Interpersonal ageism and its impact on older adults health and care engagement in China.

Background During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, older adults are more likely to experience limitations in activities for daily living and social isolation and thus at greater risk for decline in mental and cognitive health. The current study examined how older adults' resilience and optimism affected mental and emotional well-being in the midst of pandemic crisis. Methods The study used data sampled from two waves of the Eurofound COVID-19 survey collected from 27 European countries in April, during the first lockdown, and July 2020 when restrictions and measures were mildly lifted-up. The first round sample included 11,211 older adults (Mean age = 69.71 ± 5.15, 70% females, 86% retired) and second round sample included 4,424 (Mean age = 69.93 ± 4.47, 61% females). Analysis focused on resilience, optimism, WHO Well-being Index, psychological distress, and subjective well-being (self-rated health, life satisfaction, happiness). Covariates included socio-demographic information and financial and health care situations since pandemic crisis. Results Mental health, subjective well-being, and psychological distress in older adults tended to change over time, while resilience and optimism were relatively stable. Regression analysis indicated that older adults who scored higher for resilience and optimism reported greater life satisfaction and happiness, better health perception, higher levels of mental health, and lower psychological distress when controlled for socio-demographic variables and adversities related to pandemic outbreak. Conclusions Resilience and optimism might have a potential to help older adults cope with exposure to stressful life events and later life adversity, but inconclusive. Future studies should more precisely examine the role of resilience and optimism in promoting mental health in older adults, its formation and protective mechanism, to better incorporate these factors into life-long education and interventions for older adults.

Objectives: Older adults in skip-generation households (SGHs) play a valuable role in maintaining the cohesion of extended families in the absence of the middle generation. Little is known about the health and well-being of older adults in SGHs or how it varies depending on their age. This study aimed to examine 1) the association between living in SGHs and subjective health and well-being and 2) the association between subjective health and well-being of older adults in SGHs across age groups. Methods: Drawing data from the 2017 national survey of older people, older adults aged ≥60 years without disability in activities of daily living (n=38,088) were included for multiple regression analyses. Living arrangements were classified into SGHs and non-SGHs. Subjective health was evaluated based on self-rated health, whereas subjective well-being was evaluated using a happiness score. Ordinal logistic regression and linear regression models, stratified by age groups (young-old, 60-69; middle-old, 70-79; and old-old, ≥80), compared subjective health and well-being of older adults in SGHs and non-SHGs, while controlling for potential covariates. Results: Among older Thai adults, 10.1% lived in SGHs, and 11.1%, 9.5%, and 6.3% were among the young-old, middle-old, and old-old, respectively. Across age groups, older adults living in SGHs reported better health status but worse well-being than those living in non-SGHs. Older adults from the old-old group living in SGHs seemed to report the best health status, whereas those in the young-old and old-old groups tended to report the worst well-being. The direction of the association between living arrangements and subjective health and well-being did not differ by age group. Conclusion: Better health status but worse well-being were observed in SGHs. Social sectors should pay attention to the well-being of these older adults.

