Current Search: Aging -- Psychological aspects (x)
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- Title
- Is age really just a number?: neuropsychological predictors of eyewitness memory errors.
- Creator
- Tsikis, Tina, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
-
Two separate groups of young and middle-aged adults watched videos of events being performed by a number of different college-aged females. Both the young goup of adults and the middle-aged group of adults were later tested on their memory for both the individual features of these events (i.e., actors and actions), and for conjunctions of features (i.e., which actor performed which action) in order to determine how likely they were to remember which actors performed which actions. Our results...
Show moreTwo separate groups of young and middle-aged adults watched videos of events being performed by a number of different college-aged females. Both the young goup of adults and the middle-aged group of adults were later tested on their memory for both the individual features of these events (i.e., actors and actions), and for conjunctions of features (i.e., which actor performed which action) in order to determine how likely they were to remember which actors performed which actions. Our results showed that frontal lobe functioning is not affected with age. However, there is a slight decrease in medial temporal functioning that continues on throughout life. There was a main effect of Question, Item Type, and Age Group explained through a three-way ANOVA. Binding errors increase with age because specific areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, deteriorate with age.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3359329, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FADT3359329
- Subject Headings
- Aging, Psychological aspects, Memory, Age factors, Eyewitness identification, Age factors, Recollection (Psychology), Cognition, Age factors, Transference (Psychology)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Preserved and deficient calculation processes in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.
- Creator
- Jurado Noboa, Maria Beatriz., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
Two skills necessary for the execution of proficient calculation, retrieving arithmetic facts from memory and accessing number magnitude information, were studied in a group of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and healthy controls to try to elucidate the locus of impairment in AD-related calculation deficits. This was achieved through the use of an arithmetic production task and a number-matching task as measures of explicit and implicit...
Show moreTwo skills necessary for the execution of proficient calculation, retrieving arithmetic facts from memory and accessing number magnitude information, were studied in a group of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and healthy controls to try to elucidate the locus of impairment in AD-related calculation deficits. This was achieved through the use of an arithmetic production task and a number-matching task as measures of explicit and implicit retrieval of arithmetic facts, and a numerical Stroop task that assesses automatic access to number magnitude representation. AD patients, but not MCI patients, showed high response latencies and a high number of errors when performing multiplications in the production task, and reduced automatic retrieval of arithmetic task in the number-matching task. All participants showed the classic problem-size effect often reported in the mathematical cognition literature. Performance on the numerical Stroop task suggests that access to number magnitude information is relatively resistant to cognitive impairment. ... Results for the AD group are consistent with a pattern of preserved and impaired cognitive processes that might mediate the reported calculation deficits in AD.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3362384
- Subject Headings
- Aging, Psychological aspects, Cognitive psychology, Memory disorders in old age, Alzheimer's disease, Diagnosis, Context effects (Psychology)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Integrity and reflections of the past: a phenomenographic analysis.
- Creator
- Rio, Germina Emily Risos., Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
- Abstract/Description
-
The graying of America as a sociological and health care phenomenon continues to dictate the demand for creative and innovative interventions that can directly influence the quality of life of nursing home residents. Creative Reminiscence is a program that fosters the active reliving of the past through narration, such as in story-telling, and the use of creative art expression to uncover meaningful life events or valuable life experiences. The purpose of this study was to investigate and...
