Loading...
11 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 11
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Analyzing adjustment to aging and subjective age from angolan and portuguese community-dwelling older adults' perspectivesPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Leal, I.; Pimenta, FilipaBackground: The aging experience influences the ways an aging individual self-adjusts to challenges in late adulthood in various cultural settings. This study aims at examining the indicators of adjustment to aging (AtA) and subjective age (SA), and at investigating the latent constructs that can work as major determinants in AtA and SA in an older Portuguese and Angolan community-dwelling population. Methods: Questionnaires were completed, specifically assessing participants’ sociodemographic and health-related information. Semi-interviews with 102 older adults aged between 75 and 99 years (mean ¼ 80.5, standard deviation ¼ 5.76) were conducted, focusing on AtA and SA. Data were subjected to content analysis. The correlational structure and latent constructs of indicators of AtA and SA were analyzed by a multiple correspondence analysis. Results: Outcomes from content analysis designated seven categories for AtA, which are “accomplishment and future projects,” “occupation and leisure,” “health and well-being,” “valorization of time and age,” “social support,” “stability and safety,” and “existential meaning and sense of limit”; and five emergent categories for SA, which are “in harmony,” “fearless,” “with concern,” “youthful,” and “satisfactory.” Social support was the most reported indicator of AtA (25.4%) and in harmony (22.3%) was indicated as the most frequent SA response. Adjustment and age was explained by a three-factor overall modeldintegrated, congruent, and concerned for Angolan participants; fulfilled, reconciliated, and driven were indicated as a best-fit model for the Portuguese elderly population. Conclusion: The findings presented in this paper emphasize the deepening of the concept of AtA in this population and its association with SA in an overall model.
- Assessing subjective age and adjustment to aging in a portuguese and german older population: A comparative multiple correspondence analysisPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Leal, I.; Pimenta, FilipaPurpose: This study aims at examining the contributors to adjustment to aging (AtA) and subjective age (SA) identified by older adults and to investigate the latent constructs that can work as major determinants in AtA and SA in an older Portuguese and German population. Method: Measures were completed, using a variety of appropriate methods, including demographics and interviews. Complete data were available for 102 older adults aged between 74-100 years (M=81.2; SD = 6.70). Data was subjected to content analysis. Representation of the associations and latent constructs were analyzed by a Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). Results: Findings showed a model for each nationality. SA and AtA for Portuguese elderly were explained by a three-factor overall model: “active”, “concentrated” and “attuned”. A three-dimension overall model formed by “harmonized”, “focused” and “young-at-heart” was indicated as a best-fit solution for German elderly. Conclusion: SAis differently related to AtA in older adults in both samples. The findings presented in this paper highlighted the under-developed potential of an adjustment and age overall model for this population.
- Staying well in old age: Predicting older adults’ wellnessPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Leal, I.; Pimenta, FilipaIn an ageing world, the potential for ageing well in older people is still relatively unexplored. Literature has suggested that a sense of coherence (SOC) is an important factor with regard to retaining a good quality of life in old age. To explore whether satisfaction with life (SWL), as well as sociodemographic, health- and lifestyle-related variables, are predictors of SOC in a community-dwelling sample of older adults and to assess significant differences in SOC amongst the four nationalities studied. Cross-national research encompassing a community-dwelling sample of 454 older adults aged 75 years and above was undertaken. Sense of coherence was assessed using the Orientation to Life Questionnaire and Satisfaction with Life (SWL) was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Structural equation modelling was used to investigate a structural model of the self-reported SOC, comprising sociodemographic variables (age, gender, marital status, professional status, educational level, family’s annual income and standard of living arrangements), as well as SWL, lifestyle and health-related (physical activity and recent disease) characteristics. Significant predictors were physical activity (β = 0.804; p < 0.001), recent disease (β = 0.501; p < 0.001) and SWL (β = 0.07; p = 0.004). These variables accounted for approximately 57.5% of the variability of SOC. Moreover, differences with regard to SOC were also found amongst the four nationality groups (F(3) = 5.204; p = 0.002). Physical activity is the strongest predictor of self-reported SOC. Other predictors are the absence of a recent disease and SWL. The four nationalities presented significant differences with regard to SOC. This study highlighted the need for understanding the potential factors (in particular physical activity and further health-related characteristics) that impact on older adults’ SOC.
- In the eyes of older adults: Self-reported age and adjustment in african and european older adultsPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Leal, I.; Pimenta, Filipa; Niculescu, GeorgetaTo explore older adults’ perceptions of subjective age and adjustment to ageing and to analyse the correlational structure of the pre-categories in our study: subjective age, indicators of adjustment to ageing and of personal age perception. An exploratory, descriptive mixedmethods design was utilised. A purposive sampling method was used to select 154 older adults aged between 75 and 99 years from three different nationalities. Semi-structured interviews were performed, addressing two core areas: subjective age and adjustment to ageing. Data was subjected to content analysis. Representation of the correlational structure of the precategories in our study (subjective age and indicators of adjustment to ageing) were analysed by a Multiple Correspondence Analysis. Standardised instruments measured regular cognitive abilities. Five categories derived from interviews for subjective age: ‘adapted’, ‘disconnected’, ‘old’, ‘youthful’ and ‘tolerant’. A total of seven categories emerged as indicators of adjustment to ageing: ‘social networking’, ‘health’, ‘time perspective’, ‘spirituality’, ‘financial autonomy’, ‘professional activities’ and ‘fulfilment and leisure’. These results supported a model for each pre-category. Subjective age was explained by a two-factor model: ‘age-conscientious’ and ‘youthful’. A three-dimensional model formed by ‘reconciled’, ‘satisficers’ and ‘maximisers’ was indicated as a best-fit solution for adjustment to ageing. A three-dimensional overall model for PAP was formed by ‘age-cognisant’, ‘fulfilled’ and ‘satisficers’. The findings highlighted the underdeveloped potential of subjective age, adjustment to ageing and a personal age perception overall model for this population. Enhancing subjective age and adjustment to ageing might be an important target to improve older adults’ interventions’ outcomes.
