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Nursing Open Apr 2019To examine factors that influence the health of older widows and widowers. The review question was: What is the evidence of the relationship between widowhood and health... (Review)
Review
AIM
To examine factors that influence the health of older widows and widowers. The review question was: What is the evidence of the relationship between widowhood and health in older adults?
DESIGN
Systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
Academic Search Elite, CINAHL, Medline (Ovid) and PubMed were searched for articles published between January 2013-December 2017.
REVIEW METHODS
A systematic review of quantitative research with a qualitative thematic analysis.
RESULTS
The selection process resulted in 12 studies. One of the themes that emerged was: emotional challenges related to experiences of bereavement, depression and anxiety, which was based on the sub-theme social support as the main strategy for coping with emotional pain and suffering. The second theme was: struggling with poor physical health. The findings indicate that healthcare professionals need knowledge and skills to deal with the health consequences of widowhood in old age. Building community teams can prevent emotional and physical health problems, as well as reduce mortality.
PubMed: 30918710
DOI: 10.1002/nop2.243 -
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine Jun 2017Black widow spiders contain toxic components not only in the venom glands but also in other parts of the spider body, including the legs and abdomen. Additionally, both...
Black widow spiders contain toxic components not only in the venom glands but also in other parts of the spider body, including the legs and abdomen. Additionally, both the eggs and newborn spiderlings of the black widow spider contain venom. It is important to investigate their potential effects on cancer cells. In the present study, the effects of newborn black widow spiderling extract on human HeLa cells were evaluated . When applied at different concentrations, the total extract decreased HeLa cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC value of 158 µg/ml. Flow cytometry indicated that treatment of HeLa cells with the total extract of the spiderlings induced apoptosis in HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner and led to cell cycle arrest in the S-phase. Additionally, application of the total extract at different concentrations increased apoptosis-related caspase 3 activity in a dose-dependent manner. HeLa cells treated with the total extract appeared to be morphologically changed, exhibiting membrane blebbing, nuclear fragmentation and condensation of chromatin. Further separation and activity screening demonstrated that the cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of the total extract were attributable mainly to its high molecular mass proteins, one of which was purified and characterized to determine its anti-tumor activities on HeLa cells. The results of the present study therefore have expanded understanding regarding the effect of spider toxins on cancer cells and suggested that components of black widow spiderlings may be developed as a promising novel agent to treat cancer.
PubMed: 28587399
DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4391 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Apr 2023Spousal bereavement is one of the most stressful experiences in adulthood. In a sample of 183 widow(er)s, bereaved about three months prior, we examined the intersection...
Spousal bereavement is one of the most stressful experiences in adulthood. In a sample of 183 widow(er)s, bereaved about three months prior, we examined the intersection of employment, family income, and health outcomes (proinflammatory marker production, perceived stress, and grief symptoms). Bereaved employees had higher levels of monocyte-stimulated interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, chemokine ligands 4, and perceived stress than bereaved retirees. We also found an interaction such that family income was positively associated with perceived stress and grief symptoms for employed window(er)s, but not for retirees. These findings align with the reserve capacity model, which states that people at higher levels of socioeconomic status have more psychosocial resources to address psychosocial stressors. Employment likely served as an added psychological and inflammatory burden for all bereaved workers, except those with the highest incomes.
Topics: Humans; Bereavement; Grief; Interleukin-6; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Employment; Family
PubMed: 36702040
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106024 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2022Social determinants have a major influence on individuals' health, and among them, loneliness has an important impact on the health of the elderly.
BACKGROUND
Social determinants have a major influence on individuals' health, and among them, loneliness has an important impact on the health of the elderly.
OBJECTIVES
The aims were to determine loneliness and its social and emotional components in a sample of elderly people and to assess its prevalence and associations with sociodemographic variables.
METHODS
Analytical, cross-sectional, observational research was carried out based on a population over 60 years of age in Valencia (Spain). Loneliness was assessed with the De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale.
RESULTS
Five-hundred and thirty community-dwelling individuals participated. The mean age of the sample was 72.7 years (84.2% women); 36.2% suffered from moderate loneliness and 6.6% suffered from extreme loneliness. The sociodemographic variables most significantly related to loneliness were being single, separated, or divorced ( < 0.01). Among widowers, loneliness was inversely associated with years of widowhood ( < 0.01). Having sons/daughters was a significant protective factor ( < 0.05), while having grandchildren or siblings did not have a significant influence. The ability to walk and smartphone and video call use were not associated with loneliness.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a high prevalence of unwanted loneliness in community-dwelling individuals, and some social factors play an important role. Interventions against loneliness among older people are a priority for welfare and public health.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Male; Loneliness; Independent Living; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emotions; Spain
PubMed: 36554512
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416622 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Jan 2017Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease are at high risk of developing secondary major adverse cardiac events (MACE). This study aimed to identify independent... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease are at high risk of developing secondary major adverse cardiac events (MACE). This study aimed to identify independent predictors of MACE after hospital admission which could be used to identify of high-risk patients who may benefit from preventive strategies.
