@article {12372, title = {Antecedents of Rowe and Kahn{\textquoteright}s successful aging model for Asian Americans.}, journal = {Asian American Journal of Psychology}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The present study evaluated the antecedents of the successful aging model for Asian Americans. Current knowledge on Asian American aging is minimal, and research suggests many reasons to expect aging for Asian Americans to be different from what is often proposed in Eurocentric models of aging. However, due to a lack of large-scale panel data, few of these processes linking individual and social characteristics to successful aging have been empirically tested. An illustrative analysis of the successful aging model is presented using the few Asian Americans recruited in the Health and Retirement Study (N = 29,095; N = 466 Asian Americans; Mage = 60.87, SD = 11.53; 55.4\% female). The present study tested the associations between predictors and outcomes of successful aging across two cultural subgroups (i.e., White and Asian American older adults). Asian Americans do not derive emotional and health benefits in the same fashion and from the same sources as White Americans. The results challenge the idea that Asian Americans age in the same fashion as White Americans. Future directions for research on Asian American aging and a call for more focused attention to the cultural context that shapes successful aging are provided.}, keywords = {Asian Americans, Successful aging}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1037/aap0000292}, author = {Leong, Frederick T. L. and William J. Chopik and Somaraju, Ajay V. and Kuang, Sarah} } @article {13354, title = {Changes in childhood caregiving impressions among middle-aged and older adults}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Childhood experiences and impressions are important for individuals{\textquoteright} health and well-being{\textemdash}they often set the stage for how people approach relationships across the lifespan and how they make sense of their relational worlds. However, impressions of these experiences are likely not static and can change over time, even years after these experiences happened. The current study examined how impressions of parental relationships in childhood changed over time, and predictors of these changes, among middle-aged and older adults followed over a 4-year period (N = 2692; Mage = 66.67, SD = 9.15; 64.1\% women). Childhood impressions of parental care were mostly stable over time, with 53.5\%{\textendash}65.0\% of participants reporting consistent impressions. Becoming divorced/separated as an adult was associated with more negative impressions about relationships with fathers in the past. Having a mother pass away was associated with more positive impressions of mothers{\textquoteright} caregiving when participants were children. Higher depressive symptoms at follow-up were associated with darker perceptions of the past{\textemdash} more negative impressions of mothers and fathers as caregivers. The current study is one of the most comprehensive studies of late-life changes in childhood impressions to date, suggesting future directions for studying the organization of relational experiences and recollection over time.}, keywords = {caregiving impressions, divorce/separation, Health and Retirement Study, life span development, reminiscence bump}, doi = { 10.1111/pere.12499}, author = {William J. Chopik and Jeewon Oh and Sneha R. Challa and Hannah L. Hua and Julia M. Maahs and Jacqui Smith} } @article {12165, title = {Associations Between Satisfaction With Aging and Health and Well-being Outcomes Among Older US Adults.}, journal = {JAMA Network Open}, volume = {5}, year = {2022}, pages = {e2147797}, abstract = {

Importance: Researchers and policy makers are expanding the focus from risk factors of disease to seek potentially modifiable health factors that enhance people{\textquoteright}s health and well-being. Understanding if and to what degree aging satisfaction (one{\textquoteright}s beliefs about their own aging) is associated with a range of health and well-being outcomes aligns with the interests of older adults, researchers, health systems, and politicians.

Objectives: To evaluate associations between changes in aging satisfaction and 35 subsequent health and well-being outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used data from the Health and Retirement Study, a national, diverse, and longitudinal sample of 13 752 US adults older than 50 years, to evaluate if changes in aging satisfaction (between combined cohorts from 2008 and 2010 and 4 years later, in 2012 and 2014) were subsequently associated with 35 indicators of physical, behavioral, and psychosocial health and well-being in 2016 and 2018. Statistical analysis was conducted from July 24, 2020, to November 6, 2021.

Exposure: Aging satisfaction.