Show moreThe graying of America as a sociological and health care phenomenon continues to dictate the demand for creative and innovative interventions that can directly influence the quality of life of nursing home residents. Creative Reminiscence is a program that fosters the active reliving of the past through narration, such as in story-telling, and the use of creative art expression to uncover meaningful life events or valuable life experiences. The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the meaningful life events elicited by the experience of Creative Reminiscence using a phenomenographic approach. Existing (archived) data-transcribed interviews, poetry and painting on planters that were obtained from 20 participants of the Creative Reminiscence program entitled Le Jardin de Sante were analyzed. Five variations of meaningful memories evoked by Creative Reminiscence were identified. These are described as follows: (a) memories that rejuvenate the elder's sense of connectio n; (b) memories that revive the elder's sense of love and intimacy; (c) memories that restore the elder's sense of being; (d) memories that reassert the elder's sense of control; and (e) memories that reinstitute the elder's sense of purpose. In a caring interaction with Creative Reminiscence, the nursed are able to transcend, moving back in time (past) to appreciate segment(s) of their lives, with triumphs and disappointments that give meaning to their inner conflict/human struggle (present), and integrate a sense of confidence and acceptance of their lives to sustain well-being and a sense of wholeness. This research highlights the similarities and differences in the description of memories by the nursing home residents evoked during Creative Reminiscence., The results of the study support Erikson's notion of the circular nature of the life cycle, wherein there is an inherent need at the last stage of life to re-integrate ascendant psychosocial themes.Taking into account the meaning that nursing home residents ascribe to their experiences provided data on strategies nurses and caregivers can use effectively to help these elders transcend despair. Further research is recommended using a more diverse sample and in more diverse geographical locations. Current standardized instruments may be revised to quantify effects on the ascendant psychosocial themes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/177012
- Subject Headings
- Aging, Psychological aspects, Memory in old age, Analysis, Nursing, Philosophy, Depression in old age, Research, Reminiscing in old age
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Age-related changes in executive function and the influence of processing speed.
- Creator
- Jurado Noboa, Maria Beatriz., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
Healthy aging has been associated with declines in executive functioning (EF) but it remains unclear how different subprocesses of EF are affected by age and by other possibly mediating variables. The principal aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of age and processing speed on three executive functions: set-shifting, planning, and attentional control. Four age groups (20-29 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and 80-89 years) were compared on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ...
Show moreHealthy aging has been associated with declines in executive functioning (EF) but it remains unclear how different subprocesses of EF are affected by age and by other possibly mediating variables. The principal aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of age and processing speed on three executive functions: set-shifting, planning, and attentional control. Four age groups (20-29 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and 80-89 years) were compared on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the DKEFS Tower Test, the Conner's Continuous Performance Test, and a Letter comparison test of processing speed. Results suggested that increased age was associated with decreased performance on most of the studied executive measures, but not all EF are equally affected by age. A slowdown in processing speed mediates some, but not all, decrements in executive performance. The results are interpreted in light of recent neuroimaging data on age-related changes in brain functioning.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/187213
- Subject Headings
- Aging, Psychological aspects, Cognitive psychology, Memory disorders in old age, Ability, Influence of age on, Context effects (Psychology), Cognition, Age factors
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The effect of age on processing family, famous and novel faces: An fMRI study.
- Creator
- Jones, Lana Casey, Florida Atlantic University, Tuller, Betty, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
Facial recognition memory is a specialized system in the human brain, with an effect of familiarity playing a role in the brain activations involved. Previous studies examining the familiar face processing system have used college-aged subjects. However, memory disorders, like those associated with Alzheimer's disease, typically affect adults over sixty. In an attempt to reveal possible differences between young and older adults', two different age groups were subjected to fMRI analysis while...
Show moreFacial recognition memory is a specialized system in the human brain, with an effect of familiarity playing a role in the brain activations involved. Previous studies examining the familiar face processing system have used college-aged subjects. However, memory disorders, like those associated with Alzheimer's disease, typically affect adults over sixty. In an attempt to reveal possible differences between young and older adults', two different age groups were subjected to fMRI analysis while viewing face images with varying familiarity (family, famous and novel). The result showed a significant difference in activations for various cortical areas including the precuneus, cingulate cortex, and fusiform gyrus. Among the differences, an overall trend of greater activation in the left hemisphere for younger subjects compared to the older group was revealed. The results have implications for the study of memory disorders afflicting older adults, like Alzheimer's disease.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13358
- Subject Headings
- Brain--Magnetic resonance imaging, Evoked potentials (Electrophysiology), Memory, Cognition--Age factors, Aging--Psychological aspects, Memory disorders in old age
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Grasp of the Ice-Cold Hand: The Emergence of a New Kind of Gothic in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.
- Creator
- Stellner, Alexis M., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
-
This study provides evidence for an age bias in face recognition. Younger adults viewed short video clips of young actors or of actors over the age of 60 performing everyday actions. One week later, participants were tested on their memory for these events. Recognition event types included same, completely new, and conjunction items. In conjunction items, a familiar actor performed a familiar action that had actually been performed by someone else during encoding. Participants performed well...