METHODS
This study included 1,520 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) (654 with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 866 with elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients) who received PCI and/or stenting. MACE was defined as all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for a cardiovascular- related illness. Cardiovascular-related illnesses included heart failure, reinfarction (nonfatal), recurrence of angina pectoris and repeat PCI or coronary artery bypass graft.
RESULTS
During a mean follow-up period of 32 months, 558 of the 1,520 patients developed at least one MACE. Cox regression analysis showed that the baseline clinical and biochemical variables which associated with MACE were age, being illiterate, a widow or widower, and/or economically dependent, having triple vessel disease, stent implantation, anemia, and/or diabetes mellitus, waist to hip ratio (WHR), diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular-hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in ACS patients, and age, malnourished, and/or economically dependent, taking hypoglycemic medication, having triple vessel disease, stent implantation, anemia, diabetes mellitus, and/or hypertension, WHR, fasting glucose, HDL-C, uric acid, creatinine, eGFR, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, mean corpuscular volume, and MCHC in elective PCI patients. Using multivariate Cox regression analysis, we found the MACE's independent factors are triple vessel disease, stent implantation, hypertension, and eGFR in ACS patients, and having triple vessel disease, stent implantation, hypertension, and uric acid in elective PCI patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Having triple vessel disease, stent implantation, hypertension, and eGFR or uric acid independently predicted MACE in patients with CAD after long-term follow-up. Fortunately, these factors are modifiable and should be identified and monitored early.
Topics: Acute Coronary Syndrome; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Area Under Curve; Chi-Square Distribution; Comorbidity; Coronary Artery Bypass; Coronary Artery Disease; Female; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Hospitalization; Humans; Hypertension; Hyperuricemia; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Myocardial Infarction; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Predictive Value of Tests; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; ROC Curve; Recurrence; Retreatment; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Stents; Taiwan; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Uric Acid
PubMed: 28052754
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-016-0436-7 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2022(1) Background: Research indicates that most elderly widows are at a high risk of experiencing negative psychological symptoms. It is common for elderly women in rural...
(1) Background: Research indicates that most elderly widows are at a high risk of experiencing negative psychological symptoms. It is common for elderly women in rural and remote areas to live alone without family support to cope with stress due to the mass rural-to-urban migration of China’s youth labor force. Such a situation further worsens their psychological health and well-being. However, the prevalence of and risk factors associated with negative psychological symptoms (loneliness, depression, and anxiety) among remote elderly widows living alone in China are currently unclear; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hunan Province, China. The loneliness was assessed through the University of California at Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (ULS-8). The depression and anxiety were assessed with the Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), respectively. The Chi-square test and correlation analysis were conducted to identify factors associated with negative psychological symptoms. Logistic regression was performed to predict risk and protective factors contributing to loneliness, depression, and anxiety symptoms. The significance level was set as p < 0.05; (3) Results: A total of 271 remote elderly widows living alone were enrolled in the present study. Additionally, 234 valid questionnaires were returned (valid response rate = 86.3%). The prevalence of loneliness, depression and anxiety was 8.1%, 44.0%, and 16.7%, respectively. Acute or chronic medical conditions, marital happiness, being the primary caregiver before widowhood and anticipating the death of the spouse differed significantly in the distribution of negative psychological symptoms. Logistic regression analysis predicted that participants who were satisfied with their marriage had a lower likelihood to experience loneliness, depression, and anxiety (p < 0.05). Being the spouse’s primary caregiver before widowhood was more likely to have symptoms of loneliness (p < 0.01). Those with various acute or chronic medical conditions were more likely to suffer from depression (p < 0.01); (4) Conclusions: Remote elderly widows living alone in China are prone to loneliness, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Being the primary caregiver before widowhood and having many acute or chronic medical conditions are risk factors for loneliness and depression, respectively. Marital happiness is the protective factor against negative psychological symptoms. To accomplish the goal of equitable access to mental health care in China, evidence-based policy and resource development to support psycho-social interventions that prevent and manage negative psychological symptoms for remote elderly widows living alone are urgently needed.
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Home Environment; Loneliness; Prevalence; Widowhood; China
PubMed: 36612585
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010264 -
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and... Mar 2018Being married is associated with healthier lifestyle behaviours and lower mortality and may reduce risk for dementia due to life-course factors. We conducted a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Being married is associated with healthier lifestyle behaviours and lower mortality and may reduce risk for dementia due to life-course factors. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of the association between marital status and the risk of developing dementia.
METHODS
We searched medical databases and contacted experts in the field for relevant studies reporting the relationship, adjusted for age and sex, between marital status and dementia. We rated methodological quality and conducted random-effects meta-analyses to summarise relative risks of being widowed, divorced or lifelong single, compared with being married. Secondary stratified analyses with meta-regression examined the impact of clinical and social context and study methodology on findings.
