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Most people believe that time seems to pass more quickly as they age. Building on assumptions of socioemotional selectivity theory, we investigated whether awareness that one's future lifetime is limited is associated with one's experience of time during everyday activities across adulthood in 3 studies. In the first 2 studies (Study 1: N = 608; Study 2: N = 398), participants completed a web-based version of the day reconstruction method. In Study 3 (N = 392) participants took part in a newly developed tomorrow construction method, a web-based experimental method for assessing everyday life plans. Results confirmed that older adults' subjective interpretation of everyday episodes is that these episodes pass more quickly compared with younger adults. The subjective acceleration of time experience in old age was more pronounced during productive activities than during regenerative-consumptive activities. The age differences were partly related to limited time remaining in life. In addition, subjective acceleration of time experience was associated with positive evaluations of everyday activities. Findings suggest that subjective acceleration of time in older adults' daily lives reflects an adaptation to limitations in time remaining in life.

Objectives We investigated whether worrying about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predicts people's engagement in aging preparation. Furthermore, we expected that this association would have culture- (i.e. Hong Kong and Germany) and domain-specific (i.e. finances, housing, care needs, connectedness, and end-of-life) tendencies, as the culture and domains that are most severely hit by the pandemic differ. Methods A total of 360 and 1,294 adults (aged 18–98 years) living in Hong Kong and Germany, respectively, participated in a web-based study. We fitted our data to a multilevel model in order to take into account the interdependence of domains (i.e. Level 1) within the same individual (i.e. Level 2). Results The results revealed that reporting higher COVID-19 worries were associated with pandemic-induced aging preparation, and this association was particularly apparent for Germans in comparison to those from Hong Kong. When domains were specified, this cultural difference appeared significantly stronger for the domains of care, connectedness, and end-of-life than finances and housing. Discussion Findings imply that worrying about the COVID-19 pandemic predicts people to engage in aging preparation particularly in the culture and domains most affected by the pandemic. These results from those worried about the virus may be attributed to the increased self-relevance to the topic and hence motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The present study examined the extent of late-life preparedness and its correlates. In accordance with behavior theories, we postulated that those who have prior experience with caregiving and who perceive such activities as more useful and less risky are more likely to engage in late-life preparatory activities. Because the perceived distance until aging-related life challenges become prevalent may play a role in late-life preparedness, we hypothesized that the effects of the correlates would vary depending on one's subjective remaining life expectation (SRLE). Methods Building upon cross-sectional data including 581 German adults from 18 to 93 years, we fitted a hurdle model that separately analyzes the presence and variety of self-reported action engagement to better handle the zero-inflated count measure of preparatory activities. Results The results revealed that the effects of perceived utility, caregiving experience, and SRLE were significant for both the presence and variety of activities. SRLE was found to moderate the observed effects in the models: The effect of perceived utility on the presence of at least one late-life preparatory activity was larger for those with lower SRLE. In contrast, among those with higher SRLE, having provided care increased the variety of preparatory activities. Discussion Findings suggest that some of the examined psychosocial factors are similarly associated with both the presence of at least one and the variety of late-life preparatory activities, although the extent of their effects varies depending on one's subjective life stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engaging in aging preparatory activities that is perceived to be utile for oneself (e.g., to retain autonomy and independence) and for others (e.g., to retain a harmonious relationship with important others) may have a functional effect on one's aging process. We examined how perceived self- and other-related utilities of aging preparatory activities were associated with positive future thinking across adulthood, and whether these associations differed by culture. Building upon cross-sectional data from a web-based study conducted in Hong Kong (n = 283, Mage = 55.12, aged 18–85 years), the USA (n = 264, Mage = 51.06, aged 20–85 years) and Germany (n = 402, Mage = 51.65, aged 19–90 years), we observed different patterns of associations across these three cultures. Perceiving self-related utilities was linked to positive future thinking in the USA and Germany, but not in Hong Kong. In contrast, perceiving other-related utilities of aging preparatory activities was positively associated with future thinking