GeroPsych-The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry最新文献

{"title":"Research on Active Aging in Germany","authors":"C. Tesch-Römer, S. Wurm","doi":"10.1024/1662-9647/A000067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/A000067","url":null,"abstract":"The year 2012 is the European Year of Active Aging and Intergenerational Solidarity. On this occasion, the journal GeroPsych presents an overview of the contributions of gerontopsychology to active aging across Europe. Active aging comprises both individual processes and societal opportunity structures for health, participation and integration. The goal of interventions for active aging is to enhance the quality of life as people age. In the following, we will sketch the situation of gerontopsychological research on active aging in Germany. We firstly describe some important milestones in the history of gerontopsychology in Germany, secondly point to some research institutions and their contributions to active aging in Germany, and thirdly give some examples of research on active aging we are involved in ourselves.","PeriodicalId":45525,"journal":{"name":"GeroPsych-The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry","volume":"10 1","pages":"167-170"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2012-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"57226814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geropsychology Across Europe","authors":"D. Ferring, F. Lang","doi":"10.1024/1662-9647/A000060","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/A000060","url":null,"abstract":"Europe is aging. European countries currently have the highest proportions of older people in the world and will remain societies of long life over the next decades. Although this process may be less pronounced in some countries, due to a continuing decreasing fertility rate and a continuously increasing life expectancy the general trend shows a clear disproportion of the younger to the older generations especially in the West European countries. Recent extrapolations by Eurostat predict that there will be a dramatic increase of the “old old” above 80 years within the next 15 years, while the proportion of persons within the active age range between 15 to 64 years will decrease. Aging also has a remarkable gender specificity, the majority of very old people being women. These circumstances challenge societies on several dimensions, not the least with respect to the sustainability of public resources. Moreover, Europe has to simultaneously adapt to the challenges and demands of globalization, adding a further dynamic: the notion of resource fairness and distribution of resources. These challenges are not unknown, and several European countries are now focusing on developing “aging policies” and on the necessity of intergenerational solidarity. For instance, this is indicated by the fact that the year 2012 has been designated the “European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations.” Parallel to this, geropsychology and geriatrics has become more and more prominent in national public discourses. Clearly, such demands require more effort to be invested in how the lives and health of older adults can be improved. This involves new challenges to the applied behavioral and medical sciences, requiring greater attention on how to organize intervention, nonpharmaceutical treatments, therapy, and higher education in psychogerontological fields of work. In fact, we believe that greater expertise and knowledge in geropsychology will be necessary for all fields of aging research and practice. The present issue of GeroPsych starts with instructive reports on intervention approaches and research in geropsychology across Europe describing new trends and providing insights into a flourishing field from various national perspectives. Stepankova and colleagues report on evaluation results of a memory training study from the Czech Republic. Schindler and colleagues investigate the extent to which perceived knowledge of dementia is associated with lower caregiver burden in a German sample of dementia caregivers. Despot Lucanin and coauthors from Croatia investigate who changes of subjective health are associated with objective physical and mental health over time. Fernandez-Ballesteros and Schettini evaluate university programs for older adults in Spain. The second section of this special issue includes four national reports giving an overview of the developments, research, and education in the field of geropsychology in Austria (Auer & Gatterer), the ","PeriodicalId":45525,"journal":{"name":"GeroPsych-The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry","volume":"25 1","pages":"115-115"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2012-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"57226756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations of psychological, functional, and biological factors with age changes in the self-perceived health of old persons","authors":"J. D. Lučanin, D. Lučanin","doi":"10.1024/1662-9647/A000063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/A000063","url":null,"abstract":"This research investigates the associations of psychological and biological factors with the self-perceived health of old persons. Participants were 411 residents of 11 retirement homes in Zagreb, Croatia: 104 men, 307 women, aged 56–96 years (average 79) at baseline, mobile, and not diagnosed with dementia. The variables measured, at baseline and at 2-year follow-up, were sociodemographics, self-perceived health, functional ability, cognitive function, depression, and social participation. Biochemical variables were measured from vein blood sample at baseline. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses explained 33%–38% of self-perceived health variance. Functional ability, depressive symptoms, and age were significant predictors of self-perceived health in all analyses. Two biological cardiovascular risk factors variables – glucose and urea – were significantly associated with self-perceived health.","PeriodicalId":45525,"journal":{"name":"GeroPsych-The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry","volume":"25 1","pages":"135-143"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2012-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"57226767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Depressive Syndromes on the Everyday Competence of Nursing Home Residents with Dementia","authors":"S. Verhülsdonk, S. Engel","doi":"10.1024/1662-9647/A000059","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/A000059","url":null,"abstract":"Depression in dementia is very common and has significant effects on the functional impairment of nursing-home residents. This study assesses depression, depression diagnosis, cognitive status, status of medication and functional status in 138 residents. Results: (1) 34.1% of the demented residents had a depressive symptomatology. (2) No diagnosis of “depression” was documented for a high percentage of depressed residents. (3) No correlation between depressive symptoms and treatment with antidepressants was present. (4) There was no correlation between the stage of dementia and the rate of depression. (5) There were significant differences in the everyday competence between depressive and nondepressive residents with dementia. The data suggest the need for an adequate diagnosis and treatment of depressive residents with dementia and underlines the need for improvement in care and treatment in primary care and nursing homes.","PeriodicalId":45525,"journal":{"name":"GeroPsych-The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry","volume":"25 1","pages":"103-109"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2012-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"57226699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multidimensionality in Developmental Conceptions Across