Show moreThis study provides evidence for an age bias in face recognition. Younger adults viewed short video clips of young actors or of actors over the age of 60 performing everyday actions. One week later, participants were tested on their memory for these events. Recognition event types included same, completely new, and conjunction items. In conjunction items, a familiar actor performed a familiar action that had actually been performed by someone else during encoding. Participants performed well at picking out the new and old events, but had more difficulty distinguishing between the conjunction events. Younger adults were significantly worse at recognizing the conjunction items when the age of the actor was different from encoding to retrieval. This study supports the hypothesis that people are better able to recognize and distinguish others within a similar age range compared to people outside that range.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/11578, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FADT11578
- Subject Headings
- Face perception, Human information processing, Social aspects, Cognitive psychology, Cognition, Age factors
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Face recognition: an own age bias.
- Creator
- Spokane, Tory., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
-
This study provides evidence for an age bias in face recognition. Younger adults viewed short video clips of young actors or of actors over the age of 60 performing everyday actions. One week later, participants were tested on their memory for these events. Recognition event types included same, completely new, and conjunction items. In conjunction items, a familiar actor performed a familiar action that had actually been performed by someone else during encoding. Participants performed well...
Show moreThis study provides evidence for an age bias in face recognition. Younger adults viewed short video clips of young actors or of actors over the age of 60 performing everyday actions. One week later, participants were tested on their memory for these events. Recognition event types included same, completely new, and conjunction items. In conjunction items, a familiar actor performed a familiar action that had actually been performed by someone else during encoding. Participants performed well at picking out the new and old events, but had more difficulty distinguishing between the conjunction events. Younger adults were significantly worse at recognizing the conjunction items when the age of the actor was different from encoding to retrieval. This study supports the hypothesis that people are better able to recognize and distinguish others within a similar age range compared to people outside that range.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/77694
- Subject Headings
- Face perception, Human information processing, Social aspects, Cognitive psychology, Cognition, Age factors
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Revisiting leisure activities and the risk of dementia in the elderly with special focus on dancing.
- Creator
- Stevens, Carrie., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Mathematical Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Data was provided by researchers of the Einstein Aging Study (EAS) of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University whom statistically analyzed data from the Bronx Aging Study cohort, concluding that participation in cognitive leisure activities and one physical activity, dancing, were associated with a reduced risk of dementia [1]. We explore data from a second (the EAS) cohort, utilizing Cox Proportional-Hazards and extended Cox regression [13]. Cognitive leisure activities in...
Show moreData was provided by researchers of the Einstein Aging Study (EAS) of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University whom statistically analyzed data from the Bronx Aging Study cohort, concluding that participation in cognitive leisure activities and one physical activity, dancing, were associated with a reduced risk of dementia [1]. We explore data from a second (the EAS) cohort, utilizing Cox Proportional-Hazards and extended Cox regression [13]. Cognitive leisure activities in general, and particularly doing crossword puzzles, reading books, watching television, and emailing are associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Doing aerobics, learning computer programming, babysitting, dancing, jogging singing, and weight training are associated with an increased risk of dementia. Participation in cognitive leisure activities in general, and reading books in particular, remains highly significant even after adjustment for well-known risk factors [14] such as: age, cognitive status, depression, medical illnesses, gender, ethnicity, education and economic status.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3334097
- Subject Headings
- Aging, Psychological aspects, Older people, Health and hygiene, Forecasting, Older people, Mental health, Forecasting, Alzheimer's disease
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The lived experience of sexuality for post-menopausal women.
- Creator
- Taylor, Susan Lynn., Florida Atlantic University, Thomas, Debera J.
- Abstract/Description
-
Phenomenologic inquiry was used to answer the research question, "What is the lived experience of sexuality for the postmenopausal woman?" Three dimensions of the experience of sexuality were uncovered in the interviewing process. The first dimension was adjusting to postmenopausal puberty. This referred to the physical and emotional adjustment each participant went through while coming to accept and adjust to hormone related changes in their bodies. The second dimension was self perception...
