Older adults' subjective aging perceptions, mentalization, and social relationships: a micro-longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: Social relationships are associated with various positive physical, psychological, and emotional outcomes in older adults. In line with the growing understanding of the role of subjective views of aging (VoA) for older adults' quality of life, the current work examines how daily fluctuations in VoA affect social relationships. Moreover, as the ability to mentalize others' states of mind (i.e. Theory of Mind) considerably enhances such relationships, this study assesses whether mentalization abilities mediate the VoA-social relationships link. METHOD: Eighty-two Israeli older adults (mean age = 73.44, SD = 8.64, range = 60-95) completed a baseline online questionnaire containing background information, and subsequently filled out daily online questionnaires assessing ageist attitudes, subjective age, mentalization abilities, and positive social relationships for 14 consecutive days. RESULTS: Positive VoA (reduced ageist attitudes and/or a young subjective age) were associated with enhanced mentalization and positive relationships on a given day and in time-lagged analyses. Moreover, mentalization mediated the effect of previous-day VoA on next-day positive social relationships. VoA also mediated the effect of previous-day mentalization on next-day positive social relationships. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the importance of mentalization capabilities for maintaining positive VoA/social relationships and expands the understanding of underlying factors associated with meaningful and close relationships in older adults.

Reflective Functioning and Financial Exploitation Vulnerability in Older Adults: The Importance of Significant Others.

OBJECTIVES: Financial exploitation of older adults results in devastating economic, social, and psychological losses to older adults, their families, and society at large. This study examined the relationship between reflective functioning and financial exploitation vulnerability (FEV) and whether relationship status moderated the association. METHODS: A community-based sample of 156 Israeli older adults age 60 and over responded to demographic questions and questionnaires assessing reflective functioning and FEV. RESULTS: A hierarchical linear regression analysis covarying for age, sex, education, income, and sum of illnesses, revealed that higher reflective functioning was associated with lower FEV (p = .011). A main effect of relationship status was not found, but a significant interaction of reflective functioning × relationship status was discovered (p = .008), adding 4.2% to the total variance of the model. Probing the interaction revealed that the reflective functioning-FEV association was significant only for older adults not in a relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that low reflective functioning may be associated with increased risk of financial exploitation, specifically in certain populations of older adults. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Care providers of older adults may consider assessing for, and identifying older adults with low reflective functioning, in order to prevent or intervene in the event of a potentially exploitative situation.

Subjective Age and Financial Exploitation Vulnerability: The Mediating Role of Financial Self-Efficacy.

An older subjective age, or feeling older than one's chronological age, has been associated with increased financial exploitation vulnerability (FEV) among older adults. However, the mechanisms behind this relationship have not been examined. This study examined whether financial self-efficacy mediates the relationship between subjective age and FEV. Participants were 156 Israeli older adults (M age= 66.97, SD = 6.46) who responded to questionnaires of subjective age, FEV, and financial self-efficacy. Correlations indicated that an older subjective age was associated with reduced financial self-efficacy (r= -.36, p < .001) and increased FEV (r = .51, p < .001). Testing the mediation model revealed an indirect effect of subjective age on FEV via financial self-efficacy (b = 1.57; bootstrapped 95% Cis [.80, 2.39]). Findings suggest that an older subjective age may reduce financial self-efficacy, thereby increasing FEV. Findings are discussed with regard to Stereotype Embodiment Theory and clinical implications are suggested.

Financial exploitation and mental health among Holocaust survivors: the moderating role of posttraumatic symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: We examined whether anxiety and depressive symptoms associated with self-reported history of financial exploitation (FE) are more pronounced among Holocaust survivors (HS), especially those with high-level posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. DESIGN: Self-report questionnaires completed online via Qualtrics. SETTING: An online-based survey conducted in Israel. PARTICIPANTS: A community-based cohort of 137 Israeli older adults born prior to 1945 were included in the study sample. HS (n = 61) were participants who reported living in a European country occupied or dominated by Nazi or pro-Nazi regimes between 1939 and 1945. Groups were further subdivided into survivors with low or high levels of PTSD symptoms (≥31 on the PTSD Checklist; PCL-5). MEASUREMENTS: Questionnaires assessed FE history, posttraumatic symptoms (PCL-5), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and anxiety (GAD-7). Age, education, self-rated health, and non-Holocaust lifetime adversity were also measured and included as covariates. RESULTS: Hierarchical linear regression models revealed that relationships between FE and depressive and anxiety symptoms were significant only among survivors (p = 0.005 and p = 0.008, respectively). The interaction between PTSD symptom level group and FE was also significant for both depressive (p = 0.007) and anxiety (p = 0.012) symptoms, such that survivors with PTSD who reported FE had significantly greater symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to all other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that the experience of FE may be particularly impactful among survivors who continue to struggle with posttraumatic symptoms related to the Holocaust. Future studies may consider examining whether findings are relevant to other groups with PTSD.

