Geriatric Anxiety Research Articles

Prevalence of depression and anxiety among older persons residing in Thoubal district, Manipur

ABSTRACT Background: Among the elderly population, the most common psychiatric conditions include depression and anxiety, which often go untreated or unrecognized, owing to the lack of knowledge and misperceptions about these conditions. Timely identification and treatment improve the quality of life of the elderly. As community studies were scarce in Manipur, the present study was undertaken. Aim of the Study: This study aims to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety among older persons residing in Thoubal district, Manipur. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 352 older persons, aged 60 years and above residing in a rural area of Thoubal district of Manipur in India for 1 year. The elderly subjects were selected randomly by lottery method. The validated Manipuri translation of the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 short version and the Geriatric Anxiety Scale-10 were used to assess depression and anxiety. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 26 for Windows. Results: The overall prevalence of depression was 102 (29.0%), of which 65 (18.5%), 31 (8.8%), and 6 (1.7%) had mild, moderate, and severe depression, respectively. Gender, age, marital status, no income, presence of chronic illnesses, and substance use were significantly associated with depression. The overall presence of anxiety among respondents was 91 (25.9%), out of which 59 (16.8%), 27 (7.7%), and 5 (1.4%) were mild, moderate, and severe, respectively. No income, presence of chronic illnesses, and substance use were significantly associated with anxiety. During binary logistic analysis, a higher risk of developing depression was found in females, widows/widowers, unemployed, no income, and elderly with diabetes and alcohol use, whereas the elderly with hypertension, both hypertension and diabetes, and tobacco use had a higher risk of developing anxiety. Conclusion: The results confirmed that there is a high prevalence of depression and anxiety among the rural elderly population. There is a need to improve geriatric mental health-care services including timely screening, monitoring, and implementing preventive programs at the primary health-care level.

Feasibility of a group-based laughter yoga therapy on anxiety and happiness among community-dwelling older adults: A quasi-experimental study

BackgroundApplying a unique, non-pharmacological therapy for community-dwelling older adults, such as Laughing Yoga Therapy, may have a considerable impact on their anxiety, happiness, and psychological well-being. Aim of the studyTo investigate the feasibility of applying Laughing Yoga Therapy interventions to anxiety and happiness among community-dwelling older adults. MethodologyA quasi-experimental design was used on a convenient community-dwelling. Older adult participants were selected to undergo eight sessions over four weeks. The Geriatric Anxiety Scale and Arabic Scale of Happiness were used to evaluate the participants' anxiety and happiness levels. ResultsA statistically significant decrease in anxiety level among the study group compared to the control group (Pre = 16.68 (7.35), immediate = 6.65 (2.89), post three-month = 7.68 (2.75), p=<0.001 and effect size = 0.715). As well as an increase in happiness level among the study group compared to the control group were found (pre = 54.23 (6.60), immediate = 62.05 (4.09), post three-month = 61.95 (4.38), with statistical significant= <0.001 and effect size = 0.677. Conclusion and recommendationsParticipation in laughing yoga therapy significantly reduced anxiety and increased happiness among elderly people. These findings suggest incorporating laughing yoga therapy into nursing interventions offered to older adults in nursing homes and community groups.

There is no association between anxiety and lifestyle in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused mental health problems worldwide. Older people have been particularly affected by the lockdown as their health conditions have changed, although they have been kept in isolation to avoid exposure to contagion. We sought to determine the association between lifestyles and anxiety in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was cross-sectional. We enrolled 150 older adults of both sexes and with a history of chronic diseases from the municipality of El Agustino (Lima, Peru). The 20-item Geriatric Anxiety Scale and the 25-item Lifestyle Questionnaire on eating, physical activity, rest, and sleep were administered in Spanish during July-August 2021. The mean age was 70.8 ± 8.1 years, 54.7% were male, and 75.3% practiced exercise. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 99.3% of the elderly had healthy lifestyles and 40% presented anxiety (mild, moderate, and severe anxiety in 26.7%, 8.7%, and 4.7%, respectively). We found no association between anxiety and lifestyle (p = 0.189), physical exercise was a predictor of lifestyle (p < 0.001) and we did not find predictors of anxiety symptoms (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that there was no link between anxiety symptoms and lifestyle in older adults during the lockdown. It is important to conduct in-depth research on factors associated with anxiety symptoms among older residents in other regions, focusing on population groups with the highest rates of infection and death from COVID-19.