RESULTS
We included 15 studies with 812 047 participants. Compared with those who are married, lifelong single (relative risk=1.42 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.90)) and widowed (1.20 (1.02 to 1.41)) people have elevated risk of dementia. We did not find an association in divorced people.Further analyses showed that less education partially confounds the risk in widowhood and worse physical health the elevated risk in lifelong single people. Compared with studies that used clinical registers for ascertaining dementia diagnoses, those which clinically examined all participants found higher risk for being unmarried.
CONCLUSIONS
Being married is associated with reduced risk of dementia than widowed and lifelong single people, who are also underdiagnosed in routine clinical practice. Dementia prevention in unmarried people should focus on education and physical health and should consider the possible effect of social engagement as a modifiable risk factor.
Topics: Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; Dementia; Divorce; Educational Status; Humans; Marital Status; Marriage; Observational Studies as Topic; Protective Factors; Risk Factors; Single Person; Widowhood
PubMed: 29183957
DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2017-316274 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2021Widowhood is a catastrophic event at any stage of life for the surviving partner particularly in old age, with serious repercussions on their physical, economic, and...
Widowhood is a catastrophic event at any stage of life for the surviving partner particularly in old age, with serious repercussions on their physical, economic, and emotional well-being. This study investigates the association of marital status and living arrangement with depression among older adults. Additionally, the study aims to evaluate the effects of factors such as socio-economic conditions and other health problems contributing to the risk of depression among older adults in India. This study utilizes data from the nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI-2017-18). The effective sample size was 30,639 older adults aged 60 years and above. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis have been performed to determine the prevalence of depression. Further, binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to study the association between marital status and living arrangement on depression among older adults in India. Overall, around nine percent of the older adults suffered from depression. 10.3% of the widowed (currently married: 7.8%) and 13.6% of the older adults who were living alone suffered from depression. Further, 8.4% of the respondents who were co-residing with someone were suffering from depression. Widowed older adults were 34% more likely to be depressed than currently married counterparts [AOR: 1.34, CI 1.2-1.49]. Similarly, respondents who lived alone were 16% more likely to be depressed compared to their counterparts [AOR: 1.16; CI 1.02, 1.40]. Older adults who were widowed and living alone were 56% more likely to suffer from depression [AOR: 1.56; CI 1.28, 1.91] in reference to older adults who were currently married and co-residing. The study shows vulnerability of widowed older adults who are living alone and among those who had lack of socio-economic resources and face poor health status. The study can be used to target outreach programs and service delivery for the older adults who are living alone or widowed and suffering from depression.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Emotions; Female; Health Status; Healthy Aging; Home Environment; Humans; India; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Marital Status; Marriage; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Widowhood
PubMed: 34737402
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01238-x -
Annals of Epidemiology May 2020We examine widowhood effects on mortality across gender and race-ethnicity, with attention to variation in the mediating role of economic resources.
PURPOSE
We examine widowhood effects on mortality across gender and race-ethnicity, with attention to variation in the mediating role of economic resources.
METHODS
Data were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study (1992-2016). The analytic sample included 34,777 respondents aged 51 years and older who contributed 208,470 person-period records. Discrete-time hazard models were estimated to predict the odds of death among white men, black men, Hispanic men, white women, black women, and Hispanic women separately. The Karlson-Holm-Breen analysis was conducted to examine the mediating role of economic resources across groups.
RESULTS
Across all gender and racial-ethnic subgroups, widowhood effects on mortality were largest for Hispanic men. Black women and Hispanic women also suffered stronger effects of widowhood on mortality than white women. For both men and women, economic resources were an important pathway through which widowhood increased mortality risk for whites and blacks but not for Hispanics.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings highlight that gender and race-ethnicity intersect with widowhood status to disadvantage some groups more than others. It is important to explore the complex pathways that contribute to the higher mortality risk of racial-ethnic minorities, especially Hispanic men, after widowhood so that effective interventions can be implemented to reduce those risks.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Black People; Ethnicity; Female; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mortality; Poverty; Residence Characteristics; Retirement; Sex Factors; United States; White People; Widowhood
PubMed: 32336656
DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2020.02.006 -
Death Studies Apr 2018The authors developed and tested a novel measure of parenting self-efficacy specifically for recently widowed parents of dependent-age children. They tested the scale...
The authors developed and tested a novel measure of parenting self-efficacy specifically for recently widowed parents of dependent-age children. They tested the scale among 244 recently widowed fathers via an open-access web survey. Exploratory factor analysis identified 3 factors: perception of meeting parenting expectations (α = .88), provision of effective discipline (α = .69), and sense of parental burden (α = .69). Scores on the new scale correlated positively with Kansas Parenting Satisfaction and Psychological Adaptation Scale scores, and negatively with CES-D (depression) and TRIG (grief) scale scores. The resulting 9-item Widowed Parenting Self Efficacy Scale is a promising measure for use in research and clinical settings.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Fathers; Humans; Male; Parenting; Psychometrics; Self Efficacy; Widowhood
PubMed: 28609258
DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2017.1339743