Interpersonal dysfunction predicts subsequent financial exploitation vulnerability in a sample of adults over 50: a prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to test whether interpersonal dysfunction, characterized by loneliness and/or dissatisfaction with relationships, is an imminent predictor of financial exploitation vulnerability (FEV) among adults age 50+ within a 6-month observation period. This study also tests whether FEV prospectively predicts interpersonal dysfunction. METHODS: Twenty-six adults aged 50 or older completed a study involving baseline data collection and 13 follow-ups over 6 months. Linear mixed models were used for primary analyses. RESULTS: After adjustment for demographic, psychological and cognitive covariates, there were between-person effects of FEV and interpersonal dysfunction across follow-ups, suggesting that those with generally higher interpersonal dysfunction compared to other participants also reported greater FEV (B(SE) = 1.09(.33), p = .003). There was a within-person effect (B(SE) = .08(.03), p = .007) of elevated interpersonal dysfunction predicting greater FEV two weeks later across all follow-ups. Within-person effect of FEV was not predictive of interpersonal dysfunction (B(SE) = .25(.15), p = .10). There was also a significant effect of age (B(SE) = -.06(.02), p = .007), such that older individuals had lower FEV throughout follow-ups. CONCLUSION: Among adults age 50+, individuals with higher interpersonal dysfunction relative to others in the study reported greater FEV throughout the 6-month observation period. Increased loneliness and social dissatisfaction, relative to one's average level, predicts subsequent increases in FEV, and may be an imminent risk factor for exploitation.

The small HDL particle hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease.

We propose the hypothesis that small high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by virtue of their capacity to exchange lipids, affecting neuronal membrane composition and vascular and synaptic functions. Concentrations of small HDLs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma were measured in 180 individuals ≥60 years of age using ion mobility methodology. Small HDL concentrations in CSF were positively associated with performance in three domains of cognitive function independent of apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status, age, sex, and years of education. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between levels of small HDLs in CSF and plasma. Further studies will be aimed at determining whether specific components of small HDL exchange across the blood, brain, and CSF barriers, and developing approaches to exploit small HDLs for therapeutic purposes.

The Cognitive Correlates of Financial Literacy in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the cognitive correlates of financial literacy using a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, and whether education modifies the relationship between cognition and financial literacy. METHODS: Sixty-six participants completed sociodemographic questionnaires, an assessment of financial literacy, and a neuropsychological assessment. Multiple linear regression models that controlled for age, sex, and education examined the main effects of cognitive measures that showed a significant bivariate association with financial literacy. RESULTS: After correcting for multiple comparisons, the Crystallized Composite score (p = .002) and the Picture Vocabulary test (p = .002) from the NIH Toolbox, and the Multilingual Naming Test (p > .001) from the Uniform Data Set 3 were associated with financial literacy. Contrary to our hypothesis, education did not interact with cognitive measures when considering financial literacy scores. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that vocabulary knowledge and semantic memory may play an important role in financial literacy in older age. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Assessing vocabulary knowledge and semantic processes may help to identify older adults with lower financial literacy skills. Additionally, financial literacy interventions may consider targeting individuals with lower vocabulary knowledge and semantic processing skills.

Elder abuse in the COVID-19 era based on calls to the National Center on Elder Abuse resource line.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated circumstances that place older adults at higher risk for abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Identifying characteristics of elder abuse during COVID-19 is critically important. This study characterized and compared elder abuse patterns across two time periods, a one-year period during the pandemic, and a corresponding one-year period prior to the start of the pandemic. METHODS: Contacts (including social media contacts, and email; all referred to as "calls" for expediency) made to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) resource line were examined for differences in types of reported elder abuse and characteristics of alleged perpetrators prior to the pandemic (Time 1; March 16, 2018 to March 15, 2019) and during the pandemic (Time 2; March 16, 2020 to March 15, 2021). Calls were examined for whether or not abuse was reported, the types of reported elder abuse, including financial, physical, sexual, emotional, and neglect, and characteristics of callers, victims, and alleged perpetrators. Chi-square tests of independence compared frequencies of elder abuse characteristics between time periods. RESULTS: In Time 1, 1401 calls were received, of which 795 calls (56.7%) described abuse. In Time 2, 1009 calls were received, of which 550 calls (54.5%) described abuse. The difference between time periods in frequency of abuse to non-abuse calls was not significant ([Formula: see text]). Time periods also did not significantly differ with regard to caller, victim, and perpetrator characteristics. Greater rates of physical abuse ([Formula: see text] and emotional abuse ([Formula: see text] were reported during Time 2 after adjustment for multiple comparisons. An increased frequency of multiple forms of abuse was also found in Time 2 compared to Time 1 ([Formula: see text]. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest differences in specific elder abuse subtypes and frequency of co-occurrence between subtypes between time periods, pointing to a potential increase in the severity of elder abuse during COVID-19.