노인의 불안이 우울에 미치는 영향에서 자아통제감의 매개효과

This study identified the mediating effect of a sense of control on the relationship between geriatric anxiety and depression among community-dwelling elderly using a cross-sectional survey with a convenient sampling method. The structured questionnaire included items from the geriatric anxiety, depression, and sense of control. To analyze the mediating effect of a sense of control in the relationship between geriatirc anxiety and depression, hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed. Analysis of the effect of a sense of control showed that there was a significant mediating effect of a sense of control on the relationship between geriatric anxiety and depression. The findings suggest that a sense of control may play a role in reducing the impact of geriatric anxiety on older adults' on depression and underscore the need to consider ways of enhancing the sense of control in depression-related interventions for community-dwelling elderly.

Physical and Mental Health Problems among Elderly in Selected Geriatric Homes of Makawanpur District

Introduction: With the advancing age, there comes increased risk of medical illness, psychiatric problems and use of medication, all of which may adversely impact on the physical and mental health status of the elderly. Studies investigating physical and mental health problems among elderly in geriatric homes are rare in Nepal. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the physical and mental health problems among elderly of selected geriatric homes of Makawanpur district. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was carried out among the old people of three geriatric homes of Makawanpur district. Data was collected through structured interview schedule consisting of demographic, medical history and social information including geriatric depression scale and geriatric anxiety scale. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 16 using descriptive statics. Result: A total of 84 respondents in the study, 90.2% of the respondents having physical symptoms. Among them pain (90.2%), weakness (26.6%), fatigue (18.3%) were the common symptoms. Furthermore, 76.8% of elderly were having physical health problems and more common problems were hypertension (55.55%), Diabetes (33.33%) and asthma (25.57%). Similarly 36.4% of the respondents had depression and 39% have anxiety. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is concluded that hypertension, diabetes and asthma were more common physical problems and depression, anxiety were more common mental health problems among old people. Therefore, provision of regular health check-up program for elders can enhance their physical as well as mental health so that complications can be prevented in time.

A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF SELF-HELP GUIDED BY LAY PROVIDERS FOR GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER IN OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Low use of professional help for anxiety disorders in older adults may be due in part to limited access to mental health services. Self-help guided by lay providers (LPs) could help improve access to treatment. This study evaluated the efficacy and long-term outcomes of self-help guided by LPs for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in older adults. Participants (≥ 60 years) with threshold or subthreshold GAD were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 75) or a wait-list control group (n = 75). Intervention group participants used a manual presenting readings and exercises based on principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy and received weekly support calls by LPs. Groups were similar in terms of sociodemographic characteristics and initially did not differ significantly on outcomes. At post-treatment, the intervention group had decreased significantly on various measures while the wait-list group remained stable: Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7): -4.8 vs -.03; Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ): -11.7 vs .07; Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI): -5.3 vs -.07. Probability of having a diagnosis of threshold GAD decreased significantly more in the intervention group (79% to 16% vs 74% to 53%). Intervention group scores on the GAD-7, the PSWQ, and the GAI as well as probability of having a diagnosis of threshold GAD remained stable at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Results provide evidence of the efficacy of self-help guided by LPs for GAD in older adults as well as of the maintenance of improvement following this treatment.

THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF COMPANION ROBOTIC PETS ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER WOMEN

Abstract This project explores whether companion robotic pets improve mental well-being of community-dwelling older women with depression. Depression is a major mental health issue disproportionately impacting women due to lifelong experiences of sexism and limitations in education and employment. Aging exacerbates an already undervalued status, and feelings of powerlessness increase. Women thus experience double jeopardy from discrimination on both gender and age (Hooyman et al., 2017). This project will investigate the efficacy of companion robotic pets and will recommend plans to the local Office for Aging (OFA). Recruitment was done in collaboration with the local OFA, with mail-survey data collected from community-dwelling women over the age of 65. 38 participants were provided with a robotic pet after an initial screening. Following a one-group pretest posttest design, data from 31 participants were used to determine the impact of a robotic pet intervention on older women’s quality of life. Paired samples t-tests were used to compare means of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), 10-item Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS), 6-item De Jong Loneliness Scale, and one physical health status question completed by 30 women. There was a significant average difference between before- and after-companion pet scores for depression (t29 = 6.597, p &amp;lt; 0.001), anxiety (t29 = 6.728, p &amp;lt; 0.001), loneliness (t29 = 6.462, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and physical health (t29 = - 3.496, p = 0.002). Results confirmed companion robotic pets improve mental health in older women with depression and anxiety. Moreover, they are helpful in improving loneliness and physical health.

