Emily A. Greenfield

Religious Social Identity as an Explanatory Factor for Associations between More Frequent Formal Religious Participation and Psychological Well-Being

Abstract Guided by social identity theory, this study investigated having a closer identification as a member of ones religious group as an explanatory mechanism for linkages between more frequent formal religious participation and better subjective psychological well-being (more positive affect, less negative affect, and more life satisfaction). Multivariate regression models were estimated based on data from 3,032 respondents, ages 25 to 74, in the 1995 National Survey of Midlife in the U.S. Results provided support for the hypothesis that religious social identity would mediate the associations between more frequent religious service attendance and all three dimensions of subjective psychological well-being examined. These findings contribute to understandings of self, religion, and health while indicating the continued importance of drawing on well-developed social psychological theory in investigations of linkages between religion and mental health.

Using Ecological Frameworks to Advance a Field of Research, Practice, and Policy on Aging-in-Place Initiatives

Initiatives to promote aging in place have emerged rapidly in the United States across various health care settings (e.g., acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities) and broader community settings (e.g., public social service agencies). Moreover, recent federal policies include a growing number of provisions for local efforts to promote aging in place. Despite emerging bodies of research that have described singular initiatives in their own right, there has been very little scholarship that forges conceptual linkages across this increasingly vast domain of research, practice, and policy. Integrative theory development is critical to ensure that aging-in-place initiatives do not become fragmented from each other. This article uses insights from ecological frameworks-specifically Urie Bronfenbrenners bioecological systems theory and M. Powell Lawtons general ecological model of aging-to conceptualize a range of programs as aging-in-place initiatives and for describing their similarities and differences, particularly in terms of the features through which they intend to promote aging in place. Theoretically derived dimensions along which to characterize aging-in-place initiatives include environment-focused aspects (e.g., the types of social systems and structures that the initiatives target for change) and person-focused aspects (e.g., the extent to which the initiatives target particular subgroups of older adults). The article concludes with a discussion on how these theoretically derived dimensions can be used to advance and integrate research, practice, and policy to systematically develop and expand aging-in-place initiatives.

Child abuse as a life-course social determinant of adult health.

Despite prevention efforts worldwide, many children today continue to experience abuse within close relationships, and many adults carry with them histories of abuse. This narrative review focuses on the growing body of research regarding the long-term health consequences of child abuse. First, the review presents a brief introduction to the phenomenon of child abuse, as well as a discussion of theoretical approaches to describing processes through which child abuse can jeopardize later adult health. The review then provides an integrative summary of studies based on community samples that examine associations between physical, psychological, and sexual abuse in childhood and adult mental and physical health. The article concludes with a discussion of conceptualizing child abuse as a life-course social determinant of adult health for both clinical and public health purposes and calls for translational research that can inform efforts to promote the health of diverse individuals and populations with histories of child abuse.

Childhood Abuse as a Risk Factor for Sleep Problems in Adulthood: Evidence from a U.S. National Study

BackgroundAccumulating evidence indicates that stress impairs sleep quality. Few studies, however, have examined the extent to which early life stress can jeopardize sleep in adulthood.PurposeGuided by a life course epidemiological perspective on health, this study examined associations between childhood abuse and adult sleep problems.MethodsWe used data from 835 respondents in the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS). Self-report measures assessed the frequency of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in childhood, as well as global and component indicators of sleep problems in adulthood.ResultsHaving experienced all three types of childhood abuse—even infrequently—was associated with global sleep pathology, as well as specific types of sleep problems. Reports of both frequent physical and frequent emotional abuse—even in the absence of sexual abuse—were also associated with poor sleep.ConclusionsChildhood abuse is a risk factor for individuals’ long-term sleep problems.

Identifying Living Arrangements That Heighten Risk for Loneliness in Later Life: Evidence From the U.S. National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

Studies have identified living alone as a risk factor for loneliness in later life without examining whether other living arrangements might also pose risk. The authors used data from a national sample of adults aged 57 and older to estimate associations between a variety of living arrangements and loneliness. In contrast to respondents living with a spouse/partner, respondents who were living alone, living with children without a spouse/partner, and living with other relatives or friends without a spouse/partner reported more loneliness. Living alone was associated with greater loneliness among men than women, but living with children without a spouse/partner was associated with greater loneliness among women. Results suggest the importance for interventions aimed at reducing loneliness to target adults who live alone, as well as adults who live with others besides intimate partners, and to consider gender differences in the propensity for particular types of living arrangements to affect loneliness.