The association between subjective age and financial exploitation vulnerability among older adults: The moderating role of social support.

Financial exploitation of older adults bears detrimental physical and psychological consequences. However, risk factors of financial exploitation vulnerability (FEV) remain elusive. In line with a growing awareness of the importance of subjective perceptions of the aging process for older adults' functioning and well-being, this study examined the connection between subjective age (feeling younger/older than one's chronological age) and FEV, and the moderating effect of social support on this connection. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 137 Israeli older adults (age range 60-89, M = 69.90, SD = 6.85), who completed scales of FEV, subjective age, and social support, as well as relevant socio-demographic information. Older subjective age was associated with increased FEV when social support was low, but not when social support was high. Results are discussed in line with Socio-Emotional Selectivity Theory and provide initial information pertaining to the relevance of subjective age perceptions to FEV in older adults.

Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms are Associated with Perceived Financial Exploitation in Israeli Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: There are no studies that have investigated mental health correlates of financial exploitation (FE) in Israel. Israel has diverse cultural traditions that emphasize strong family ties and social embeddedness, factors which may impact FE correlates. This study aimed to examine mental health correlates of perceived FE in Israel. METHODS: Israeli older adults (N = 137; mean age = 67.86, SD = 6.86, 51.5% female) were surveyed for history of FE, demographic measures, and depressive (CES-D) and anxiety symptoms (GAD-7). RESULTS: Twenty-one participants self-reported a FE history (perceived FE group), and 115 denied a history (non-FE group). After controlling for age, sex, and education, the perceived FE group reported significantly more anxiety (F(1, 108) = 7.16, p = .009) and depressive symptoms (F(1, 103) = 13.90, p < .001) than the non-FE group. A greater frequency of perceived FE participants surpassed clinical cutoffs of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived FE was associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, and in some cases at clinically significant levels. Future studies aimed at understanding mechanisms of these relationships are needed. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Findings support the need for clinical evaluations for those who have experienced FE in order to provide mental health services when appropriate.

Socioeconomic Mobility and Psychological and Cognitive Functioning in a Diverse Sample of Adults With and Without HIV.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study examined the effects of socioeconomic status (SES) mobility from childhood to adulthood on psychological and cognitive well-being in African American and non-Hispanic White HIV-positive (HIV+) and HIV-seronegative (HIV-) adults who are part of an ongoing study investigating psychosocial and neurobehavioral effects of HIV. METHODS: Participants (N = 174, 24.1% female, 59.2% African American, 67.8% HIV+) were categorized into four groups (upward mobility, downward mobility, stable-not-poor, chronic-poverty) based on self-reported childhood and current community SES (which were correlated with objective measures of SES and proxies of childhood SES). SES groups were compared on self-report measures of psychological well-being, subjective executive functioning ratings, and performance across six cognitive domains. Primary analyses were stratified by HIV status. RESULTS: For the HIV+ group, SES mobility was associated with psychological well-being (chronic burden of stress: F(7,101) = 3.17, mean squared error [MSE] = 49.42, p = .030, η2 = 0.14; depressive symptoms: F(7,101) = 4.46, MSE = 70.49, p = .006,η2 = 0.14), subjective ratings of executive dysfunction (F(7,101) = 6.11, MSE = 114.29, p = .001,η2 = 0.18), and objective performance in executive functioning (F(9,99) = 3.22, MSE = 249.52, p = .030, η2 = 0.15) and learning (F(9,99) = 3.01, MSE = 220.52, p = .034, η2 = 0.13). In the control group, SES mobility was associated with chronic stress burden (F(5,49) = 4.677, p = .025, η2 = 0.15); however, no other relationships between SES mobility and outcomes of interest were observed (all p values > .20). In general, downward mobility and chronic poverty were associated with worse ratings across psychological well-being measures and cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: Findings within the HIV+ group are consistent with previous studies that report downward mobility to be associated with poor psychological outcomes. People living with HIV may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of socioeconomic instability.

Physical and mental health correlates of perceived financial exploitation in older adults: Preliminary findings from the Finance, Cognition, and Health in Elders Study (FINCHES).

