{"title":"Aging Alone in a Continuous Traumatic Situation: External Coping Resources.","authors":"Shirly Hadida-Naus, Gabriela Spector-Mersel, Sharon Shiovitz-Ezra","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2435912","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2435912","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Exposure to a persistent terrorist threat constitutes a continuous traumatic situation (CTS) that can severely impact one's mental and physical health. For older adults living in CTS, this risk is compounded by the challenges of aging. This vulnerability is significantly heightened for older adults living alone in CTS, who typically experience increased social isolation and loneliness. Past research has explored internal coping resources that help these individuals deal with their stressful circumstances. Nevertheless, external coping resources have been hardly explored, making it difficult to create policies and practices to support older adults living alone in areas affected by terrorism. To address this lacuna, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 15 older adults living alone in Sderot, an Israeli city that has been under constant terror attacks for over two decades, and analyzed them using thematic analysis. Four external coping resources were identified: family; friendships; communal resources including a sense of belonging to their community and neighbors; and formal resources provided to them by the municipality and the state, comprising instrumental and emotional support. The findings affirm the significance of external coping resources for older adults facing continuous stress and trauma, suggesting ways to strengthen these resources to boost individuals' resilience.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"602-630"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142773590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Needs-Based Assessment of Older Immigrants Experiencing Loneliness and Social Isolation and the Effectiveness of Interventions Responding to the Identified Needs: An Umbrella Review and Research Update.","authors":"Yukiko Kasakura, Shae-Leigh Vella, Nagesh Pai","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2425052","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2425052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This umbrella review and research update explores experiences of loneliness and social isolation in older immigrants to understand their support needs and the effectiveness of current interventions. Nine quantitative and qualitative studies discussing loneliness and/or social isolation in older immigrants were identified. Six key themes emerged: language and cultural barriers, life-course intersections, family relationships and obligations, meaningful opportunities as a counter-strategy, regaining self-esteem, and effectiveness of peer/community support. Assessment of needs was a central topic in the literature. Peer and community support is an effective intervention targeting loneliness and social isolation in older immigrants as it connects participants and creates meaningful relationships.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"585-601"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142584635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ageing Perception and Social Relationships Moderate the Associations Between Health Stressors and Life Satisfaction in the Very Old: Evidence from the ELSA Study.","authors":"Babatola Dominic Olawa, Abigail Olubola Taiwo, Lizette Nolte","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2435916","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2435916","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated whether social relationships and aging perceptions moderate the roles of health stressors on life satisfaction among very old adults (80+ years, <i>N</i> = 4,220) in the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA). Data were analyzed in R Lavaan using structural equation modeling with latent interactions. Positive ageing perception and the quality of social relationships with children and relatives attenuated the influence of mobility limitations on life satisfaction. Only social relationships moderated pain's influence on life satisfaction. Interventions to increase subjective well-being in advanced old age can target positive views of aging and the quality of social relationships.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"631-653"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142773586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction.","authors":"","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2471190","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2471190","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"i"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143484409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Unmet Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Care Needs and Associated Risk Factors Among Older Adults with Dementia at the End of Life.","authors":"Hazal Swearinger, Gülçin Con Wright","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2474584","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2474584","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper examined the prevalence of and risk factors associated with unmet needs for activities of daily living (ADL) for older adults dying with dementia. We focused on a sample of 632 older adults in the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Employing Andersen's behavioral model of health, we investigated the association of predisposing, enabling, and need factors and found that older age, using hospice, receiving residential care, and severity of ADL disability were associated with fewer unmet care needs. This study emphasizes the timing of end-of-life care preferences and the quality of care services for older adults with dementia.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"719-736"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143558353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Effects of Training on Older Volunteers' Skill Competency, Volunteer Motivation, Self-Efficacy, and Work Satisfaction: A Cluster Randomized Trial.","authors":"Szu-Yu Chen, Li-Ching Yang, Kuei-Min Chen, Meng-Chin Chen, Chiang-Ching Chang, Tzu-Yu Lin, Frank Belcastro","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2465252","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2465252","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This longitudinal cluster-randomized trial investigated older volunteers' changes following a 3-month training program. A total of 156 older Taiwanese volunteers in the community care centers participated in this study (<i>n</i> <sub>training</sub> = 80, <i>n</i> <sub>control</sub> = 76). Older volunteers' skills/competency and psychosocial variables were assessed at baseline, one and three months. Results showed that trained volunteers significantly improved skills, motivation, self-efficacy, and work satisfaction, while untrained volunteers showed no improvements in self-efficacy or work satisfaction and experienced a decline in motivation . The results hightlighted that training is crucial for maximazing the positive impact of volunteering on older adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"697-718"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143426461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrew T Steward, Yating Zhu, Carson M De Fries, Annie Zean Dunbar, Miguel Trujillo
