Major Life Transition Research Articles

OLDER WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES OF AGING: THE PHYSICAL, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND THE SOCIAL

According to the life course perspective (Settersten, 2003), major life transitions are embedded in contexts shaped by personal history and social circumstances “as natural as the changing seasons” (Miller, 2010, p.663). Aging itself is perhaps the epitome of all transitions: a relatively measured movement through a series of situations, conditions, and social roles (Hettich, 2010); a transition that particularly lends itself to a life course approach. In this qualitative interview study, 37 women (Mage = 72.27) responded to questions regarding their experiences of the physical, psychological and social aspects of aging. While themes of inevitability and physical health were evident, the highly-personalized nature of aging was also underscored through individual themes of invisibility, freedom from expectations, fear of cognitive decline, and the quality and maintenance of friendships. Similarities and differences in women’s experience of aging are compared; the need to contextualize aging within the life course is discussed.

THE ROLE OF RETIREMENT IN COGNITIVE AGING: RESULTS FROM THE SWEDISH ADOPTION/TWIN STUDY OF AGING

Retirement is a major life transition that may influence the aging process. Using a two-slope growth curve model with retirement age as the pivot point, we studied change in major cognitive domains before and after retirement. Participants were 393 members of the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging who retired after the age of 50 (mean=63 years, range 51-75 years) and who were followed for over 20 years with seven testing occasions. After controlling for age, sex, and education, we observed no change in memory pre-retirement (p=.935) and significant memory decline post-retirement (Estimate=-0.17, p=.001); decline in speed, which more than doubled after retirement (Estimate=-0.20, p=.001 before, Estimate=0.54, p<.001 after); improvement in verbal abilities before (Estimate=0.15, p=.020) and decline in verbal abilities after retirement (Estimate=-0.11, p<.001); and some decline in spatial abilities before (Estimate=-0.18, p=.059) followed by accelerated decline after retirement (Estimate=-0.33, p<.001). Retirement may be a good target for intervention.

International, inter-university transferability of a student health surveillance system (SuSy) tool

Abstract Introduction While university students are known to face major life transition challenges with the risk to engage in potentially undesirable health-related habits, there are very few attempts to monitor students’ health behaviour on a regular long-term basis. Even in cross-sectional designs, students from the field of Public Health and/or Health Sciences are rarely investigated. Here, a cross-university students’ health behaviour surveillance system is presented. Methods A students’ health and health behaviour surveillance system (SuSy) has been implemented in Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in 2014, collecting and analysing data of health sciences students twice a year since. After Manchester Metropolitan University joined the project and adapted SuSy to its specific context in 2016, data of both SuSy settings were compared using logistic regression models. In addition, focus groups were carried out in both universities in order to assess the perception and acceptance of the tool. Results After eight elicitations with total sample of 1366 responses, a decreasing trend of smoking and increasing trend of cannabis consumption can be observed among Hamburg students. In comparison, Manchester students tend to smoke significantly more (OR = 3.74, 95%CI 1.95-7.17), but consume less cannabis (OR = 0.51, 95%CI 0.14-0.9). Trends in physical activity and healthy food consumption complete the overview. Focus groups revealed that SuSy is perceived as an appealing, useful and recognisable tool among students from both universities. Discussion While being easily adapted in content and delivery, SuSy allows for the provision helpful, comparable information about students’ health behaviours as well as for the observation of time trends. These findings underline SuSy’s potential in promoting university students’ health. Key messages The student health surveillance system (SuSy) tool allows comparable information about students’ health behaviours as well as the observation of time trends. SuSy is perceived as an appealing, useful and recognisable tool among students from both universities.

My Money and Me: Attaining Financial Independence in Emerging Adulthood Through a Conceptual Model of Identity Capital Theory

Emerging adulthood is a period of time from the late teens through late twenties, when individuals are facing major life transitions and decisions, with significant focus on becoming independent. This push for independence includes financial independence, a key characteristic of adulthood. The current article utilizes identity capital theory to guide and help explain the processes of obtaining financial independence in emerging adulthood. In contrast to older generations, current emerging adults are postponing many major life decisions considered to be adult behaviors, such as starting a career, getting married, and having children, which, in turn, ultimately extends the period of adult identity formation through independence, namely financial independence. Due to the importance of becoming financially independent, research should focus on examining the processes emerging adults take in gaining a sense of financial well-being and independence, and how clinicians can aid in this process. This conceptual model was created in the interest of identifying implications for therapy and identifying the mechanisms to promote independence in identify formation within an inclusive therapeutic practice.