Clinical and Linguistic Aspects for Development of the Geriatric Anxiety Scale

In modern clinical practice, there are many conditions and diseases that cannot be detected by diagnostic testing alone due to their poorly understood pathogenesis. This is particularly true for somatoform, stress-related, and anxiety-depressive disorders: they are primarily diagnosed based on the patient’s narrative and the input of their family members, which thus highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the above-stated problem and defines an area ripe for further research in clinical linguistics. This article provides a brief analysis of the psychometric tools commonly used in the diagnostic screening for anxiety and depressive disorders among patients of various profiles. The obtained results show that most screening methods lack any nosological specificity or validity for geriatric practice. A new variant of the geriatric anxiety scale (GAS) was developed with the clinical and linguistic profiles of elderly patients taken into account.

Is it possible to deprescribe benzodiazepine receptor agonists in older adults?

Aim: to analyze the viability and related factors for deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRA).Methods: this is a longitudinal, prospective, interventional study performed with older adults assisted at a geriatric psychiatry outpatient clinic; these were divided into two groups: BZRA users and non-users. The instruments used in this study were a general questionnaire, the Geriatric Depression Scale (short form), the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.Results: we evaluated 74 patients, 40 (54.1%) of which were BZRA users and 34 (45.9%) were non-users, with an average age of 71.3 ± 7.5 years. Patients who used BZRA had a higher dropout rate of the deprescription process 26 (65%). Seven patients completely stopped using BZRAs (17.5%) and five reduced their use (12.5%). The mean scores for depression and anxiety symptoms were lower at the final assessment. As to sleep quality, BZRA users presented higher baseline values and both groups presented reductions in scores at the end of the treatment.Conclusion: deprescribing is viable and safe. However, there is resistance by both the patient and prescribers. The levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep quality improved after discontinuing BZRA.

Homebound elderly people psychotherapeutic intervention (HEPPI): Exploring the mediating role of loneliness

ObjectivesThe present study aimed to explore whether the Homebound Elderly People Psychotherapeutic Intervention (HEPPI), a home-delivered ten-week cognitive-emotional intervention, was effective in reducing self-reported loneliness among homebound older adults presenting mild cognitive impairment and psychological symptomatology. Effects of HEPPI in total, social, and emotional loneliness, compared with a treatment-as-usual group, were investigated at post-intervention and 3-month follow-up. In addition, the potential role of social and emotional loneliness as mediators of the HEPPI impact on episodic memory and symptoms of depression and anxiety was examined. MethodsThis study built upon the data of a previously conducted randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to the HEPPI group (n = 98) or the treatment-as-usual group (n = 101) and completed baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up assessments, including measures of loneliness (UCLA - Loneliness scale), episodic memory (Wechsler Memory Scale-III), depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale-30), and anxiety symptoms (Geriatric Anxiety Inventory). Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis employing linear mixed models and mediation analyses for repeated measures. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05499767. ResultsCompared with usual care controls, the HEPPI participants reported a significant immediate decrease in total and social loneliness, but these effects were not maintained at a 3-month follow-up. The reduction in immediate perceived social loneliness significantly mediated the improvement of depressive symptoms. ConclusionsThe current findings suggest that HEPPI potentially reduced total and social loneliness of the homebound older population immediately post-intervention, and such decrease in social loneliness may be a relevant mechanism for improving their short-term depressive symptomatology.

