{"title":"Head Injuries and the Gender Gap in Anxiety and Depression Symptoms.","authors":"Jason Schnittker","doi":"10.1177/08982643261451071","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643261451071","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectivesUsing 2017-2022 Midlife in the United States Biomarker Project data, this study explores the contribution of head injuries to the gender gap in depression and anxiety symptoms.MethodsLinear regression models were used to estimate generation-specific gender differences symptoms. The contribution of head injuries to these differences was explored. In addition, sources of potential confounding were examined.ResultsAmong women, a lifetime head injury is associated with a large increase in symptoms, and within Generation X the association is stronger. There is no association among men. Almost a third of Generation X women report a serious lifetime head injury. The contributions of accidents and sports injuries have increased between cohorts. The association between head injuries and symptoms is robust to numerous potential confounders, including other bodily injuries and trait anxiety.ConclusionHead injuries contribute to the gender gap in depression and especially anxiety.</p>","PeriodicalId":51385,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Aging and Health","volume":" ","pages":"8982643261451071"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147857750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Social Connectedness and Cognitive Function in Later Life: GrimAge as an Epigenetic Mediating Pathway.","authors":"Layla Katharine Santana, Siyun Peng, Hongdao Meng","doi":"10.1177/08982643261447919","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643261447919","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectivesTo test whether epigenetic aging mediates associations between social connectedness and later cognitive function among U.S. older adults.MethodsUsing Health and Retirement Study data (<i>N</i> = 1,574; mean age = 68.5), we modeled 2014 social connectedness as a latent factor (participation, isolation, loneliness), assessed four DNA methylation clocks in 2016 (DNAmGrimAge, DunedinPoAm, DNAmPhenoAge, Zhang), and cognition in 2018. Survey-weighted regression-with-residuals mediation models adjusted for socio-demographics, smoking, obesity, self-rated health, heart disease, baseline cognition, and complex design.ResultsLower social connectedness predicted poorer 2018 cognition (ATE ≈ -0.047 to -0.048 across models, p < .05). Only DNAmGrimAge showed evidence consistent with mediation (NIE = -0.008, SE = 0.004, p = .041; ≈16% mediated), whereas indirect effects via DunedinPoAm, PhenoAge, and Zhang were not supported (all p > .05).DiscussionFindings provide limited, clock-specific support for epigenetic mediation, with preliminary evidence implicating DNAmGrimAge.</p>","PeriodicalId":51385,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Aging and Health","volume":" ","pages":"8982643261447919"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147846043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jennifer Caputo, Tabitha Murdoch, Sushmita Shoma Ghose, Mustafa Karakus
{"title":"Alcohol Use and Healthcare Utilization Among Midlife and Older Adults.","authors":"Jennifer Caputo, Tabitha Murdoch, Sushmita Shoma Ghose, Mustafa Karakus","doi":"10.1177/08982643261447935","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643261447935","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectivesAlcohol use in later life may pose health risks that are hidden by contemporaneous measures or slowly accumulating outcomes. We examined whether alcohol use predicts subsequent healthcare utilization among midlife and older adults.MethodsUsing 2012-2022 Health and Retirement Study data, we estimated fixed-effects negative binomial models of within-person associations between alcohol use and hospitalizations and doctor visits. Contemporaneous and 2-year lagged alcohol measures were evaluated, and interactions with chronic disease burden were tested.ResultsContemporaneous models consistently showed fewer hospitalizations among drinkers. Lagged models showed a less protective and, for hospitalizations, more adverse pattern two years later. For doctor visits, lagged main effects were less consistent. Prior drinking predicted greater subsequent utilization as chronic conditions increased.DiscussionFindings suggest that recent drinking history may reveal risks not apparent from current drinking alone and may be especially important among older adults with multimorbidity.</p>","PeriodicalId":51385,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Aging and Health","volume":" ","pages":"8982643261447935"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Corina Mills, Ángela Gutiérrez, Roland J Thorpe, Jeannie Leoutsakos, Courtney S Thomas Tobin
