Positivity and well-being among community-residing elders and nursing home residents: what is the optimal affect balance?

Objectives: To explore whether a ratio of positive to negative affect, from the work of Fredricksen and Losada, could predict high levels of well-being in elderly samples and especially in nursing home residents despite multiple chronic health conditions, consonant with Ryff and Singer's notion of "flourishing under fire."

Method: We used two samples: a probability sample of community-residing elders and a sample from nursing homes. We calculated ratios of positive to negative affect in each sample and measured well-being with social interaction, mental health, life satisfaction, and general well-being.

Psychosocial and vascular risk factors for depression in the elderly.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine two competing hypotheses as they relate to the relationship between vascular and psychosocial risk factors for late-life depression. The stress-vulnerability hypothesis predicts that the depressogenic effect of psychosocial risk is stronger in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs). The other predicts that psychosocial risk factors and vascular risk factors are independent pathways to depression and that there is no combined effect of vascular risk factors and life stress.

Stability, reliability, and norms for the inventory of interpersonal problems.

Abstract Data were collected on interpersonal functioning that could be used to evaluate therapeutic outcome for individual clients. The Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP) was administered three times over five weeks to undergraduates, none of whom were currently in therapy. Based on selection using an accepted measure of psychological distress (Outcome Questionnaire-45.

Race and vascular depression risk in community-dwelling older adults.

Objective: Authors examined racial differences in cerebrovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and overall depressive symptomatology.

Methods: The authors applied a correlational design using a depression inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D) and self-report CVRF data from black and white community-dwelling elderly subjects (N=362).

Results: Black subjects were more likely than whites to screen positive for depression, but there were no race differences in CVRFs.

Educational attainment, positive psychological mediators, and resources for health and vitality in older adults.

Objectives: To further explain the relationship of education to health by a prospective examination of positive psychological states as mediators. Furthermore, to examine the resources of desirable events, self-esteem, and social support as possible mediators between positive psychological states and subsequent health and vitality.

Methods: Four in-home interviews were conducted at 6-month intervals with a probability sample of 1,277 older adults (aged 55 and older); multiple regression was used to estimate mediating effects.

High blood glutathione levels accompany excellent physical and mental health in women ages 60 to 103 years.

Earlier we found a high percentage of subnormal total glutathione (G(T)) levels in blood from elderly subjects and patients with chronic diseases. These findings suggested a hypothesis that high levels of G(T) in the blood occur in old persons who are in excellent physical and mental health. To this end, we recruited 87 white women who ranged in age from 60 to 103 years and reported that they felt healthy.

Psychological, economic, and social mediators of the education-health relationship in older adults.

Objective: Mediators in the relationship of education to health were examined to further explicate education as a resource.

Methods: Income, life satisfaction, services, and social support were assessed as mediators of the education-health relationship following criteria developed by Baron and Kenny and Holmbeck as applied to four aspects of health. A probability sample of 1,667 participants (age 55 and older) was interviewed in their homes.