Psychometric properties and factor structure of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey Instrument in a sample of Spanish older adults.

The aim of this study was to explore the factor structure of the MOS-SSS in a sample of community-dwelling Spanish older adults. The sample comprised 406 community-dwelling older adults aged between 65 to 99 years old (M age = 74.88, SD = 6.75). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed, and four possible models were compared: the one-factor, the three-factor, the four-factor and the five-factor model, using an additional analysis with a second-order factor. The internal consistency reliability and convergent validity of the scale were also assessed. For the 19-item MOS-SSS scale, the five-factor model had the best fit to the data. All five subscales of the MOS-SSS showed adequate internal consistency, good convergent and discriminant validity. These findings contribute to the literature on the factor structure of the MOS-SSS in Spanish older adults. The MOS-SSS is a reliable and valid scale that can be used to assess Spanish older adults' social support perception for social services, health and in research contexts.

Why Being Physically Active or Inactive Affects Older Women's Physical Role?

BACKGROUND: Active aging is aimed at promoting quality of life in older adults. Nevertheless, the relationship between physical role and the practice of physical activity (PA) can be influenced by bodily pain feeling and by a low level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Passive and active strategies are susceptible to being modified and constitute an important psychological predictor of adaptation to pain. This cross-sectional study (1) analyzed the differences between inactive/active older adult women in terms of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, pain coping strategies, and HRQoL; (2) studied the associations between pain coping strategies, the dimensions of the HRQoL questionnaire, and physical role; and (3) determined if passive strategies, bodily pain, physical function, and general health were significant mediators in the link between being inactive/active and physical role. METHODS: Participants of the present cross-sectional study completed measures of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, HRQoL using the Short-Form Health Survey-36, and active and passive strategies using the Vanderbilt Pain Management Inventory (VPMI). RESULTS: A total of 157 inactive (69.9 ± 7.1 years) and 183 active (68.8 ± 5.3 years) women from rural areas were included in the study. Both groups significantly differed in the majority of the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics measured, pain coping strategies, and HRQoL. Bodily pain, physical function, and general health predicted physical role. Moreover, passive strategies, bodily pain, physical function, and general health mediated the link between inactive/active participants and physical role. CONCLUSIONS: Being physically active or inactive contributes to a better understanding of the link between PA, pain coping strategies, and physical role in older women.

Active Aging Program in Nursing Homes: Effects on Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction / El envejecimiento activo en residencias para personas mayores: su efecto en el bienestar psicológico y la satisfacción vital

A great number of intervention strategies that provide opportunities to maintain physical, psychological, and social wellbeing have been carried out in order to promote active aging. Most of these strategies are aimed at people without physicalor cognitive dependence, while institutionalized older people have not been considered as a target group. The main objectiveof this study was to analyze the effect of an active aging program on the psychological well-being and life satisfaction ofinstitutionalized older people. A total of 141 participants with adequate psychomotor skills were selected (Mage = 85.50 years,SD = 8.47), and a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group and an experimental group was used. Thecontrol group participated in the traditional limited active aging program offered in long-term care facilities - cognitivestimulation and physical activity - while the experimental group participated in a comprehensive active aging program. Afterthe intervention, participants from the experimental group showed improvements in the mean values of psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction, while no change was found in the CONTROL GROUP: The improvements in psychological well-beingand life satisfaction were maintained 12 months later in the follow-up evaluation. This study suggests that the inclusionof a comprehensive active aging program in nursing homes, that comprises actions aimed at promoting empowerment,participation, and social openness, contributes to the maintenance of perceived well-being