Show morePhenomenologic inquiry was used to answer the research question, "What is the lived experience of sexuality for the postmenopausal woman?" Three dimensions of the experience of sexuality were uncovered in the interviewing process. The first dimension was adjusting to postmenopausal puberty. This referred to the physical and emotional adjustment each participant went through while coming to accept and adjust to hormone related changes in their bodies. The second dimension was self perception as related to being and becoming through menopause. This referred to the personal growth that took place in each participant as she navigated through the menopause experience. The final dimension uncovered was changing patterns of sexual intimacy. The frequency of sexual encounters decreased for participants following menopause however, participants found new ways of coping and meeting their needs for sexual intimacy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1998
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15566
- Subject Headings
- Menopause--Psychological aspects, Middle-aged women--Sexual behavior, Nursing
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Gender, relationships, and social interaction among senior citizens.
- Creator
- Schatten, Elizabeth Christine, Florida Atlantic University, Richardson, Deborah R., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
The present study was designed to examine the effects of gender and relationship on the quantity and quality of daily social interaction for senior citizens. Eighty-two women and 32 men (mean age 71 years) used the Rochester Interaction Record to record quantitative and qualitative information about every interaction which lasted more than 10 minutes for 2 weeks. Gender analyses revealed that same-gender interaction was most common for all participants (spouse excluded). Males and females...
Show moreThe present study was designed to examine the effects of gender and relationship on the quantity and quality of daily social interaction for senior citizens. Eighty-two women and 32 men (mean age 71 years) used the Rochester Interaction Record to record quantitative and qualitative information about every interaction which lasted more than 10 minutes for 2 weeks. Gender analyses revealed that same-gender interaction was most common for all participants (spouse excluded). Males and females reported that interactions with females only were more intimate than interactions with males only or with mixed-gender others. Spousal analyses showed that participants interacted with spouse as much as with same-gender others, however, spousal interactions were reported to be more intimate than same or opposite-gender interactions. Participants reported interacting with nonfamily more than with family. In addition, interactions with family were reported to be qualitatively equal to interactions with nonfamily. For future research it will be important to consider how these quantitative and qualitative characteristics of interaction relate to well-being.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1996
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15362
- Subject Headings
- Aging--Social aspects, Older people--Attitudes, Older people--Psychology, Man-woman relationships
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Comparisons of education majors' perception of aging.
- Creator
- Marvin, Sara., Florida Atlantic University, Bryan, Valerie
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not differences exist between perceptions regarding aging and the realities of aging between graduate and undergraduate education students within the College of Education at Florida Atlantic University. Data was gathered from 143 undergraduate and graduate students who were enrolled in various majors in the College of Education, on the Boca Raton and Davie campuses during the Spring 2002 semester. The Aging, Learning and Work Quiz ...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine whether or not differences exist between perceptions regarding aging and the realities of aging between graduate and undergraduate education students within the College of Education at Florida Atlantic University. Data was gathered from 143 undergraduate and graduate students who were enrolled in various majors in the College of Education, on the Boca Raton and Davie campuses during the Spring 2002 semester. The Aging, Learning and Work Quiz (Galbraith and Venable, 1985), was the inventory that was utilized. It has six subscales: Biology, Psychology, Learning, Decision-Making, Work Performance and Health. Six hypotheses were tested that there was no significant difference between the dependent variables of Biology (Ho1), Psychology (Ho2), Learning (Ho3), Decision-Making (Ho4), Work Performance (Ho5), Health (Ho6) and one or more of the independent variables of Educational Level, Degree type, Gender, Age and Ethnicity. The seventh hypothesis tested was that there is no difference in the perception of aging between pre-baccalaureate individuals and post-baccalaureate individuals (Ho7) with regard to each of the dependent variables. The statistically significant results of the study were: (a) Biology (Ho1), there was a difference found between ethnic groups of White and Other (p < .045), with White's being more accurate in their perception of the biology aspects of aging, (b) Learning (Ho3), a gender difference was found (p < .003), with males being more accurate in their perception of an individual's ability to learn, retain information and accumulate knowledge, (c) Decision-Making (Ho4), a difference was found between Educational Psychology majors and Reading Education majors (p < .012), with Reading Education majors being more accurate in their perception of how aging affects decision-making ability, (d) Work Performance (Ho5), there differences found between Reading Education majors and Educational Psychology majors (p < .001), with Reading Education majors being more accurate in their perception of work. Differences were also found between majors of Other and Educational Psychology (p < .014), with Other being more accurate in their perceptions of Work, and (e) (Ho 7) there was a difference found between pre-baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate participants for the variable of psychology at the (p < .05), with post-baccalaureate participants scoring higher.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2003
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FADT12027
- Subject Headings
- Ageism, College students--Attitudes, Graduate students--Attitudes, Aging--Psychological aspects
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Effect of Bilingualism and Aging on Inhibitory Control.