Main Outcomes and Measures: A total of 35 physical (eg, stroke), behavioral (eg, sleep problems), and psychosocial (eg, depression) outcomes were evaluated using multiple linear and generalized linear regression models. Data from all participants, irrespective of how their levels of aging satisfaction changed from the prebaseline to baseline waves, were incorporated into the overall estimate, which was conditional on prior satisfaction.

Results: During the 4-year follow-up period, participants (N = 13 752; 8120 women [59\%]; mean [SD] age, 65 [10] years; median age, 64 years [IQR, 56-72 years]; 7507 of 11 824 married [64\%]) in the highest (vs lowest) quartile of aging satisfaction had improved physical health (eg, 43\% reduced risk of mortality [risk ratio, 0.57; 95\% CI, 0.46-0.71]), better health behaviors (eg, 23\% increased likelihood of frequent physical activity [risk ratio, 1.23; 95\% CI, 1.12-1.34]), and improved psychosocial well-being (eg, higher positive affect [β = 0.51; 95\% CI, 0.44-0.58] and lower loneliness [β = -0.41; 95\% CI, -0.48 to -0.33]), conditional on prebaseline aging satisfaction.

Conclusions and Relevance: This study suggests that higher aging satisfaction is associated with improved subsequent health and well-being. These findings highlight potential outcomes if scalable aging satisfaction interventions were developed and deployed at scale; they also inform the efforts of policy makers and interventionists who aim to enhance specific health and well-being outcomes. Aging satisfaction may be an important target for future interventions aiming to improve later-life health and well-being.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aging, Female, Health Behavior, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, United States}, issn = {2574-3805}, doi = {10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.47797}, author = {Julia S Nakamura and Hong, Joanna H and Jacqui Smith and William J. Chopik and Chen, Ying and Tyler J VanderWeele and Eric S Kim} } @article {CHOPIK2022107028, title = {Partner influences on ICT use variety among middle-aged and older adults: The role of need for cognition}, journal = {Computers in Human Behavior}, volume = {126}, year = {2022}, pages = {107028}, abstract = {This exploratory study examined individual and dyadic predictors of variety of ICT use. Need for cognition is associated with engaging in a variety of intellectually stimulating practices and a prominent individual difference predictor of the types of ICTs people use. Participants were a subset of 542 heterosexual couples (N = 1084 individuals; 50\% women; Mage = 63.65; 83.9\% Caucasian) from the Health and Retirement Study with access to the internet. Individuals high in need for cognition were more likely to use ICTs for a variety of reasons. Being married to someone high in need for cognition was associated with a greater variety of ICT ownership, use of ICTs for financial/transactional activities, and use of ICTs for miscellaneous reasons (e.g., research), although these effects were relatively small and the evidence for partner effects was relatively weak according to the distribution of p-values. Partner effects were not significant for social technology or internet-enabling ICTs; cross-partner interactions provided suggestive evidence for compensatory partner effects of need for cognition. Findings are discussed with respect to the relational and contextual determinants of ICT use in older adulthood.}, keywords = {actor-partner interdependence model, Cognition, Dyadic influence, Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology}, issn = {0747-5632}, doi = {10.1016/j.chb.2021.107028}, author = {William J. Chopik and Jess Francis} } @article {doi:10.1111/jopy.12529, title = {The Association between Actor/Partner Optimism and Cognitive Functioning among Older Couples}, journal = {Journal of Personality}, volume = {88}, year = {2020}, pages = {822-832}, abstract = {Objective Higher optimism has been linked with health, well-being, and cognitive functioning. Spouses also play an important role on people{\textquoteright}s health, especially in older adulthood. Yet, whether a spouse{\textquoteright}s optimism is associated with an individual{\textquoteright}s cognitive functioning is understudied. Thus, we examined this question. Method Participants were 4,457 heterosexual couples (N = 8,914; Mage = 66.73, SD = 9.67) from the Health and Retirement Study{\textemdash}a large, diverse, prospective, and nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged > 50. Optimism was assessed at baseline (t1) and cognition was measured every two years with up to five repeated assessments of cognition data over the eight-year follow-up period (t1; t2; t3; t4; t5). Results Results from multi-level dyadic data analyses showed small but positive associations between actor optimism and actor cognitive functioning (memory: r = 0.16, mental status =0.10), as well as partner optimism and actor cognitive functioning (memory: r = 0.04, mental status = 0.03). These associations mostly persisted over time. Conclusions Possessing higher optimism, and also having a partner with higher optimism, were both associated with higher cognitive functioning. Thus, with further research, optimism (at both the individual and couple level) might emerge as an innovative intervention target that helps adults maintain cognitive functioning as they age.