Social networks of youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood

Social support has been shown to be a protective factor during childhood and adulthood. Social support is particularly important during major life transitions, such as aging out of foster care. When youth reach the age of majority (18 in most states) they age out of foster care and enter adulthood—often without the support necessary for a successful transition. The current study examines social networks and utilization of social support among young people (N = 58) ages 18–25 from one southeastern state who had aged out of care or were in extended foster care. These youth, on average, had 7 people in their networks. Networks varied based on a number of characteristics including placement type and race/ethnicity. Social support satisfaction varied across support domains and by foster care characteristics. The current study provides several policy and practice implications for creating supportive relationships among youth transitioning out of foster care and into adulthood.

Valuing time over money predicts happiness after a major life transition: A preregistered longitudinal study of graduating students.

How does prioritizing time or money shape major life decisions and subsequent well-being? In a preregistered longitudinal study of approximately 1000 graduating university students, respondents who valued time over money chose more intrinsically rewarding activities and were happier 1 year after graduation. These results remained significant controlling for baseline happiness and potential confounds, such as materialism and socioeconomic status, and when using alternative model specifications. These findings extend previous research by showing that the tendency to value time over money is predictive not only of daily consumer choices but also of major life decisions. In addition, this research uncovers a previously unidentified mechanism-the pursuit of intrinsically motivated activities-that underlies the previously observed association between valuing time and happiness. This work sheds new light on whether, when, and how valuing time shapes happiness.

Group identity, diffi cult adjustment to civilian life, and suicidal ideation in Canadian Armed Forces Veterans: Life After Service Studies 2016

Introduction: Suicide risk is higher in Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans than the Canadian general population (CGP). Suicidality is understood to be caused by incompletely clarified, complex interacting combinations of multiple factors. One of the precipitating factors for suicide is thought to be the social identity challenges known to occur in major life transitions. Methods: The 2016 Life After Service Studies survey representatively sampled Regular Force Veterans stratified by two release groups: earlier in 1998 to August 2012 ( n = 1,575) and more recently in September 2012 to 2015 ( n = 1,180). The linked dataset included socioeconomic and military characteristics and well-being indicators in multiple domains. Weak group identity was indicated by weak sense of local community belonging and/or not feeling part of a group with shared attitudes and beliefs. Associations were evaluated with multiple logistic regression. Results: Suicidal ideation, weak community belonging, and perceived difficult adjustment to civilian life were more prevalent in Veterans soon after release (September 2012 to 2015) than in Veterans released earlier (1998 to August 2012). Suicidal ideation and weak community belonging were more prevalent in the Veterans than in the CGP. In the more recently released Veterans, weak group identity was endorsed by the majority with suicidal ideation (93.3%). In adjusted regression models, mental health problems had the strongest association with suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 13.4–79.3); however, weak group identity was moderately strongly associated with both difficult adjustment (AOR = 2.4–4.1) and particularly suicidal ideation (AOR = 3.8–9.0), independently of mental health problems. Discussion: Weak group identity was associated with difficult adjustment to civilian life and suicidal ideation in CAF Regular Force Veterans within 3.6 years after military release. These findings indicate the importance in suicide prevention of attending to social identity during transition to post-military life.

Depression Following Major Life Transitions in Women: A Review and Theory.

Depression can occur due to common major life transitions, such as giving birth, menopause, retirement, empty-nest transition, and midlife crisis. Although some of these transitions are perceived as positive (e.g., giving birth), they may still lead to depression. We conducted a systematic literature review of the factors underlying the occurrence of depression following major life transition in some individuals. This review shows that major common life transitions can cause depression if they are sudden, major, and lead to loss (or change) of life roles (e.g., no longer doing motherly or fatherly chores after children leave family home). Accordingly, we provide a theoretical framework that explains depression caused by transitions in women. One of the most potential therapeutic methods of ameliorating depression associated with life transitions is either helping individuals accept their new roles (e.g., accepting new role as a mother to ameliorate postpartum depression symptoms) or providing them with novel life roles (e.g., volunteering after retirement or children leave family home) may help them overcome their illness.

An examination of active travel trends before and after college graduation

BackgroundActive travel (AT); walking and biking for transportation; has many health, environmental and economic benefits, yet rates of participation remain low in the US. During college years AT participation is typically higher than in older adulthood, but it is unknown how this behavior tracks into later life stages. Therefore this study examined AT participation before and after graduation from college. Methods: A volunteer sample of college students participated in an online baseline survey with follow-ups at regular intervals, up to, and including, post-graduation. The survey assessed participant demographics, AT participation (dichotomized as high/low AT), physical activity (PA) participation, and post-graduation work details (hours worked, sit time at work, distance to work), and health outcomes (body mass index, stress, depression,). Separate logistic regression models predicted AT status according to pre/post-graduation factors and significant factors were examined simultaneously in a multivariate logistic model. Results: Students (n = 204) were predominately female (n = 122, 60.7%) and Non-Hispanic White (n = 166, 83%). The high post-graduation AT group reported 324.73 ± 193.10 min of AT/week versus those in the low AT group (24.69 ± 41.81; p<.001). Higher post-graduation AT was associated with higher vigorous PA and AT in the last semester of college, higher moderate PA post-graduation, lesser distance to work, and less sit time at work. The final multivariate model resulted in a Nagelkerke R2 of 0.33 with pre-graduation vigorous and AT minutes/week, post-graduate moderate PA, and distance to work as significant predictors of post-grad AT. Discussion: The current study examined how AT behavior tracks across a major life transition, indicating the importance of supporting health-related behaviors during the college years. College campuses may use these findings to support AT among students for positive long-term health outcomes well beyond the time spent in college.