{"title":"A Phenomenological, Intersectional Exploration of Ways Older Adults Find Support in Response to Ageism and Racism.","authors":"Andrew T Steward, Yating Zhu, Carson M De Fries, Annie Zean Dunbar, Miguel Trujillo","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2449653","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2449653","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"654-675"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142956617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Mediating Role of Social Support on COVID-19 Concern and Self-Rated Physical Health of Older Adults in the United States.","authors":"Swasati Handique, Soeun Jang","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2451068","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2451068","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The COVID-19 significantly impacted older adults, worsening their physical health and social connectedness. This study examined whether social support mediates the correlation between COVID-19 concerns and self-rated physical health (SRPH) using data from 2672 participants (aged 50-99) in the NSHAP COVID-19 sub-study (2019-20). Mediation analysis revealed that COVID-19 concerns significantly predicted lower perceived social support (b = -0.0397, p < .001) and worse SRPH (b = -0.0536, p < .001). The indirect effect through perceived social support was significant and negative (b = -0.0045, p = .006).</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"676-696"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142972672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Education and Formal Volunteering Delays Cognitive Decline Among Hispanics: Implications for Health Interventions.","authors":"Ernest Gonzales, Cliff Whetung, Yeonjung Jane Lee","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2504071","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2504071","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examined the longitudinal associations of productive aging activities (education, employment, and formal volunteering) with cognitive functioning among Hispanics in the United States. Methods included mixed-effect growth curve models with Health and Retirement Study data (2006-2020, <i>N</i> = 2,437), controlling for risk and protective factors associated with cognitive functioning. Education, employment, and formal volunteering were positively associated with cognitive health. Post-hoc analyses examined ages at which respondents met the threshold for cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) status. The magnitude of cognitive health benefits varied by educational attainment and formal volunteering. Among Hispanics with less than a high school education, high-intensity volunteering was positively associated with cognitive functioning at baseline and overtime. Among highly educated Hispanics, any volunteering (low and high intensity) resulted in slower cognitive health declines over time. Post-hoc analyses suggest Hispanic older adults with low educational attainment benefited the most from high intensity volunteering. College completion, employment, and formal volunteering are promising public policy interventions to promote cognitive health, including Hispanic older adults. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"737-757"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144121035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kheng Chuan Tan, Ingrid M Wilson, Wilson Mack, Mary Xiaorong Chen, Tianma Xu, Jonathan Yang Sheng Tan, Dzulfikaar Sutandar, Katijah Dawood, Satvinder Singh Dhaliwal
{"title":"Understanding and Predicting Elder Abuse Response Capabilities: Insights from Singapore's Community Care Professionals.","authors":"Kheng Chuan Tan, Ingrid M Wilson, Wilson Mack, Mary Xiaorong Chen, Tianma Xu, Jonathan Yang Sheng Tan, Dzulfikaar Sutandar, Katijah Dawood, Satvinder Singh Dhaliwal","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2516845","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2025.2516845","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Elder abuse is a significant global issue, with health and social care professionals playing a crucial role in its detection and management. This cross-sectional study quantitatively surveyed 291 community care professionals in Singapore, recruited through convenience sampling. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing their capabilities (knowledge, attitudes, and confidence) and the barriers and enablers influencing their ability to address elder abuse. Findings revealed significant gaps: 27.7% felt knowledgeable about elder abuse, 25.4% reported positive attitudes, and 57.7% expressed confidence in managing such cases. Over half of respondents reported no prior training and a lack of workplace guidelines. Key barriers included victims' or families' denial or reluctance to seek help. Univariate analyses identified significant associations (<i>p</i> < .05) between professionals' capabilities and factors such as occupation, education, training, guidelines, citizenship, ethnicity, and work experience. Multivariable logistic regression highlighted occupation, education, prior training, and the presence of guidelines as significant predictors (<i>p</i> < .05) of enhanced capabilities. Respondents emphasized the need for comprehensive training, clear protocols, shared community responsibility, targeted interventions for service users, and increased systemic support. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions for service users, interventions to strengthen professionals' ability to address elder abuse effectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"1-27"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144259118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}