in Hong Kong, but not in the USA or Germany. Perceived risks, on the other hand, showed a negative association with positive future thinking across all cultures. Findings suggest that there might be a culture-specific tendency for individuals to appraise their future, based on their perceived self- or other-related utilities of aging preparatory activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Information-seeking (IS) and emotion-regulatory (ER) motivation play meaningful roles in age-related changes in social interaction across adulthood. This study aimed to develop and validate the Social Motivation Questionnaire (SMQ) to assess these two types of motivation. Research Design and Methods Ten items were selected from a pool as the candidate items of SMQ and were administered to 480 German adults (20–91 years old) for validation. These items were also administered to 150 U.S. (18–40 years old) and 131 Hong Kong younger adults (18 to 26 years old) for cultural-invariance examination. Results Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that a two-factor, eight-item structure fits the German adults' data well with satisfactory reliability. Multigroup comparisons showed cross-age invariance among younger, middle-aged, and older German adults, as well as cross-cultural invariance among German, U.S. and Hong Kong younger adults. Discussion and Implications A new questionnaire, SMQ, was developed and validated to measure IS and ER social motivation across adulthood and across cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Although forecasting a positive future can be adaptive, it may not be when expectations are unmet. Our study examined whether such inaccurate expectations about future health status (overestimation) were maladaptive for older adults who commonly experience late life declines in physical functioning. Method We analyzed data from the nationally representative German Aging Survey (DEAS; 1996–2011; n = 2,539; age range 60–85 years) using multilevel growth models that assessed the influence of inaccurate health expectations on older adults' physical functioning over a 9-year period. Results Overestimating future health status predicted reduced day-to-day physical functioning when age, gender, and self-rated health were controlled. A Time × Overestimation interaction indicated that the negative effects of overestimation on physical functioning became more pronounced over the 9-year period. Discussion Results suggest that repeatedly unmet health expectations may undermine motivational resources and accelerate late life declines in physical functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To explore healthcare professionals’ personal experiences, feelings and attitudes about caring for hospitalised patients with multidrug‐resistant bacteria in palliative and geriatric care. Background: Working in end‐of‐life care involves at times burdening demands that affect not only healthcare professionals personally but also their actions. It is suggested that multidrug‐resistant bacteria and their consequences for colonised or infected patients in hospitals are among the challenges for all professionals in end‐of‐life care. Little is known about the feelings and experiences of staff members during healthcare activities with regard to these bacteria. Design: A qualitative interview study in two German hospitals. Methods: We interviewed 35 staff members from a German palliative care unit and a geriatric unit about their experiences with multidrug‐resistant bacteria in end‐of‐life care and the management of colonised or infected patients. Semistructured interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using grounded theory. Results: Interviewees represented two interdisciplinary teams with 40% nurses, 26% physicians and 34% other professionals. Salient themes that were identified included impact of multidrug‐resistant bacteria on staff members’ personal actions, feelings and attitudes towards the bacteria and the required isolation measures. Besides higher workload and consequences for working routines, the patients’ palliative care needs were recognised, as well as the necessary protection measures to avoid contaminations in hospital. Healthcare professionals reported a dilemma that they experienced when facing these diverse demands. Conclusions: Findings point to emotional and behavioural ambivalence in end‐of‐life care among staff members because necessary isolation measures and particular situation in end‐of‐life care create unsolvable conflicts for healthcare professionals. Possible strategies to cope with ambivalence are discussed. Relevance to clinical practice: Healthcare professionals in palliative and geriatric care have to deal with multidrug‐resistant bacteria and have to face contradictory feelings while trying to fulfil patients’ needs as well as isolation requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the relationships of adult children with their parents, and their impact on the child’s life satisfaction, in Israel and in Germany. Structural equation models tested three types of parental support (practical, emotional, and advice) and emotional closeness as predictors of the child’s life satisfaction. Israeli students aged 21 to 40 years (N = 590) reported significantly more frequent social support and a higher degree of emotional closeness with their mothers than German students of the same age-group (N = 535). Differences between the Israeli and German samples were evident in the association of fathers’ support and the child’s emotional closeness. Significant positive associations were found between the degree of emotional closeness with mothers and fathers and the child’s life satisfaction in both Israel and Germany. These findings suggest that emotional closeness continues to play an essential and universal role in the relationships between adult children and their parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rates of college attendance have increased throughout the world. This study asked whether students across nations experience high involvement with parents (frequent contact and support) and how satisfied they are with parental involvement. College students from four major Western and Asian economies participated—Germany (n = 458), Hong Kong (n = 276), Korea (n = 257), and the United States (n = 310). Consistent with solidarity theory, students across nations reported frequent contact with parents and receiving several forms of social support (e.g., practical, emotional, and advice) every month. Multilevel models revealed that Asian students received more frequent parental support than German or U.S. students but were less satisfied with that support. Students in Hong Kong resided with parents more often and gave more support to parents than students in other cultures. Discussion focuses on cultural (i.e., filial obligation) and structural (i.e., coresidence) factors explaining parental involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this article is to examine differential aging in everyday functioning between resource-rich and resource-poor older adults. Four groups of older adults were identified on the basis of 2 distinct resource factors: a Sensorimotor-Cognitive factor and a Social-Personality factor. The resource-richest group consisted of those participants who were above the median in both factors; those falling below the median in both factors comprised the resource-poorest group; and 2 additional groups consisted of older adults who were above the median in either 1 of the 2 factors. At the level of mean differences, the 4 groups differed in the length of the waking day, the variability in activities, the frequency of intellectual-cultural and social-relational activities, and resting times. Considering age differences there are more and larger negative age effects in the resource-poorest group than in the resource-richest one. The metamodel of selective optimization with compensation is used to interpret the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To investigate the occurrence and risk factors for infections in RA patients treated with tocilizumab.Methods. A cohort of all RA patients (n = 112) starting tocilizumab therapy between October 2008 and March 2010 in Northern Bavaria was screened for infections. Mild/moderate and severe infections were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to define risk factors for infection.Results. Overall, 26 patients developed infections [23.2%; 58.0/100 patient-years (py)], 18 of them were mild to moderate (16.1%, 40.1/100 py) and 8 were severe (17.9/100 py). Concomitant use of LEF and prednisone, high disease activity and previous therapy with rituximab were associated with the occurrence of mild/moderate infections. Severe infections were related to longer disease duration, exposure to more than three previous DMARDs and concomitant therapy with proton-pump inhibitors.Conclusion. The rate of infection in RA patients treated with tocilizumab in clinical practice is higher than in the clinical trial populations. Increased attention should especially be given to patients with longer disease duration, previous exposure to multiple DMARDs, i.e. previous exposure to rituximab and those receiving concomitant LEF, prednisone or proton-pump inhibitor treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Changes within an individual's personal network may reflect either non-deliberate endings, such as loss, or active choice of social partners. This research explores to what extent perceptions of limited future time are associated with deliberate endings of social relationships and active maximization of intrinsic benefits in one's personal network. In a longitudinal follow-up study, the personal networks of 206 older adults aged between 70 and 103 years were assessed twice within a 4-year time interval. Change of personal networks and change within social relationships were explored in association with age cohort, subjective health, cognitive functioning, neuroticism, extraversion, and subjective nearness to death. Most changes within personal networks occurred in less close relationships, while close emotional relationships proved stable. More than half of discontinued relationships were ended for deliberate reasons. Within ongoing social relationships, emotional closeness after 4 years was improved when social partners were family members and emotional supporters (e.g. confidants). When older adults felt near to death, emotional closeness with others decreased, except within relationships with family members and with social companions. The findings suggest that individuals actively shape the compositions of their personal networks in order to maximize the availability of intrinsic and extrinsic benefits from others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]