}, keywords = {actor-partner interdependence model, cognitive functioning, Health and Retirement Study, Optimism}, doi = {10.1111/jopy.12529}, author = {Oh, Jeewon and William J. Chopik and Eric S Kim} } @article {10986, title = {Changes in optimism and pessimism in response to life events: Evidence from three large panel studies}, journal = {Journal of Research in Personality}, volume = {88}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Although individuals vary in how optimistic they are about the future, one assumption that researchers make is that optimism is sensitive to changes in life events and circumstances. We examined how optimism and pessimism changed across the lifespan and in response to life events in three large panel studies (combined N = 74,886). In the American and Dutch samples, we found that optimism increased across younger adulthood, plateaued in midlife, and then decreased in older adulthood. In the German sample, there were inconsistent results with respect to age differences and mean level changes in optimism. Associations between life events and changes in optimism/pessimism were inconsistent across samples. We discuss our results in the context of life events and lifespan development.}, keywords = {Adult personality development, Aging, Life events, Lifespan development, Optimism, Time perspective}, isbn = {0092-6566}, doi = {10.1016/j.jrp.2020.103985}, author = {William J. Chopik and Oh, Jeewon and Eric S Kim and Schwaba, Ted and Kr{\"a}mer, Michael D. and Richter, David and Jacqui Smith} } @article {10927, title = {Early Cognitive Decline and Its Impact On Spouse{\textquoteright}s Loneliness}, journal = {Research in Human DevelopmentResearch in Human Development}, volume = {17}, year = {2020}, pages = {78 - 93}, abstract = {Loneliness is common in dementia caregivers as cognitive impairment (CI) alters marital and social relationships. Unexplored is how an individual{\textquoteright}s loneliness is affected at earlier, more ambiguous, periods of their spouse{\textquoteright}s CI. Using the Health and Retirement Study, our study participants included 2,206 coupled individuals with normal cognitive function at the 2006/8 baseline. Loneliness outcomes at baseline, 4-year, and 8-year follow-up are assessed by the status of transition to cognitive impairment no dementia (TCIND) (2010/12 \& 2014/16) using linear mixed models. Individual{\textquoteright}s loneliness was stable when their spouse{\textquoteright}s cognition remained normal, but increased with the spouse{\textquoteright}s TCIND. The increase in loneliness did not vary by gender. Loneliness, a key risk factor for reduced life quality and increased depression, increases even at early stages of a partner{\textquoteright}s CIND. This work suggests the potential impact of early intervention and social support for partners of individuals with CIND.}, keywords = {cognition impairment, depression, Loneliness, Spouses}, isbn = {1542-7609}, doi = {10.1080/15427609.2020.1750293}, author = {Amanda N Leggett and Choi, Hwajung and William J. Chopik and Hui Liu and Gonzalez, Richard} } @article {10642, title = {Identifying Moderators in the Link Between Workplace Discrimination and Health/Well-Being}, journal = {Frontiers}, year = {2020}, type = {Journal}, abstract = {The stress that arises from workplace discrimination can have a large impact on an employee{\textquoteright}s work attitude, their work and life satisfaction, and oftentimes whether or not they stay in a job. Workplace discrimination can also have a considerable influence on employees{\textquoteright} short- and long-term health. However, less is known about the factors that might mitigate or exacerbate the effects of discrimination on health. The current study focused not only on the links between workplace discrimination and health, and but also on the effects of potential moderators of the discrimination-health link (i.e., perceived control, Big Five personality traits, optimism, and coworker/supervisor support). People with high neuroticism, high extraversion and high agreeableness were more negatively affected by workplace discrimination than those low on neuroticism, extraversion, and agreeableness. Perceived control was found to be a protective factor, such that those high in perceived control had fewer chronic illnesses in the context of high levels of workplace discrimination.}, keywords = {Health and well-being, Personality, workplace discrimination, workplace support}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00458}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00458/full}, author = {Yue Ethel Xu and William J. Chopik} } @article {11064, title = {Optimism, pessimism, and health biomarkers in older couples.}, journal = {British Journal of Health Psychology}, year = {2020}, month = {2020 Sep 10}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: Studies have demonstrated the importance of optimism in predicting perceived general health. However, the handful of studies focusing on cardiovascular biomarkers show inconsistent effects. Additionally, no study examined whether spousal levels of optimism and pessimism affect an individual{\textquoteright}s biological markers of cardiovascular health. Thus, our objectives were to examine whether partners{\textquoteright} optimism and pessimism affect individual biological markers, differentiating between between-dyad associations and within-dyad predictive processes.