Differences in Dementia Caregiver Distress Based on Caregiver Gender and Care Recipient Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

AbstractBackgroundOur healthcare system relies on unpaid family caregivers (e.g., spouses) for care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Several caregiver and care recipient characteristics are known to be associated with caregiver burden and psychological outcomes in dementia caregivers. Research suggests that caregiver emotional distress is higher among women versus men, and that it increases with elevated care recipient neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS). However, it is unclear whether gender differences in caregiver distress are independent of care recipient characteristics.MethodCaregivers completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory‐ Questionnaire (NPI‐Q). Presence of NPS in care recipients was summed across 12 NPI‐Q domains. Using one‐way analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs), we assessed how caregiver gender (woman/man) and care recipient NPS are associated with caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview), anxiety (Geriatric Anxiety Index), quality of life (WHO‐5 Well‐Being Index), preparedness for caregiving (Preparedness for Caregiving Scale), and self‐efficacy (General Self‐Efficacy Scale) in a sample of 112 unpaid family caregivers. Covariates included caregiver age and co‐living status. Bonferroni corrections were used to adjust for multiple comparisons. The sample was comprised of 73.2% women with a mean age of 64.6 ± 12.2 years. Caregivers were primarily spouses (68.5%) and daughters (20.7%) of care recipients.ResultRelative to men caregivers, women caregivers reported higher levels of burden (F(1,103) = 24.4, p&lt;.005) and anxiety (F(1,103) = 8.60, p&lt;.005) and lower quality of life (F(1,103) = 9.85, p &lt;.005). Caregivers who rated their care recipients as having more NPS also reported greater burden (F(1,103) = 27.2, p&lt;.005), higher anxiety (F(1,103) = 26.0, p&lt;.005), and lower quality of life (F(1,103) = 34.9, p &lt;.005). There were no significant interactions between gender and NPS. Gender and presence of NPS were not associated with caregivers’ preparedness for caregiving or general self‐efficacy.ConclusionWhile women and men caregivers in this sample reported similar levels of preparedness and self‐efficacy, women endorsed greater levels of emotional distress in the form of caregiver burden, anxiety, and decreased quality of life. Across caregiver gender, age, and co‐living status, NPS in care recipients predicted poor psychosocial outcomes in our sample. Our data suggest the need for interventions to support women caregivers, and mitigate the burden associated with neuropsychiatric disturbances.

P141: BRIGHT (Building Resilience in Geriatric Health Today)

Aims:Geriatric depression and anxiety are increasingly relevant conditions in the ageing population of Singapore. Subsyndromal depression and anxiety in older adults is estimated at 20-50% of the population and often go undetected despite adverse effects on quality of life (Preisig et al., 2001), suicidality (Sadek and Bona, 2000), disability and inappropriate usage of medical services (de Beurs et al., 1999; Wagner et al., 2000), and cognition (Yoachim et al., 2013). BRIGHT is an early intervention group coaching programme to empower older adults to self-manage physical and mental health ailments so as to decrease healthcare utilization and expenditure. This paper aims to present the findings from three pilot runs of BRIGHT with older adults in the community setting.Methodology:BRIGHT consists of 4 half-day workshops with both didactic and interactive components that leverage on the group-based therapy setting to promote psychoeducation, self-reflection, and reminiscence. This was delivered by a multidisciplinary team comprising psychiatrists, psychologists, and medical social workers. Simple digital literacy skills were taught and a mobile application to promote active lifestyles was utilized.Groups are kept small at less than 15 participants each who were referred from community partners. They have been screened for subclinical depression and anxiety using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI), 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12), and Health Confidence Score (HCS). The same scales were administered again immediately upon completion of the programme to capture (1) reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms, (2) quality of life, (3) improvement in health confidence, and (4) participant satisfaction.Result:Average participant satisfaction was 82.2% - most qualitative feedback was positive but one group preferred the sessions to be conducted in Mandarin instead of English. GDS, GAI, HCS, and SF12 PCS scores improved by an average of 2.285, 0.969, 0.685, and 1.733 respectively. However, SF12 MCS scores decreased by an average of 1.795.Conclusion:Preliminary quantitative data shows that BRIGHT appears to be an effective early intervention modality for older adults with subclinical depressive and anxiety symptoms. After an iterative process of refining the programme content, plans are underway to “train the trainers” so as to increase scale and sustainability.

P163: Closing the gap: Funded psychology in residential aged care in Australia.