Objectives: Financial exploitation (FE) in old age is poorly understood, particularly among those without significant cognitive impairment. The Finance, Cognition, and Health in Elders Study (FINCHES) aims to identify factors associated with FE among cognitively-healthy older adults. Preliminary findings regarding physical and mental health correlates in the pilot phase of FINCHES are reported.Method: Sixteen older adults who self-reported FE were demographically-matched on age, education, sex, and race/ethnicity to eighteen older adults who did not report past FE.Results: Those who believed they were exploited endorsed significantly greater symptoms of depression (p = 0.014) and marginally greater symptoms of anxiety (p = 0.062). Participants trended towards lower perceived successful aging (p = 0.094). Perceived FE participants also endorsed greater medical conditions (p = 0.047), but follow-up individual item analyses suggest that this was driven by problems with sleep (p = 0.030).Conclusions: These preliminary findings from the pilot phase of FINCHES highlight negative mental health factors associated with perceived FE among cognitively-intact older adults.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Memory Measures in Alzheimer's Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

With an increasing focus on biomarkers in dementia research, illustrating the role of neuropsychological assessment in detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's dementia (AD) is important. This systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) standards, summarizes the sensitivity and specificity of memory measures in individuals with MCI and AD. Both meta-analytic and qualitative examination of AD versus healthy control (HC) studies (n = 47) revealed generally high sensitivity and specificity (≥ 80% for AD comparisons) for measures of immediate (sensitivity = 87%, specificity = 88%) and delayed memory (sensitivity = 89%, specificity = 89%), especially those involving word-list recall. Examination of MCI versus HC studies (n = 38) revealed generally lower diagnostic accuracy for both immediate (sensitivity = 72%, specificity = 81%) and delayed memory (sensitivity = 75%, specificity = 81%). Measures that differentiated AD from other conditions (n = 10 studies) yielded mixed results, with generally high sensitivity in the context of low or variable specificity. Results confirm that memory measures have high diagnostic accuracy for identification of AD, are promising but require further refinement for identification of MCI, and provide support for ongoing investigation of neuropsychological assessment as a cognitive biomarker of preclinical AD. Emphasizing diagnostic test accuracy statistics over null hypothesis testing in future studies will promote the ongoing use of neuropsychological tests as Alzheimer's disease research and clinical criteria increasingly rely upon cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and neuroimaging biomarkers.

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Cortical Metabolic Activity Associated with Distinct Agitation Behaviors in Alzheimer Disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the neurobiologic correlates of two distinct clusters of agitation symptoms to identify the unique biologic substrates underlying agitated behaviors. METHODS: Eighty-eight outpatients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease (AD) were recruited from the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Geropsychiatry Outpatient Program. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted of the relationship between cerebral glucose metabolism measured via 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and agitated symptoms from the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) in patients with AD. Two empirically derived clusters of agitation symptoms were investigated: an Agitation factor comprising agitation/aggression and irritability/lability items of the NPI, and a Behavioral Dyscontrol factor comprising elation/euphoria, disinhibition, aberrant motor behavior, sleep, and appetite items of the NPI. Mean cerebral metabolism for patients who scored positively on each of the two factors was compared with mean cerebral metabolism for those who did not. RESULTS: Patients with AD who scored positively on the Agitation factor showed reduced glucose metabolism of the right temporal, right frontal, and bilateral cingulate cortex. In contrast, the Behavioral Dyscontrol factor did not show specific neurobiologic correlates. CONCLUSION: Symptoms encompassed within the Agitation factor have distinct neurobiologic underpinnings. The precipitants, course, and outcomes related to these symptoms may be unique from other neuropsychiatric symptoms characteristic of AD. Special attention to treatment of agitated behaviors involving anger, aggressiveness, hostility, and irritability/emotional lability is warranted, because they appear to reflect a clinically relevant symptom cluster with unique underlying neurobiologic correlates.

Aggregate effects of vascular risk factors on cerebrovascular changes in autopsy-confirmed Alzheimer's disease.

We examined the relationships of antemortem vascular risk factors to postmortem cerebrovascular and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathologies. Eighty-four AD patients underwent an assessment of vascular risk (blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, transient ischemic attack [TIA], or stroke) and later underwent brain autopsy. Given our aim to examine mild cerebrovascular changes (CVCs), individuals were excluded if autopsy revealed large stroke. The most common forms of CVC were circle of Willis atherosclerosis followed by arteriosclerosis, lacunes, and microinfarcts. Excluding the history of TIA/clinical stroke, individual vascular risk factors were not associated with CVC. However, the presence of multiple vascular risk factors was associated with CVC. Furthermore, the presence of CVC was associated with lower Braak and Braak stage. These findings highlight the importance of aggregate risk in the vascular contribution to dementia. Interventions designed to maintain cerebrovascular health may represent important opportunities for preventing or delaying dementia, even when AD is the dominant pathology.

