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Family support was an important coping mechanism for older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, not all older adults had access to traditional family ties amid the pandemic. Thus, this study sought to investigate if and how fictive kin ties were developed as a result of pandemic‐related isolation. Older adults (n = 8) who were identified as lacking access to traditional family ties were interviewed five times across 2 years of the pandemic, and their transcripts were analyzed to detect shifts in their fictive kin relationships over time. The majority (n = 5) of participants developed fictive kin ties, either before or during the pandemic, while other older adults struggled with isolation (n = 3). This research has implications that may expand the understanding of social connections and help better support older adults during moments of historical crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rural and conservative older adults reported higher vaccine hesitant attitudes. • Older adults' higher vaccine hesitant attitudes were strongly associated with lower vaccine acceptance. • Vaccine acceptance was higher among older, healthier, and politically liberal older adults. • Vaccine hesitant attitudes explained links between political leaning and vaccine acceptance. • Vaccine attitudes and vaccine acceptance are separate but interrelated constructs. Older adults face increased risks from infectious diseases which are often preventable with vaccines. The current study examines demographic variation in vaccine hesitancy among older adults in North Dakota. A mailed survey assessing age, gender, years of education, self-rated health, rurality, and political leaning as well as vaccine attitudes and vaccine acceptance was conducted with 739 older adults (65+), oversampled from rural counties. Vaccine hesitant attitudes were significantly higher among rural and politically-conservative older adults; whereas, vaccine acceptance was significantly higher among older, healthier, and politically-liberal older adults. Vaccine attitudes were significantly associated with vaccine acceptance and mediated the association between political leaning and vaccine acceptance. These findings highlight the demographic characteristics predictive of older adults' vaccine attitudes and acceptance. By better understanding the nuanced factors leading to hesitation to be vaccinated, practitioners can develop strategies to increase vaccination rates among this at-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exposed older adults to increased health risks, yet social distancing precautions also heightened risks to their social well-being. This mixed-methods study explores changes in older adults' satisfaction with social engagement and interpersonal connections throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Design and Methods A Midwestern sample of 76 older adults aged 70–97 completed a series of 4 interviews from March 2020 through April 2021 about their experiences with COVID-19 social distancing precautions. Participants reported social engagement satisfaction and frequency of contact with family and friends. Additionally, they responded to open-ended questions about social connection experiences. Results Satisfaction with social engagement rebounded with significant increases across the year of the pandemic, whereas frequency of contact shifted from high remote contact early in the pandemic to greater in-person contact over time, with nuanced distinctions between family and friends. Qualitative thematic analysis identified themes including: (1) shifts in family support, (2) adaptable and flexible friendships, (3) social isolation fatigue, and (4) communication through technology. Within each theme, perceptions of interpersonal connections shifted over time. Discussion and Implications Findings suggest diverse social connection experiences among older adults, yet general patterns of strong social connections and adaptation over time. Future research should build upon these findings to better understand older adults' social needs and seek to explore ways to best foster social connections during instances of forced social isolation or historical crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adults have a wealth of life experiences that may give them unique perspectives about the future during times of societal crises. This study explores future orientations of older adults in the upper Midwest region of the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five times from March 2020 to April 2022, participants (N = 76) aged 70–97 were asked about when their life would return to normal. Bottom–up, qualitative, thematic coding indicated three themes of future perspectives: hardy positivity, realistic ambivalence, and weary pessimism. Individuals who endorsed a hardy positivity toward the future viewed the future with hope, faith, and optimism. Ambivalent individuals utilized past experiences to frame expectations for the future which were often emotionally neutral and sought balance between the most hopeful and disparaging of future events. Weary pessimistic individuals saw the pandemic as perpetual or perceived the future with general malaise. These participants conveyed anxiety or negativity about the future. These findings suggest nuances in older adults’ future orientations and provide implications for psychological well-being and emotional regulation amidst stressful, historical events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Older adults face greater health risks due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), yet preventative social distancing measures may cause increased social isolation, potentially heightening risk of loneliness. In this mixed-methods study we examine changes in older adults' loneliness due to social distancing, explore variability in perceptions, and identify whether such changes differ by rurality. Methods A Midwestern sample of 76 older adults aged 70–97 (mean age = 82; 74% female; 95% White; 39% rural) completed a phone interview about their experiences with social distancing due to COVID-19. Interviews were conducted during early weeks of regional social distancing. Participants completed retrospective and current assessments of loneliness, including providing