{"title":"Women, Younger Adults, and Singles Were Most Likely to Report Loneliness During the Pandemic: Evidence From a 15-Month National Longitudinal Survey.","authors":"Ryan Best, JoNell Strough, Wändi Bruine de Bruin","doi":"10.1177/00914150251359473","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00914150251359473","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Self-reports of loneliness were growing in the United States even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Preventative health measures during the pandemic, such as social distancing and lockdowns, raised concerns that self-reports of loneliness would further increase. Published literature from the first few months of the pandemic supported these concerns, but long-term effects were largely unknown. Here, we examined whether self-reported loneliness varied across the pandemic by gender, age, and co-residence with a romantic partner. We conducted an exploratory secondary analysis of 26 survey waves from the understanding COVID in America study spanning 15 months of the pandemic, starting from April 2020. Self-reported loneliness was consistently greater among women, younger people, and those not living with a romantic partner, but decreased across the pandemic for all demographic groups. A significant four-way interaction between survey wave, gender, age, and co-residence with a romantic partner showed that younger women who were not living with a romantic partner were the most likely to report loneliness at the beginning of the pandemic and showed the greatest reduction in risk of loneliness by the last survey wave. Based on our findings, we discuss potential interventions to decrease loneliness.</p>","PeriodicalId":47878,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Aging & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":"399-420"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144650901","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":"Accelerated Social Aging in the Lesbian and Gay Community: Psychosocial Factors Influencing Aging Perceptions in Lesbian and Gay Adults.","authors":"M Aaron Guest, Rachel E Koffer, Hannah L Giasson","doi":"10.1177/00914150251382809","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00914150251382809","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectivesLesbian and gay individuals face unique experiences and expectations associated with growing older.MethodsIn a pilot study of perceptions of aging in lesbian and gay adults, 45 gay and 46 lesbian adult participants (ages = 55-87, 70% white) self-reported their health, perceptions of aging, community engagement, identity congruence, and stressful experiences.ResultsAccounting for age, health, subjective socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity, lesbian women reported better self-perceptions of aging than gay men (<i>b</i> = 0.50, <i>SE</i> = 0.16, <i>p</i> < .01). Greater outness (<i>b</i> = 0.04, <i>SE</i> = 0.01, <i>p</i> = .01) and fewer daily stressful experiences (<i>b</i> = -0.14, <i>SE</i> = 0.05, <i>p</i> < .01) were associated with better self-perceptions of aging. In contrast, LGBTQ+ community engagement (<i>b</i> = -0.11, <i>SE</i> = 0.12, <i>p</i> = .38) showed no relation.DiscussionThe study provides a preliminary model of how lesbian and gay adults view their aging and identifies psychosocial risk and resilience factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":47878,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Aging & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":"421-434"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145606915","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":"Cross-sectional Associations of Self-Perceptions of Aging With Self-Efficacy, Depressive Symptoms, and Satisfaction With Life in Dementia Caregivers and Non-Caregivers.","authors":"Serena Sabatini, Shelbie Turner","doi":"10.1177/00914150251382810","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00914150251382810","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study estimated the cross-sectional associations of self-perceptions of aging with self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction in dementia caregivers and non-caregivers; and tested whether these associations are stronger among dementia caregivers compared to non-caregivers. Data from the German Aging Study comprising 190 dementia caregivers (mean age = 65.69 years; SD = 10.11) and 4480 non-caregivers (mean age = 68.81 years; SD = 10.49) was used. Felt age, attitudes towards own aging, age-related cognitions, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction were assessed. Regression models were estimated. Association for younger felt age with greater self-efficacy; younger felt age, more positive attitudes towards own aging, and fewer perceived physical losses with fewer depressive symptoms; and younger felt age and more positive attitudes towards own aging with greater life satisfaction were stronger for dementia caregivers than non-caregivers. Positive self-perceptions of aging may help maintaining self-efficacy, good mood, and life satisfaction when assuming challenging roles such as caregiving.</p>","PeriodicalId":47878,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Aging & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":"459-481"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13068312/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145259619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ciara Carl, Ruth V Walker, Matt C Cavanaugh, William Higdon