To the Editor: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and social distancing are transforming the way we interact. Before the pandemic, national studies reported 1 in 4 older adults were socially isolated and more than 40% experienced loneliness. Decades of observational studies have demonstrated the long-term negative health outcomes of social isolation and loneliness.1, 2 The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated these challenges, with worsening social isolation and loneliness among those who live alone or are frail and even declines in the well-being of older adults with previously active or healthy social lives. Community centers for older adults have closed, nursing homes have terminated visitation, and grandparents are unable to visit their grandchildren. Initial hopes that such restrictions would be temporary are now giving way to a need to prepare for managing the unintended consequences of prolonged social distancing and the associated impact on the health and well-being of older adults. We present an approach to identify older adults most at risk during prolonged distancing and suggest strategies that could ameliorate the effects of sustained social distancing. Although the term social distancing has been widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic to describe keeping space between ourselves and others outside of our homes, public health recommendations have increasingly shifted to using the term physical distancing. Regardless of terminology, the impact on well-being among older adults is variable due to differing abilities to maintain social connections while physical distancing. Individuals who are homebound, depressed, or cognitively impaired may struggle to adapt to physical distancing because of reliance on in-person care and interaction. In contrast, many older adults may successfully adjust to this new reality with support from community organizations, friends, family, and/or neighbors. Clinicians should monitor whether or not these support systems are sustained. This is certainly not the time to overhaul clinical measures or deploy lengthy surveys. However, we suggest assessing a few focused measures of social connections in addition to common geriatric assessments to identify individuals at risk who may have increasing difficulty finding help with activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living, or even maintaining essential needs (ie, food, water, and shelter). Each domain can be assessed through a single question. First, older adults should be assessed for loneliness. Contrary to common practice, it is best not to ask the direct question "Do you feel lonely?" due to concerns for underreporting and stigma with self-identifying as lonely.3 Instead, individuals should be asked if they feel isolated, they lack companionship, or feel left out, as is done in several loneliness questionnaires. These responses represent an overall indicator of whether social connections are adequate and may predict risks of future psychological distress. Loneliness is frequently unrecognized because it can occur even when older adults are married or surrounded by friends or family. Second, individuals should be assessed for their perceptions of social support by asking, "How many people do you feel you can depend on or feel close to?" Prior research suggests that the perception of social support can reduce stress.4 This may be particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce feelings of worry, anxiety, or stress. Notably, only having one person to rely on may be a red flag for increased caregiver burden in the context of prolonged physical distancing. Third, older adults should be assessed for their access to phone or video communication technologies. Notably, access to communication can be augmented by living with individuals who can support their technology use or compensate for vision or hearing impairment to help them communicate with social contacts or healthcare providers. Individuals who feel lonely, perceive low resources for social support, and cannot use alternatives to in-person communication are at increased risk during prolonged physical distancing. Exceptions to physical distancing may exist for high-risk older adults. Geriatricians and families should develop or utilize decision tools to help balance the risk and benefits of physical distancing. Current challenges are increasing our reliance on technology. For example, active and passive technologies (ie, alerts and sensors, respectively) offer unique opportunities. However, many of these solutions need further evaluation and are not available, accessible, or acceptable to many older adults and their families.5 Addressing unmet social needs requires feasible strategies that occur at the person and population level.6 Health systems are increasingly engaging in efforts to address social needs. Telemedicine can provide a safe platform to assess salient geriatric issues (ie, safety, mobility, mood, medications, appetite, or bowel function) or COVID-19 symptoms and provide an avenue for counseling or discussion. Moreover, it can increase access to mental health resources for the lonely or those anxious about the uncertainty related to the duration of home confinement. However, clinicians should recognize that even among older adults capable of using this technology, this communication medium may be insufficient to meet the social needs of this population for prolonged periods. We therefore suggest clinicians take the lead on designating individuals who can visit older adults while balancing the risk of COVID-19 exposure and need for social support. Designated individuals might be people who are tested more frequently (assuming testing becomes more widespread) or who have been verified for appropriate use of personal protective equipment). In addition, connecting older adults with community resources (eg, Meals on Wheels) that have implemented precautions to mitigate viral transmission or that already existed virtually (eg, Friendship Line, Virtual Senior Center) can address certain needs. At the population level, strategies to address social isolation and loneliness is largely underfunded and understudied.1 We unfortunately cannot wait for evidence-based interventions to emerge as this crisis unfolds. However, we can learn from prior natural disasters including the Chicago heat wave of 1995 that took the lives of 465 primarily older mobility-impaired, socially isolated individuals in 1 week.7 Based on this event and existing research, we know strategies should increase awareness about social isolation and loneliness, harness enthusiasm for volunteerism, utilize health record data to target those in need, and support organizations that are meeting the needs of older adults while adapting to physical distancing. Various technologies to address social isolation and loneliness have been tested, although the evidence to support these interventions is largely "inconsistent and weak."1, 8 There is hope. A recently published randomized controlled trial of a video-conferenced behavioral activation intervention facilitated by a lay coach was able to increase social interactions and decrease loneliness among homebound older adults.9 We now have a unique opportunity to develop methods for check-ins by neighbors or to adapt programs akin to the Jersey, British Channel Islands, "Call & Check Visits," where postal workers support older adults on their delivery routes. A knock on the door or hello from a distance from a postal worker may provide an opportunity to monitor and support older adults in the community. In addition, advocating initiatives that promote community cohesion (ie, yard, porch, and balcony or terrace gatherings) could also be beneficial in that it may provide an opportunity for neighbors to monitor the well-being and functional status of older adults from a distance. Efforts akin to the UK "Campaign to End Loneliness" and AARP "Connect2Affect" are also important and can increase awareness and offer resources to support older adults during crisis. Striving for patient-centered solutions that effectively consider benefit and burden can potentially create connections that are sustained even after this crisis. Lastly, providers and policymakers should revisit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's "Whole Community Approach" and find ways for municipal leaders to exchange strategies and align needs with resources. The COVID-19 pandemic is a timely reminder of how social well-being has a powerful impact on health. Identifying older adults at risk for the immediate and unintended health consequences of physical distancing is critical. Comprehensive geriatric and social needs assessments should be a part of the medical record so that practices, health systems, and communities may seamlessly mobilize support for those in need when public health crises occur. Technology undeniably offers novel opportunities as well as nuanced challenges; it should not limit our imagination or constrain how we balance the risk and benefit of in-person interactions. Physicians and health systems in conjunction with public health and policymakers can be positioned to identify and address social needs, optimize health, and flatten the curve of this extraordinary pandemic. Addressing social isolation and loneliness under normal circumstances is challenging; nevertheless, the current constraints of physical distancing offer a unique opportunity to envision, pilot, or implement novel solutions that could have a lasting impact on the health and well-being of older adults. We are sincerely appreciative of Cynthia M. Boyd, MD, MPH, and Thomas E. Finucane, MD, for their critical review and insightful comments. Thomas K.M. Cudjoe was supported by National Institute on Aging (NIA) Grants for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists' Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) (R03AG064253). Ashwin A. Kotwal was supported by an NIA GEMSSTAR grant (R03AG064323). The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article. Manuscript concept and drafting: Cudjoe and Kotwal. Critical revision of manuscript for important intellectual content: Cudjoe and Kotwal. None.