Examining the Effectiveness of a Pilot Physical Literacy–Based Intervention Targeting First-Year University Students: The PLUS Program

The transition into university is often considered the first major life transition and is associated with significant declines in physical activity (PA). It remains, however, unclear how to best pr...

Women's Perceptions of Retirement.

A record number of women are going through the major life transition of retirement. The purpose of the current study was to explore women's perceptions of retirement with the goals of better understanding important patterns of response regarding retirement transitioning and to inform nurses on how to assist clients who are anticipating or engaging in the retirement transition. A sample population of 170 retired women was recruited using convenience sampling from community settings within six southeastern U.S. states. Participants expressed their perceptions of retirement through written responses to open-ended questions. Content analysis revealed the following themes: Love It/Happy; Unhappy/Regrets; So Much Time, So Little (money, resources, etc.); Searching; Busy; Relief/Freedom; Giving: For Me and Thee; Adequate Resources; Creating Your Own Structure; and Positive Attitude. Careful assessment for health changes, promotion of positive coping skills, and provision of educational planning and therapeutic resources to women who are transitioning to retirement should assist women toward healthy and successful retirements. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45(4), 31-39.].

Transfer from expatriate to local contracts: a multiple case study of an unexpected career transition

ABSTRACT The transfer of company-assigned expatriate employees from balance sheet expatriate contracts to local contracts is an alternative international assignment compensation strategy increasingly adopted by global corporations. Despite its growing popularity, there is a significant lack of research on the impact (both professional and personal) of transferring employees from expatriate to local contracts. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate this emerging international HR trend, with specific focus on exploring the experiences of career transition of company-assigned long-term expatriates (delayed localization) to local contracts at multinational organizations located in Sweden and America. Eight individual cases were analyzed. Findings revealed that localization was an unexpected career transition, a negative type of career shock, characterized by limited support from employers, mentors, and local colleagues. The findings further indicated that localization was a type of career transition rather different from other previous career transitions experienced by participants; it represented a major career and life transition. Based on the findings, we proposed HRD interventions to assist expatriates during the transition from expatriate to local contracts. Areas for future research are also suggested.

Are personality traits and relationship characteristics reciprocally related? Longitudinal analyses of codevelopment in the transition out of high school and beyond.

Personality development has been associated with changes in various aspects of social relationships (e.g., contact frequency, emotional closeness, etc.). However, specific patterns of personality-relationship transactions are still not well understood as not many empirical studies have explored major life transitions. Emerging adulthood with its numerous life transitions is crucial for personality and social relationship development. In this study, we looked at personality-relationship transactions in the transition from high school to college, apprenticeship training, and so forth. We used Waves 1 to 3 of the Transformation of the Secondary School System and Academic Careers (TOSCA) study, which measured the Big Five (McCrae & Costa, 2008) and their facets as well as five relationship characteristics in social networks with one's romantic partner, friends, kin, and others. Our analyses of extended bivariate latent difference score models revealed four main findings: First, there was an imbalance in personality-relationship transaction effects with the majority of effects occurring from personality to change in social relationships rather than in the opposite direction. Furthermore, only a few change-to-change associations occurred. Second, two thirds of the cross-lagged effects derived from personality facets. Third, the majority of effects were found in the second measurement interval (i.e., not during the transition out of high school, but in the time period after this transition). Finally, neuroticism and its facets, as well as conflict frequency and perceived feelings of insecurity in the relationship emerged as the most consistent associations in this age group. Theoretical and empirical implications for personality-relationship transaction patterns are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

(Re)collections: Art Therapy Training and Supervision at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts ((Re)visiter : formation en art-therapie et supervision au Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal)

The fine arts museum as a training milieu for art therapists remains innovative and novel. At the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, art therapy interns develop foundational clinical skills while mobilizing the reach of the museum collection. Artwork encountered in the galleries and exhibitions may elicit unforeseeable responses from art therapy participants and can impact the therapeutic alliance formed with art therapists and trainees. Exploration of the museum collection may inspire reflections on the developing identity of the art therapy trainee and serve as a valuable tool in the supervision relationship. The fine arts museum has become a venue for a variety of populations to be served including those impacted by trauma and major life transitions.

