Biomedical subjects

Mark Brennan

Publications and source records attributed to Mark Brennan.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The impact of assistive device use on disability and depression among older adults with age-related vision impairments.

OBJECTIVE: One can conceptualize adaptive technology as a resource used by disabled older adults in order to maintain competence in everyday life. This study examined the independent relationships between optical and adaptive device utilization and change in functional disability and depression among older adults with age-related vision impairments. METHODS: We interviewed older adults (n = 438) with a recent vision impairment applying for vision rehabilitation services both pre-service and at the 6-month follow-up. We conducted hierarchical regression analyses with functional disability and depressive symptoms as criteria. In order to identify their independent direct effects, we entered optical and adaptive device use into the final step, preceded by Time 1 criterion scores, demographics, baseline disability or depression (depending on criterion), and total rehabilitation service hours. RESULT: Optical, but not adaptive, device use was significantly associated with declines in functional disability and depressive symptoms over time. DISCUSSION: We propose that these differential effects result from the fact that optical devices optimize residual vision and thus allow for greater continuity in the way tasks are accomplished (i.e., reading still performed visually), whereas use of adaptive aids (e.g., talking books) involves learning new methods in order to compensate for lost functions and thus is not as desirable either functionally or psychologically.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2006

Stress constellations and coping styles of older adults with age-related visual impairment.

Narrative data from two earlier studies of adaptation to age-related visual impairment were examined for constellations of stressors and coping styles. In the course of previous qualitative analyses, the researchers identified stress and coping codes according to behavioral, psychological, and social domains using a grounded theory approach. In the present study, these qualitative data were extracted into a quantitative format and subjected to cluster analysis to better understand stress constellations and coping styles in this population. The analysis yielded five constellation groups: stoics, complainers, taciturns, sentimentalists, and articulates. Cluster analysis of self-reported coping styles yielded five groups that included mavericks, autonomous, pragmatists, hermits, and nonchalants. Across groups, there was a pattern of limited efforts to obtain vision rehabilitation services for instrumental needs, along with low acceptance of vision loss and the desire to strengthen personal resources. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2005

Dual sensory loss and its impact on everyday competence.

PURPOSE: This study examined the relation of dual and single sensory impairments, within the context of cognitive function, by using the framework of everyday competence in terms of the probability of difficulty with specific personal and instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs and IADLs, respectively). DESIGN AND METHODS: The Longitudinal Study on Aging, composed of individuals aged 70 and older in 1984 (N = 5,151), provided data for the present analyses. In each IADL and ADL domain, binary logistic regressions assessed the probability of difficulty associated with sensory impairment and cognitive status after sociodemographic and physical health covariates were controlled for. RESULTS: One fifth of older adults reported dual sensory impairment, which was associated with greater IADL than ADL task difficulty compared with single sensory loss. Further, high levels of dual impairment were shown to increase the risk of difficulty in three of six IADL tasks (preparing meals, shopping, and using the telephone) over vision impairment alone. Overall, cognitive status was a significant predictor of both ADL and IADL difficulties, which was not expected from the everyday competence framework. IMPLICATIONS: Findings highlight the importance of sensory resources for everyday competence and suggest the need for effective vision and hearing rehabilitation to assist older adults in improving or maintaining their functional independence.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Postcards to God: exploring spiritual expression among disabled older adults.

Postcards to God was a creative method to allow individuals to express their spirituality. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of this innovative method. At a skilled nursing facility in a geriatric residence, 19 older disabled workshop participants created collage and message "Postcards to God", and completed a brief survey. Postcard content and construction were coded and analyzed using qualitative methods around self-reports along two attitudinal dimensions: a) making a postcard to God; and b) level of religiousness. Spiritual and religious dimensions were related to postcard thematic content. Postcards were used for expressions of spirituality and prayer across all levels of self-reported religiousness. The Postcards project seems like useful way to facilitate spiritual expression. If validated in further study, this method may prove a useful way to promote spiritual expression in a variety of older and frail populations.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Meeting the mental health needs of elderly Latinos affected by depression: implications for outreach and service provision.

Latinos are one of the fastest growing segments of the older population and are known to have a high prevalence of depression, as well as a greater likelihood of risk factors for this condition such as poor comorbid physical health, distressed economic circumstances, and social isolation that leads to a de facto homebound status. Thus, long-term care providers are likely to encounter increasing numbers of older Latinos suffering from depression in both community and institutional settings. This article discusses current empirical and conceptual studies on mental health issues facing older Latinos, as well as outreach, clinical practice, and policy recommendations for working with this population.

Community-Institutional Relations↗

PubMed2002

1.2 Cognition and learning.

This theme is concerned with the relevance and efficacy of educational methods adopted in dental schools while recognizing the influence of geopolitical issues in different countries and regions. Particular emphasis will be given to examples of best practices and innovations. Cognition and learning are dealt with in many different research areas such as education, psychology, cognitive sciences, brain research, neurolinguistics, gender, etc. and comprise the theoretical foundation for the philosophies, principles and methods underlying the dental education system. Educational methods are many and mixed. This group has used existing knowledge, personal experiences and current literature together with some of the material from the DentEd visits.

Cognition↗