- Creator
- Salvatierra, Judy Lee, Florida Atlantic University, Rosselli, Monica, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
Recent studies have suggested that bilingualism may provide an advantage to older adults on inhibitory control and have a positive effect on some cognitive declines seen in normal aging. This study examined the effects of bilingualism on inhibitory control using a Simon task and a Stroop task on a heterogeneous sample of bilinguals whose level of proficiency on each of their two languages varied widely. Comparison of performances between younger and older monolingual and bilingual...
Show moreRecent studies have suggested that bilingualism may provide an advantage to older adults on inhibitory control and have a positive effect on some cognitive declines seen in normal aging. This study examined the effects of bilingualism on inhibitory control using a Simon task and a Stroop task on a heterogeneous sample of bilinguals whose level of proficiency on each of their two languages varied widely. Comparison of performances between younger and older monolingual and bilingual participants revealed a bilingual advantage on the Simon task. Results support the view that bilingualism increases skills that are associated with selective attention. Additionally, older bilingual adults performed as well as younger bilingual adults suggesting they are not experiencing the age-related declines in the efficiency of inhibitory processes observed in the older monolingual adults. However, a bilingual advantage was not observed on the Stroop task indicating that the advantage may depend on the nature of the distracting stimulus. Bilinguals may be better equipped than monolinguals at inhibiting misleading spatial information but not at inhibiting misleading linguistic information. The performance of balanced and non-balanced bilinguals was similar under both Simon and Stroop tasks suggesting that language level proficiency does not play a role in providing an advantage.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000877
- Subject Headings
- Language acquisition--Age factors, Cognition, Psycholinguistics, Bilingualism--Psychological aspects, Language transfer (Language learning)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Attitudinal study of older adult African Americans' interaction with computers.
- Creator
- Lovell-Martin, Nigel Leon., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
It was estimated that 35 million people age 65 or older lived in the United States in 2000. Of that number 2.8 million were Black/African American. The U.S. Census Bureau's (2000) population projections show that there will be 70 million older adults age 65 or older by 2030 and African Americans are expected to comprise over 12% of that population. In 1993 older adults had made less elective use of computers than younger adults, accounting for 24.2% of those age 55 to 64 and 4.9% of adults...
Show moreIt was estimated that 35 million people age 65 or older lived in the United States in 2000. Of that number 2.8 million were Black/African American. The U.S. Census Bureau's (2000) population projections show that there will be 70 million older adults age 65 or older by 2030 and African Americans are expected to comprise over 12% of that population. In 1993 older adults had made less elective use of computers than younger adults, accounting for 24.2% of those age 55 to 64 and 4.9% of adults over age 65. By 2003 adults over age 65 recorded a 20.1% increase in computer usage becoming the fastest growing segment of computer users who are engaging in learning computer skills as a way of coping with the technological changes. Studies have found that greater experience with computers is associated with more positive attitudes; however, it has never been determined whether this is true of the older African American population since there is a paucity of research documenting their computer attitudes. This study utilized a mixed methods research design that included an experimental design and an inductive approach with interviews. The following findings emerged: (a) attitudes differed for older African Americans who received computer training and those who did not; (b) there was no distinction in computer attitudes between older adult male and older adult females in the African American population; (c) there was no interaction effect on computer attitudes as moderated by training and gender; (d) older African Americans exhibited a positive disposition towards computers which elicited positive attitudes towards the technology; (e) older African Americans had a nascent need for computer self-efficacy; and (f) older African Americans constructed new meaning regarding computers as a result of their reflection on their computer interaction experience., The findings have established that older African Americans' attitudes can be influenced by direct computer experience and the study extends prior research by identifying the process by which attitude change takes place.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/186682
- Subject Headings
- African Americans, Education (Continuing education), African Americans, Intellectual life, Aging, Psychological aspects, Attitude (Psychology), Computer literacy
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Adult learning for healthy aging: an investigation of health literacy and technology use in older adults.