Objective:Historically, older adults in residential aged care facilities (RACF) in Australia had no access to government funded psychology services despite high rates of anxiety and depression. Change Futures is a registered charity that provides funded psychology to more than 220 RACFs in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales, Australia, and since 2015 has been providing free psychology services to older adults living in aged care, using a predominately provisional psychologist workforce. This presentation will discuss the model of service that is provided, and the findings of a recent outcomes report.Method:Data was collected via clinician entered eHealth records in the 2021/2022 financial year from 01/07/2021 to 30/06/2022. Outcome measures were analysed using six repeated measure t-tests to compare clinical change from first and last assessments.Results:A total of 2865 residents were seen in 17,754 individual sessions and 298 group sessions. Staff education was provided in 94 sessions with 838 participants, who worked in RACFs. The most common presenting issue was difficulties with adjustment (70%), comorbid anxiety and depression (28%), depression (27%), loneliness (18%), and anxiety (17%). Outcomes of the psychology program showed statistically significant improvements on all measures, including the Kessler 5 psychological distress scale, Geriatric anxiety scale, Patient health Questionaire-9, De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and Brief Adjustment Scale.Conclusion:The described service model resulted in significant improvements to the psychological wellbeing of older adults, and represents an effective and sustainable training approach for provisional psychologists.

P158: Efficacy of a self-help cognitive-behavioral therapy (GSH-CBT) guided by lay providers for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in older adults: preliminary results

Background:Only a small proportion of older adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) seek professional help. One reason is the lack of access to mental health professionals licensed to provide psychotherapy. One way to improve access to psychotherapy is through guided self- help (GSH). GSH based on the principles of cognitive-behavior therapy (GSH-CBT) can be guided by trained lay providers (LPs). The purpose of this poster is to report preliminary results from a multisite randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a GSH-CBT guided by LPs for GAD in older adults.Methods:The sample included 150 participants (≥ 60 years old) with a diagnosis of threshold or subthreshold GAD randomly assigned to: 1) GSH-CBT guided by LPs (n = 75) or 2) waiting list (n = 75). The GSH-CBT lasted 15 weeks. Participants used a manual presenting weekly reading and at-home exercises. They also received weekly support calls (30 minutes maximum) by LPs (undergraduate psychology students) supervised by psychologists. Repeated-measures regression models were used to compare changes in the groups before and after 15 weeks on three outcomes: severity of GAD symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item; GAD-7), tendency to worry (Penn State Worry Questionnaire; PSWQ), and level of anxiety (Geriatric Anxiety Inventory; GAI).Results:At the first assessment, both groups were similar in terms of age, sex, level of education, marital status, occupation, and did not differ significantly on outcomes. The GSH- CBT group decreased significantly on all three outcomes (GAD-7: -4.8, 95% CI [-5.7, -3.8], PSWQ: -11.7; 95% CI [-13.6, -9.9], GAI: -5.3 95% CI [-6.5, -4.1]) while the waiting list group remained stable over 15 weeks (GAD-7: -0.3, 95% CI [-1.2, 0.6], PSWQ: 0.7; 95% CI [-1.2, 2.5], GAI: -0.7 95% CI [-1.9, -0.5]).Conclusions:GSH-CBT guided by LPs appears to be an effective intervention for reducing severity of GAD symptoms, tendency to worry, and level of anxiety in older people with GAD. Further analyses will be conducted to test whether the intervention differs in efficacy between participants with a threshold vs. subthreshold GAD. The maintenance of long-term gains (6 and 12 months after the intervention) will also be tested.

Prevalence of COVID-19 anxiety, geriatric anxiety, and related factors among the elderly in Quchan, Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

Anxiety is a prevalent mental disorder among the elderly, leading to discomfort, disability, increased expenses, reduced quality of life, and dysfunction. Consequently, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 anxiety and geriatric anxiety, along with the factors influencing anxiety, in the elderly population served by urban healthcare centres in Quchan. This cross-sectional study involved 650 elderly individuals aged 60-95 years. The participants were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected through three questionnaires: the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI), the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), and a questionnaire on factors contributing to anxiety. Data analysis was performed using simple and multiple regression with IBM SPSS 24. The prevalence of geriatric anxiety among the elderly was 40.3%, while the prevalence of COVID-19 anxiety (moderate and severe) was 22.8%. Significant relationships were observed between geriatric anxiety and substance abuse, stressful life events, comorbidities, COVID-19 anxiety, financial support, loneliness, walking habits, and sleep patterns (P < 0.05). COVID-19 anxiety and geriatric anxiety are prevalent concerns among the elderly. Factors like substance abuse, stressful life events, COVID-19-related anxiety, comorbidity, living alone, lack of financial support, and poor walking and sleeping habits, which affect anxiety in the elderly, it is essential to address these factors in life planning and provide services through relevant organisations, healthcare teams, and initiatives by the elderly themselves.