{"title":"Neighborhood Racial Composition, Socioeconomic Status, and Obesity Among Older Black Adults.","authors":"Corina Mills, Ángela Gutiérrez, Roland J Thorpe, Jeannie Leoutsakos, Courtney S Thomas Tobin","doi":"10.1177/08982643261447321","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643261447321","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectivesObesity is common among older Black adults, but its underlying drivers, such as neighborhood racial composition (NRC), remain understudied. This study examined the association between NRC and obesity among older Black adults, evaluating the role of individual-level socioeconomic status (SES).MethodsData from the Nashville Stress and Health Study was linked to five-year estimates from the American Community Survey. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>. NRC was measured with the Index of Concentration at the Extremes.ResultsAfter adjusting for demographic characteristics and health behaviors, older Black adults living in more Black-concentrated neighborhoods had lower obesity prevalence (PR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63-0.93) compared to those in more White-concentrated neighborhoods. However, after controlling for individual-SES this association was not significant (PR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.65-1.04).ConclusionIndividual-SES may account for the relationship between NRC and obesity among older Black adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":51385,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Aging and Health","volume":" ","pages":"8982643261447321"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Do Care Coordinators Improve the Quality of Healthcare for Older Adults in the U.S.?","authors":"Kedong Ding, Ann W Nguyen","doi":"10.1177/08982643261446349","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643261446349","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveThis study examined whether older adults with informal, professional, or both types of care coordinators (CCs) reported different healthcare quality than those without CCs.MethodsData came from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (<i>n</i> = 1,555) Module 10 on coordinated care. CC type and the helpfulness of professional CCs were independent variables. Outcomes included perceived confusion about care, conflicting advice from different providers, care satisfaction, and person-centered care. All multivariable regression models controlled for sociodemographic and health factors.ResultsParticipants with informal CCs or both informal and professional CCs were more likely to report a lower quality of healthcare compared to participants without any CCs. Among participants who have professional CCs, having more helpful professional CCs was associated with higher quality care and more patient-centered care.ConclusionsFindings suggest that quality of healthcare may depend on the type of CCs involved and their perceived helpfulness.</p>","PeriodicalId":51385,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Aging and Health","volume":" ","pages":"8982643261446349"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Daily Diary Study of Positive Experiences and Alcohol Use Among Non-Abstaining Adults Aged 50+ Years.","authors":"Sara E Miller, Jennifer L Maggs, David M Almeida","doi":"10.1177/08982643261445760","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643261445760","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveTo evaluate the covariation of daily positive experiences and alcohol use among a national sample of adults aged 50+ years.MethodsParticipants (<i>N =</i> 1,035; <i>M</i><sub>age =</sub> 61.62; range = 50-83) were non-abstaining adults aged 50+ years who participated in an 8-day diary project in the National Study of Daily Experiences.ResultsMultilevel regression analyses revealed that alcohol use was more likely on days with greater positive affect (<i>OR</i> = 1.32, 95% <i>CI</i> [1.12, 1.56]) and any positive events (<i>OR</i> = 1.25; 95% CI [1.05, 1.48]). When adjusting for positive affect, positive event exposure was not associated with likelihood of alcohol use. Neither positive affect nor positive event exposure significantly predicted drinking level. However, an age moderation effect emerged (<i>b</i> = -0.01; <i>SE</i> = 0.004; <i>p</i> = .02), showing that older age attenuated the association between positive event exposure and drinking level.DiscussionConsistent with patterns observed in younger adults, positive experiences and alcohol use often occur on the same days among adults aged 50+ years.</p>","PeriodicalId":51385,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Aging and Health","volume":" ","pages":"8982643261445760"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788757","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Corrigendum to \"Perceived Balance, Balance Performance, and Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study\".","authors":"","doi":"10.1177/08982643261435352","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643261435352","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51385,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Aging and Health","volume":" ","pages":"8982643261435352"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147516644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christian Wrede, Nikita Sharma, André Bieleman, Angelica Tinga, Jodi Sturge