- Creator
- Swann, Elizabeth G., Bryan, Valerie, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
This study explored the healthy aging process by: (a) examining the selected demographics of older adults in South Florida; (b) examining technology use of older adults in South Florida; (c) examining the health literacy levels of older adults in South Florida; (d) determining whether a relationship exists between older adults living in South Florida use of technology and their health literacy levels; and (e) evaluating the effects of health literacy as it relates to technology use in older...
Show moreThis study explored the healthy aging process by: (a) examining the selected demographics of older adults in South Florida; (b) examining technology use of older adults in South Florida; (c) examining the health literacy levels of older adults in South Florida; (d) determining whether a relationship exists between older adults living in South Florida use of technology and their health literacy levels; and (e) evaluating the effects of health literacy as it relates to technology use in older adults in South Florida. Variables explored included health literacy, education, ethnicity, and technology use. The sample study included 102 older adults (age > 60) living in South Florida that had completed profiles on the South Florida Quality Aging Registry, a part of the Healthy Aging Research Initiative (HARI). The sample size represented 22.3% of the total South Florida Quality Aging Registry population. The ethnicities of the participants among the South Florida Quality Aging Registry were African American (17%); Afro Caribbean (7.8%); Hispanic (10.7%); and European American (63.7%). The education mean was 15, indicating that the majority of participants had an education level equivalent to completing high school. The mean health literacy score was 3.88, demonstrating that the majority of the participants had moderate levels of health literacy. The mean technology use score was 7.5 on a scale of one through ten, indicating that the majority of the participants had a moderate level of technology use. Analysis of variance, correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis was used to explore the variables that may influence health literacy. There was a statistically significant difference among Afro Caribbean and African American, Afro Caribbean and European American, European American and Hispanic ethnicities related to their health literacy skill level (p < .01). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference among Afro Caribbean American and European American ethnicities and technology use (p. < .01).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004165, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004165
- Subject Headings
- Aging -- Psychological aspects, Aging -- Social aspects, Cognition in old age, Computers and older people, Health behavior, Internet and older people, Older people -- Health and hygiene, Technology and older people
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Cognition and adherence in older adults undergoing hemodialysis.
- Creator
- Hain, Debra J., Florida Atlantic University, Liehr, Patricia
- Abstract/Description
-
Background. Adherence to the behavioral change component of the hemodialysis regimen is difficult for many reasons; when individuals fail to adhere, the nurses often become frustrated and individuals may be labeled nonadherent leading to inappropriate interventions. As the number of older adults starting hemodialysis increases, one contributing factor to nonadherence in this population may be cognitive impairment. Objective. The overall purpose of the study was to explore differences in...
