Age Differences In Associations Research Articles

Associations between Daily Stressors, Health, and Affective Responses among Older Adults: The Moderating Effect of Age

Introduction: Reactivity to daily stressors may change as a function of stressor type and age. However, prior research often excludes older adults or compares them to younger age groups (e.g., younger and middle-aged adults). Recognizing older adults as a heterogeneous population with shifting motivations, this study focused on individuals aged ≥65 years and tested age differences in associations between different types of daily stressors, affect, and physical symptoms. Methods: A total of 108 older adults aged 65–92 years (M = 73.11, SD = 5.92; 58% women) completed daily dairy questionnaires on daily stressors, positive and negative affect, and physical symptoms for 14 consecutive days. Multilevel models were employed, adjusting for sex, age, education, living situation, and day-in-study. Results: Findings revealed age-dependent variations in the associations between daily stressors and affect and physical symptoms. Specifically, external stressors (e.g., finance and traffic stressors) and health stressors were more strongly associated with daily affective states and with overall physical symptoms (respectively) among older age adults. Age did not moderate associations between social stressors and affect or physical symptoms. Conclusion: These findings underscore the heterogeneous nature of older adults’ responses to daily stressors based on stressor type and age. Specifically, the oldest-old might benefit from personalized support for dealing with challenges such as health and financial stressors.

Age Differences in the Associations Between Incarceration and Subsequent Substance Use, Sexual Risk-Taking, and Incident STI Among Black Sexual Minority Men and Black Transgender Women in the HIV Prevention Trials 061 Cohort.

Incarceration can lead to different risk behaviors often due to increased distress and disruption of social networks. It is not well known, however, how these associations may differ by age. In this study, we measure age differences in longitudinal associations between incarceration and substance use, sex risk, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) among Black sexual minority men and Black transgender women (BSMM/BTW). We recruited BSMM/BTW from 2009 to 2011 that were part of the HIV Prevention Trials Network 061 study. We compared those less than 30 years old (n = 375) to those 30 years old or greater (n = 794) examining substance use, sex risk, and STI infection stratified by age. Logistic regression with inverse probability weighting was used for the statistical analysis. Approximately 59% of the sample reported incarceration history. In adjusted analysis, incarceration was more strongly associated with alcohol use and stimulant use among older individuals as was sexual risk behaviors including buying and selling sex. Concurrent partnerships were associated with the younger age groups. STI incidence was associated with younger individuals while associations with HIV infection were similar for the two age groups. Understanding differences in substance use and STI risk among age cohorts is imperative to the design and implementation of re-entry programs. Younger BSMM/BTW participating in re-entry support programs may benefit in particular from HIV/STI prevention and care efforts, while post-release substance abuse treatment and harm reduction programs should target older individuals with continued substance abuse.

The association between cognitive ability and body mass index: A sibling-comparison analysis in four longitudinal studies.

Body mass index (BMI) and obesity rates have increased sharply since the 1980s. While multiple epidemiologic studies have found that higher adolescent cognitive ability is associated with lower adult BMI, residual and unobserved confounding due to family background may explain these associations. We used a sibling design to test this association accounting for confounding factors shared within households. We used data from four United States general youth population cohort studies: the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1979 (NLSY-79), the NLSY-79 Children and Young Adult, the NLSY 1997 (NLSY-97), and the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS); a total of 12,250 siblings from 5,602 households followed from adolescence up to age 62. We used random effects within-between (REWB) and residualized quantile regression (RQR) models to compare between- and within-family estimates of the association between adolescent cognitive ability and adult BMI (20 to 64 years). In REWB models, moving from the 25th to 75th percentile of adolescent cognitive ability was associated with -0.95 kg/m2 (95% CI = -1.21, -0.69) lower BMI between families. Adjusting for family socioeconomic position reduced the association to -0.61 kg/m2 (-0.90, -0.33). However, within families, the association was just -0.06 kg/m2 (-0.35, 0.23). This pattern of results was found across multiple specifications, including analyses conducted in separate cohorts, models examining age-differences in association, and in RQR models examining the association across the distribution of BMI. Limitations include the possibility that within-family estimates are biased due to measurement error of the exposure, confounding via non-shared factors, and carryover effects. The association between high adolescent cognitive ability and low adult BMI was substantially smaller in within-family compared with between-family analysis. The well-replicated associations between cognitive ability and subsequent BMI may largely reflect confounding by family background factors.

Sex and Age Differences in Association between Physical Activity and Metabolic Syndrome: Results from NHANES 2003-2006.