- Assessing adjustment to aging : A validation study for the Adjustment to Aging Scale (AtAS)Publication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Leal, I.; Pimenta, Filipa; Maroco, JoãoAdjustment to aging (AtA) is a multifactor adjustment process with implications on aging well among older adults. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a scale to assess the factors that older adults recognized as indicators of their AtA, with a cross-national comparative perspective towards aging well. Convenience sampling was used to gather questionnaire data, including demographics and the proposed scale. Complete data was available for 1,291 older community-dwelling adults, aged between 75 and 102 years (M = 83.9; SD = 6.68), who represented four different nationalities. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed for dimension reduction and exploration of the factorial structure. Data gathered with the 22-items AtA five-factor scale showed overall good psychometric properties (in terms of distributional properties, statistical significant factor weights, factorial, convergent, discriminant criterion and externalrelated validities, as well as reliability). Five factors were selected for the Adjustment to Aging Scale: (a) sense of purpose and ambitions (b) zest and spirituality; (c) body and health; (d) aging in place and stability; and (e) social support. We present a 22-item scale with five factors for AtA estimation in a cross-national elderly population which produced valid and reliable data for elder persons from four different nationalities. Results showed that this scale is an adequate cross-cultural instrument for research, clinical practice and program development in the health care context. These may benefit from clearly understanding AtA as an important component for reducing health disparities and for aging well, across nationalities.
- Living well in later life: The influence of sense of coherence, and socio-demographic, lifestyle and health-related factors on older adults' satisfaction with lifePublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Leal, I.; Pimenta, FilipaThis study aims at exploring a structural model of satisfaction with life’s (SWL) predictors in a cross-national sample of older adults. A quantitative approach was followed with a cross-sectional study design. A community-dwelling sample of 1,234 older adults from four different nationalities residing in Portugal, was assessed regarding SWL, sense of coherence (SOC) and socio-demographic, lifestyle and health-related characteristics. Sampling was performed in lifelong learning centres’ message boards and local community centres’ list-serves in the Lisbon metropolitan area and in the Algarve region. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate a structural model of the self-reported SWL, comprising SOC, socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, education, marital and professional status, household, adult children, income, living setting and religion), as well as lifestyle and health-related characteristics (physical activity, recent disease and medication). Significant predictors are SOC (β=0.733; p<0.001), religion (β=0.725; p<0.001), income (β=0.551; p<0.001), adult children (β=0.546; p<0.001), education (β=−0.403; p<0.001), living setting (β=−0.292; p<0.001) and medication (β=−. 197; p<0.001). The variables accounted for 24.8 % of the variability of SWL. Moreover, differences between the four nationality groups (F(3, 671)=3.671, p=0.066) were not found concerning SWL. Sense of coherence is the strongest predictor of self-reported SWL. Other predictors are religion, income, adult children, education, living setting and medication. The four nationalities did not present significant differences, concerning SWL. This study points out the potential factors that influence older adults’ SWL, in particular SOC, religion and income, as promoters of aging well, within a salutogenic model of health for older populations.
- What predicts older adults’ adjustment to aging in later life? The impact of sense of coherence, subjective well- being, and sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health-related factorsPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Leal, I.; Pimenta, FilipaThe aim of this study was to build a structural model to explore the predictors of adjustment to aging (AtA) in a community-dwelling older population. A community-dwelling sample of 1,270 older adults aged between 75 and 102 years answered a questionnaire to determine sociodemographic (sex, age, professional and marital status, education, household, adult children, family’s annual income, living setting, and self-reported spirituality), lifestyle, and health-related characteristics (perceived health, recent disease, medication, and leisure). Several instruments were used to assert psychological variables, namely AtA, sense of coherence, and subjective well-being. Structural equation modeling was used to explore a structural model of the self-reported AtA, encompassing all variables. Significant predictors are self-reported spirituality (β = .816, p < .001); perceived health (β = .455, p < .001); leisure (β = .322, p < .001); professional status (β = .283, p < .001); income (β = .230, p = .035); household (β = –.208, p = .007); sense of coherence (β = −.202, p = .004); and adult children (β = .164, p = .011). The variables explain, respectively, 60.6% of the variability of AtA. Self-reported spirituality is the strongest predictor of AtA. Other predictors are perceived health, leisure, professional status, income, household, sense of coherence, and adult children. This study emphasizes the need for deepening the variables that influence older adults’ AtA—in particular, perceived health and further lifestyle-related characteristics—as being relevant for promoting aging well in later life, within a salutogenic context for health care.