Show moreBackground. Adherence to the behavioral change component of the hemodialysis regimen is difficult for many reasons; when individuals fail to adhere, the nurses often become frustrated and individuals may be labeled nonadherent leading to inappropriate interventions. As the number of older adults starting hemodialysis increases, one contributing factor to nonadherence in this population may be cognitive impairment. Objective. The overall purpose of the study was to explore differences in global cognition, in self-report cognition, and in language ability relative to adherence in a sample of older adults undergoing hemodialysis. Methods. This pilot study examined the differences in cognition and adherence of older adults (≥60 years) undergoing out-patient hemodialysis three times a week for at least one year. Nonprobability purposive sampling was used to obtain a sample from multiple centers which offered a diverse sample of study participants (n=63). Stories of the challenges of making life style changes were audiotaped and analyzed with linguistic analysis and word count (LIWC) software and various standardized instruments that measure global cognition (3MS and MMSE), self-report cognition (KDQOL-CF) and language ability (COWA, subsets of BDAE Reading: Sentence and Paragraph and BDAE Complex Ideation) were administered during hemodialysis. Determination of adherence or nonadherence (based on literature) was completed as the last activity of data collection. Results. Statistical significance was not achieved when exploring the difference of global cognition, self-report cognition, and language ability relative to adherence (p > .05). A relationship between structural elements of big words, cognitive process and insight words used in story and measures of adherence was revealed (p < .05). Although statistical significance was not reached the descriptive data supports that a relationship between cognitive impairment and measures of adherence were present across groups. The majority (64%) of nonadherent participants had cognitive impairment; 34% of the middle group and 5% of the adherent group had cognitive impairment. Discussion. Cognitive impairment is prevalent among older adults undergoing hemodialysis, however a relationship between cognitive impairment and adherence was not revealed in this study. This may be the result of the small sample size and adherence markers that were not sensitive in this population. This preliminary work offered a descriptive foundation which generated more questions that may be answered with further research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12211
- Subject Headings
- Hemodialysis--Psychological aspects, Chronic renal failure--Patients--Rehabilitation, Adjustment (Psychology), Cognition in old age, Patient compliance, Clinical health psychology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Influence of Gardens on Resilience in Older Adults Living in a Continuing Care Community.
- Creator
- Bailey, Christie, Barry, Charlotte D., Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between green environments and resilience in older adults. It had two aims: 1) to explore the effect of a reflective garden walking program on resilience and three of its related concepts - erceived stress, personal growth initiative, and quality of life - in older adults, and 2) to explore the resilience patterns of older adults engaging in the reflective garden walking intervention. A parallel mixed method design using a quasi...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between green environments and resilience in older adults. It had two aims: 1) to explore the effect of a reflective garden walking program on resilience and three of its related concepts - erceived stress, personal growth initiative, and quality of life - in older adults, and 2) to explore the resilience patterns of older adults engaging in the reflective garden walking intervention. A parallel mixed method design using a quasi-experimental quantitative and a descriptive exploratory qualitative approach was used. Participants engaged in a six week reflective garden walking program. By the end of the program, resilience levels exhibited a slight increase and perceived stress levels a decrease. The qualitative data supported some beneficial effects of the reflective garden walking program, but also indicated that much of the participants' experience of resilience may have been related to the rich social and nature-filled environment in which already they lived. Patterns of resilience that appeared in the data were maintaining a positive attitude, belief in one's self in the face of one's vulnerabilities, woven into the social fabric, purpose and meaning, personal strength, and communities for growing older.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004480
- Subject Headings
- Aging -- Psychology, Exercise -- Psychological aspects, Exercise for older people, Exercise therapy for older people, Gardening -- Philosophy, Older people -- Mental health, Resilience (Personality trait), Stress (Psychology)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The experience of caring for an elderly parent with Alzheimer's disease.
- Creator
- Davies, Sally., Florida Atlantic University, Beckerman, Anita
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of caring for an elderly parent in the last year of her life. Using the historical research design, the author examined a journal kept during the time of the experience. The analysis revealed the recurrent themes of mother/daughter and patient/nurse relationships in the journal. These themes were then analysed to reflect the frequency and the alternating rhythms of interactions throughout the time the journal encompasses. The writing of...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to describe the experience of caring for an elderly parent in the last year of her life. Using the historical research design, the author examined a journal kept during the time of the experience. The analysis revealed the recurrent themes of mother/daughter and patient/nurse relationships in the journal. These themes were then analysed to reflect the frequency and the alternating rhythms of interactions throughout the time the journal encompasses. The writing of this personal story of caregiving and its analysis documents a personal event that can be used by others to understand the caregiving experience.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1996
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15342
- Subject Headings
- Aging parents--Care--Psychological aspects, Alzheimer's disease--Patients--Family relationships, Caregivers--Psychology, Daughters--Psychology, Parent and adult child, Diaries--Therapeutic use, Nurses--Psychology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A comparison of the Boston Naming Test and Miami Naming Test in an Afro-Caribbean population over the age of 55.
- Creator
- Keane, Florence., Florida Atlantic University, Tappen, Ruth M.
