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.

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.

Coping: Impact of Gender and Stressful Life Events in Middle and in Old Age.

OBJECTIVES: This study seeks to identify different life events that participants considered stressful and to study the joint effect of gender, age group, and main stressful life events on the use of different coping strategies. METHODS: The sample comprised 243 men and women, 55 to 99 years old, who attended senior activity centers. Analyses were conducted using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). RESULTS: Three main categories of stressful life events were identified: health problems, family problems, and other problems. Significant main effects of gender and stressful life events, and marginal effects of age group on coping strategies were found. Furthermore, an interaction between gender and age group, and also between gender and stressful life events emerged in some of the coping strategies analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Age, gender or type of stressful situation impact on the coping strategies used by older people. Older men and women were found to use different strategies depending upon the situation they are facing and upon their age group. The results may prove useful to practitioners and clinicians who directly work with older people and may help clinicians provide effective coping strategies to address the specific life events that older adults find stressful.

[Hip fracture. Experience in 647 Chilean patients aged 60 years or more]. / Características epidemiológicas y clínicas de las fracturas de cadera en adultos mayores en un hospital público chileno.

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures (HFx) are an important geriatric syndrome, with a high incidence in developing countries. AIM: To describe characteristics of a group of Chilean patients with HFx. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study we included patients aged 60 years or more with a HF admitted to an orthopedic service along three years. Age, incidence, location, seasonality, hospital stay, time between HFx and surgery, mortality, prior treatment for osteoporosis, anatomical location, etiology and type of surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: We reviewed 647 patients with a median age of 81 years (76% women). The calculated incidence of hip fracture for people aged ≥ 65 years was 177/100,000. Sixty six percent of fractures were extracapsular. Mean hospital stay was 17 days and the mean lapse between the fracture and surgery was 19 days. Eighty four percent of patients had osteoporosis and only 5% were receiving treatment. Eighty three percent of patients were operated. Osteosynthesis was mainly used for extracapsular fractures and arthroplasty for intracapsular lesions. Intracapsular HFx tended to occur more commonly during warm seasons (Odds ratio = 1.534). Mortality at one year was 24%. It was higher among non-operated patients in whom the proportion of males and number of comorbidities were significantly higher. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of patients with HFx have osteoporosis albeit a reduced number is receiving treatment. Non-operated patients had a higher risk profile and higher mortality.

[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.

[VITAMIN D AND ITS RELATION WITH THE ANATOMICAL LOCATION OF HIP FRACTURE IN CHILEAN OLDER ADULTS HOSPITALIZED]. / VITAMINA D Y SU RELACIÓN CON LA UBICACIÓN ANATÓMICA DE LA FRACTURA DE CADERA EN ADULTOS MAYORES CHILENOS HOSPITALIZADOS.

INTRODUCTION: in older adults, deficit of Vitamin D and hip fractures are common. There exists relationships between both conditions, and it have been shown that supplementation of Vitamin D improve prognosis of hip fractures. In the case of Chile, information about relationship between Vitamin D and hip fractures is scarce. OBJECTIVE: quantify plasma levels of vitamin D and relate them to the anatomical location of hip fracture. METHODS: cross-sectional study. 222 Chilean adults ≥60 years, hospitalized for hip fracture between June, 2014 and June, 2015. We use data of medical records about gender, age, seasonality and anatomical location of hip fracture (intra and extracapsular). We measure plasmatic levels of Vitamin D (PLVD) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (MDRD-6). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and non-parametric test were used. For determine relations between PLVD and anatomical location we use linear regression. RESULTS: there was a predominance of women (80.6%). The average age was 80.7 years (SD=7.8). Intracapsular hip fractures were 43.2%. 80% of the sample presents Vitamin D in deficitary levels (n = 180). PLVD average was 13.3 ng/cc (SD=6.7), in subjects with intracapsular fractures were significantly lower (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PLVD in subjects with hip fracture should be monitored, as there are differences according to anatomical location of the fracture. This precedent could favor the treatment and recovery of subjects presenting for the first time hip fracture.

Introducción: en los adultos mayores son frecuentes el deficit de vitamina D y las fracturas de cadera (FC). Existe relacion entre ambas condiciones, demostrandose que la suplementacion de vitamina D mejora el pronostico de las FC. En el caso de Chile, existe escasa informacion sobre la relacion entre vitamina D y FC. Objetivo: cuantificar los niveles plasmaticos de vitamina D (NPVD) y relacionarlos con la ubicacion anatomica de la FC. Métodos: estudio transversal. 222 adultos mayores chilenos ≥60 anos hospitalizados por FC entre junio de 2014 y junio de 2015. Se utilizaron los datos de ficha clinica de genero, edad, estacionalidad y ubicacion anatomica (FIC = intra, FEC = extracapsular) de la FC. Se midio NPVD y velocidad de filtrado glomerular (VFG) (MDRD- 6). Se utilizaron la prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov y pruebas no parametricas. Para determinar la relacion entre NPVD y el tipo de fractura se uso regresion lineal. Resultados: hubo predominio de mujeres (80,6%), la edad promedio fue 80,7 anos (DE=7,8) y se encontro 43,2% de FIC. Los NPVD promedio fueron 13,3 ng/cc (DE=6,7); los sujetos con FIC tienen 4,52 ng/cc menos de vitamina D que aquellos con FEC (p.