{"title":"Ideal on Paper, Excluded in Practice: Age and Gender Bias in Job Advertisements.","authors":"Ciara Carl, Ruth V Walker, Matt C Cavanaugh, William Higdon","doi":"10.1177/00914150251359465","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00914150251359465","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Researchers estimate that 20-40% of employers are influenced by bias in hiring decisions, with gender and age discrimination creating barriers, particularly during the attraction phase. We examined whether job ads include implicit preferences through gendered and age-based language. A total of 800 job ads from eight U.S. occupations were analyzed using exploratory latent content analysis, which informed a customized dictionary for linguistic inquiry and word count (LIWC). A 2 (industry) × 2 (gender dominance) mixed-design repeated measures ANOVA, we found significant differences in linguistic bias, with language favoring an older woman ideal most prevalent. White-collar industries exhibited higher overall bias, with interactions between industry and gender dominance. Despite this linguistic trend, older women continue to face hiring barriers-a disconnect we call the \"older woman paradox.\" One explanation may be HR demographics, as women aged 45 + comprise over 75% of HR managers. Implications are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":47878,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Aging & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":"435-458"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144676169","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":"Intersectional Social Identity, Perceived Discrimination, and Mental Health Among Older Adults in India.","authors":"Shriya Thakkar, Hyunsu Oh","doi":"10.1177/00914150251382813","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00914150251382813","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although adverse mental health outcomes linked to discrimination among older adults have been well acknowledged, our understanding of the discrimination-mental health link in non-Western paradigms is still limited. Using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) with an intersectional approach, we examined how perceived discrimination was linked to the level of depressive symptoms among older adults in India and how this association was moderated by caste and gender. Our ordered logistic regression models indicated that higher levels of perceived discrimination are associated with an increased likelihood of reporting the most severe depressive symptoms among Scheduled Tribe (ST) women, as well as men and women from Other Backward Castes (OBC). In cases of less severe depression levels, the probabilities decline with increasing discrimination. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how intersecting caste and gender-based disadvantages shape mental health trajectories in later life within the Indian context.</p>","PeriodicalId":47878,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Aging & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":"482-503"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145226255","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":"Formal and Informal Volunteering Among Older Adults: Associations With Health Across Sexual Orientations.","authors":"Joseph J Frey, Huei-Wern Shen, Yi Wang","doi":"10.1177/00914150251359460","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00914150251359460","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Previous studies document the positive health benefits of volunteering among older adults. However, little is known about the relationships between volunteering and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) older adult health. This study explored associations between volunteering and health across sexual orientations of older Americans. Using nationally representative 2016 Health and Retirement Study data, weighted ordinary least squares regression analyses were conducted. Included in this cross-sectional study were 204 LGB participants and 3,333 heterosexual participants. Results indicated that for heterosexual older adults, formal volunteering was positively associated with current memory rating (<i>p</i> < .05). For LGB older adults, there were no significant relationships between volunteering and health. Statistically, the findings suggest that the well-documented health benefits of volunteering may not be supported in the LGB older adult population; substantively, the findings suggest a need to examine socially constructed meanings of volunteering among LGB older adults and related benefits. Further research is urged.</p>","PeriodicalId":47878,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Aging & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":"504-524"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144650900","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 Association Between Homebound Status and Social Isolation in the United States: A Longitudinal Study with 9 Years of Follow-Up.","authors":"Joonyoung Cho","doi":"10.1177/00914150261447294","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150261447294","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Guided by the Convoy Model of Social Relations, this study examines the longitudinal association between homebound status and social isolation in the United States. Data were drawn from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (Rounds 1-9, <i>N</i> = 6,464). Participants were categorized as non-homebound, semi-homebound, or homebound. The level of social isolation was measured across four domains: marital status, religious participation, club participation, and family and friends. Mixed-effects regression models were used to examine the longitudinal associations between homebound status and social isolation over 9 years. In Round 1, both semi-homebound and homebound older adults reported higher levels of social isolation compared to non-homebound older adults. However, compared to non-homebound older adults, neither semi-homebound older adults nor homebound older adults differed significantly in their trajectories of social isolation. Findings are discussed through the lens of the Convoy Model of Social Relations.