Osteoarticular diseases are one of the effects of aging, and they are related to physical, psychological, and social functions. Physical activity seems to slow the start and progression of these kinds of illnesses and presents benefits for psychosocial health. The main aim of the study was to investigate the possible effect of physical activity level (Yale Physical Activity Survey) on quality of life (SF-36 Health Questionnaire), subjective psychological well-being (Psychological Well-being Scale), and depression levels (Geriatric Depression Scale), depending on osteoarticular illness. The sample consisted of 263 Spanish adults aged 65 to 98 years who had high or low physical activity (assessed by YPAS Questionnaire) and osteoarticular disease. Results show that physical activity influences the perceived quality of life, depression levels, and subjective well-being in older adults regardless of osteoarticular disease. The present study suggests the need for promoting physical exercise due to its proven positive impact on older adults’ mental health, entailing a significant reduction in the risks of suffering from a variety of frequent diseases and disorders.

Subjective well-being is a key measure of psychological health in older adults. However, limited research has explored how social support and patterns of active aging combine to influence well-being. This study aims to identify active aging profiles and assess their roles as mediators between social support and subjective well-being in community-dwelling older adults. A cross‑sectional survey was conducted among 482 community-dwelling older adults from four communities in China between January and May 2025. Participants completed the Chinese versions of the Social Support Rating Scale, Active Aging Scale, and Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness. Latent profile analysis identified active aging profiles, and mediation analysis tested the indirect effects of social support on subjective well-being through active aging. Among 435 respondents, the mean subjective well‑being score was 18.69 ± 16.44, reflecting relatively low subjective well-being. Three active-aging profiles emerged: high active aging (46.7%), moderate active aging (29.9%), and low active aging (23.4%). Social support was positively correlated with active aging and subjective well-being. Mediation analysis revealed that a high active aging profile significantly mediated the association between social support and subjective well-being. Social support and active aging profiles are important determinants of subjective well-being in older adults. Interventions that strengthen social support and encourage high levels of active aging may effectively promote health and engagement in community-dwelling older adults.

