Years Of Adult Life Research Articles

Higher education audiometric research: HEAR—Onsite Assessment of Conservatoire Students

Through analysis of the ISO 1999 dataset it was found that half of noise induced hearing damage occurs in the first three years of adult life. As a result the Higher Education Audiometric Research project was founded in the UK with the ambition of minimizing this damage through educational awareness and on-site testing and assessment. In the UK, 50% of this age group are in higher education. Through the newly established UK Hearing Conversation Association awareness was raised through the “Love Sound – Listen with Care” campaign. Using long-term links with the Royal Academy of Music two on-site hearing screening methodologies were compared in a pilot study involving 23 students. The obvious advantage of onsite testing and assessment being convenience. The two methodologies were audiometry using Kudawave Prime based on active noise canceling headphones, and otoacoustic emissions using Hearing Coach software and Path Medical instrumentation. Presented are the results in terms of consistency, test-retest, and ease of use/practical application.

Life course partnership history and objectively measured physical functional ability in Danish middle-aged adults

BackgroundPartnership break-up and living alone is associated with several negative health-related outcomes. Little is known about the association with physical functional ability in a life course perspective. The aim of...

Changing Employment and Work Schedule Patterns over the 30 Working Years-A Sequential Cluster Analysis.

Objective. As labor markets have become increasingly volatile and precarious since 1980s, more workers are susceptible to working conditions such as unpredictable and unstable hours, threatening their economic security. However, our understanding of employment patterns regarding the changes in work schedules over our working lives has yet been established. This study builds our knowledge in this area by paying attention to how social positions may shape the specific work schedule patterns over our working lives. Methods. We used the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-1979 (NLSY79) to examine our research questions. NLSY79 follows a nationally representative sample of United States men and women between the ages of 14 and 22 when first interviewed in 1979. The participants were then interviewed annually until 1994 and then biennially thereafter. We first conducted a sequence analysis to examine work schedule patterns between ages 22 and 53 (n = 7987). We then used a multinomial logit regression to examine the factors contributing to specific work schedule patterns, with attention to social position. Results. Our sequence analysis results suggest five work schedule patterns during 31 years of adult life: working only standard hours (25%), mainly standard hours with some portions of nonstandard hours (38%), standard hours during early working years but transitioning to either largely variable or mainly evening or night hours (14% and 13%), and mostly not working (10%). Our multinomial logit analysis indicates that being non-Hispanic Black, having a high school degree or below, or having ever experienced poverty or welfare by age 23 were more likely to have a nonstandard work schedule pattern than their counterparts. Conclusions. Our analysis underscores the dynamic employment patterns over our working lives, with some groups more likely than others to be engaged in nonstandard or volatile work schedules. Importantly, the groups likely to be subject to nonstandard work schedules also tend to have relatively disadvantaged social positions, thus worsening their vulnerability in securing work characterized by stability and economic security.

Pilonidal disease: A new look at an old disease

Pilonidal disease is a very common affliction that affects mainly young, hirsute, obese males during their young adult years of life. Previous etiological theories of this ailment centred on congenital causes. The current understanding is that pilonidal disease is an acquired affliction. Some patients, however, may have confounding hereditary tendencies to form pilonidal disease. There is a myriad of methods of treatment for chronic pilonidal disease. Such treatments vary from the creation of large skin flaps to simple instillation of chemicals into the sinuses. No single technique is favoured by every surgeon and each technique has its ardent supporters. The current favoured treatments however, are toward the use of the less invasive options compared to the large extensive flaps. Favoured options include minimally invasive techniques as well as simple lay open and marsupialisation. No proposed classification system for the assessment of severity of pilonidal disease has correlated disease severity with treatment options. Therefore, no classification system is in widespread use by the surgical community. Post-operative supportive management, especially in the early post-operative period, and laser hair epilation after the initial healing phase, have some usefulness in the overall treatment of pilonidal disease.

Relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and temporomandibular disorders in adults: a questionnaire-based report.

