Brad A. Meisner

A Meta-Analysis of Positive and Negative Age Stereotype Priming Effects on Behavior Among Older Adults

OBJECTIVE Evidence has shown that age stereotypes influence several behavioral outcomes in later life via stereotype valence-outcome assimilation; however, a direct comparison of positive versus negative age stereotyping effects has not yet been made. METHODS PsycINFO and Pubmed were used to generate a list of articles (n = 137), of which seven were applicable. From these articles, means, standard errors (SEs), and other relevant data were extracted for 52 dependent measures: 27 involved negative age primes and 25 involved positive age primes. Independent samples analysis of variance tests were used to explore the influence of prime valence and awareness on behavior compared with a neutral referent. RESULTS A significant main effect for prime valence was found such that negative age priming elicited a greater effect on behavior than did positive age priming (F(1,48) = 4.32, p = .04). In fact, the effects from negative age priming were almost three times larger than those of positive priming when compared with a neutral baseline. This effect was not influenced by prime awareness, discipline of study, study design, or research group. DISCUSSION Findings show that negative age stereotyping has a much stronger influence on important behavioral outcomes among older adults than does positive age stereotyping.

Variation in mode of physical activity by ethnicity and time since immigration: a cross-sectional analysis.

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) levels are known to be significantly lower in ethnic minority and immigrant groups living in North America and Europe compared to the general population. While there has been an increase in the number of interventions targeting these groups, little is known about their preferred modes of PA.MethodsUsing three cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (cycles 1.1, 2.1, 3.1; 2000-2005, n = 400,055) this investigation determined PA preferences by self-ascribed ethnicity (White, South Asian, South-East Asian, Blacks, Latin American, West Asian, Aboriginal persons and Other) and explored variation in PA preference across time since immigration categories (non-immigrant, established immigrant [> 10 years], and recent immigrant [≤ 10 years]). PA preferences over the past three months were collapsed into eight categories: walking, endurance, recreation, sports, conventional exercise, active commuting, and no PA. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of participating in each PA across ethnicity and time since immigration compared to Whites and non-immigrants, respectively.ResultsCompared to Whites, all other ethnic groups were more likely to report no PA and were less likely to engage in walking, with the exception of Aboriginal persons (OR: 1.25, CI: 1.16-1.34). Further, all ethnic groups including Aboriginal persons were less likely to engage in endurance, recreation, and sport activities, but more likely to have an active commute compared to Whites. Recent and established immigrants were more likely to have an active commute and no PA, but a lower likelihood of walking, sports, endurance, and recreation activities than non-immigrants.ConclusionEthnic minority groups and immigrants in Canada tend to participate in conventional forms of exercise compared to Whites and non-immigrants and are less likely to engage in endurance exercise, recreation activities, and sports. Health promotion initiatives targeting ethnic and immigrant groups at high-risk for physical inactivity and chronic disease should consider mode of PA preference in intervention development.

Do or Decline? Comparing the Effects of Physical Inactivity on Biopsychosocial Components of Successful Aging

Research has shown that physical activity (PA) is associated with overall successful aging (SA), but it is unknown whether PA promotes each SA component in similar ways. This cross-sectional population-based cohort study investigates SA in adults aged 60 years+ using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey ( N = 12,042). Multivariate comparisons showed that, compared to those who were PA, physical inactivity was a much stronger associate of functional limitations than either chronic disease or being socially unengaged with life. This effect was not found for moderately active participants. Findings reinforce that PA, even at moderate levels, is an efficient way of optimizing biopsychosocial health, particularly functional health, in later life.

Successful Aging across the Years Does One Model Fit Everyone

Rowe and Kahn’s (1987, 1998) model of successful aging (SA) implies a balance among: (1) low probability of disease and disease-related disability; (2) high cognitive and physical functioning; and (3) active engagement with life. This study assessed the relationship of age to the components of SA across the sixth, seventh and eighth decades of life in Canadian seniors (N = 14,749). Age was a significant predictor of disease-related disability and impaired physical functioning, but age had little impact on engagement. Despite health-related changes, these data suggest that the majority of older Canadians are maintaining connections with their community.

An exploratory analysis of aging expectations and health care behavior among aging adults.

This study explored the associations between general and specific expectations regarding aging (ERA) and having received a complete physical examination (PE) in the previous 2 years among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults (M = 70.8 years). Results showed that general-ERA was related to PE after adjusting for covariates (odds ratio = 1.05, p = .04); however, an identical model including the ERA subscales discovered that neither physical- nor cognitive-ERA were related to PE and that mental-ERA was the main independent variable contributing to the association between general-ERA and PE (odds ratio = 1.06, p = .02). Overall, greater scores of general-ERA, but especially mental-ERA, were associated with an increased likelihood of having received a PE in the previous 2 years.