Implicitly imprinting the past on the present: Automatic partner attitudes and the transition to parenthood.

A new model is proposed to explain how automatic partner attitudes affect how couples cope with major life transitions. The automatic partner attitudes in transition (APAT) model assumes that people simultaneously possess contextualized automatic attitudes toward their partner that can differ substantively in valence pre- and posttransition. It further assumes that evaluatively inconsistent pre- and posttransition automatic partner attitudes elicit heightened behavioral angst or uncertainty, self-protective behavior in response to risk, and relationship distress. A longitudinal study of the transition to first parenthood supported the model. People with evaluatively inconsistent automatic partner attitudes, whether more negative pretransition and positive posttransition, or more positive pretransition and negative posttransition, exhibited heightened evidence of cardiovascular threat discussing conflicts, increased self-protective behavior in response to parenting-related transgressions in daily interaction, and steeper declines in relationship well-being in the year following the transition to parenthood. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Everybody Hurts: Transitions, Endings, and Resurrections in Fan Cultures

Everybody Hurts: Transitions, Endings, and Resurrections in Fan Cultures

Reciprocal support and daily perceived control: Developing a better understanding of daily support transactions across a major life transition.

A paradox of social support has been well documented: believing that support is available and perceiving high levels of it has well-established mental health benefits, but the actual receipt of support is often found to be ineffective and even detrimental (see Gleason & Iida, 2015). Researchers have suggested that support receipt may be associated with negative mood because it is linked with a lack of self-efficacy or perceived control (Bolger & Amarel, 2007). Research on daily support transactions found that reciprocal emotional support exchanges counteracted the negative effects associated with support receipt, but there was significant variation between individuals in their reactions to support exchanges suggesting that a potential moderating variable of the support pattern exists. Using a daily diary study of 78 couples approaching a shared stressor, the transition to parenthood, associations between control, self- and partner-reported support, and mood were investigated. Couples were asked to complete three weeks of daily diaries at three different time points. Previous support pattern effects on mood were replicated for partners, but whereas reciprocity was beneficial for mothers, support receipt alone was not negative. Perceived control was found to be a moderator of this process such that the greater an individual's sense of perceived control, the more one is buffered from any negative effects of support transactions. Exploratory analyses also suggest that overall patterns of supportive reciprocity influence marital satisfaction across the transition to parenthood. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Stability and Change in Self–Control during the Transition to Parenthood

Self–control is associated with a variety of positive life outcomes, including relationship satisfaction, health, educational achievement, and avoiding criminal behaviour. A largely unanswered question concerns the extent to which self–control changes across the lifespan and in response to major life events. The present research used prospective four–wave data from 539 Dutch individuals to examine the self–control trajectory of first–time parents ( n = 246) as compared with individuals who did not have children during the research period ( n = 293). New parents (especially mothers) reported higher levels of self–control before birth (i.e. during pregnancy) than did nonparents. New mothers showed significant non–linear decreases in self–control, which were especially strong from pregnancy until 6 months after childbirth. New fathers’ self–control remained largely stable. Furthermore, pregnancy–related stress was associated with lower self–control levels during pregnancy in both first–time mothers and fathers. Higher levels of work–family conflict and family–related stress were associated with lower self–control after childbirth in new fathers, but not in new mothers. These results indicate that major life transitions may be linked to changes in adult self–control. Discussion focuses on the implications of the results for theory and research on the development of self–control in adulthood.

Socio-economic differences in health impacts of exit from work

Exit from work is a major life transition with large implications for a person’s health. Health effects vary by socio-economic status. Positive effects of exit from work on health are mainly present in higher socio-economic groups.

‘I don't come off as timid anymore’: Real‐time change in early adulthood against the backdrop of the community

The period from ages 18 to 25 is sometimes called ‘emerging adulthood’ (Arnett , ) since it has come to be characterized by major life transitions. Linguistically, this means that lifespan change in the individual (Sankoff , ) might be particularly likely during these years (Labov : 447; Bigham : 533; Kohn : 20). Addressing a need for more real‐time sociolinguistic research on early adulthood, we employ data from a panel study of a single speaker, ‘Clara’ (b. 1986), interviewed every 12 to 18 months between the ages of 16 and 30 (Tagliamonte , : 274–276). We examine four linguistic variables that differ according to level of the grammar and social salience in Clara's community (Toronto, Canada). For each variable, Clara's rates of the variants shift to match those of subsequent age cohorts in the community around her as she gets older and joins the workforce. These findings attest to emerging adulthood as a sociolinguistically formative period. More generally, they emphasize the inseparability of individuals and their linguistic surroundings.