METHODS: Three waves of the Health and Retirement Study collected in 2006, 2010, and 2014 were used to test actor and partner effects of optimism and pessimism on C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-density lipoprotein. Multilevel longitudinal actor-partner models were used to examine the contribution of a partner{\textquoteright}s optimism and pessimism to each biomarker, adjusting for respondent{\textquoteright}s age, sex, depression, body mass index, daily activity levels, and a summary score of respondent{\textquoteright}s doctor-diagnosed chronic conditions.

RESULTS: Partners{\textquoteright} pessimism and optimism levels were moderately associated. Results for within-person effects were all non-significant, both within and across waves. Associations at the between-person level were also non-significant, with the exception of a positive association between husbands{\textquoteright} pessimism and their own CRP, and husbands{\textquoteright} optimism and their wives{\textquoteright} CRP.

CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that optimism and pessimism may not play a pertinent role in within variability of biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases and have a minor role in predicting to between-person variability of biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases.

}, keywords = {Biomarkers, Couples, health, Older Adults, Optimism, pessimism}, issn = {2044-8287}, doi = {10.1111/bjhp.12466}, author = {Arbel, Reout and Dikla Segel-Karpas and William J. Chopik} } @article {9881, title = {Retrospective memories of parental care and health from mid- to late life.}, journal = {Health Psychology}, volume = {38}, year = {2019}, pages = {84-93}, keywords = {Childhood, Cognitive Ability, Health Conditions and Status, Memory}, issn = {0278-6133}, doi = {10.1037/hea0000694}, url = {http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/hea0000694http://psycnet.apa.org/psycarticles/2018-55763-001.pdf}, author = {William J. Chopik and Robin S. Edelstein} } @article {9554, title = {Does personality change following spousal bereavement?}, journal = {Journal of Research in Personality}, volume = {72}, year = {2018}, pages = {10-21}, abstract = {Personality has been shown to be a large predictor of intrapersonal adjustment during the bereavement transition. However, the degree to which bereaved spouses{\textquoteright} personalities change is relatively unclear, and extant studies that have examined this phenomenon have provided mixed results. In the current study, personality change following spousal bereavement was examined in two samples (N = 9944 and N = 535). There was little evidence for differences in mean-level changes in personality between bereaved and control participants. However, rank-order stability was considerably lower among bereaved participants over time, suggesting that personality change occurs less systematically than previously thought. The current study provides additional information about the conditions under which personality changes and suggests exciting new avenues for future research. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.}, keywords = {Bereavement, Marriage, Personality}, issn = {00926566}, doi = {10.1016/j.jrp.2016.08.010}, url = {http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0092656616301076http://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S0092656616301076?httpAccept=text/xmlhttp://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S0092656616301076?httpAccept=text/plain}, author = {William J. Chopik} } @article {9504, title = {An examination of dyadic changes in optimism and physical health over time.}, journal = {Health Psychology}, volume = {37}, year = {2018}, pages = {42-50}, abstract = {Objective: Having a partner high in optimism is associated with better health in older adults. However, partners, just like individuals, are not static entities and likely change considerably over time. The current study examined whether changes in one person{\textquoteright}s optimism was associated with corresponding changes in his or her partner{\textquoteright}s health over a 4-year period. Method: We employed a sample of 2,758 heterosexual couples (5,516 individuals; M-age = 65.81, SD = 9.00), married an average of 36.06 years. Median level of education was at least a high school education (13.0\% had less than a high school education; 56.1\% had a high school education; 30.9\% had at least some college education). Both couple members filled out measures of optimism and health twice over a 4-year period. Results: Having a partner high in optimism at baseline was associated with increases in an actor{\textquoteright}s optimism 4 years later, r = .08, p < .001. Baseline self-rated health and chronic illness of actors and their partners were mostly unrelated to changes in optimism. However, actor (rs > .05) and partner (rs > .03) changes in optimism were associated with changes in self-rated health and chronic illnesses over time. There was also some evidence for an interaction effect (rs > .03), such that the worst outcomes were experienced among couples in which both members decreased in optimism. Conclusion: This is the first study to examine how changes in psychological characteristics are associated with changes in health within and across romantic partners. Possible mechanisms are discussed.}, keywords = {Couples, Longitudinal data, Mortality, Optimism, Psychosocial}, issn = {0278-6133}, doi = {10.1037/hea0000549}, url = {http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/hea0000549http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/hea/37/1/42.pdf}, author = {William J. Chopik and Eric S Kim} } @article {8493, title = {Linked Lives: Dyadic Associations of Mastery Beliefs With Health (Behavior) and Health (Behavior) Change Among Older Partners.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {73}, year = {2018}, month = {2018 06 14}, pages = {787-798}, abstract = {