The symptoms of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persist in the adult years of life in most cases. They appear in adults with accompanying psychosocial problems. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) refers to signs and symptoms associated with pain of non-dental origin in the oro-facial region, functional and structural disruptions of the masticatory system, especially the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and masticatory muscles. The aim of the study was to show the relationship between the presence of ADHD symptoms in adulthood, in relation to the intensity of pain experienced in the face and problems connected to the TMD symptomatology, as well as sleep disorders. The study group consisted of 252 individuals aged 18-55 years of both sexes, generally healthy. Each participant was asked to fill in several questionnaires, namely: ASRS (the World Health Organization ADHD Adult Self-Report Scale), DIVA (18 questions, 9 for concentration and attention disorders with an option in adulthood and childhood, 9 for hyperactivity and impulsivity with an option in adulthood and childhood), Athens Insomnia Scale, Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), DC/TMD classification (Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders - biaxial diagnostic criteria based on the biopsychosocial model). Results show that when ADHD symptoms observed in childhood persist, personality disorders, social relations disorders and affective disorders are found more often in adults than motor hyperactivity. There is a positive association between ADHD and the occurrence of symptoms of TMD in adults. This study confirmed this picture, extending it to include pain and sleep disorders.

Do partnership dissolutions and living alone affect systemic chronic inflammation? A cohort study of Danish adults

BackgroundPartnership breakups and living alone are associated with several adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study, carried out in Denmark, is to investigate whether accumulated numbers of divorces/partnership breakups...

An emperical survey of workers’ perceptions on social security measures in Indian Railways- A case study

In human life, there are two stages of dependency childhood and old age. Apart from them in the intervening years of adult life a person is likely occur to spells during which he/she cannot earn a living. Such spells are sickness, maternity, disablement arising out of employment injury etc. Social security system aims to help individuals in such times of dependency. It is an indispensable part of the government social policy and an important tool to prevent contingencies and provide a decent standard of life. The study endeavours to examine the perceptions of workers towards the social security measures implemented in Indian Railways, basically a case study focussed on Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) which is a second production unit of Indian Railways. The study is organised in four sections. Section I contains introduction while a brief knowledge about the selected organisations has been discussed in Section II. Objectives of study along-with research methodology have been described in Section III. Section IV contains major findings of the study and on that basis, conclusion is drawn that indicated in Section V.

Lifecourse partnership breakups or years lived alone and low grade inflammation in middle-aged adults

Abstract Background Divorce and living alone are associated with several adverse health outcomes. There is however very limited knowledge on the potential effects of exposure across the life course. The aim of this study is to investigate whether accumulated number of divorces/partnership breakups or years lived alone across 26 years of adult life, is associated with levels of low grade inflammation and if vulnerability with regards to gender or educational level can be identified. Methods 4,835 participants from Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank (CAMB) aged 48-62 were included. Accumulated number of partnership breakups and years living alone, were retrieved from a national standardized annual register. Inflammatory markers, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), were measured in plasma samples. Multivariate linear regression analyses were adjusted for age, educational level, early major life events, BMI, chronic diseases, medicinal intake that affects inflammation, acute inflammation, and personality scores (neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness). Results For men, two or more partnership breakups as well as living alone for 7+ years was associated with significantly higher levels of and inflammatory markers, i.e. 12-17% higher level of hsCRP and IL6 compared to the reference groups (no break-ups/0-1 years living alone) p-values <0.0001-0.024. No associations were found for women, and no joint effect of partnership breakups and educational level was found for either gender. Conclusions The findings suggest a strong association between accumulated number of partnership breakups or years lived alone across 26 year of adult life and low grade inflammation for middle-aged men but not for women. No specific vulnerability among the lower was identified. The findings points towards the importance of developing tailored preventive initiatives to males experiencing several partner-break-ups or who lives alone for many years. Key messages Two or more partnership breakups or 7+ years lived alone across 26 year of adult life is associated with increased low grade inflammation for middle-aged men but not for women. No increased vulnerability among the low educated was identified.

Disability in Childhood, Special Education Histories, and Lifetime Health Outcomes in the United States.

Objectives: We evaluated special education as an indicator of childhood disability and used that indicator to estimate lifetime dependency and life expectancy. Methods: Data: Panel Study of Income Dynamics and Health and Retirement Study (n = 20,563). Dependency: Nursing home care or equivalent. Analysis: We first analyzed special education as an indicator of childhood disability; multinomial logistic Markov models and microsimulation then compared populations with and without childhood disability. Results: Special education history was a valid indicator of childhood disability. For example, with parents who did not complete high school, 3.8% with no special education history were dependent at least 5 years of adult life; that result with special education was 15.2%. Life expectancy from age 20 was 58.3 years without special education, 46.0 years with special education (both p < .05). Discussion: Special education history can indicate childhood disability. People with that history had significantly a more dependency than others and significantly shorter lives.