- Abstract/Description
-
The Boston Naming Test (60 items) and the newly developed Miami Naming Test (76 items) are designed to assess naming deficits and word-retrieval capacities. These two tests were compared in a sample of 106 Afro-Caribbean elders. Analysis included inter-rater, test-retest reliability and internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha. The correlation between the scores of both raters on the Boston Naming Test was r=.9974 and r=.9984 on the Miami Naming Test. The test-retest reliability scores...
Show moreThe Boston Naming Test (60 items) and the newly developed Miami Naming Test (76 items) are designed to assess naming deficits and word-retrieval capacities. These two tests were compared in a sample of 106 Afro-Caribbean elders. Analysis included inter-rater, test-retest reliability and internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha. The correlation between the scores of both raters on the Boston Naming Test was r=.9974 and r=.9984 on the Miami Naming Test. The test-retest reliability scores were r=.936 for the Boston Naming Test and r=.931 for the Miami Naming Test. The alpha level for the Miami Naming Test was .95 and the Boston Naming Test was .94. The individual items for both tests were evaluated for their level of difficulty and the scores on the Miami Naming Test were compared to the Boston Naming Test and the Mini Mental State Exam results. Results indicated acceptable levels of reliability for both the Boston Naming Test and the Miami Naming Test. This study shed light on which items should be replaced or deleted and future directions for research on assessment of dementia on older adults of Afro-Caribbean background. This study was supported by Minority Supplement grant #NR07744-01 and was guided by design of the parent grant Culture Bias in Expressive Ability in Dementia funded by the National Institute of Nursing research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12178
- Subject Headings
- Language and languages--Examinations--Research, Aging--Psychological aspects, Medical care--Needs assessment, Dementia--Research--Cross-cultural studies, Educational tests and measurements
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Effects of a Story-Sharing Intervention on Depression and Well-Being in Older Adults Transitioning to Long-Term Care.
- Creator
- Sullivan, Gail J., Hain, Debra J., Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this randomized control trial (RCT) was to investigate the effects of a story-sharing intervention on older adults transitioning to long-term care (LTC). The specific aims were (1) to determine the effects of story sharing on the health transition outcomes of depression and well-being of adults transitioning to LTC; and (2) to determine if the sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, level of education (LOE), months living at LTC facility,...
Show moreThe purpose of this randomized control trial (RCT) was to investigate the effects of a story-sharing intervention on older adults transitioning to long-term care (LTC). The specific aims were (1) to determine the effects of story sharing on the health transition outcomes of depression and well-being of adults transitioning to LTC; and (2) to determine if the sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, level of education (LOE), months living at LTC facility, choice to move, and health problem(s) that may have resulted in the move) predict depression and/or well-being. Story sharing was defined as the respectful space where one tells and listens to stories of others (Heliker, 2009) while being guided by another (the investigator). Meleis’ middlerange theory of transitions (MMRTT) (Meleis et al., 2000) was used as a guide to understand the transitioning process. A convenience sampling design was used to recruit 100 participants from 11 LTC facilities in Broward County, located in Southeast Florida. The sample included adults, age 65 years and older, who were transitioning to a LTC facility within the past two years. Participants were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 52), who received standard care, or to the intervention group (n = 41), who received story-sharing and standard care. The results indicated there was no significant greater improvement to suggest an Intervention and Time effect for depression and/or well-being. Overall, predictive ability of the sociodemographic variables for depression and well-being were not statistically significant. However, LOE (junior college) did account for a significant portion of unique variance for increased depression, and time, marital status, ethnicity, LOE, and choice to move did account for a significant proportion of unique variance for well-being. Months living in LTC (more months) and marital status (all but divorced) were significant for improved well-being while ethnicity (Hispanic), LOE (high school and junior college), and choice to move (no choice) were significant for reduced well-being. Similar studies using a larger sample size, including non-English speaking participants; lengthier storysharing sessions; and measuring for pain, health, and bereavement may offer additional insights to healthy transition outcomes for this population.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004827
- Subject Headings
- Loneliness--Psychological aspects., Depression in old age., Older people--Communication., Older people--Mental health services., Nursing home patients--Mental health., Nursing homes--Recreational activities., Recollection (Psychology)
- Format
- Document (PDF)