Objectives: Mastery beliefs are known to contribute to healthy aging. However, it is an open question whether individual mastery-health associations impact the health of close long-term partners.

Method: We applied actor-partner interdependence models to 4-wave, 6-year longitudinal dyadic data from married and cohabitating partners in the Health and Retirement Study (N = 1,981 partners; age at baseline: M = 67 years, SD = 8.93, range 50-94 years).

Results: Higher individual mastery beliefs were associated with better individual physical health and health behaviors. Higher mastery beliefs were associated with subsequent increases in light physical activity. Having a partner with higher levels of mastery was uniquely associated with fewer functional limitations, better self-rated health, and more physical activity. Actor {\texttimes} Partner interaction effects for functional limitations indicated multiplicative associations of actor and partner mastery with health. Of note, mastery-health associations for individuals and their partners were invariant across age, gender, education, employment status, perceived stress over one{\textquoteright}s own and partner{\textquoteright}s health, and cognition.

Discussion: Findings suggest that partner mastery beliefs matter for the health (behaviors) of older adults. We discuss possible mechanisms underlying partner interrelations in mastery and health, their age invariance, and consider implications arising from our results.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Dominance-Subordination, Female, Health Behavior, Health Status, Humans, Male, Marriage, Middle Aged, Models, Theoretical, Psychological Tests, Risk Reduction Behavior, Surveys and Questionnaires}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbw058}, url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27229003}, author = {Drewelies, Johanna and William J. Chopik and Christiane A Hoppmann and Jacqui Smith and Denis Gerstorf} } @article {9498, title = {Poverty among the aged population: The role of out-of-pocket medical expenditures and annuitized assets in supplemental poverty measure estimates}, year = {2018}, pages = {47-75}, publisher = {Social Security Bulletin}, abstract = {We examine the extent to which the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) overestimates the poverty rate of the aged population because it does not account for asset holdings. Following a conservative annuity approach, we use 2010 Health and Retirement Study data to estimate high and low bounds of potential annuitized asset withdrawals and then recalculate 2009 SPM poverty rates. Including annuitized asset principal in family resources reduces the estimated SPM poverty rate for the aged, especially among those who are in poverty because of medical out-of-pocket expenditures. For example, between 30.8 percent and 45.2 percent of the latter group would be reclassified as not SPM poor if they were to annuitize their financial assets. To better represent available family resources, poverty measurements for the aged should incorporate (at minimum) the conservative estimates of available assets produced by the bounded-annuity approach.}, keywords = {Annuitization, Medical Expenses, Out-of-pocket payments, Poverty}, issn = {00377910}, author = {William J. Chopik and Wimer, Christopher and Betson, David M. and Manfield, Lucas} } @article {8592, title = {Death across the lifespan: Age differences in death-related thoughts and anxiety.}, journal = {Death Stud}, volume = {41}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 02}, pages = {69-77}, abstract = {