To examine whether and how sex and age modify the association between accelerometer-based physical activity (PA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among American (US) adults. Adults aged ≥20 years old who participated in the mobile center examination during 2003-2006 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included for analysis. The total minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was estimated using ActiGraph. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of having MetS at an increasing MVPA time. The modification effects of gender and age on the association between MetS and MVPA time were examined by testing for two-way and three-way interaction terms of MVPA time, sex, and age in the model after adjusting for relevant covariates. The prevalence of MetS generally decreased with the MVPA time and was lower in females than in males, although the sex difference varied across age groups. After adjusting for demographic and lifestyle covariates, there was a significant sex difference in how an increased MVPA time lowered the odds of MetS. This interactive effect also varied with age. MVPA benefitted young and middle-age populations up until about 65 years old for both sexes, and the protective effect weakened with age. Although the effect of MVPA was stronger for males than females at young ages, the rate at which it attenuated was quicker in males. The OR of MetS between males and females per unit change of MVPA time was 0.73 (95% CI: [0.57, 0.93]) at age = 25 years, compared to OR = 1.00 (95% CI: [0.88, 1.16]) at age = 60 years. Before the age of 50, the gender difference in the protective effect on MetS was larger at low MVPA levels and became smaller at higher MVPA levels. The male advantage was quite stable with an increasing MVPA time for ages 50-60, and no longer significant at older ages. Young and middle-age populations benefitted from MVPA, lowering the risk of MetS for both sexes. A longer MVPA time was associated with a greater decrease in the risk of MetS in young men than in women, but the sex difference reduced with age and was no longer apparent in older populations.

Cardiac Disease, Depression, and Suicide Risk by Age

Abstract. Cardiovascular disease is associated with depression and suicide risk, although there is only limited research available on whether these associations differ by age. This short report examined age differences in associations between cardiovascular disease, depression, and suicide risk. The sample consisted of 301 younger adults (aged 18–40 years) and 432 older adults (aged 60+ years) recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. The results show that older adults had more cardiovascular diagnoses, whereas younger adults with cardiovascular diagnoses had more depression symptomatology and suicide risk. Associations between cardiovascular disease (one or more diagnoses vs. no diagnoses) and mental health were moderated by age ( p < .05 for Age × Cardiovascular interaction predicting depression and predicting suicide risk). The findings highlight the importance of assessing and addressing mental-health concerns among cardiovascular patients, especially in younger demographics.

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Score and Its Association with Sleep Quality in a National Survey of Middle-Aged and Older Men and Women.

Complex processes appear to link sleep duration and quality with dietary patterns. Numerous studies show healthful benefits of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, but few have examined its association with sleep duration or quality. The current study tested cross-sectional associations of DASH diet quality score with sleep quality among adults. Analyses of participants were from the 2005–2008 wave of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (n = 3941 adults ≥30 years of age, complete data). We performed sex- and age group-stratified multiple OLS regression analyses with DASH total score and components as main predictors and sleep quality as main outcomes, adjusting sequentially for socio-demographic, behavioral and health-related factors. Sex and age differences in associations of DASH with sleep quality, adjusting for covariates, were also examined by incorporating two-way interaction terms between sex/age and the DASH score in each unstratified model. We found that the DASH diet score was inversely related to poor sleep-related daytime dysfunction adjusted by age, sex, demographic and socio-economic factors. Some sex-specific associations were detected between DASH diet component scores and sleep quality. Notably, the potassium DASH component was inversely associated with Factor 1 (“sleepiness and sleep disturbance”) among women. The fiber DASH component was associated with better sleep quality and inversely related to Factor 2 (“sleep-related daytime dysfunction”) in younger subjects. This study indicates health benefits of the DASH diet for sleep duration and quality. Future longitudinal studies and randomized placebo-controlled trials are required to ascertain protective effects.

Age Differences and Similarities in Associated Stressors and Outcomes Among Young, Midlife, and Older Adult Family Caregivers.

Few studies have simultaneously compared caregivers in all stages of the adult life course. This study examined age differences in associations among primary stressors (caregiver burden which includes hours of provided care and number of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living performed), secondary stressors (financial and employment strains), and caregiver outcomes (emotional strain and physical strain). Using Pearlin's Stress Process Model (1990) and the Caregiving in the United States 2015 dataset, 1,156 caregivers were identified (including 278 young adults aged 18-39 years, 464 midlife adults aged 40-59 years, and 414 older adults aged 60-80 years). Post hoc analyses revealed that compared to older adults, young adults reported less caregiver burden, less physical strain, and greater financial strain. Linear regression analyses revealed associations between caregiver burden and financial strain with emotional and physical strain for all respondents. Findings emphasize the need for age-specific interventions.