Profiles of physical and psychological violence in childhood as a risk factor for poorer adult health: evidence from the 1995-2005 National Survey of Midlife in the United States.

Objectives: This study examined linkages between physical and psychological violence in childhood from parents and three dimensions of adult health (self-rated health, functional limitations, chronic conditions). Methods: Regression models were estimated using data from the 1995 and 2005 waves of the National Survey of Midlife in the U.S. Responses to an adapted version of the Conflict Tactics Scales in 1995 were used to code respondents into one of nine profiles of violence distinguished by types and frequency of violence. Results: Reports of both frequent physical and frequent psychological violence were associated with poorer health at baseline across the three dimensions of health, as well as with more severe declines in health across all three dimensions over the 10-year study period. Discussion: Results suggest that having experienced frequent physical and psychological violence in childhood is a risk factor for poorer adult health status and declining trajectories of health throughout adulthood.

Sense of Community as a Protective Factor against Long-Term Psychological Effects of Childhood Violence

This study uses a risk and resilience framework for conceptualizing the long‐term effects of childhood family violence on mental health. It examines sense of community as a protective factor against adult psychological distress associated with experiences of physical or psychological violence in childhood from parents. Regression models are estimated using data from the 1995 National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States and from the 1996–97 National Study of Daily Experiences. Reported experiences of frequent psychological violence, regardless of the frequency of physical violence, is found to be positively associated with adult psychological distress. Adults’ sense of community is found to moderate the association between reports of both frequent psychological and frequent physical violence in childhood from parents and adult psychological distress.

Grandparent Involvement and Parenting Stress among Nonmarried Mothers of Young Children

This study examines associations between grandparent involvement and change in parenting stress among nonmarried mothers with young children. It employs longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Grandparent involvement is assessed by a mother’s reports of intergenerational coresidence and contact between her parents and her 1-year-old child. Self-reported parenting stress is assessed at the same time and, again, 2 years later. Findings from lagged-dependent regression models indicate that intergenerational coresidence is associated with decreasing parenting stress among Latina mothers but with increasing parenting stress among black mothers. Among mothers in nonintergenerational households, intergenerational contact is associated with decreasing parenting stress among black mothers but with increasing parenting stress among Latina mothers. No associations are found among white mothers. Findings suggest that sociocultural contexts pattern ways in which grandparent involvement protects or increases the vulnerability of nonmarried mothers with young children.

Continuity and Change in Relationships with Neighbors: Implications for Psychological Well-being in Middle and Later Life

OBJECTIVES There is growing enthusiasm for community initiatives that aim to strengthen neighbor relationships to promote well-being in later life. Nevertheless, few studies have examined the extent to which relationships with neighbors are associated with better psychological well-being among midlife and older adults. METHODS We used data from 1,071 noninstitutionalized, English-speaking adults, aged 40-70 years, who participated in both waves of the 1995-2005 National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States. Lagged dependent regression models were estimated to examine associations between changes in two dimensions of neighbor relationships (contact and perceived support) and psychological well-being. RESULTS Few associations were found between relationships with neighbors and negative or positive affect. In contrast, having continuously low levels of contact with neighbors, or losing contact with neighbors over the 10-year study period, was associated with declining levels of eudaimonic well-being. Associations between contact and this aspect of well-being were explained, in part, by less perceived support from neighbors. DISCUSSION Results suggest that continuity and change in relationships with neighbors is especially important for more developmental aspects of psychological well-being. Implications for future research on the meaning of neighbor relationships and aging in community are discussed.

Does the Village Model Help to Foster Age-Friendly Communities?

This article explores the potential role of the Village model, a social initiative that emphasizes member involvement and service access, in helping communities to become more age-friendly. A survey of 86.3% of operational Villages examined activities designed to help members access a variety of supports and services consistent with the World Health Organizations (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities program model, as well as other potential contributions to community age friendliness. Analysis revealed that 85.5% of Villages provided assistance with at least six of the eight WHO domains, but only 10.1% implemented features of all eight; more than one-third were engaged in direct or indirect efforts to improve community physical or social infrastructures or improve community attitudes toward older persons. These findings suggest that Villages and other social organizations may have untapped potential for enhancing their members’ ability to age in place consistent with the goals of age-friendly initiatives while also promoting constructive changes in the overall community.