explanations of their responses. Results On average, loneliness increased during early social distancing, yet variability was evident. Those experiencing increased loneliness described a feeling of loss or lack of control, whereas those experiencing stability in loneliness identified adaptability in social connection modes or feeling accustomed to social isolation. Rural older adults experienced a significantly smaller increase in loneliness than their nonrural counterparts. Discussion These findings suggest nuanced experiences among older adults, but generally negative implications for loneliness. Interventions to address older adults' social isolation and loneliness during COVID-19 are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social integration has documented benefits for late-life health; yet, little is known about its impacts on trajectories of physical functioning. This study examines age and gender differences in the longitudinal associations between social integration and activities of daily living (ADLs) using a hierarchical linear model with three waves of survey data collected over 4 years from the Social Integration and Aging Study (N = 400; baseline mean age = 80.3). Findings indicated some interaction effects of age, gender, and/or social integration on ADL trajectories. Among those of more advanced age, women showed greater increases in ADL limitations than men, and individuals with lower social integration experienced greater increases in ADL limitations than those with higher social integration. Neither of these patterns were found among younger older adults. This study highlights the benefits of longitudinal research on social integration and the need to explore practical interventions for promoting social integration particularly among the oldest older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has not been well understood how conscientiousness and neuroticism are associated with two related but distinct dimensions of perceived control (i.e., perceived mastery and constraints) among aging adults. The present study examined these associations and their change over time, while addressing whether they differ by age or gender. For respondents aged 50+ at baseline (N = 2,768) in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, multilevel modeling analyses were conducted to assess how conscientiousness and neuroticism predicted perceived mastery and constraints over 2 decades. As expected, higher conscientiousness and lower neuroticism (for both between- and within-person variability) predicted higher perceived mastery and lower perceived constraints overall. Nuanced findings emerged related to age, gender and change over time for different associations of conscientiousness and neuroticism with the outcomes. These findings can inform future research suggesting directions of further investigations for these complex associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Research suggests longitudinal and reciprocal relationships between perceived control over life circumstances and health for Western populations; yet, such associations have not been fully understood for non-Western populations. The present study addresses cultural differences in these associations for American and Japanese aging adults. Research Design and Methods For respondents aged 40 and older at 2 waves (Time 1 [T1] and Time 2 [T2]) of Midlife in the United States (N = 4,455) and Midlife in Japan (N = 827), cross-lagged path models were analyzed for T1 perceived control predicting change in each health measure (i.e. self-rated health, number of chronic health conditions, and functional limitations) from T1 to T2; and the matched T1 health measure predicting change in perceived control from T1 and T2. In these analyses, the effects of T1 age, T1 perceived control, and each T1 health measure were compared cross-nationally. Results A cross-national difference emerged in that T1 perceived control predicted change in chronic health conditions only for Americans. Similar tendencies were found between the 2 nationalities for T1 perceived control predicting changes in self-rated health and functional limitations. Reciprocal relationships between perceived control and health measures were found for Americans, but neither age nor any of the T1 health measures predicted change in perceived control for the Japanese respondents. Discussion and Implications The findings suggest cultural differences and similarities between the 2 nationalities, which have implications for potential health benefits of enhancing perceived control among American and Japanese aging adults. Building on these findings, the present study also indicates future directions of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether relationships with family, friends, and neighbors (both satisfaction and number in the social network) were associated with older women's well-being concurrently and over two years. Additionally, age differences among older women were explored. Women aged 60+ (N = 224, Mage = 80) were sampled from the Social Integration and Aging Study. Greater family and friend satisfaction were positively associated with well-being; number in network was not. Age-related effects for family and friend relationships suggested potential protective effects for the oldest women. Findings highlight unique facets of older women's relationships, suggesting future directions addressing age and support source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives In addition to increased physical health risks, older adults may also experience risks to their mental health and social well-being due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Yet, older adults may be uniquely able to cope given their life experiences and coping mechanisms. This study explores older adults' coping experiences and strategies during the initial weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Design and Methods A Midwestern sample of 76 older adults aged 70–97 years completed a phone interview about their experiences with social distancing due to COVID-19. Interviews were conducted during the early weeks of regional social distancing (March 28–April 20, 2020). Participants rated their level of perceived coping and responded to open-ended questions about their daily life and coping. Results Mean perceived coping level (on