Discussion Older Women I
Aging happens to everyone. Externally, the skin wrinkles and hair turns gray and eventually white. Internally, aging affects the organs and slows down digestion and mental processing. One question that has recently been addressed in the psychological literature is how the nutrition, activities, and lifestyle from younger adult years affect women’s bodies in the elderly years. This week you explore the results from Snowdon’s (2002) Nun Study, in which he examined the unique health characteristics of nuns who lived in a controlled convent environment, eating the same food, having the same access to health care, and having a similar lifestyle for most of their lives. Consider the psychological differences between these women and women who have lived more mainstream lives, and how these differences affect health outcomes for each group.
With these thoughts in mind: Post by Day 4 a comparison (similarities and differences) of the health issues of women who are not nuns, with those health issues of women who are nuns. Describe the two most important psychological differences between each group. Then explain how each difference may have affected the physical health outcomes of each respective group. Explain your answers. Use the Learning Resources and other current literature to support your response. Cite your references using APA format.
Reply 1.
The number of people age 65 and older in the U.S. has increased since 2014 to 47.8 million with a predicted growth to 98.2 million by 2060 representing approximately 15% of the population with women accounting for the majority of the percentage (US Census Bureau, 2017). Since women live longer than men, it is necessary to address the different health issues faced by women during their later stages in life (Ginter & Simko, 2013). Health characteristics of older women should not be explained as a singular experience due to socioeconomic and ethnic differences which make them more vulnerable to health disparities in comparison to their counterparts. Because women make up the majority of the older population they also consume a larger portion of health care services than men (Meredith, Frawley, & Adams, 2018; Torrez, 2001). Although men and women are both affected by cardiovascular diseases, heart disease or cancer, it is necessary to address the specific health issues that additionally affect women at higher rates than men. Women are more likely to be affected by chronic conditions that can cause limitations in their lifestyles such as dementia and depression in addition to struggling with conditions such as incontinence, sexual problems and problematic sleeping patterns (Harkins, Elliott, & Wan, 2006; Malatesta, 2007; Phelan, Love, Ryff, Brown & Heidrich, 2010).
To explore the unique characteristics of a specific older female population, David Snowden (2001), conducted a longitudinal study focusing on aging and Alzheimer disease among 678 Catholic sisters ages 75 to 107 years of age which began in 1986. The researcher’s findings were published in a memoir which discussed the impact of linguistic abilities as a predictor of neurocognitive disorders. As discussed previously, research focusing on health concerns among the elderly are not necessarily viewed as a homogeneous population, yet Snowden hypothesized about the benefits of employing this specific population in order to decrease possible external variables that the nuns would have potentially not been exposed to earlier in life such as smoking, drinking, or risky health behaviors in general (Snowden, 2003). Many findings from this study documented the differences between older women who are nuns and older women who are not nuns. Snowden (2003) suggested that the degree of pathology present in the brain as well as the resistance to the clinical expression of the neuropathology. This resistance is influenced by earlier lifestyle characteristics not found among older women who are nuns. This was evidenced by Butler and Snowden (1996) who examined trends in mortality among older women from the Nun study cohort. Data analyzed indicated that the nuns had lower mortality rates than did the general population most likely due to the consistency of lifestyle among the group.
Two of the most important psychological differences between the groups include positive emotions and cognitive abilities. One of the main focuses of the Nun Study addressed how positive emotions expressed through handwritten autobiographies were assessed for cognitive depth. Danner, Snowdon, and Friesen (2001) further examined longevity through a cognitive and positive emotion lens. Regression analyses indicated a very strong association between positive emotional content in the autobiographies and longevity which is usually influenced by external psychosocial factors.
Reply 2
COLLAPSE
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Women mainly live longer than men, but likely are less educated, poorer, and sicker. Although women average 79.1 years are living seven years longer than men at 72.3 years (Torrez, 2001). Torrez (2001) stated, “Life expectancy at 65 for white females increased 4.1 years compared to African American women increased 2.3 years (p. 132). However, racial mortality crossover according to Yao and Robert (2011), stated, “African Americans as older adults are disadvantaged in mortality in younger old age, but older black adults have lower mortality risk than whites after about age 80” (p. 1). As a theoretical perspective, Yao et al., (2011) stated, “Multilevel socioeconomic status (at individual and neighborhood levels) and mortality confirmed that older adults living in a disadvantaged neighborhood context experience higher risk of dying at earlier old ages, beyond the impact of individual SES but black older adults have a mortality advantage at later old age” (p. 6). Yao et al., (2011) concluded, “Race differences in mortality did not disappear even after controlling for both individual SES and neighborhood (SDI) measures after modeled the racial crossover effect on mortality” (p. 6). Yao et al., (2011) suggested, “The relationship between SES, other risk factors, and health may be buffered by biological robustness (in early adulthood), biological frailty (in later old age), or the existence of social welfare programs, particularly at older ages” (p. 2). However, Yao et al., (2011) stated, “Individual SES and neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage contribute to higher risk of dying at earlier old ages, beyond the impact of individual SES mortality risk of older adults but do not entirely explain race differences in mortality” (p.2). Rates of older women differ greatly by ethnic group. According to Torrez (2001), “At age 85 a crossover effect is for all ethnic groups except for Amerian Indians, and Native Alaskans; the lowest rates of for diseases of heart, cancer, and cerebrovascular diseases is amongst Asian and Pacific Islander older women; while white older women have higher mortality rates than Hispanic or American Indian older women” (p. 134).