BackgroundWith the increase in life expectancy, age-related cognitive decline has become a prevalent concern. Physical activity (PA) is increasingly being recognized as a vital non-pharmacological strategy to counteract this decline. This review aimed to (i) critically evaluate and synthesize the impact of different PA and exercise modalities (aerobic, resistance, and concurrent training) on cognitive health and overall well-being in older adults, (ii) discuss the influence of exercise intensity on cognitive functions, and (iii) elucidate the potential mechanisms through which PA and exercise may enhance or mitigate cognitive performance among older adults.Main BodyAn exhaustive analysis of peer-reviewed studies pertaining to PA/exercise and cognitive health in older adults from January 1970 to February 2025 was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. There is compelling evidence that aerobic and resistance training (RT) improve cognitive function and mental health in older adults, with benefits influenced by the type and intensity of exercise. Specifically, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise appears to bolster memory, executive functions, and mood regulation, potentially through increased cerebral blood flow, neurogenesis, and production of brain-derived neurotrophic factors in the hippocampus. Moderate-to-high-intensity RT acutely enhances visuospatial processing and executive functions, with chronic training promoting neurogenesis, possibly by stimulating insulin-like growth factor-1 and augmenting blood flow to the prefrontal cortex. Findings related to the effects of concurrent training on cognitive function and mental health are heterogeneous, with some studies reporting no significant impact and others revealing substantial improvements. However, emerging evidence indicates that the combination of concurrent training and cognitive tasks (i.e., dual tasks) is particularly effective, often outperforming aerobic exercise alone.ConclusionsRegular aerobic and RT performance is beneficial for older adults to mitigate cognitive decline and enhance their overall well-being. Specifically, engaging in moderate-intensity aerobic exercises and moderate-to-high-intensity RT is safe and effective in improving cognitive function and mental health in this demographic. These exercises, which can be conveniently incorporated into daily routines, effectively enhance mental agility, memory, executive function, and mood. The findings related to concurrent training are mixed, with emerging evidence indicating the effectiveness of combined concurrent and cognitive tasks on cognitive health and well-being in older adults.Key Points- Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is associated with significant improvements in cognitive function, mood regulation, and overall well-being in older adults. These benefits are linked to structural and functional changes in the brain such as increased hippocampal volume and elevated levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.- Moderate-to-high-intensity resistance training, both in acute and chronic forms, enhances cognitive performance in older adults, particularly in executive functions and visuospatial processing. Cognitive benefits, including improvements in information-processing speed, attention, and memory, can be sustained through regular training.- The effects of concurrent resistance and aerobic training on cognitive function in older adults are mixed. However, combining concurrent training with cognitive tasks (i.e., dual-task training) is particularly effective and often outperforms aerobic exercise alone.- Cognitive and well-being improvements from aerobic and resistance training are mediated by mechanisms such as increased cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery, enhanced neurogenesis, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and positive hormonal changes.- While the optimal exercise dosage for promoting cognitive health in older adults remains undetermined, empirical evidence indicates a positive correlation between increased exercise dosage and cognitive health improvements.

Objective: Mental health refers to emotional balance and social adjustment, feeling comfortable, the absence of mental illness, the integration of personality, and the knowledge of self and the environment. This study aimed to investigate the opinions and experiences of Iranian Oil Company retirees about psychological wellbeing. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the grounded theory approach. The participants in this study were 15 retired senior managers of the National Iranian Oil Company in Tehran who were selected through purposive sampling based on the theoretical saturation criterion in 2021. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using Corbin and Strauss method (1998). Results: Data analysis revealed three selective codes, 11 axial codes, and 67 open codes. The selective codes include self-coherence and the balance between life needs and satisfaction with the current situation, contextual factors promoting psychological health in older adults, and the process of achieving psychological health and wellbeing in older adults. Conclusion: The insights from present research can be used for developing and implementing therapeutic and educational models for elders and recognizing retirement concerns. In addition, understanding the opinions and experiences of the psychological wellbeing of elders helps the healthcare system and social welfare professionals to realize the retirees’ psychological needs.

BackgroundGender and health are two factors that shape the quality of life in old age. Previous available literature established an associaton between various demographic and socio-economic factors with the health and well-being of older adults in India; however, the influence of childless aged is neglected. Therefore, the study examined the gender differential in psychological health and subjective well-being among older adults, focusing on childless older adults.MethodologyThis study utilized data from Building a Knowledge Base on Population Aging in India (BKPAI). Psychological health and subjective well-being were examined for 9541 older adults aged 60 years & above. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were used to find the preliminary results. Further, multivariate analysis has been done to fulfill the objective of the study.ResultsAround one-fifth (21.2%) of the men reported low psychological health, whereas around one-fourth (25.5%) of the women reported low psychological health. Further, around 24 per cent of men and 29 per cent of women reported low subjective well-being. Results found that low psychological well-being (OR = 1.87, C.I. = 1.16–3.01), as well as low subjective well-being (OR = 1.78, C.I. = 1.15–2.76), was higher in childless older women than in childless older men. Higher education, community involvement, good self-rated health, richest wealth quintile, and residing in urban areas significantly decrease the odds of low subjective well-being and low psychological well-being among older adults.ConclusionThere is a need to improve older adults’ psychological health and subjective well-being through expanded welfare provisions, especially for childless older adults. Moreover, there is an immediate requirement to cater to the needs of poor and uneducated older adults.