Se ha implementado un gran número de estrategias de intervención para promover el envejecimiento activo basadasen el mantenimiento del bienestar físico, psicológico y social. Muchas de esas estrategias se han llevado a cabo conpersonas mayores sin dependencia física o cognitiva, mientras que las personas mayores institucionalizadas no hansido un grupo objetivo. El principal objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el efecto de un programa de envejecimientoactivo sobre el bienestar psicológico y la satisfacción vital de personas mayores institucionalizadas. Participó un grupo de141 personas mayores con adecuadas capacidades psicomotoras (Medad = 85.50 años, DT = 8.47), utilizándose un diseñocuasiexperimental pretest-postest con grupo control y grupo experimental. El grupo control participó en un programatradicional limitado de envejecimiento activo ofrecido en residencias (estimulación cognitiva y ejercicio físico) mientrasque el grupo experimental participó en un programa global de envejecimiento activo. Tras la intervención aumentó lapuntuación media de los participantes del grupo experimental en bienestar psicológico y satisfacción vital, mientras queno se observaron cambios en el grupo control, mejoras que se mantuvieron 12 meses después de la intervención. Esteestudio sugiere que la inclusión de un programa global de envejecimiento activo en residencias para personas mayores quecontemple medidas para impulsar el empoderamiento, la participación y la apertura social contribuye al mantenimientodel bienestar percibido

Successful aging in Spanish older adults: the role of psychosocial resources.

ABSTRACTBackground:Psychological and social resources such as extraversion, optimism, social support, or social networks contribute to adaptation and to successful aging. Building on assumptions derived from successful aging and from the developmental adaptation models, this study aims to analyze the joint impact of different psychosocial resources, such as personality, social relations, health, and socio-demographic characteristics on life satisfaction in a group of people aged 65 years-old and older from Spain. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey using non-proportional quota sampling was carried out. The sample comprised 406 community-dwelling older adults (M = 74.88, SD = 6.75). In order to collect the data, face-to-face interviews were individually conducted. A structural equation model (SEM) was carried out using the PLS software. RESULTS: The results of the SEM model showed that, within this sample, psychosocial variables explain 47.4% of the variance in life satisfaction. Social relations and personality, specifically optimism, were strongly related with life satisfaction, while health status and socio-demographic characteristics were modestly associated with life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the view that psychosocial resources are important for successful aging and therefore should be included in successful aging models. Furthermore, interventions aimed at fostering successful aging should take into account the role of psychosocial variables.

Extroversion, social support and life satisfaction in old age: a mediation model.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was twofold: on the one hand to analyze whether extroversion predicts social support in older people, and on the other hand to determine if different types of social support mediate the effect that extroversion has on older people's life satisfaction. METHOD: The sample comprised 406 community-dwelling older adults (M = 74.88, SD = 6.75) from urban areas of Granada, southern Spain. RESULTS: Extroversion was positively correlated with emotional (r = .23) and with affectionate support (r = .30). Extroversion and all types of social support also positively correlated with life satisfaction. The multiple mediation analysis revealed that when age, gender, marital status and loneliness were controlled, extroversion predicted emotional (B = .008, p < .01) and affectionate support (B = .015, p < .01) and emotional and affectionate support mediated the association between extroversion and life satisfaction (total effect: B = .034, SE = .0024, p < .001, r2 = .295). Results from this study highlight the fact supportive social relations are crucial for older people's life satisfaction. Also emotional and affectionate support constitutes important explanatory mechanisms of the indirect effect of extroversion on life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Personality traits should be considered when interventions aimed at promoting life satisfaction in old age and successful aging are designed.

Coping strategies in Spanish older adults: a MIMIC model of socio-demographic characteristics and activity level.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the combined effect of socio-demographic characteristics and activity level on coping strategies and to test which of these variables has a greater impact on coping. METHOD: A sample of 243 men and women aged 55-99 years old was selected from different elderly activity centers in Granada, Spain, using a convenience sampling. Associations between eight coping strategies measured by Coping Strategies Inventory and the above mentioned variables were examined using a Multiple Indicator and Multiple Causes model. RESULTS: Age was negatively related with problem solving, express emotions and social support. Activity level was positively related with problem solving, cognitive restructuring, express emotions and social support and it was negatively associated with social withdrawal. Gender only predicted the scores in self-criticism and living alone was related with higher emotional expression. Participation in creative activities, attending University for the third age and practicing physical exercise were related with differences in the use of several coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: There is a complex relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, activity level and the coping strategies used by the elderly. It is important to understand this relationship in order to identify older adults who use ineffective coping, and to subsequently include them in intervention programs to improve their coping abilities.