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.

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)

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

Percepción de estrés en personal universitario: Perceived stress in university administration and service staff

El objetivo del estudio es analizar el nivel de estrés percibido por el personal de administración y servicios (PAS) de un campus científico-técnico de la Universidad de Granada. Se obtuvo una muestra de 194 mujeres y 156 hombres (80 % del total). Los niveles de percepción de estrés en los sujetos que participaron en el estudio fueron evaluados mediante la Escala de Estrés Percibido (PSS-14). Se realizaron análisis estadísticos para establecer la relación entre el nivel de estrés percibido y ciertas variables sociodemográficas personales (edad, estado civil, número de hijos, personas dependientes, hábitos saludables o no) y laborales (años en la institución, tipo de contrato o situación laboral, entre otros), teniendo en cuenta en cada caso la perspectiva de género. Los resultados muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el nivel de estrés percibido en algunos de los factores analizados.

The aim of the study was to analyze the level of stress perceived by the administration and service staff (PAS) of the University of Granada (UGR) in a scientific and technical campus. We obtained a sample of 194 women and 156 men. The perceived stress levels in subjects who participated in the study were evaluated by Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Statistical analyzes compared the level of perceived stress with different sociodemographic factors such as age, marital status, number of children, time worked at the university, type of contract, dependents persons performing physical activity or consumption of any kind of toxic substances, such as alcohol or snuff. Each of these factors was analyzed taking into account the gender perspective. The results show statistically significant differences in the level of perceived stress in some of the factors that we have analyzed.

Características epidemiológicas y clínicas de las fracturas de cadera en adultos mayores en un hospital público chileno: Experience in 647 Chilean patients aged 60 years or more / Hip fracture

Background: Hip fractures (HFx) are an important geriatric syndrome, with a high incidence in developing countries. Aim: To describe characteristics of a group of Chilean patients with HFx. Patients and Methods: In a cross-sectional study we included patients aged 60 years or more with a HF admitted to an orthopedic service along three years. Age, incidence, location, seasonality, hospital stay, time between HFx and surgery, mortality, prior treatment for osteoporosis, anatomical location, etiology and type of surgery were evaluated. Results: We reviewed 647 patients with a median age of 81 years (76% women). The calculated incidence of hip fracture for people aged ≥ 65 years was 177/100,000. Sixty six percent of fractures were extracapsular. Mean hospital stay was 17 days and the mean lapse between the fracture and surgery was 19 days. Eighty four percent of patients had osteoporosis and only 5% were receiving treatment. Eighty three percent of patients were operated. Osteosynthesis was mainly used for extracapsular fractures and arthroplasty for intracapsular lesions. Intracapsular HFx tended to occur more commonly during warm seasons (Odds ratio = 1.534). Mortality at one year was 24%. It was higher among non-operated patients in whom the proportion of males and number of comorbidities were significantly higher. Conclusions: A high proportion of patients with HFx have osteoporosis albeit a reduced number is receiving treatment. Non-operated patients had a higher risk profile and higher mortality.

Vitamina D y su relación con la ubicación anatómica de la fractura de cadera en adultos mayores chilenos hospitalizados / Vitamin D and its relation with the anatomical location of hip fracture in Chilean older adults hospitalized

Introducción: en los adultos mayores son frecuentes el déficit de vitamina D y las fracturas de cadera (FC). Existe relación entre ambas condiciones, demostrándose que la suplementación de vitamina D mejora el pronóstico de las FC. En el caso de Chile, existe escasa información sobre la relación entre vitamina D y FC. Objetivo: cuantificar los niveles plasmáticos de vitamina D (NPVD) y relacionarlos con la ubicación anatómica de la FC. Métodos: estudio transversal. 222 adultos mayores chilenos >=60 años hospitalizados por FC entre junio de 2014 y junio de 2015. Se utilizaron los datos de ficha clínica de género, edad, estacionalidad y ubicación anatómica (FIC = intra, FEC = extracapsular) de la FC. Se midió NPVD y velocidad de filtrado glomerular (VFG) (MDRD- 6). Se utilizaron la prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov y pruebas no paramétricas. Para determinar la relación entre NPVD y el tipo de fractura se usó regresión lineal. Resultados: hubo predominio de mujeres (80,6%), la edad promedio fue 80,7 años (DE=7,8) y se encontró 43,2% de FIC. Los NPVD promedio fueron 13,3 ng/cc (DE=6,7); los sujetos con FIC tienen 4,52 ng/cc menos de vitamina D que aquellos con FEC (p<0,001). El 80% de la muestra tuvo déficit de vitamina D. Conclusiones: los NPVD son generalizadamente deficitarios en los sujetos con FC, y estos valores son menores en los portadores de FIC. Este antecedente podría favorecer el tratamiento y recuperación de los sujetos que presentan por primera vez una FC (AU)

