Yuan Cao, Gerald Shiu Yin Kwan, Zita Cho Kwan Tse, Karen Kit Sum Chow, Dilys Kwai Sin Kwan, Windes Wai Yin Lam, David Ho Keung Shum
{"title":"Managing Uncertainty and Loneliness: Protective and Risk Factors Impacting on Older People's Mental Health in Hong Kong.","authors":"Yuan Cao, Gerald Shiu Yin Kwan, Zita Cho Kwan Tse, Karen Kit Sum Chow, Dilys Kwai Sin Kwan, Windes Wai Yin Lam, David Ho Keung Shum","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2423678","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2423678","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the roles of loneliness and prospective intolerance of uncertainty (IU-P) on mental health, and identified the sources of stress and joy during the COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Two thousand two hundred and fifty-eight older adults completed the survey. Older adults who had higher levels of loneliness and IU-P were more likely to have poor mental health. IU-P was found to partially and positively mediate the relationship between loneliness and mental health. Top stressors were contracting the virus, uncertainty about the future, and loneliness; while family/friends, peace of mind, and hobbies were identified as protective factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"234-255"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142570036","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}
Steffi M Kim, Jordan P Lewis, Juanita-Dawne Bacsu, Jodi L Southerland, Matthew Lee Smith
{"title":"A Discourse Analysis of Cultural Influences on Alaska Native Successful Aging.","authors":"Steffi M Kim, Jordan P Lewis, Juanita-Dawne Bacsu, Jodi L Southerland, Matthew Lee Smith","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2403976","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2403976","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Geographical remoteness, limited resources, and socioeconomic disparities contribute to the migration of rural Alaska Native Elders to urban areas to access medical services and resources, improve economic situations, or reunite with family. We compared the discourse of 12 Elders in Anchorage who previously lived in four remote traditional villages in the Norton Sound region (ages 60-84) and 13 Elders in those villages (ages 48-80). Using Gee's discourse analysis framework, two patterns emerged detailing cultural effects on identity and Eldership, illuminating differences in the self-evaluation of successful aging based on cultural influences and the role of contextual factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"207-233"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142510362","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}
Sehyun Baek, Oejin Shin, Soobin Park, Ahra Ko, Sojung Park, Eun-Na Kang
{"title":"The Relationship between the Working Environment and Quality of Life among Home Health Aides: Focusing on the Mediation Role of Burnout.","authors":"Sehyun Baek, Oejin Shin, Soobin Park, Ahra Ko, Sojung Park, Eun-Na Kang","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2372111","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2372111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As South Korea's population rapidly ages, there is an increasing demand for home aides. However, little is known about how the caregiving environment affects HHAs. Guided by the environment comfort model, we examined the association between care recipients' home environment and HHA's quality of life, focusing on how burnout mediates this relationship. Our data came from a national survey of home health aides in 2020 (N = 786). We conducted an exploratory factor analysis to identify six factors related to the care environment in three dimensions: physical (1. space; 2. indoor/outdoor conditions), functional (3. home appliances; 4. heating/air conditioning), and psychological (5. satisfaction with the home environment; 6. relationships with care recipients and their families). We then used a path analysis to examine the relationship between these factors, burnout, and quality of life. Our findings show that safe indoor/outdoor conditions and positive relationships with care recipients and their families are associated with lower levels of burnout, leading to a higher quality of life (p < .05). This highlights the importance of considering both physical and psychological aspects of the caregiving environment to prevent burnout and improve the quality of life for HHAs, ultimately contributing to high-quality services for care recipients.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"129-150"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141895184","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 Qualitative Study of Adult Protective Services Practitioners Responding to Allegations of Elder Abuse and Self-Neglect.","authors":"Andie MacNeil, Erin Salvo, David Burnes","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2373289","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2373289","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adult Protective Services (APS) practitioners play an essential role in supporting older adults experiencing elder abuse and self-neglect (EASN), however, very little research has examined their experiences, from their perspectives. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of APS practitioners responding to allegations of EASN. Qualitative interviews were conducted with APS practitioners (<i>n</i> = 14) from the state of Maine. A descriptive phenomenological approach involving two independent assessors was used to code transcripts into themes. Two domains, each with various subthemes, were identified: (1) rewarding elements of role and (2) challenging aspects of role. The findings of this study emphasize how APS practitioners are motivated by their capacity to help elicit positive change in the lives of their clients and support the well-being of older adults experiencing EASN. However, APS practitioners must navigate numerous challenges and barriers in their role, including time constraints, high and complex caseloads, limited resources, and broader misconceptions on APS. These findings highlight the importance of addressing these stressors to support the well-being of APS practitioners, which, in turn, can help support the vulnerable older adults they serve.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"172-188"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141493863","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}
Rebecca L Mauldin, Rupal Parekh, Priyanjali Chakraborty, Jill T Messing, Stephen Mattingly