This study aims to examine the role of social networks in influencing the physical and mental health of older Chinese adults, investigating both the underlying mechanisms and the associations between social networks, labor force participation, and health outcomes. Using data from the 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS), we analyzed a sample of 1,332 older adults, incorporating demographic and health-related variables. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and mediation analysis were conducted to evaluate the effects of social networks on health outcomes, with subgroup analyses by gender and education level. Stata 18.0 and SPSS were employed to perform all statistical analyses. Social networks demonstrate a significant positive effect on overall, physical, and mental health at the 1% level, with weak-tie networks exhibiting a more substantial impact on health (β = 0.1146, p < 0.01). In promoting physical health, social networks have a coefficient of 0.1371 (p < 0.001) for females and 0.2128 (p < 0.001) for males. Among individuals with lower education, the coefficient is 0.1561 (p < 0.001), while for those with higher education, it is 0.2184 (p < 0.001). Regarding mental health, social networks yield a coefficient of 0.0747 (p > 0.05) for females and 0.1095 (p < 0.01) for males; for individuals with lower education, the coefficient is 0.0914 (p < 0.01), and for those with higher education, it is 0.0441 (p > 0.05). Media use, subjective wellbeing, and perceived social class are key explanatory mechanisms in the relationship between social networks and health of the older adult. Notably, subjective wellbeing and perceived social class function as chain mediators between social networks and health outcomes. The interaction between social networks and labor participation reveals a significant negative coefficient (β = -0.1864, p < 0.01). Social networks contribute to improved health in older adults, with weak ties playing a particularly significant role, although the effect varies across subgroups. Media use, subjective social class, and wellbeing are important mechanisms linking social networks with older adult health, while labor force participation may serve as a substitute for social networks in health promotion among older adults. This study will inform the improvement of older adults health and the development of labor policies for older adults.

Interdependent culture and older adults’ well-being: Health and psychological happiness in Japanese communities

Review question/objective The overall objective of this research is to undertake a systematic review of the effects of spending time outdoors in daylight on the psychosocial wellbeing of older adults and family carers. The specific objectives to be addressed are: Which aspects of psychosocial wellbeing are affected by spending time outdoors in daylight in older adults and family carers? To what extent is spending time outdoors in the daylight effective for improving aspects of psychosocial wellbeing in older adults and family carers? Inclusion criteria Types of participants This review will consider studies that include all older adults aged 55 years or more, including those living in a community setting or a residential aged care facility. In addition, this review will consider family carers, who are defined as unpaid relatives or friends of an older person, who help that individual with their activities of daily living. No further inclusion criteria will be applied. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest The intervention or phenomenon of interest is spending time outdoors in daylight. ‘Outdoors in daylight’ is a broad term that encompasses all outdoor environments where participants are exposed, directly or indirectly, to daylight in a natural setting while participating in any type of outdoor activity. For our review, the definition of outdoor activity is simply ‘being outdoors’ in order to capture all types of engagement with outdoor environments. Studies will be excluded if they utilise artificial ‘bright’ light sources or modify the indoor environment to improve light exposure. An absence of activity or indoors activity with no exposure to daylight will be used as a comparator. Types of outcomes This review will consider studies that include objective and/ or subjective measures of the following outcomes: Older adults: • psychosocial well-being: o behavioural disturbances; o cognition; o mood levels; o quality of life; o satisfaction with service provision; and o social interaction. Family carer health: o carer satisfaction; and o carer stress.

