical touch, and physical pleasure. Owning a pet improved mental health symptoms, namely those associated with depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
- How do older portuguese and mexican adults experience their sexual well-being? A cross-cultural qualitative studyPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Ruvalcaba, Neyda Ma Mendoza; Ribeiro-Gonçalves, José Alberto; Chávez-Rodríguez, Alejandro; Low, Gail; Leal, IsabelSexual well-being (SWB) refers to the subjective emotional and cognitive evaluation of the quality of the individual’s sexuality. SWB plays a relevant role in quality of life and health promotion on old age and has cross-cultural implications. In addition to the scarcity of in-depth qualitative studies in this area and studies with cross-cultural samples, no studies have compared perceptions of SWB among Portuguese and Mexican older adults. The aim of this study was to comparatively analyze perspectives on SWB among older adults residing in Portugal and Mexico. Data were collected from 86 Portuguese and 80 Mexican community-dwelling participants aged 65 years and older, using a semi-structured interview protocol. Older adults were asked about factors that significantly contribute to their SWB. Sociodemographic data were also gathered. Content analysis was used to identify key themes. Eight themes were identified across both studied samples: eroticism, supportive relationship, positive self-concept, health and self-care, romance, active life, tenderness and care, and no pain and no pregnancy restrictions. Eroticism was most pertinent to Portuguese participants (31.4%). Health and self-care was most frequently reported by Mexican participants (26.5%). The findings of this study indicate that SWB is strongly influenced by sociocultural and psychosocial values. Cross-cultural comparisons between older Portuguese and Mexican people provide a broader understanding of SWB in older age and suggest a scenario for future culture-adapted interventions and comprehensive policies.
- Latent constructs of adjustment to aging and subjective age in Portugal and Romania: A comparative multiple correspondence analysisPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Leal, I.; Pimenta, Filipa; Niculescu, GeorgetaObjective: To analyze the determinants of adjustment to aging (AtA) and subjective age (SA) identified by older adults and to investigate the differences of latent constructs that can work as major determinants in AtA and SA in an older Portuguese and Romanian population. Method: Measures were completed, including demographics and interviews. Complete data were available for 38 older adults aged between 74-90 years (M=80.6; SD = 5.4), from Portugal and Romenia. Data was subjected to content analysis. Representation of the associations and latent constructs were analyzed by a Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). Results: The most prevalent response of the interviewed participants for determinants to AtA was ‘health status, physical and intellectual functioning’ (18.1%). ‘With apprehension’ and ‘good enough’ (both 27.0%) were identified as the most frequent SA responses. Findings showed a model for each nationality. AtA and SA for Portuguese elderly were explained by a three-factor model: ‘regardful’, ‘engaged’ and ‘conciliated’. A three-dimension model formed by ‘perseverant’, ‘congruent’ and ‘enjoyers’ was indicated as a best-fit solution for Romanian elderly. Conclusion: AtA and SA are strongly explained by increased likelihood of specific constructs in its definition. AtA is related to SA in older adults in both countries, although in different degree.
- What distresses sexual well-being among older adults in different cultures? A qualitative study with Slovenian and Portuguese older adultsPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Rolo, J.; Ribeiro-Gonçalves, José Alberto; Benko, Ester; Low, Gail; Leal, IsabelObjective To analyze the perspectives of sexual unwellness (SU) of Portuguese and Slovenian older adults was the objective of this study. A qualitative research was carried out, in which these perceptions were analyzed at a cultural level. Methods The sample of this study consisted of 136 older participants, between 65 and 96 years of age. Participants were of two different nationalities and lived in the community. Participants were interviewed, and all interviews were carried out through the process of literal transcription and subsequent content analysis. Results Eight key mutually exclusive themes emerged from the interviews: unavailability of partner; traditional values; body restrictions; low self-esteem and well-being; poor social support; dissatisfaction with physical appearance; pain during sex; and difficulties meeting new people. Unavailability of partner was the most important theme (17.9%) for the studied sample and specifically among Portuguese participants. Conversely, difficulties meeting new people were the least reported theme (6.8%) for the entire sample. For Slovenians traditional values were most relevant with respect to feeling sexually unwell. Conclusions Older adults from two different countries reported diverse sexual experiences. Eight mutual-exclusive themes were extensively illustrated. Policy Implications These findings are evidence for cultural-adapted interventions and policy making in the context of older adults’ sexual well-being, particularly in terms of its relation with aging well.
- A viuvez no envelhecimento : estudo exploratório com idososPublication . Costa, Andrea; von Humboldt, Sofia
- Adjustment to aging, subjective age and age representation: Assessing a nationally-diverse population of older adultsPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Leal, I.; Pimenta, Filipa; Niculescu, GeorgetaAim: This research sought to analyse older adults’ conceptualization of adjustment to aging (AtA), subjective age (SA) and age representation (AR), adding a cross-national comparative perspective to aging well. Method: Questionnaires were completed, assessing participants’ background information. Semi-structured interviews were performed, addressing three core areas: SA, AtA and AR. Complete information on 231 older adults aged between 74-102 years (M = 83.1; SD = 6.692) from four different nationalities, was available. Data was subjected to content analysis. Results: Seven categories were identified to contribute to AtA: ‘accomplishment, personal fulfilment and future projects’, ‘occupation, profession, autonomy and leisure’, ‘health status, physical and intellectual functioning’, ‘valorisation of time and age’, ‘family, social and interpersonal attachment’, ‘stability, quality and financial situation’, and ‘sense of limit and existential issues’. Five categories were identified for SA: ‘with congruence’, ‘without concern’, ‘with apprehension’, ‘young-at-heart’ and ‘good enough’. For AR, eight emergent categories were found: ‘future investment’, ‘reconciliation with life’, ‘present challenge’, ‘regret about the past’, ‘dynamic life’, ‘with contentment’, ‘as an opportunity’ and ‘with dissatisfaction’. Conclusion: This research contributes for a better understanding of what defines AtA, SA and AR in older adults. Moreover, interventions and communication approaches in clinical practice and program development in health care context should focus on shared perceptions of aging well.