{"title":"Transportation, Routine Activities, and Unmet Travel Needs Among Older Vietnamese Immigrants in the United States.","authors":"Rebecca L Mauldin, Rupal Parekh, Priyanjali Chakraborty, Jill T Messing, Stephen Mattingly","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2375757","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2375757","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Transportation barriers can affect travel needs and quality of life.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This survey examined transportation, routine activities, and unmet travel needs among older Vietnamese immigrants, focusing on gender differences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Women were more likely to ride with others, less likely to drive, had fewer types of routine activities, and went out for activities less than men. Over 1/4 of the sample had at least one unmet travel need in the previous month (the most common was for visiting family and friends).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Interventions to enhance mobility should address age- and gender-based transportation differences and assess for unmet travel needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"189-206"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141535663","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}
Adrian Landwehr, Laura Pollack, Svenja Schütt, Elisabeth Kals
{"title":"\"Telephone Angels\" Against Loneliness: Experimental Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Telephone Partnerships with Older Adults.","authors":"Adrian Landwehr, Laura Pollack, Svenja Schütt, Elisabeth Kals","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2450210","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2025.2450210","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Loneliness affects many older adults. As part of the \"Telephone Angel\" project, telephone partnerships between volunteers and older adults affected by loneliness were designed to counteract experiencing loneliness. Volunteers (100 ≤ <i>N</i> ≤ 114) and older adults who are (22 ≤ <i>N</i> ≤ 45) and who are not (25 ≤ <i>N</i> ≤ 71) part of the project were surveyed twice. Concerning loneliness, telephone partnerships increased the sense of community (<i>d</i> = .38). Older adults' life satisfaction increased (<i>d</i> = .46) as well. Stigmatization increased between the survey periods for those inside and outside the project (.21 ≤ <i>d</i> ≤ .35).</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"1-22"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143013683","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":"Social Capital as a Bridge to Services for Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Carson M De Fries, Kaipeng Wang, Leslie Hasche","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2430607","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2430607","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As individuals age, they encounter new or persistent needs that affect their ability to use formal services. Social capital, can help individuals overcome these barriers. This scoping review aimed to identify how an older adult's social capital may help them utilize formal services. The search, conducted in January 2023, resulted in 57 articles included for analysis. Results demonstrate how certain types of relationships may support older adults' use of formal services and highlight gaps in methodologies and measurements used. Future research should explore mechanisms behind different types of relationships and how they can support older adults obtain needed care.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"79-106"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142711658","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}
Xinyi Zhao, Xiao Han, Vivian W Q Lou, Zhiyue Zhang
{"title":"Influence of New Internet Usage on Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults: Does the Effect Vary in People with Different Economic Status?","authors":"Xinyi Zhao, Xiao Han, Vivian W Q Lou, Zhiyue Zhang","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2428254","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2428254","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the longitudinal effect of new internet usage on depressive symptoms and whether economic status modified this association. Data were from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, involving 5,259 participants who were 60 +, did not use the internet in 2015, and were followed up in 2018. Linear regression with standard errors clustered at the city level was employed. We found that new internet usage was associated with less depressive symptoms, and the association was more profound among the poor participants. It implies that bridging the digital divide requires special attention to those with disadvantaged economic status.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"37-52"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142669372","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 Role of Education and English Proficiency in Cognitive Health Among Older Refugee Populations in the United States.","authors":"Katherine Kitchens, Yeonwoo Kim","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2421303","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2421303","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cognitive impairment is pronounced in forcibly displaced populations. This study examined how education and English proficiency are associated with cognitive difficulties between refugee and non-refugee older immigrants. Analyses assessed the moderating effect of refugee status on the association of education and English proficiency with cognitive difficulty. Results revealed that higher educational attainment and English proficiency were significantly associated with decreased odds of reporting cognitive difficulty. Further, refugees who had completed high school and were English proficient exhibited greater cognitive resilience. The implications emphasize the need for policies and focused interventions related to education and English language programs for resettled refugees.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"107-122"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142548286","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":"Incorporating Spirituality into Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Groups for Persons with Dementia: An Exploratory Study.","authors":"Ebow Nketsiah, Max Zubatsky, Marla Berg-Weger","doi":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2372113","DOIUrl":"10.1080/01634372.2024.2372113","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based, non-pharmacological intervention for older adults with mild to moderate dementia. While CST has been adapted in various ways, this study explored the impact of adding a spiritual dimension to CST. Participants (N = 34) were divided into spiritual and traditional CST groups based on their residence. After a 14-session intervention involving interactive conversations, the spiritual CST group showed significantly lower depression scores (M = 2.7) compared to traditional CST (M = 6.5). With the global increase in dementia-related disorders, non-pharmacological interventions like CST offer crucial support for addressing memory loss. Social workers are uniquely positioned to deliver CST to diverse populations who value spirituality or faith in their daily lives.</p>","PeriodicalId":47579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Gerontological Social Work","volume":" ","pages":"23-36"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141471586","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}