Age differences in the longitudinal associations of leisure-time physical activity and depressive symptoms with cognitive decline in older Taiwanese

Objectives: The associations of physical activity and depressive symptoms with cognitive decline are likely age dependent. The study was therefore aimed to investigate the age differences in the associations of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and depressive symptoms with cognitive decline in older Taiwanese.Method: A total of 3545 participants, age ≥50, from 2003 (baseline) and 2007 (end-point) survey datasets were analyzed. Cognitive decline was defined as a decrease of two or more points on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. The long-term LTPA and depressive symptoms were the change of status between the two time-points. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the longitudinal associations, stratified by age.Results: Significant associations between all levels of long-term LTPA status and cognitive decline were observed for the older group (age ≥70), but not any for the younger group (age 50–69). Significant associations between long-term depressive symptoms status and cognitive decline were also found in all levels for the older group, but only in one level for the younger group. The two odds ratios of cognitive decline between the age groups were further found to be significantly different for those with active LTPA in both time-points (p=.005) and for those with depressive symptoms decreased (p=.014).Conclusion: The findings suggest that there are age differences in the longitudinal associations of LTPA and depressive symptoms with cognitive decline in older Taiwanese. Understanding the pattern of age differences could be helpful in preventing cognitive decline of the elderly.

The role of family civic context in character development across childhood and adolescence

Parents promote character development in many ways: by cultivating a supportive relationship, modeling the strengths they hope to cultivate, and through the ideas they communicate to their children. Given the need for developmentally sensitive assessments of contexts that facilitate character development, this study examined the role of a family civic context by examining associations between psychological needs support, parental modeling, and communication and character across elementary-, middle-, and high school ages. Using a diverse, cross-sectional sample of 2,467 youth ages 9–19, bifactor models were estimated across age groups to examine age differences in associations between parenting practices and character. Psychological needs support and communication predicted global character across age groups. At older ages, parenting practices evidenced greater specificity in promoting character strengths. Results provide insights into the distinct ways parenting strategies are associated with the development of general and specific character strengths and how these associations vary with age.

Age differences in associations of serum alkaline phosphatase and mortality among peritoneal dialysis patients.

Age differences in associations of serum alkaline phosphatase and mortality among peritoneal dialysis patients.

The Impact of Age on Income-Related Health Status Inequalities from Birth to Adolescence: A Systematic Review with Cross-Country Comparisons

To examine the effect of age on associations between household income and overall health from birth to adolescence, and whether age patterns vary by country. It is uncertain whether income-related health inequalities remain stable, widen, or narrow as children age, which impacts optimal timing of equity-focused interventions. Systematic review (CRD42016038583) of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, SocINDEX (full-text), and EconLit (full-text) to April 2017. We included observational studies and trials in children and adolescents (0-18 years of age), examining age differences in associations between income and overall health (self-rated, clinician-rated, proxy-rated). One reviewer extracted data; 2 evaluated risk of bias. Thirty-eight articles containing 43 studies (30 cross-sectional, 13 cohort) were identified, from high-income (n = 39) and middle-income (n = 4) countries. In the US (n = 21), positive income-health associations emerged in early childhood, and these inequalities typically widened progressively into adolescence. Relative to 0- to 3-year-olds, ratios of income-health coefficients ranged from 1.10-3.71 for 4-8 years of age, 1.26-3.86 for 9-12 years of age, 1.36-6.71 for 13-17 years. In the United Kingdom and Ireland (n = 8), inequalities emerged in early-to-mid childhood, but age patterns were less consistent. In other high-income countries (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Republic of Korea), inequalities mostly persisted or widened with age. In middle-income countries, inequalities appeared to narrow (Indonesia n = 2) or persist (Brazil n = 2) with age. Limitations are unclear/high risk of bias and dataset overlap for some studies. In many countries, income-related health status inequalities persist or widen as children age. Interventions that improve health equity early in the life-course are needed.

Sex and Age Differences in the Association of Blood Pressure and Hypertension with Cognitive Function in the Elderly: The Rancho Bernardo Study.