15 Associations Among Subjective Cognitive Function and Cannabis Use in Older Adults

Objective:Cannabis use in older adults is becoming increasingly common as cannabis becomes both more socially acceptable and legally permissible, whether for medical or recreational purposes. While previous research has found harmful effects of cannabis use on cognition in adolescents and younger adults, few studies have explored cognition and cannabis use in older adults. This study aimed to examine the relationship between lifetime cannabis use patterns and subjective cognitive performance in older adults.Participants and Methods:The sample (N=51) consisted of adults ages 60 and older residing in the United States who endorsed cannabis use within the previous year. Participants completed online questionnaires on demographics, mental health [Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS) short form and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) short form], and measures of subjective cognitive function [Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), the Cognitive Problems and Strategies Assessment (CPSA), and part IV of the Cognitive Self Efficacy Questionnaire (CSEQ)]. The Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory (DFAQCU) and the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test (CUDIT) were used to assess cannabis use, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption items (AUD-C) were used to assess alcohol use. Partial Pearson’s correlations were used to examine relationships between scores of subjective cognitive functioning and cannabis use patterns while controlling for alcohol consumption.Results:Participants aged 60+ (M=68.06, SD=5.80, 49% women) had 15.39 (SD=2.21, range 12-18) years of education on average. Participants’ race/ethnicity was reported as 90.2% White (n=47), 5.9% Latinx or Hispanic (n=3), 2% Black or African American (n=1), and 1% Other (n=1). Most participants (59%) reported first using cannabis as a child or adolescent (range of ages 7-17 years), while 31% reported first using cannabis as an adult (ages 18-58 years), and only 8% endorsed initial use in older adulthood (62-84 years). On average, this sample reported using cannabis for 19.75 days (SD=11.14) in the last month with n=35 (69%) and having used cannabis for 20 or more years (range 1-60 years). The total CUDIT score was positively correlated with CFQ (rp=.47, p&lt;.001), CPSA problems (rp=.46, p&lt;.001), GAS (rp=.43, p=.002), and GDS (rp=.35, p=.014), and negatively correlated with the CSEQ (rp=-.33, p=.02), all while controlling for alcohol consumption. Days of use in the past month and total years of use were not significantly associated with subjective cognitive function.Conclusions:Among older adult cannabis users, symptoms of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) were significantly associated with greater self-reported cognitive failures/problems and worse self-efficacy for cognitive ability, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression, when controlling for alcohol use. Notably, there was no relationship between subjective cognition and frequency of recent use or lifetime use. For patients who use cannabis, neuropsychologists may find it helpful to focus their clinical interview on CUD symptoms when discussing cognitive complaints rather than other measures of cannabis use. Additional research is needed to examine objective measures of cognitive functioning in older adult cannabis users.

Intercultural adaptation and influencing factors analysis of the Chinese version of the anxiety scale for the older adults in a long-term care population.

The purpose of this study was to translate the Geriatric Anxiety Scale-Long-Term Care into Chinese and to assess its reliability and validity in a long-term care population, as well as to explore factors contributing to anxiety in older adults requiring long-term care. The study recruited 399 older adults residents requiring long-term care and used the Brislin double translation-back-translation method to create the initial Chinese version of the Geriatric Anxiety Scale-Long-Term Care. The study used internal consistency and split-half reliability to assess the reliability of the scale, as well as exploratory factor analysis, validation factor analysis, and content validity to assess the validity of the scale. Linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between the independent variables and anxiety levels in the long-term care population. The Cronbach's coefficient value of the Chinese version of the Geriatric Anxiety Scale-Long-Term Care was 0.81, and the split-half reliability was 0.80. The results of exploratory factor analysis showed support for a one-dimensional factor structure. The results of the validation factor analysis indicated a good fit for the one-factor model. Gender (β = 0.190, 95% CI:0.540 ~ 1.546, p < 0.001), self-rated health (β = 0.220, 95% CI:0.379 ~ 0.953, p < 0.001), life satisfaction (β = -0.315, 95% CI: -1.355 ~ -0.734, p < 0.001) and participation in activities (β = -0.106, 95% CI: -1.122 ~ -0.084, p < 0.05) were significant predictors of anxiety levels in the long-term care population. The Chinese version of the Geriatric Anxiety Scale-Long-Term Care has good reliability and validity in the long-term care population. The Geriatric Anxiety Scale-Long-Term Care is effective in assessing the anxiety level of the Chinese long-term care older adults population and provides an opportunity to detect and observe anxiety disorders in the long-term care population.