a scale from 1 to 10) was 7.9, with 87% of participants rating their coping positively. Primary themes that emerged included (a) staying busy, (b) seeking social support, and (c) having a positive mindset. These emotion-focused coping strategies appeared adaptive in the early weeks of the pandemic for most older adults. Discussion and Implications Contrary to predominant messaging about the vulnerability of older adults, these findings highlight the resilient nature of older adults in terms of their psychological coping and adaptability during COVID-19. Future research should build upon these findings to better understand and promote late-life coping during crises. Practitioners should seek to support older adults' engagement in such proactive coping, and social policies should be developed to acknowledge the variable needs of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress can negatively affect multiple aspects of health, including functional health, among older adults, who are likely to face unique, age-related stressful experiences. Previous research has addressed the protective effects of social relations (i.e., social ties, social participation, and social integration) for physical and mental health outcomes, yet few studies have examined functional health. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal stress-buffering effects of social integration on late-life functional health. Using three-wave data from 399 older adults (aged older than 60 years), two-level hierarchical linear modeling analysis was conducted and the results indicated that in addition to its main effect on functional (activity of daily living) limitations, social integration moderated the negative effect of stress on the longitudinal trajectory of functional limitations. The findings suggest important directions of future research to identify the mechanisms of such buffering effects over time and develop effective interventions to enhance late-life functional health while promoting social integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personal growth is essential in the lives of adults of any age and is associated with a variety of well-being outcomes. Building on previous research on psychosocial factors associated with personal growth, the present study aimed to investigate whether and how psychosocial factors (including working, generativity, positive interpersonal relationships, and spirituality) could affect aging adults' personal growth longitudinally. Using three waves of Midlife in the United States data from adults with baseline ages of 20–75, two-level hierarchical linear modeling analyses were conducted to examine the effects of psychosocial factors as well as age and gender on levels and trajectories of personal growth over the span of nearly two decades. All the factors predicted levels of personal growth while positive relationships and generativity had larger effects relative to the others. In addition, some of the effects were moderated by baseline age or passage of time (i.e., aging). Particularly, the moderated effects involving positive relations were multifaceted. Among those with less positive relationships, older people's levels of personal growth remained lower than younger people over time. However, among those with more positive relationships, older people reported lower growth initially but the age difference was no longer confirmed two decades later. In other words, having positive relationships appeared to become increasingly important for aging adults to maintain higher personal growth. These findings suggest shifts in life priorities that could influence personal growth among aging adults, and the implications can be informative for future research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of the Study: This study examines national variations in social networks among older adults across 4 countries in diverse regions of the world: Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, and the United States. The aim is to provide insights into universal as well as unique attributes of social networks in later life. Design and Methods: The analyses examine convoy characteristics among adults aged 50+ in metropolitan areas of Japan (N = 557), Lebanon (N = 284), Mexico (N = 556), and the United States (N = 583). Data were collected using the hierarchical mapping technique on representative samples in each locale. Multilevel models were conducted by nation to examine whether convoy characteristics vary by age and closeness. Results: Network size and geographic proximity were dimensions of social networks sensitive to national context. By contrast, how age and feelings of closeness varied with contact frequency and the presence of children in networks revealed universal patterns. Furthermore, feelings of closeness varied by age with regard to size and contact frequency in Lebanon, proximity in Japan, and composition in Mexico. Implications: Identifying universal and unique characteristics of social networks in later life provide a preliminary empirical basis upon which to advance a global perspective on convoys of social relations and how they inform policies that can facilitate health and well-being among middle-aged and older people around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of research examines how families are affected by international migration; yet, implications for family members who remain behind are less well understood. Recent studies highlight implications for wives and young children when Mexican men migrate to the US, but have not yet adequately addressed the unique perspectives across the intergenerational family system, including the impact on parents when their adult children migrate. The current qualitative study explores the perceptions of transnational family ties among five focus groups (N=28) consisting of mothers and fathers of migrants in Mexico. An inductive, comparative method was used to identify emerging themes related to the emotional toll that parents of migrants experience. Salient themes included sadness, longing, guilt, and worry. The perceptions and expression of these emotions varied between mothers and fathers. Findings highlight the unique impact and distinct policy implications of Mexican familial transnationalism on parents who remain behind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]