Ageist attitudes and psychological distress in older adults: The moderating role of reflective functioning.

Ageist attitudes have been associated with various aspects of psychological functioning in older adults. According to Terror Management Theory, older adults may be seen as a reminder of human demise and death, and research has demonstrated links between ageist attitudes and compromised abilities to seek and maintain close personal relationships, which ward off awareness of one's mortality. Accordingly, the current work examined whether reflective functioning, or the ability to comprehend one's own and others' mental states, mitigates the negative psychological manifestations of ageist attitudes in older adults. Data was collected from 686 participants aged 60-94 (Mage = 72.64, SD = 6.28), who completed scales assessing ageist attitudes, reflective functioning, and psychological distress, as well as relevant socio-demographic information. Results indicated that ageist attitudes were linked with low levels of reflective functioning and enhanced psychological distress. Moreover, reflective functioning moderated the ageist attitudes-distress link, which was not significant in individuals reporting high levels of reflective functioning. This study provides insight into how the ability to comprehend others' mental states mitigates the adverse psychological effects of ageist attitudes and highlights the importance of examining relationship-enhancing personal factors within the context of negative ageing perceptions and psychological distress.

Subjective Age Moderates the Relationship Between Global Cognition and Susceptibility to Scams.

This study examined the interactive effect of subjective age on the relationship between global cognition and susceptibility to scams. Sixty-five participants underwent an assessment of global cognition (Mini Mental State Examination; MMSE), reported their perceived age (i.e., subjective age), and responded to a self-report questionnaire assessing scam susceptibility. A main effect of global cognition on scam susceptibility was found (p = .028); there was no main effect of subjective age (p = .819). An interaction between global cognition and subjective age was found (p = .016). Examination of conditional effects demonstrated that the relationship between cognition and scam susceptibility was not significant amongst those with subjective ages below one standard deviation of the mean, but was significant for those whose subjective ages fell around or above the mean. Findings suggest that individuals with older subjective ages may be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of lower cognition on scam susceptibility.

Neuropsychological profile associated with financial exploitation vulnerability in older adults without dementia.

Objective: Reports of financial exploitation have steadily increased among older adults. Few studies have examined neuropsychological profiles for individuals vulnerable to financial exploitation, and existing studies have focused on susceptibility to scams, one specific type of financial exploitation. The current study therefore examines whether a general measure of financial exploitation vulnerability is associated with neuropsychological performance in a community sample. Methods: A sample (n = 116) of adults aged 50 or older without dementia completed a laboratory visit that measures physical and psychological functioning and a neuropsychological assessment, the Uniform Data Set-3 (UDS-3) and California Verbal Learning Test-II. Results: After covarying for demographics, current medical problems, financial literacy, and a global cognition screen, financial exploitation vulnerability was negatively associated with scores on the Multilingual Naming Test, Craft Story Recall and Delayed Recall, California Verbal Learning Test-II Delayed Recall and Recognition Discriminability, Phonemic Fluency, and Trails B. Financial exploitation vulnerability was not associated with performance on Digit Span, Semantic Fluency, Benson Complex Figure Recall, or Trails A. Conclusions: Among older adults without dementia, individuals at higher risk for financial exploitation demonstrated worse verbal memory, confrontation naming, phonemic fluency, and set-shifting. These tests are generally sensitive to Default Mode Network functioning and Alzheimer's Disease neuropathology. Longitudinal studies in more impaired samples are warranted to further corroborate and elucidate these relationships.

The Association between Ageist Attitudes, Subjective Age, and Financial Exploitation Vulnerability Among Older Adults.

Ageism, or age-based negative stereotypes, prejudice, and/or discriminatory behaviors toward older adults, has been linked with various detrimental physical and psychological consequences. The current study examined the relevance of ageist attitudes to financial exploitation vulnerability (FEV) among older adults and investigated whether feeling older than one's chronological age (i.e., older subjective age) moderated the ageist attitudes-FEV association. 230 participants (M age = 72.08, SD = 5.74) filled out scales assessing ageist attitudes, subjective age, and provided relevant sociodemographic information. High levels of ageist attitudes and an older subjective age were associated with increased FEV. Moreover, the ageist attitudes-FEV association was significantly stronger among participants reporting an older subjective age. The results highlight the importance of taking into account ageism and subjective age in order to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms which render older adults vulnerable to financial exploitation. Practical and empirical implications are discussed.