As the global population ages, maintaining health and functionality in older adults has become a key public health priority. Exercise is widely recognized as a powerful intervention to enhance physical and mental health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve the quality of life in older adults. Among the various types of physical activity, aerobic and resistance exercises are two of the most frequently recommended for elderly populations. This article provides a detailed comparison of these two forms of exercise, examining their effects on cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal integrity, cognitive function, metabolic health, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life in older adults.

This study examined the extent to which dimensions of social connectedness and perceived social support have distinct associations with the physical and mental health of older adults. This study utilized data from the Utah Fertility, Longevity, and Aging (FLAG) study. Participants included 259 older adults, aged 60 or older (mean age: 67.75 ± 4.8). Connectedness (networks and satisfaction with networks) was measured with the Duke Social Support Index. Social support (affective, confidant, instrumental) was measured with the Duke–UNC Functional Support Scale. Physical and mental health were measured with the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The results showed significant differences in the mean physical and mental health scores between participants with high scores on satisfaction with networks, affective, confidant, and instrumental support, and those with low scores on these dimensions. After controlling for covariates, affective support significantly predicted physical health, while satisfaction with networks, and affective and instrumental support significantly predicted mental health. The findings suggest that social support may be relatively more important to the health and wellbeing of older adults than social connectedness. This underscores the relative importance older adults attach to the quality rather than quantity of social ties.

BackgroundDue to low birth rates, longer life expectancy, and later childbearing, an increasing number of individuals become grandparents later in life. The transition into grandparenthood—encompassing role acquisition, duration, and role engagement—is crucial for understanding the well-being and health of older adults. However, the connection between this transition and well-being and health outcomes among older adults remains underexplored, particularly in a Chinese context that emphasizes family lineage. This study addresses this gap by analyzing longitudinal data to examine how grandparenthood transitions relate to subjective well-being and health among Chinese older adults.MethodsUsing longitudinal data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) 2014–2020, this study investigates the associations between grandparenthood transition —specifically, grandparent role acquisition (i.e., becoming a grandparent), role duration (i.e., duration of being a grandparent), and role enactment (i.e., providing grandchild care)—and three well-being outcomes: life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and self-rated health. Fixed-effects models are employed to account for unobservable time-invariant heterogeneity.ResultsThe transition into grandparenthood is associated with lower life satisfaction, increased depressive symptoms, and improved self-rated health among older adults in China, though these effects appear to be short-term. Additionally, the well-being and health benefits of becoming a grandparent are more pronounced for men compared to their female counterparts.ConclusionThe findings indicate that transitioning into the role of a grandparent, rather than caregiving per se, is negatively associated with certain aspects of well-being for older adults in the short term. However, this transition seems more beneficial for older men. These results underscore the relationship between becoming a grandparent and changes in the daily lives and well-being of older adults, suggesting that policymakers should develop targeted family support systems to help facilitate a positive adjustment during this transition, especially for grandmothers.

L'objectif de ce travail a ete d'ameliorer la connaissance des effluents industriels a travers l'estimation par spectrophotometrie UV-visible de parametres specifiques et globaux dans des industries telles que l'agroalimentaire, la petrochimie, la chimie, et la papeterie. Une de ces etapes cles de ce travail a ete la recherche de spectres de reference permettant d'interpreter au mieux la complexite des milieux etudies. A cet effet, un outil de creation stochastique de spectres a ete developpe, permettant de modeliser les effets de variation de spectres, de composition et de concentration. Concretement, trois ont ete definis : - 1) Un indice phenol prenant en compte le phenol et certains de ses derives (methyles, chlores et nitres). Il permet d'obtenir en quelques minutes une estimation de composes phenoliques plus representative que l'indice phenol normalise. - 2) Deux indices amines aromatiques UV, l'un global d'estimation de l'ensemble des amines aromatiques et le second specifique aux derive chlores. La methode developpee a permis de substituer la spectrophotometrie UV en ligne a la chromotographie liquide. Ce travail a egalement permis de valider la methode pour l'analyse de composes globaux plus classiques (COT, DCO, DBO, et MES). Deja operationnelle pour les eaux urbaines et naturelles, ainsi que sur les rejets de quelques sites petrochimiques, la spectrophotometrie UV couplee a une deconvolution spectrale a ete etendue a des effluents reputes plus variables et heterogenes. Les travaux realises ont egalement montre la bonne adaptibilite de la spectrophotometrie UV a l'analyse d'effluents sur le terrain ou en ligne.