Introduction: in older adults, deficit of Vitamin D and hip fractures are common. There exists relationships between both conditions, and it have been shown that supplementation of Vitamin D improve prognosis of hip fractures. In the case of Chile, information about relationship between Vitamin D and hip fractures is scarce. Objective: quantify plasma levels of vitamin D and relate them to the anatomical location of hip fracture. Methods: cross-sectional study. 222 Chilean adults >=60 years, hospitalized for hip fracture between June, 2014 and June, 2015. We use data of medical records about gender, age, seasonality and anatomical location of hip fracture (intra and extracapsular). We measure plasmatic levels of Vitamin D (PLVD) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (MDRD-6). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and non-parametric test were used. For determine relations between PLVD and anatomical location we use linear regression. Results: there was a predominance of women (80.6%). The average age was 80.7 years (SD=7.8). Intracapsular hip fractures were 43.2%. 80% of the sample presents Vitamin D in deficitary levels (n = 180). PLVD average was 13.3 ng/cc (SD=6.7), in subjects with intracapsular fractures were significantly lower (p<0.001). Conclusions: PLVD in subjects with hip fracture should be monitored, as there are differences according to anatomical location of the fracture. This precedent could favor the treatment and recovery of subjects presenting for the first time hip fracture (AU)

Concepciones populares sobre soledad de los adultos mayores de España y Bucaramanga, Colombia / Popular conceptions on loneliness of the elderly people of Spain and Bucaramanga, Colombia

El propósito del presente artículo es comparar las concepciones populares de soledad de los adultos mayores de España y los adultos mayores de Bucaramanga, Colombia; para ello se utilizó un diseño cualitativo comparativo de los resultados arrojados por la "Encuesta Concepción de Soledad" con el ítem número 16 del cuestionario "La soledad en las personas mayores". La muestra fue conformada por 1956 adultos mayores de España y 6607 adultos mayores de Bucaramanga, Colombia. Los criterios de inclusión tomados en cuenta en las 2 poblaciones fueron ser mayor de 65 años. Entre los resultados se encuentra predominancia de las concepciones negativas sobre la soledad, alta incidencia en concepciones relacionadas con la familia, categorías que hacen referencia a la soledad objetiva y subjetiva, concepciones positivas presentes en la población colombiana.

The goal of the following article is to compare the concepts of loneliness in the elderly people of Spain and the elderly people of Bucaramanga, Colombia; this involved the use of a comparative qualitative design of the results of the "Conception of Loneliness Survey" against item 16 of the questionnaire "The loneliness of the elderly". The sample consisted of 1956 Spanish elders and 6607 of Bucaramanga, Colombia. A minimum age of 65 was held as a constant between both samples. The results showed a predominant negative conception of loneliness, high incidence of family related conceptions, categories referencing isolation (objective solitude) and loneliness (subjective solitude), and positive concepts in the Colombian sample.

Análisis de los factores predictores de la dependencia funcional en personas mayores / Analysis of predicting factors which cause functional dependence among elderly people

This paper analyzes the relation which exists among various factors which can be considered to cause dependence (education level, physical exercise, consumption of alcohol and tobacco, life satisfaction, and income level) and the level of dependency demonstrated by different subjects during basic and instrumental activities of daily living. In this way, we can observe that as education level, life satisfaction, physical activity and consumption of alcohol increase (with basic activities) level of dependency decreases. Furthermore, we can observe that as negative perception toward health, perception of incapability and tobacco consumption increase (with instrumental activities) level of dependency increases (AU)

El presente estudio, analiza la relación que existe entre diversos factores susceptibles de ser considerados predictores de la dependencia (nivel educativo, percepción de la salud, percepción de las limitaciones a causa de enfermedades, realización de ejercicio físico, consumo de alcohol y tabaco, satisfacción vital, y nivel de ingresos) y el nivel de dependencia mostrado por los diferentes sujetos en las actividades básicas e instrumentales de la vida diaria. Así, podemos ver como a medida que aumenta el nivel educativo, la satisfacción vital, la realización de actividades físicas y el consumo de alcohol (para las actividades básicas) disminuye el nivel de dependencia. Y por otro lado, a medida que aumenta la percepción negativa hacia la salud, la percepción de incapacidad y el consumo de tabaco (para las actividades instrumentales) aumenta también el nivel de dependencia (AU)