B - 62 The Clinical Utility of the BAI Compared to the GAI in Community Dwelling Older Adults.

Given the potential impact anxiety may have on cognitive performance, the current study explored the relationship of both the Beck Anxiety inventory (BAI) and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) to cognitive performance in community dwelling older adults. Specifically, the correlation of anxiety and depression symptomatology to performance on measures of executive functioning and processing speed was explored (Dorekamp & Vik, 2018; Najimi et al., 2015; Vytal et al., 2012). Archival data from a sample of 60 community dwelling older adult participants (female n = 54; White n = 52), with an average education of 13.83years and an average age of 76years were included. The BAI and GAI were used to determine anxiety levels. Processing speed and executive functioning were assessed using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) Coding subtest and Trail Making Test B respectively. Data was analyzed using Pearson's R product moment correlations. Pearson's R product moment correlations were significant between the BAI and RBANS Coding (r = -0.328; p = 0.011), Trails B (r = 0.295; p = 0.023), and the GAI (r = 0.268; p = 0.04). However, the GAI was only significantly associated with the BAI. While both the BAI and GAI are well established measures of anxiety in older adults, the BAI appears to be more sensitive to the effects of anxiety on executive functioning and processing speed in community dwelling older adults. Future directions related to exploration of severity and potential cut scores will be discussed.

B - 59 Testing the Cognitive Model of Pathological Worry as an Explanation for Increased Worry among the Oldest Old.

Based on past research demonstrating increased worry among the oldest old compared to younger older adults, this study tested an existing cognitive model of worry to determine whether differences in executive functioning during aging contribute to increased worry among the oldest old. 97 community-dwelling older adults (M age = 74.49; range = 60-89years) completed self-report questionnaires including the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Geriatric Anxiety Scale, and Cognitive Problems and Strategies Assessment, and were individually evaluated with neurocognitive measures including the RBANS, DKEFS Color-Word Interference Test, and Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Two-way ANOVAs revealed no significant differences in worry based on age group (i.e., 60s, 70s, and 80s; F[2, 85] = 1.31, p = 0.28) or gender (F[1, 85] = 3.22, p = 0.08). Further, response inhibition and problem-solving did not predict anxiety or worry severity in multiple regression analyses. Lower education was the only consistent predictor of both anxiety and worry when accounting for cognitive performance, age, and gender. However, subjective cognitive functioning also predicted worry among older adults, independent of objective performance. No age differences in worry or anxiety severity were found. Also, no evidence was found to support age-differences in executive functioning as a contributor to worry presentation in late life. The cognitive model of worry may only be applicable to pathological worry or executive decline among the sample was not pronounced enough to impact anxiety. Overall, this study demonstrates that the cognitive model of worry is not supported in healthy, community-dwelling older adults. However, limitations included limited demographic diversity, small sample size, and limited measurement of executive functioning.

Emotion dysregulation in older people: validity and reliability of an 8-item version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale

Objectives The abbreviated 16-item version of the Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16) is widely used to assess individuals’ perceived challenges in regulating their emotions, a central aspect of psychological symptoms commonly experienced in old age. However, its psychometric properties have yet to be tested in this population. Furthermore, a shorter version of the DERS-16 could further minimize the assessment burden on older individuals. Thus, we aimed to test the DERS-16’s psychometric performance and determine if any items were redundant to develop a psychometrically sound shorter version. Methods We enrolled 302 Portuguese older adults (M age = 75.22; SD = 8.99 years) in a cross-sectional study. Results Exploratory factor analyses indicated a one-factor structure and a four-factor solution with eight items (69.3%–81.9% of the variance observed). The four-factor–8-item solution presented an interpretable structure and demonstrated good reliability values (> 0.70) and construct validity with the Twenty-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Eight-Item Geriatric Depression Scale, and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (r = 0.66, 0.40, 0.52; p < 0.001). Conclusion The robust psychometric properties of DERS-8 make it a valuable tool for clinical and longitudinal studies, facilitating targeted interventions in older adults and allowing for precise emotion dysregulation screening.