Promoting Active Aging in rural Settings: an Intervention Program Implemented in Orense, Spain / Promoviendo el envejecimiento activo en entornos rurales: un programa de intervención implementado en Orense, España

Abstract Promoting health and quality of life among rural older people has received little attention, especially in Spain where the number of interventions designed specifically for the rural elderly is sparse. The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of an intervention program aiming at improving quality of life in a group of community-dwelling older adults living in a depopulated rural area in Orense, Galicia, Spain. The sample of this study comprised 86 people (78 people in the intervention group and 8 people in the control group) aged 65 and older (M=70.82; SD=6.35). The evaluation included the MEC, the CDT, and the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire. The intervention was applied for a period of nine months and consisted of three weekly workshops with a mean duration of four hours that included cognitive stimulation, crafts, and physical activity. The results of the ANCOVA revealed that independently of the age, educational level, gender, and pretest scores, the participants of the intervention group had a lower risk of cognitive impairment. Also they maintained their score on the Psychological health dimension of the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire while the participants in the control group slightly decreased their score. The intervention program had a positive effect on the participants' perception with regards to their opportunities to participate in leisure activities and improved their cognitive functioning, which in turn contributed to their more positive perception of their psychological health.

Resumen La promoción de la salud y la calidad de vida entre las personas mayores del medio rural ha recibido poca atención, especialmente en España donde el número de intervenciones designadas específicamente para la población mayor rural es escasa. El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar la efectividad de un programa de intervención para incrementar la calidad de vida en un grupo de personas mayores que vivían en la comunidad en un área rural despoblada en Orense, Galicia, España. La muestra de este estudio estuvo compuesta por 86 personas (78 en el grupo de intervención y 8 en el grupo control) de 65 o más años (M=70.82; DT=6.35). La evaluación incluyó los cuestionarios MEC, CDT y WHOQOL-Bref. La intervención fue aplicada durante un periodo de nueve meses y consistió en tres sesiones semanales con una duración media de cuatro horas que incluían estimulación cognitiva, actividades físicas y creativas. Los resultados del ANCOVA revelan que independientemente de la edad, nivel educativo, género y puntuaciones pretest, los participantes del grupo de intervención tenían menos riesgo de deterioro cognitivo. Asimismo mantuvieron sus puntuaciones en la dimensión de salud psicológica en el WHOQOL-Bref mientras que los participantes del grupo control disminuyeron ligeramente su puntuación. El programa de intervención tuvo un efecto positivo en la percepción de los participantes respecto a sus oportunidades de participar en actividades de ocio y mejoró su funcionamiento cognitivo lo que finalmente contribuía a una percepción más positiva de su salud psicológica.

Perceived health status and life satisfaction in old age, and the moderating role of social support.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was on one hand to examine the associations between health impairment and life satisfaction, as well as social support and life satisfaction, and on the other, to analyze the moderating effect of social support with regard to health impairment and life satisfaction in a sample of community-dwelling older adults from urban areas of Granada, southern Spain. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional survey in which a sample of 406 older adults with ages between 65 and 99 years old (Mage = 74.88, SD = 6.75) was selected. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to assess the impact of health impairment and perceived social support on life satisfaction. Moderation analysis was performed using the bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrapping approach. RESULTS: Significant differences in life satisfaction scores were found by number and type of disease, restrictions in daily life activities and subjective health. Perceived health and perceived social support predicted life satisfaction. Besides global social support, emotional and affectionate support moderated the link between perceived health and life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Older people who do not rate their health status positively and indicate low levels of social support have a higher risk of being dissatisfied with their lives and due to this they should receive special attention from gerontologists.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI) in older people / Propiedades psicométricas de la versión española del Inventario de Estrategias de Afrontamiento en personas mayores

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI) in a sample of 243 people aged 55 to 99 years old. The first order factorial structure was similar to the structure of the original version of the CSI and to the Spanish adaptation with general population. Furthermore, high levels of internal consistency and of convergent validity were observed in the different primary scales. Nevertheless, the problem avoidance scale did not surpass the validity and reliability tests. Due to it we propose to delete two of the items of this scale. On the other hand, in this study we confirmed the secondary and tertiary structure obtained in the original version of the inventory that was neither confirmed in the Spanish adaptation study nor the other studies on the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the CSI