Social security measures in indian railways- an empirical study of workers' perceptions of diesel locomotive works

In human life, there are two stages of dependency childhood and old age. Apart from them in the intervening years of adult life a person is likely occur to spells during which he/she cannot earn a living. Such spells are sickness, maternity, disablement arising out of employment injury etc. Social security system aims to help individuals in such times of dependency. It is an indispensable part of the government social policy and an important tool to prevent contingencies and provide a decent standard of life. The study endeavours to examine the perceptions of workers towards the social security measures implemented in Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) which is a second production unit of Indian Railways. The study is organised in four sections. Section I contains introduction while a brief knowledge about the selected organisations has been discussed in Section II. Objectives of study along-with research methodology have been described in Section III. Section IV contains major findings of the study and on that basis, conclusion is drawn that indicated in Section V.

Established adulthood: A new conception of ages 30 to 45.

In developed countries, the years from Age 30 to 45 are, for many, the most intense, demanding, and rewarding years of adult life. During this period of the life span most adults must negotiate the intersecting demands of progressing in a chosen career, maintaining an intimate partnership, and caring for children. Successes or difficulties in meeting these simultaneous demands have the potential to profoundly influence the direction of a person's adult life. As such, we believe that it is of critical importance to better understand this developmental period that we call established adulthood. This article provides a new theoretical conceptualization of established adulthood, outlining its distinctiveness from emerging adulthood and midlife in terms of physical health, well-being, cognitive development, and the career-and-care-crunch of competing work and family responsibilities. We also consider variations in the timing and experience of established adulthood, including variations by gender and social class, and provide suggestions for future research. As economic and social arrangements continue to evolve, so too will this developmental period, providing fertile ground for developmental theory and research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Economic hardship over twenty-two consecutive years of adult life and markers of early ageing

Abstract Background The authors examined the associations between annual measures of economic hardship (EH) across 22 years of adulthood and objective measures of early ageing in a Danish late-middle aged population. Methods A linkage of longitudinal register data from Statistics Denmark covering the period 1987-2008 and cross-sectional survey data from the Copenhagen Ageing and Midlife Biobank collected in 2009-11 (N = 5,575). EH was defined as &amp;lt; 60% of the National median equivalized household disposable income and two exposures were calculated: 1) a categorical measure of total number if years in EH, and 2) trajectories of the probability of EH being low, declining, rising or high. Early ageing outcomes included four measures of physical capability, three inflammatory markers and one cognitive test. Associations were analyzed using linear regression models adjusted for sex, age, cohort, education, baseline income and long-term parental unemployment/financial problems. Results Four or more years in EH (reference=null years in EH) was related to poorer physical capability (chair rise: -1.49 counts/30 seconds [95% confidence interval (CI) -2.36, -0.61], hand grip strength: -1.22 kg [95% CI -2.38, -0.07], jump height: -1.67 cm [95% CI -2.44, -0.91] and balance: 18% [95% CI 9, 28]), poorer cognitive function (Intelligenz-Struktur-Test: -1.50 points [95% CI -2.89, -0.12]) and higher inflammatory levels (C-reactive protein: 22% [95% CI 4, 44], and Interleukin-6: 23% [95% CI 10, 39]). Comparing the four EH trajectories, people with a high vs. low probability of EH over time had poorer physical capability (chair rise: -1.70 counts/30 seconds [95% CI -3.38, -0.01], grip: -4.33 kg [95% CI -6.50, -2.16], jump: -1.68 cm [95% CI -3.12, -0.25], and balance: 31% [95% CI 12, 52]). No associations were observed with Tumor necrosis factor α. Conclusions This study suggests that sustained EH across adulthood may lead to early ageing. Key messages Sustained economic hardship in adulthood may lead to early ageing. Being in economic hardship for a few years is not associated with early ageing.

Economic hardship over twenty-two consecutive years of adult life and markers of early ageing: physical capability, cognitive function and inflammation

