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Biomedical subjects

W J Strawbridge

Publications and source records attributed to W J Strawbridge.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Successful aging: predictors and associated activities.

Six-year predictors of successful aging were analyzed for 356 Alameda County Study men and women aged 65-95 years measured prospectively in 1984 and followed to 1990. Successful aging was defined as needing no assistance nor having difficulty on any of 13 activity/mobility measures plus little or no difficulty on five physical performance measures. After adjusting for baseline successful aging, sex, and age, the authors found that 1984 predictors of 1990 successful aging included income above the lowest quintile (odds ratio (OR) = 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99-4.11), > or = 12 years of education (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 0.98-2.84), white ethnicity (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 0.93-4.86), diabetes (OR = 0.10, 95% CI 0.01-0.79), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.17-0.97), arthritis (OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.26-0.71), and hearing problems (OR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.25-0.89). Adjusting for all variables, the authors found that behavioral and psychosocial predictors included the absence of depression (OR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.10-3.42), having close personal contacts (OR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.05-3.18), and often walks for exercise (OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.00-3.12). Cross-sectional comparisons at follow-up revealed significantly higher community involvement, physical activity, and mental health for those aging successfully.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1995

My parent--not myself. Contrasting themes in family care.

We studied 100 adult child caregivers providing care to dependent parents and found that although the vast majority supported family care for older persons in general and their own parent in particular, 46% did not want family care for themselves if they became dependent. For many the contrast between their general statements supporting care of parents and eschewing it for themselves was quite sharp. Caregiver variables significantly associated with not wanting family care for self included age, conflict with relatives over caring, caregiving burden, number of caregiving tasks performed, poorer mental health, and number of years has provided care. Caregivers not wanting family care for self were also more likely to consider placing their parent in a nursing home. Our data reveal contrasting themes in caregiving that may affect caregiver well-being and burden, and that may have implications for the future care of dependent older persons.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Impact of internal health locus of control on health outcomes for older men and women: a longitudinal perspective.

We investigated the relationship between baseline internal health locus of control (IHLC) and 6-year change in physical functioning in 356 older adults. IHLC was strongly related to change in physical functioning for women at all levels of baseline functioning, but only affected men with lower baseline functioning. Cross-sectional analyses indicated no relationship between IHLC and health seeking activities except changing eating patterns when sick. Other findings were that IHLC was related to depression and not having childhood illness for men and to number of negative life events for women. For both genders IHLC was related to the importance placed on good health.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1993

Gender differences in factors associated with change in physical functioning in old age: a 6-year longitudinal study.

We compared 356 older men and women and found that income, education, and marital status had significantly stronger associations with 6-year change in functioning for men; internal health locus of control was stronger for women. Large but not significant differences occurred for age, perceived health, and days going out per week (stronger for women) plus exercise and smoking (stronger for men). We found no difference for ethnicity, chronic conditions, and social contacts. Gender specific models incorporating factors amenable to change predicted significantly higher follow-up functioning for those with positive health behaviors, supporting the value of preventive interventions.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

The dynamics of disability and functional change in an elderly cohort: results from the Alameda County Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in functional status over time by age, gender, and ethnicity in a representative sample of older persons. DESIGN: Six-year prospective cohort study. SETTING: Alameda County, California. PARTICIPANTS: 508 persons 65 years old and older at baseline in 1984. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Activities of daily living (ADL) dependence, mobility impairment, and functioning on an 18-item scale. RESULTS: The prevalence of ADL dependence and mobility impairment at baseline increased with age, while function decreased. Particularly striking differences occurred for those 80 and older. Changes in function over the 6-year follow-up showed a similar pattern. While death rates for males were higher, females had poorer initial functioning, and surviving females declined more than surviving males. The incidence of ADL dependence and mobility impairment during follow-up was similar for males and females, although females survived longer with incident disability than did males. Blacks had poorer baseline functioning, more ADL dependence and mobility impairment, and declined more than non-Blacks during follow-up. Some of the baseline difference in function between Blacks and non-Blacks was due to higher rates of chronic illness and co-morbidity. In spite of the general downward trend in functioning over the 6 years, 13% of the males and 20% of the females improved. CONCLUSION: Age-related changes in function for older persons are complex and result in much heterogeneity. Clarifying the reasons for such heterogeneity is an important and challenging area of research.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1991

Impact of family conflict on adult child caregivers.

Family conflict is an overlooked yet potentially critical component of the caregiving experience. In a study of 100 adult child caregivers, 40% were experiencing relatively serious conflict with another family member, usually a sibling. Most conflict arose because the relative failed to provide sufficient help. Path analysis revealed that caregivers experiencing family conflict had significantly higher perceived burden and poorer mental health than did caregivers without conflict, even when quality of the caregiver's relationship with the parent, extent of caregiver tasks, income, gender, and age were taken into account.

Adult↗