This study examines sex and age differences in associations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), pulse pressure and hypertension with cognitive function in a community-dwelling population. Cross-sectional study. Research clinic visit in 1988-91. Participants were 693 men and 1022 women aged 50-97 Measurements: Blood pressure was measured and 12 cognitive function tests were administered. Average age was 73.8±9.9 in men and 73.2±9.3 in women; 62.6% of men and 63.4% of women were hypertensive (SBP≥140 mmHg, DBP≥90 mmHg, or antihypertensive medication use). Each 5-unit increment in SBP, DBP, or pulse pressure and categorical hypertension was associated with significantly increased odds of poor verbal fluency performance in men and poor Trails B performance in women, with strongest associations for hypertension (OR=1.97, CI:1.01,3.85 in men; OR=1.51, CI:1.01,2.26 in women). After age stratification, associations remained statistically significant in younger (<80 years ) but not older (≥80 years) participants. Blood pressure as a continuous or categorical variable was associated with poor performance on cognitive function tests, but domains varied by sex and associations were found only in those younger than 80 years. The absent associations in those aged 80 years and older could support the hypothesis that increased blood flow is required to maintain cerebral perfusion with advancing age, or could reflect a survivor effect.

Age and Temperament Differences in Mental Illness: Results From Three Studies

Objective Temperament and mental illnesses are considered to be varying degrees along the same continuum of neurotransmitter imbalance in neurophysiological systems of behavioural regulation. Three studies investigated relationships between temperament traits and clinical scales measuring five groups of symptoms of mental illness: Depression, Anxiety, Antisocial behaviour, Dominance-Mania and Borderline/Schizophrenia. Method The intake records of 395 (Study 1), 331 (Study 2), and 214 (Study 3) clients of a private psychological practice were examined, including their scores on the Structure of Temperament Questionnaire (STQ-77); Study 3 used the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). The sample was divided into four age groups (17-24, 25-45, 46-65, and 66-84). Results Study 1 and 2 found changes in the dynamical aspects of behaviour, such as endurance, plasticity and impulsivity in patients suffering from anxiety and depression. Study 3: Scores on the Depression- and Anxiety-related scales of PAI correlated with temperament scales of the STQ in a pattern similar to Studies 1 and 2. Anti-social scales of PAI correlated positively with Sensation Seeking and Impulsivity of the STQ-77. Higher Anxiety and Anti-social symptoms appeared to be more prominent in the younger age (unlike Depression symptoms), and declined with age. Dominance-Mania scores of PAI correlated positively with the Social-verbal Endurance and Tempo, Empathy and Self-confidence. Conclusions The analysis of age differences in association between temperament and mental illness showed age-sensitive patterns. Strong concurrent validity between the STQ-77 and the PAI scales suggests links between temperament traits and disposition for the main group of mental illness.

Outside of the laboratory: Associations of working-memory performance with psychological and physiological arousal vary with age.

We investigated age differences in associations among self-reported experiences of tense and energetic arousal, physiological activation indicated by heart rate, and working-memory performance in everyday life. The sample comprised 92 participants aged 14-83 years. Data were collected for 24 hr while participants pursued their normal daily routines. Participants wore an ambulatory biomonitoring system that recorded their cardiac and physical activity. Using mobile phones as assessment devices, they also provided an average of 7 assessments of their momentary experiences of tense arousal (feeling nervous) and energetic arousal (feeling wide-awake) and completed 2 trials of a well-practiced working-memory task. Experiences of higher energetic arousal were associated with higher heart rate in participants younger than 50 years of age but not in participants older than that, and energetic arousal was unrelated to within-person fluctuations in working-memory performance. Experiences of tense arousal were associated with higher heart rate independent of participants' age. Tense arousal and physiological activation were accompanied by momentary impairments in working-memory performance in middle-aged and older adults but not in younger individuals. Results suggest that psychological arousal experiences are associated with lower working-memory performance in middle-aged and older adults when they are accompanied by increased physiological activation and that the same is true for physiological activation deriving from other influences. Hence, age differences in cognitive performance may be exaggerated when the assessment situation itself elicits tense arousal or occurs in situations with higher physiological arousal arising from affective experiences, physical activity, or circadian rhythms.