This study assesses the associations between annual measures of economic hardship (EH) across 22years of adulthood and objective measures of early ageing in a Danish late-middle-aged population (N = 5575). EH (years < 60% of the National median equivalized household disposable income) was experienced by 18% during 1987-2008. Four or more years in EH (reference = null years in EH) was related to poorer physical capability (chair rise: - 1.49 counts/30s [95% confidence interval (CI) - 2.36, - 0.61], hand grip strength: - 1.22kg [95% CI - 2.38, - 0.07], jump height: - 1.67cm [95% CI - 2.44, - 0.91] and balance: 18% [95% CI 9, 28]), poorer cognitive function (Intelligenz-Struktur-Test: - 1.50 points [95% CI - 2.89, - 0.12]) and higher inflammatory levels (C-reactive protein: 22% [95% CI 4, 44], and Interleukin-6: 23% [95% CI 10, 39]). Comparing four EH trajectories, people with a high versus low probability of EH over time had poorer physical capability (chair rise: - 1.70 counts/30s [95% CI - 3.38, - 0.01], grip: - 4.33kg [95% CI - 6.50, - 2.16], jump: - 1.68cm [95% CI - 3.12, - 0.25] and balance: 31% [95% CI 12, 52]). No associations were observed with tumour necrosis factor-α. Results were adjusted for sex, age, long-term parental unemployment/financial problems, education, baseline income and cohort. This study suggested EH for four or more years to be associated with poorer physical capability, cognitive function and increased inflammatory levels in midlife. High probability of EH across adulthood was similarly related to poorer physical capability and CRP, but not cognitive function and the remaining inflammatory markers. In conclusion, preventive initiatives focusing on reducing the burden of sustained economic hardship may lead to increased healthy ageing.

47.1 WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT EMERGING ADULTS WITH ANXIETY DISORDERS? A SUMMARY OF RECENT LITERATURE

The initial years of adult life, young or emerging adulthood, form a critical period of development during which one faces unique challenges associated with the transition from childhood to adulthood. Only rarely has existing research focused on young adults (YAs). The current presentation provides an overview of the current literature on anxiety disorders among YAs, summarizing prevalence rates of anxiety disorders, mental health service utilization, barriers to care, and availability of evidence-based treatments (EBT) relevant to this specific developmental period.

Epigenética y obesidad

Current evidence supports the notion that exposure to various environmental conditions in early life may induce permanent changes in the epigenome that persist throughout the life-course. This article focuses on early changes associated with obesity in adult life. A review is presented on the factors that induce changes in whole genome (DNA) methylation in early life that are associated with adult onset obesity and related disorders. In contrast, reversal of epigenetic changes associated with weight loss in obese subjects has not been demonstrated. This contrasts with well-established associations found between obesity related DNA methylation patterns at birth and adult onset obesity and diabetes. Epigenetic markers may serve to screen indivuals at risk for obesity and assess the effects of interventions in early life that may delay or prevent obesity in early life. This might contribute to lower the obesity-related burden of death and disability at the population level. The available evidence indicates that epigenetic marks are in fact modifiable, based on modifications in the intrauterine environment and changes in food intake, physical activity and dietary patterns patterns during pregnancy and early years of adult life. This offers the opportunity to intervene before conception, during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and also in later life. There must be documentation on the best preventive actions in terms of diet and physical activity that will modify or revert the adverse epigenetic markers, thus preventing obesity and diabetes in suceptible individuals and populations.

APOL1 Risk Alleles Are Associated with Exaggerated Age-Related Changes in Glomerular Number and Volume in African-American Adults: An Autopsy Study.

APOL1 genetic variants contribute to kidney disease in African Americans. We assessed correlations between APOL1 profiles and renal histological features in subjects without renal disease. Glomerular number (N glom) and mean glomerular volume (V glom) were measured by the dissector/fractionator method in kidneys of African-American and non-African-American adults without renal disease, undergoing autopsies in Jackson, Mississippi. APOL1 risk alleles were genotyped and the kidney findings were evaluated in the context of those profiles. The proportions of African Americans with none, one, and two APOL1 risk alleles were 38%, 43%, and 19%, respectively; 38% of African Americans had G1 allele variants and 31% of African Americans had G2 allele variants. Only APOL1-positive African Americans had significant reductions in N glom and increases in V glom with increasing age. Regression analysis predicted an annual average loss of 8834 (P=0.03, sex adjusted) glomeruli per single kidney over the first 38 years of adult life in African Americans with two risk alleles. Body mass index above the group medians, but below the obesity definition of ≥ 30 kg/m(2), enhanced the expression of age-related changes in N glom in African Americans with either one or two APOL1 risk alleles. These findings indicate that APOL1 risk alleles are associated with exaggerated age-related nephron loss, probably decaying from a larger pool of smaller glomeruli in early adult life, along with enlargement of the remaining glomeruli. These phenomena might mark mechanisms of accentuated susceptibility to kidney disease in APOL1-positive African Americans.