{"title":"Interventions for Informal Caregivers of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Scoping Review and Future Research Agenda.","authors":"Christian Wrede, Nikita Sharma, André Bieleman, Angelica Tinga, Jodi Sturge","doi":"10.1177/08982643261432731","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643261432731","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveThis scoping review explores the past decade of research on interventions supporting informal caregivers of community-dwelling older adults.MethodA systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. A total of 3408 studies were screened, of which 49 met the criteria for inclusion in this review.ResultsThe majority of interventions targeted dementia caregivers, were individually delivered, and professionally guided. Psychoeducational and psychological support dominated, followed by practical support such as respite care or case management, and remote caregiving support. Most studies tested effectiveness/efficacy and predominantly included women. Interventions tailored to non-dementia caregivers and working caregivers, as well as studies addressing implementation strategies and cost-effectiveness, were largely underrepresented.ConclusionTo move forward, future studies on interventions for informal caregivers of community-dwelling older adults should address diverse caregiving contexts, increase male participation, explore low-resource interventions, and identify strategies for sustainable, cost-effective implementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":51385,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Aging and Health","volume":" ","pages":"8982643261432731"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147492176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Megan E Patrick, Yuk C Pang, Yvonne M Terry-McElrath, Joy Bohyun Jang
{"title":"Young Adult Substance Use as a Predictor of Poor Self-Rated Memory Decades Later in Midlife.","authors":"Megan E Patrick, Yuk C Pang, Yvonne M Terry-McElrath, Joy Bohyun Jang","doi":"10.1177/08982643261431007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643261431007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectivesWe examined longitudinal associations between young adult heavy substance use and late midlife poor self-rated memory and whether problematic substance use in early midlife mediated the associations.MethodsData were from the Monitoring the Future Longitudinal Panel Study. Analyses included individuals ages 50-65 in 2018-2023 who provided longitudinal data starting at age 18 in 1976-1991.ResultsYoung adult heavy use of all substances was directly associated with higher odds of late midlife poor self-rated memory. These associations were fully mediated by early midlife substance-use disorder symptoms for binge drinking and cannabis use, but not mediated for pack+/day cigarette smoking.DiscussionSustained heavy substance use in young adulthood appears to represent a cumulative risk factor for cognitive decline in late midlife. Examining risk factors, including substance use, across the life course may be crucial for earlier identification of risk for cognitive decline.</p>","PeriodicalId":51385,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Aging and Health","volume":" ","pages":"8982643261431007"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147357425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ogochukwu Kelechi Onyeso, Chiedozie James Alumona, Akin Ojagbemi, Kelechi Mirabel Onyeso, Adesola C Odole, Janice Victor, Jon Doan, Toyin Bello, Oye Gureje, Oluwagbohunmi A Awosoga
{"title":"Sociodemographic Factors in Older Adults' Gait Speed Decline: A Gender Disaggregate Growth Curve Analysis of the Ibadan Longitudinal Study of Ageing.","authors":"Ogochukwu Kelechi Onyeso, Chiedozie James Alumona, Akin Ojagbemi, Kelechi Mirabel Onyeso, Adesola C Odole, Janice Victor, Jon Doan, Toyin Bello, Oye Gureje, Oluwagbohunmi A Awosoga","doi":"10.1177/08982643251329431","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08982643251329431","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundGait speed is an important predictor of older adults' well-being. We estimated the influence of sociodemographic factors on the gait speed decline of community-dwelling older Nigerians.MethodsUsing the Ibadan Study of Ageing (2007, 2008, and 2009 cycles), we completed a gender disaggregate analysis of sociodemographic influences on participants' gait speed trajectory using mixed-design ANOVA and growth curve analysis.ResultsAt baseline, 53.2% of participants were female, 61.9% were married, with an average age of 75.5 ± 6.8 years and gait speed of 0.96 ± 0.32 m/s. Gender-specific models showed slower gait speed decline in men (β = -0.05, <i>p</i> < .001) compared to women (β = -0.09, <i>p</i> < .001). Widowhood (β = -0.07, <i>p</i> = .001) for women, high socioeconomic status (β = -0.01, <i>p</i> = .009) for men, and chronic disease burden for women (β = -0.02, <i>p</i> = .010) and men (β = -0.03, <i>p</i> = .008) were significant predictors of gait speed decline.ConclusionAddressing culture-related widowhood and women's vulnerabilities, improving health coverage, and promoting lifestyle modifications may mitigate mobility decline among older Nigerians.</p>","PeriodicalId":51385,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Aging and Health","volume":" ","pages":"223-235"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12831804/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143671591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}