Adulthood","authors":"Maida Mustafic, A. Freund","doi":"10.1024/1662-9647/A000055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/A000055","url":null,"abstract":"Two studies demonstrate the usefulness of a newly developed, direct assessment method of subjective conceptualizations of development across adulthood. Results of Study 1 (N = 234, 18–83 years) suggest that older adults anticipate stronger decline in four domains of functioning (subjective well-being, social relationships, cognition, physical functioning) than younger and middle-aged adults. Study 2 (N = 166, 20–85 years) showed that older adults’ conceptualizations show less differentiation across domains than those of younger and middle-aged adults’. Results of both studies confirm lifespan notions of multidirectionality (expectations of gains and losses) but also show age-related differences in multidimensionality of developmental conceptions (i.e., differences in expected trajectories between domains). Moreover, results provide evidence that favorable conceptions impact perceived controllability and actual subjective well-being.","PeriodicalId":45525,"journal":{"name":"GeroPsych-The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry","volume":"25 1","pages":"57-72"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2012-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"57226612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceived Rights of and Social Distance to People with Alzheimer’s Disease","authors":"E. Bourkel, D. Ferring, G. Weber","doi":"10.1024/1662-9647/A000052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/A000052","url":null,"abstract":"The present study investigated how laypeople and professionals (N = 185) judge the rights of someone affected with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and whether social distance exists toward this person. Pa...","PeriodicalId":45525,"journal":{"name":"GeroPsych-The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry","volume":"25 1","pages":"25-32"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"57226600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Two Faces of Age Identity","authors":"David Weiss, F. Lang","doi":"10.1024/1662-9647/A000050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/A000050","url":null,"abstract":"As people grow older they develop a sense of a dual age identity, referring to their age group and generation (Weiss & Lang, 2009). Two studies (N1 = 37, 60–85 years and N2 = 104, 65–88 years of age) compared and contrasted older adults’ cognitive representations of two types of age cohort groups (age group vs. generation). Analyses reveal that age-group identity was more frequently associated with loss and decline, whereas generation identity was more frequently associated with positive characteristics and increased levels of agency. Findings also show that generation identity may – especially in later adulthood – serve as a means to compensate for loss. The self-protective function of the dual age identity and the dynamic and flexible nature of identification are further discussed.","PeriodicalId":45525,"journal":{"name":"GeroPsych-The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry","volume":"25 1","pages":"5-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"57227005","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What Do Cognitive Complaints in a Sample of Memory Clinic Outpatients Reflect","authors":"Anna Mascherek, D. Zimprich, R. Rupprecht, F. Lang","doi":"10.1024/1662-9647/A000046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/A000046","url":null,"abstract":"Conflicting evidence exists concerning the value of cognitive complaints in the course of assessing cognitive performance in individuals. The present study examines whether cognitive complaints are differentially related to cognitive functioning in groups with different diagnoses. 169 older outpatients (76 years on average) were divided into three groups and diagnosed with subjective cognitive complaints, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia. They were then administered a self-rating questionnaire on cognitive complaints, with semantic fluency and global cognitive functioning being assessed as cognitive measures. Multiple regression analyses revealed that, after controlling for depression, age, sex, and education, global cognitive functioning was not related to cognitive complaints. Semantic fluency was related to cognitive complaints depending on the group. Results suggest that cognitive complaints reflect, in part, actual cognitive performance.","PeriodicalId":45525,"journal":{"name":"GeroPsych-The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry","volume":"24 1","pages":"187-195"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2011-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"57226998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neural Correlates of Executive Dysfunction in Prodromal and Manifest Alzheimer’s Disease","authors":"A. Hunt, U. Haberkorn, J. Schröder, P. Schönknecht","doi":"10.1024/1662-9647/A000038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/A000038","url":null,"abstract":"Executive function is frequently impaired in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and its prodromal stage, and can be assessed using the Trail-Making Test (TMT). We aimed to elicit the neural and cognitive correlates of TMT subtests using positron emission tomography with 18-fluoro-D-deoxy-glucose, and neuropsychological testing in 20 patients with prodromal or manifest AD as well as 14 controls. TMT-A correlated with glucose metabolism in the left middle frontal cortex, TMT-B performance correlated with the metabolism in the right middle frontal cortex and the right precentral gyrus, and TMT-Q performance correlated with metabolism in the right middle frontal cortex. The present findings reveal functional imaging evidence that executive dysfunction in AD as measured by TMT is frontal lobe mediated.","PeriodicalId":45525,"journal":{"name":"GeroPsych-The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry","volume":"24 1","pages":"77-81"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2011-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"57226988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-Rated Quality of Life in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Problem of Affective Distortion","authors":"M. Berwig, H. Leicht, K. Hartwig, H. Gertz","doi":"10.1024/1662-9647/A000029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/A000029","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Cognitively impaired or demented patients may have difficulty performing the complex and multidimensional appraisal required by self-ratings (SR) of quality of life (QoL). Even healthy subjects often refer to their current mood state for QoL self-assessment. Therefore, it is hypothesized that patients rely on current mood state as a reference point for QoL SR, and that the degree of reliance increases with the level of cognitive impairment. Methods: Two consecutive samples of 14 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 16 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were examined using the self-rated Dementia-Quality of Life (DEMQoL), a multidimensional mood state questionnaire (MDBF-A, Mehrdimensionaler Befindlichkeitsfragebogen), and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE; MCI: mean = 25.1, SD = 2.1; AD: mean = 20.3, SD = 2.7). Results: As expected, correlations between current mood state and QoL SR (DEMQoL) were highly significant in AD patients but not in MCI patients. The degree of as...","PeriodicalId":45525,"journal":{"name":"GeroPsych-The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry","volume":"24 1","pages":"45-51"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2011-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"57226893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}