Prevalence of tobacco use among 15-20 years old college students in Bengaluru city

Introduction: Tobacco use in children and adolescents is reaching pandemic levels. The World Health Organization predicts that India will have the fastest rate of rise in deaths attributable to tobacco in the productive years of adult life, as a consequence of an addiction acquired in youth. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study based on global youth tobacco survey was undertaken to study the prevalence of tobacco use among 15-20 years old college students. A simple random sampling method was used to select the students from Government and Private schools and Colleges in Bengaluru city. Results: In the study population of 2399 in the age group of 15-20 years, 307 (12.8%) subjects reported use of cigarettes among whom 176 (7.3%) reported current use and 240 (10%) reported ever use of smokeless tobacco. Majority 226 (73.6%) belonged to private institutions and 81 (26.4%) to government institutions. About 41 (1.7%) were daily smokers. Conclusion: Prevalence of smoking was much higher among the private institution students as opposed to students of government institutions; also, it was observed that the percentage of smokeless tobacco users were higher in this age group when compared to cigarette smokers.

P13 The Overlapping Prevalence Of Chronic Mucus Hypersecretion (cmh) And Chronic Cough (cc)

Introduction There is considerable interest surrounding the role of chronic mucus hypersecretion (CMH) in the development of COPD but varying definitions of CMH have created uncertainty regarding its prevalence. Some studies characterise CMH as chronic phlegm production whilst others as chronic cough (CC) productive of phlegm. By understanding how these symptom groups relate to each other, we may be better equipped to interpret existing data and search for therapeutic targets. We report the prevalence and overlap of CMH and CC over 43 years of adult life from age 20 years within the nationally representative MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD) birth cohort. Methods The MRC NSHD is a birth cohort study of men and women born during one week in March 1946 within England, Scotland and Wales. CMH and CC presence was determined by completion of the MRC questionnaire on respiratory symptoms in the following years (study member age in years): 1966(20), 1971(25), 1982(36), 1989(43), 1999(53) and 2009(63). The MRC questionnaire defines CMH as the production of phlegm from the chest on most days for three months of each year and defines CC as cough on most days for three months of each year. Results 1394 subjects (47% male) completed questionnaires on all six occasions between 1966 and 2009. 398 study members (26.8%) reported either symptom at least once with a majority of CMH reporters concurrently reporting CC (See Table 1). The percentage of CMH reporters concurrently reporting CC increased with age (0.5%/year increase, CI 0.18–0.82, p = 0.001). Conclusion Most chronic phlegm producers report concurrent CC, and this percentage increases with age. Restricting CMH definition to those with CC, however, misses the substantial proportion of the population who report chronic phlegm production without CC. The requirement for a chronic cough to define CMH may underestimate the total prevalence of chronic sputum producers and hence those potentially at risk of COPD development or progression.

Lessons From The President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief: From Quick Ramp-Up To The Role Of Strategic Partnership

In its first five years, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)--the largest commitment ever by any nation to combat a single disease--succeeded in getting 2.1 million people on antiretroviral treatment and 10.1 million people in care; prevented an estimated 237,600 HIV infections in infants; and saved an estimated 3.28 million adult years of life. Much of the global program's success can be attributed to early decisions to implement new structures and approaches designed to meet its ambitious targets quickly, overcome bureaucratic inertia, and ensure continued progress. A unified US government program was created with a single coordinator. There was a focus on quick ramp-up, strategic partnerships, and sustainable local ownership. Accountability and performance were emphasized. These new approaches played critical roles in translating the unprecedented resources and political support for PEPFAR into improved health for millions of people. Successful aspects of the way in which PEPFAR was organized and implemented, along with less successful or deficient ones, offer lessons for any large, complex international health initiative.

A new rating scale for adult ADHD based on the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90-R)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is increasingly recognized as a clinically important syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric performance of a new scale for adult ADHD based on the widely used Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90-R). Scale performance was assessed in a clinical study including 100 ADHD patients and 65 opiate-dependent patient controls, and in the Zurich study, an epidemiological age cohort followed over 30years of adult life. Assessments included a ROC analysis of sensitivity and specificity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, external validity and measurement invariance over nine testing occasions. The new scale showed a sensitivity and specificity of 75 and 54%, respectively, internal consistency over 0.8 (McDonald's omega, Cronbach's alpha), one-year test-retest reliabilities over 0.7, statistically significant and substantial correlations with two other validated self-rating scales of adult ADHD (R=0.5 and 0.66, respectively), and an acceptable degree of longitudinal stability (i.e., measurement invariance). The proposed scale must be further evaluated, but these preliminary results indicate it could be a useful rating instrument for adult ADHD in situations where SCL-90-R data, but no specific ADHD assessment, are available, such as in retrospective data analysis or in prospective studies with limited methodical resources.