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas del Inventario de Estrategias de Afrontamiento (CSI) en personas mayores. Para ello, se administró el cuestionario a 243 personas con edades comprendidas entre los 55 y 99 años. Los resultados muestran una estructura factorial de primer orden similar a la de la versión original y la adaptación al castellano en población general. Además se observaron elevados niveles de consistencia interna y validez convergente en las diferentes estrategias primarias. Sin embargo, la escala Evitación de Problemas no superó el test de validez y fiabilidad por lo que se propone la eliminación de 2 de sus ítems. Por otro lado en este trabajo se confirma la estructura secundaria y terciaria del inventario obtenida en la versión original y que no se conseguía en los estudios de adaptación y replicación al castellano

Realización de actividades y extraversión como variables predictoras del bienestar psicológico en personas mayores / Activity involvement and extraversion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in older people

Introducción. La relación existente entre extraversión y bienestar ha sido analizada en la literatura científica, sin embargo, el impacto de este rasgo en el bienestar de las personas mayores ha sido estudiado en menor medida.En este trabajo se analiza la relación entre el rasgo de personalidad extraversión, la participación en actividades y el bienestar psicológico en adultos mayores. Material y métodos. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 139 personas mayores de 55 años de una zona rural y urbana de la provincia de Granada que cumplimentaron la subescala de Extraversión del NEO-FFI y las Escalas de Bienestar Psicológico de Ryff; además, respondieron a preguntas construidas a tal efecto para evaluar la participación social. Resultados. Se observa una participación social mayor en el medio rural y entre las mujeres. Las actividades realizadas en mayor medida son las formativas, religiosas, paseo tranquilo y realizar tareas del hogar, manualidades o bricolaje. Se observa una correlación positiva, aunque baja, entre extraversión y bienestar. Los análisis de regresión múltiple revelaron que la extraversión explica el 19,9% de la variabilidad en bienestar psicológico, que aumenta hasta el 25,3% si consideramos además la participación social, el género y la procedencia de la muestra. Conclusiones. El bienestar subjetivo aparece asociado a rasgos de personalidad como la extraversión. Además, el estilo de personalidad determina el número o tipo de actividades realizadas, lo que retroalimenta también el bienestar (AU)

Introduction. The relationship between extraversion and wellbeing has been discussed in the literature, however, the impact that this trait has on the wellbeing of older people has been studied to a lesser extent. The relationship between extraversion, participation in activities and psychological wellbeing in older people is analysed in this study. Material and methods. The sample comprised 139 individuals over 55 years from rural and urban areas of the province of Granada who completed the extraversion subscale of the NEO-FFI and the Ryff Scales of the Psychological Wellbeing, as well as responding to questions that evaluated their social participation. Results. A greater social participation was found in rural areas and among women. The activities more frequently performed by the participants were educational and religious activities, walking, everyday chores, crafts, and home improvements. A low positive correlation between extraversion and wellbeing was observed. The multiple regression analysis revealed that extraversion explained 19.9% of the variance in psychological wellbeing, which increased to 25.3% when social participation, gender, and the origin of the sample were considered. Conclusions. Psychological wellbeing appears to be associated with personality traits, such as extraversion. In addition this personality trait is linked to the number and type of activities the elderly perform which also contributes to wellbeing in old age (AU)

[Activity involvement and extraversion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in older people]. / Realización de actividades y extraversión como variables predictoras del bienestar psicológico en personas mayores.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between extraversion and wellbeing has been discussed in the literature, however, the impact that this trait has on the wellbeing of older people has been studied to a lesser extent. The relationship between extraversion, participation in activities and psychological wellbeing in older people is analysed in this study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample comprised 139 individuals over 55 years from rural and urban areas of the province of Granada who completed the extraversion subscale of the NEO-FFI and the Ryff Scales of the Psychological Wellbeing, as well as responding to questions that evaluated their social participation. RESULTS: A greater social participation was found in rural areas and among women. The activities more frequently performed by the participants were educational and religious activities, walking, everyday chores, crafts, and home improvements. A low positive correlation between extraversion and wellbeing was observed. The multiple regression analysis revealed that extraversion explained 19.9% of the variance in psychological wellbeing, which increased to 25.3% when social participation, gender, and the origin of the sample were considered. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological wellbeing appears to be associated with personality traits, such as extraversion. In addition this personality trait is linked to the number and type of activities the elderly perform which also contributes to wellbeing in old age.