Age differences in associations between psychological distress and chronic conditions

To examine associations between psychological distress (PD) and chronic health conditions among different age groups in a representative population sample. PD measured by the Kessler-10, and the presence of diagnosed chronic conditions were self-reported by respondents aged 18 years and over in a South Australian continuous computer-assisted telephone interviewing surveillance system from July 2002 to June 2007 (n = 26,376). The overall prevalence of PD was 9.8% (95% CI 9.5-10.2). In age-specific adjusted multivariate models, arthritis and mental health conditions remained significantly associated with PD for all age groups, cardiovascular disease was significantly associated with PD among those aged 35 years and over, asthma was associated with PD for respondents aged 50 years and over, and osteoporosis was associated with PD for 50-64 year olds. Being born outside of Australia, United Kingdom or Ireland, current smoking, low level of education, and low income also remained significantly associated with PD for all age groups. Young people experience a higher prevalence of PD than older age groups, irrespective of the presence of chronic conditions.

Coronary arterial calcification in rheumatoid arthritis: comparison with the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

IntroductionAlthough cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are increased in rheumatoid arthritis, little is known about the burden of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in these patients.MethodsUsing computed tomography, coronary artery calcification was measured in 195 men and women with rheumatoid arthritis aged 45 to 84 years without clinical cardiovascular disease and compared with 1,073 controls without rheumatoid arthritis enrolled in the Baltimore cohort of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.ResultsThe prevalence of coronary calcification (Agatston score > 0) was significantly higher in men, but not women, with rheumatoid arthritis after adjusting for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors (prevalence ratio = 1.19; P = 0.012). Among participants with prevalent calcification, those with rheumatoid arthritis had adjusted mean Agatston scores 53 units higher than controls (P = 0.002); a difference greater for men than women (P for interaction = 0.017). In all analyses, serum IL-6 attenuated the association between rheumatoid arthritis and coronary calcification, suggesting its role as a potential mediator of enhanced atherosclerosis. Notably, increasing severity of rheumatoid arthritis was associated with a higher prevalence and extent of coronary calcification among both men and women with rheumatoid arthritis, and for all age categories. The largest percentage difference in coronary arterial calcification between rheumatoid arthritis patients and their nonrheumatoid arthritis counterparts was observed in the youngest age category.ConclusionsIncreasing rheumatoid arthritis disease severity was associated with a higher prevalence and greater extent of coronary artery calcification, potentially mediated through an atherogenic effect of chronic systemic inflammation. Gender and age differences in association with coronary calcification suggest that preventive measures should be emphasized in men with rheumatoid arthritis, and considered even in younger rheumatoid arthritis patients with low levels of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Aging and Loneliness

Levels of loneliness are relatively stable across most of adult life, but correlates of loneliness show age differences. We review evidence of age differences in associations between loneliness and individual differences in health behaviors, stress exposure, physiological stress responses, appraisal and coping, and restorative processes. The effects of each of these pathways endow loneliness with the capacity to accelerate the rate of physiological decline with age. Additional research across the lifespan is required to understand the nature of accrued loneliness effects on health behavior and physiology in the short and long term.

Gender and age differences in associations between peer dieting and drive for thinness

To examine associations between peer dieting and drive for thinness (DT) in men and women of three age groups and to compare rates of perceived vs. reported peer dieting. Data came from an epidemiological study in which surveys were completed by women (n = 1,468) and men (n = 592) from three age groups: late adolescent (mean +/- SD age: 20.0 +/- 1.6 years), adult (30.0 +/- 1.6), and midlife (40.1 +/- 2.0). Significant associations were found between perceived peer dieting and DT in women and men. For women, associations were strongest in late adolescents for same-sex peers. Associations in men did not differ by age group or peer sex. Expected gender differences in the strength of associations were not found. Reported dieting occurred at or below rates perceived for peers. Results may partially account for why DT has been found to decline with age in women, but not men. Longitudinal research is needed to support cross-sectional findings.

Age-Associated Changes in Nuclear Binding of Rat Uterine Estradiol Receptor Complexes

Nuclear binding of cytoplasmic estrogen receptors was measured in an in vitro cell-free system, using various mixtures of cytosols and nuclei from uteri of mature (6-9 month old) and senescent (24-25 month old) Wistar rats. Both nuclei and cytoplasmic receptors from senescent uteri were 25-35% less efficient in supporting nuclear binding than those obtained from mature tissues as evidenced by the concentrations of occupiable nuclear acceptor sites. No age differences in association or dissociation constants were observed for the nuclear binding reaction. However, the apparent inability of some aged receptors to bind to the full complement of mature nuclear acceptor sites may indicate a qualitative deficiency in the cytosols of senescent uteri.

Conceptual development reflected in age differences in associations to names and pictures of objects.

Conceptual development reflected in age differences in associations to names and pictures of objects.