</p>","PeriodicalId":47878,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Aging & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":"914150261447294"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844414","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":"Enhancing Awareness of Elderly Patients' Rights in Israeli Geriatric Care.","authors":"Keren Semyonov-Tal, Eldad Davidov","doi":"10.1177/00914150261445638","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150261445638","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveThis paper examines how government health guidelines for geriatric hospitals promote staff awareness of patient rights and establish mechanisms to enhance awareness within the healthcare system.MethodUsing reflexive thematic analysis of 147 Israeli Ministry of Health regulations from 2007 to 2025 governing geriatric hospitals in Israel, this study examines the regulatory framework through which Israeli geriatric hospital policies raise awareness of medical, legal, and ethical rights.ResultsThe analysis reveals three key themes: tools for raising awareness, prioritized areas for awareness, and the main learning groups focused on rights, including patients, their families, and staff.DiscussionThe study underscores the need for a thorough, multifaceted approach to raising awareness. It underscores the importance of continuous education and support for healthcare professionals. The regulations establish mechanisms intended to raise awareness of rights; however, the extent to which these mechanisms achieve awareness in practice remains an area for future inquiry.</p>","PeriodicalId":47878,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Aging & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":"914150261445638"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844366","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}
Anne E Barrett, Brianna Soulie, Hope Mimbs, Jessica Noblitt
{"title":"Sleep Quality in Later Life: How Does It Affect Driving Safety?","authors":"Anne E Barrett, Brianna Soulie, Hope Mimbs, Jessica Noblitt","doi":"10.1177/00914150261445628","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150261445628","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Drowsy driving is a major cause of motor vehicle injuries and fatalities, yet little is known about its impact on older adults. This group may face heightened risk due to age-related sleep issues. Using survey data from 3,411 Floridians aged 60 and older (collected in 2020/2021), we examined how self-rated sleep quality relates to two indicators of driving safety: frequency of self-reported distracted driving behaviors (e.g., texting, eating, and grooming) and involvement in a crash or near-crash in the past year. Regression results showed that poor sleep quality did not significantly predict distracted driving but was associated with increased odds of a crash or near-crash. Our findings, which partially align with studies of younger drivers, highlight the need to understand how the relationship between sleep and driving safety may change with age.</p>","PeriodicalId":47878,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Aging & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":"914150261445628"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147822248","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":"Retirement Planning Process and Aging Anxiety in Turkish High School Teachers.","authors":"Ömer Faruk Cantekin, Hüsamettin Çelebi","doi":"10.1177/00914150261446959","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150261446959","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines the relationship between Turkish high school teachers' retirement planning and aging anxiety. Retirement planning is defined as preparing for financial, lifestyle, psychosocial, and health aspects. Data were collected from 500 participants aged 50+ using the Retirement Planning Process and Relational Aging Anxiety scales. Analysis included analysis of variance, <i>t</i>-tests, Pearson Correlation, and Linear Regression. Results highlight two key factors: collective affinity for older people and relational aging anxiety. A significant positive relationship exists between retirement planning and collective affinity. Findings indicate that married individuals plan more; women prioritize health planning but experience higher relational anxiety than men. Additionally, increased seniority correlates with higher planning tendencies. Personal aging anxiety also significantly relates to financial, lifestyle, and health planning. In conclusion, holistic retirement training with a relational anxiety component for women is recommended. Increasing intergenerational contact could further facilitate planning and reduce anxiety.</p>","PeriodicalId":47878,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Aging & Human Development","volume":" ","pages":"914150261446959"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147822296","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}