Physicians’ attitudes toward aging, the aged, and the provision of geriatric care: a systematic narrative review

As the number of older adults in the population increases, the rate of medical care use is expected to rise. As a result, geriatricians and gerontologists are researching predictors of medical care in later life, which includes ageism. Ageism within health care has been widely and frequently reported and it is thought to be a product of negative attitudes toward aging. The current review systematically explores the existing literature in this area and establishes seven themes within the research. From a predominantly American population of papers, themes that emerged were the following: physicians’ attitudes toward aging are complex and mixed; mixed associations among attitude, knowledge, and medical care; aging and disease symptom attributions among physicians; attitudes, knowledge, and exposure to older adults; the role of role models; the influence of the health care culture; and the influence of the health care system. These themes were considered separately and in tandem in order to explore avenues for future research that will clarify the influence that these psychosocial factors have on health care provided to older adults.

Psychosocial predictors of physical activity in older aged asthmatics

BACKGROUND there is little information available on physical activity (PA) patterns and the psychosocial determinants of PA in older adults with asthma. OBJECTIVE to quantify the prevalence of PA in older asthmatics and to explore the potential psychosocial determinants of PA in this population. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING cross-sectional data available from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), cycle 2.1, were used. There was a total of 1,772 older asthmatics in the sample. RESULTS there were significant differences in the prevalence of PA between older asthmatic females compared to middle-aged asthmatic females (chi(2) = 23.65, P < 0.0001) and older asthmatics compared to older non-asthmatics (chi(2) = 38.1, P < 0.0001). Logistic regression revealed a significant association between PA and perceived health in older asthmatic males (OR = 5.39, CI = 1.36-21.33) and females (OR = 4.81, CI = 1.41-16.38). Being a member of a volunteer organisation was also significantly associated with PA in older asthmatic females (OR = 1.59, CI = 1.11-2.30). CONCLUSION older asthmatics were less active than their non-asthmatic peers. Perceived health was an important predictor of PA in both older asthmatic males and females. Exercise interventions in this population should make an effort to improve self-perceived health.

The Exchange of Social Support on Online Bariatric Surgery Discussion Forums: A Mixed-Methods Content Analysis

ABSTRACT Bariatric surgery patients often experience physical and psychosocial stressors, and difficulty adjusting to significant lifestyle changes. As a result, social support groups that provide patients with support, coping skills, and nutritional information are valuable components of bariatric care. Support group attendance at bariatric centers is associated with greater post-surgery weight loss; however, several barriers hinder attendance at in-person support groups (e.g., travel distance to bariatric centers). Consequently, online support forums are an increasingly utilized resource for patients both before and after surgery. This study examined and described the type and frequency of social support provided on a large online bariatric surgery forum. A total of 1,412 messages in the pre- (n = 822) and post-surgery (n = 590) sections of the forum were coded using qualitative content analysis according to Cutrona and Suhr’s (1992) Social Support Behavior Code model (i.e., including informational, tangible, esteem, network, and emotional support types). The majority of messages provided informational and emotional support regarding: a) factual information about the bariatric procedure and nutrition; b) advice for coping with the surgery preparation process, and physical symptoms; and c) encouragement regarding adherence to surgical guidelines, and weight loss progress. Network, esteem, and tangible support types were less frequent than informational and emotional support types. The results inform healthcare providers about the types of social support available to bariatric patients on online support forums and, thus, encourage appropriate referrals to this resource.

Gatekeepers of Gerontological Research A Pilot Study Investigating Factors Influencing Research Compliance

Gerontological studies note research noncompliance as a limitation of their results; however, few investigations focus on ways to minimize noncompliance. Additionally, older adults’ research participation is often controlled by other individuals such as the managers of retirement residences or community centers, where recruitment often occurs. These individuals are, in essence, the Gatekeepers of research participation among older adults. This pilot study explored ‘research participation’ through semistructured interviews with four managers. Analysis of the transcript data identified several important differences between managers of retirement residences and community center managers. Gerontologists interested in obtaining more representative samples may want to consider the contextual factors of the managerial systems and experiences that can facilitate or obstruct research participation of older adults.

Examining Chronic Disease, Pain-Related Impairment, and Physical Activity Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Canada: Implications for Current and Future Aging Populations

Purpose: With high levels of chronic disease and pain-related functional impairment and low levels of physical activity (PA) among middle-aged and older adults, it is important to investigate ways to design age- and health condition–appropriate PA interventions. Methods: Using Canadian Community Health Survey data, relationships among chronic disease, pain-related functional impairment, covariates, and PA were examined in mid- (40-59 y; n = 36 288) and later- (60 y+, n = 44 890) life. Results/Conclusions: Physical activity levels varied between middle-aged and older groups according to chronic disease and pain-related functional impairment status. Results are useful for developing targeted and tailored PA interventions to support the health of current and future populations.