The differences in the home and health of women between two sub-groups of the aging population in southern Sweden reviewed environmental barriers in dwellings such as entrance ways. Ekström, Schmidt, and Iwarsson (2016) found, “The younger old cohorts, had more favorable behavioral and social meaning of home, and the very old cohorts rated physical and cognitive/emotional domains more favorably (Ekström et al., 2016). Depression is common among older adults and increases with age. However, Ekström et al., (2016) found, “Aging life with diseases and disabilities put limits on what seniors can or cannot manage to do, followed by increasing dependence on others to cope with daily activities” (p. 8).
Snowdon (2001) indicated research by Wallace Friesen, “Happiness, anger, surprise, fear, disgust, sadness, and other basic emotions have specific impacts on the autonomic nervous system that controls involuntary functions as heart rate, blood pressure, immune response, and digestion” (p. 186). Optimism versus pessimism is less likely to develop depression and pessimist but may not likely seek medical care as promptly. Positive emotions might undo cardiovascular stress triggered by negative emotions. This lead Snowdon (2011) toward, “ Emotions as positive, negative or neutral without knowing the health status of each sister resulted with 84% positive experiences, 14% as negative, and 1% as neutral (surprise)” (p. 188). David Snowdon (2001) indicated, “Nuns who expressed fewest positive emotional sentences had an average age of death was 86.6 years old, and positive emotions accounted for a survival difference of 6.9 years” (pp. 193-194). Therefore, the more positive emotions in their autobiographies lived significantly longer, contributing to longevity, than those expressing fewer positive emotions, and the lowest positive-emotion group had twice the risk of death at any age compared to the highest group (Snowden, 2001). Snowdon also indicated, “55% of people who live to be 85 or older do not develop symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease, such as Sister Genevieve who lived a long life and retained her mental faculties to the end.” (pp. 197-198). According to Snowdon (2001), “85% of the sisters had bachelor’s degrees, and 45% had master’s degrees and links between education, living conditions, diet, and access to health care thus living longer with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s” (p. 33). Sister Nicolette remained healthier than her classmates who later escaped Alzheimer’s, and Snowdon reported, “An exercise program walking several miles a day that she started at age 70 benefited both her brain warding off depression, reduced stress hormones and preserved cardiovascular health in her body” (p. 38). Snowden (2001), explained, “An Alzheimer’s brain has plaques and tangles, do not have treatment or prevention, but itis known that Alzheimer’s brains are smaller and shrink below 1,000 grams and the disease destroys brain tissue” (p. 89). At Sister Esther Boor ‘s 105 birthday party, she clapped her hands to “You Are My Sunshine” and said, “I’ve had so much fun, I think I will stick around another year,” and as the oldest living sister, celebrated her 106th birthday” (pp.218-219), and likely filled with fun and humor as positive emotions.
Community-dwelling older female adults declined in sleep quality due to insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, and limb movement disorders. According to Phelan, Love, Ryff, Brown, and Heidrich (2010), “Amongst community-dwelling older adults, 37% had difficulty falling asleep, 29% had fragmented sleep, and 19% reported early rising, but two years later these percentages increased 75%, 69%, and 47%, respectively” (p. 859). It becomes apparent that sleep quality declines with age, but not all women experience the same pattern of decline. Phelan et al., (2010), stated, “Adults who reported sleeping 6.0–8.5 hr per night had lower levels of anxiety and depression and higher levels of psychological well-being (positive relations with others, the purpose in life, and self-acceptance) than those reporting less than 6.0 hr or more than 8.5 hours per night” (p. 859). A decline in health did not predict declines in the sleep quality of older women, but age-related changes in sleep quality are normative and are independent of diminished health and well-being. Another factor to consider potentially affecting sleep by Harkins, Elliott, and Wan (2006) suggested, “Individual perceptions as tolerance appraisals had a strong influence on perceived emotional distress and coping adaptation strategies to conditions unable to control as lessened emotional distress and promoted a higher quality of life, but needs more research with chronic conditions” (p. 353). An example by Harkins et al., (2006), “Older individuals who had lower expectations for activity were less distressed by cancer pain than younger persons” (p. 353). However, cognitive appraisals relating to emotional distress was independent of depression. Harkins et al., (2006) recommended, “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as greater acceptance of chronic pain having less depression, less pain-specific anxiety, less physical and psychosocial disability, and greater activity to tolerate symptoms allowing pursuit of meaningful activities as predictors of adjustment than indicators of disability and symptom severity” (p. 353). The nun study specifically that was impressing, every woman doing something useful or helpful (prayers or deeds) regardless of their health or aging disparities with positive emotions of gratefulness
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Readings
· Snowdon, D. (2001). Aging with grace: What the nun study teaches us about leading longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives (pp. 1–119). New York, NY: Bantam.
· Torrez, D. J. (2001). The health of older women: A diverse experience. In J.M. Coyle (Ed.), Handbook on women and aging (pp.131–148). Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.
· Harkins, S. W., Elliott, T. R., & Wan, T. T. (2006). Emotional distress and urinary incontinence among older women. Rehabilitation Psychology, 51(4), 346–355. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
· Malatesta, V. J. (2007). Sexual problems, women and aging: An overview. Journal of Women & Aging, 19(1/2), 139–154. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
· Phelan, C. H., Love, G. D., Ryff, C. D., Brown, R. L., & Heidrich, S. M. (2010). Psychosocial predictors of changing sleep patterns in aging women: A multiple pathway approach. Psychology and Aging, 25(4), 858–866. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.