Many studies have found age-related declines in death-related anxiety. Why do death-related thoughts and anxiety decline across the lifespan when exposure to, and likelihood of, death increase over time? In Study 1, a cross-sectional survey of 2,363 adults, death-related thoughts declined across the lifespan. In Study 2, a longitudinal study of 9,815 adults followed over a 4-year period, death anxiety declined across the lifespan. Further, greater social support predicted lower levels of death anxiety over time, after controlling for self-rated health and chronic illnesses. Close relationships serve emotion regulation functions to decrease death anxiety and thoughts across the lifespan.

}, keywords = {Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Anxiety, Attitude to Death, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Thinking, Young Adult}, issn = {1091-7683}, doi = {10.1080/07481187.2016.1206997}, url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07481187.2016.1206997}, author = {William J. Chopik} } @article {9511, title = {Effects of Pre-Retirement Personality, Health and Job Lock on Post-Retirement Subjective Well-being.}, journal = {Translational Issues in Psychological Science}, volume = {3}, year = {2017}, pages = {378-387}, abstract = {Retirement can be difficult, and experiences vary greatly. Although health, financial status, and family responsibilities have been associated with retirement adjustment, individual psychosocial characteristics may also play a role. Moreover, relatively little is known about the impact of perceived {\textquoteright}job lock{\textquoteright}-the belief that retirement is impossible due to financial or health constraints-and its relationship with later retirement adjustment. The current study addresses these limitations in the literature by examining the retirement transition over four years in a large sample of U.S. adults, with a particular focus on the ways in which personality may affect this transition. Data collected at baseline (2008/2010) and again four years later (2012/2014) included the Big Five personality traits, pre-retirement job lock, self-rated health, and multiple indicators of post-retirement well-being, such as global and experienced well-being (anchored within activities in a single day). Participants were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study (= 716;= 61.9 at baseline). Results indicated that experienced positive affect was the only post-retirement well-being outcome with a significant association with job lock, although only for those with low conscientiousness. Findings also suggest that pre-retirement personality and subjective health play an important role for post-retirement well-being. Thus, the current study highlights the importance for researchers and practitioners to consider both pre-retirement personality and health when evaluating individuals{\textquoteright} management of the retirement transition.}, keywords = {Health Conditions and Status, Personality, Positive beliefs, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction, Self-reported health, Well-being}, issn = {2332-2136}, doi = {10.1037/tps0000138}, author = {Lindsay H Ryan and Nicky J Newton and Preet K. Chauhan and William J. Chopik} } @article {9290, title = {Individual difference predictors of ICT use in older adulthood: A study of 17 candidate characteristics}, journal = {Computers in Human Behavior}, volume = {76}, year = {2017}, pages = {526-533}, abstract = {Given the benefits of information and communication technology (ICT) use in older adulthood, a natural question is which individual difference characteristics predict ICT use and adoption. Research has provided mixed findings drawn from studies that generally focus on a narrow set of ICTs, a narrow set of individual difference constructs, and younger adults. Using data from the 2012 wave of the Health and Retirement Study, we examined 17 individual difference predictors of ICT use among older adults. Need for cognition, perceived mastery, and optimism positively predicted ICT use after controlling for all the constructs simultaneously; cynical hostility also emerged as a negative predictor of ICT use. Further, viewing more benefits of ICT use explained why those high in need for cognition used more ICTs. Directions for future research include examining the processes that link individual differences to ICT use and its subsequent benefits during the second half of life.}, keywords = {Cognitive Ability, ICT, Personality}, issn = {07475632}, doi = {10.1016/j.chb.2017.08.014}, url = {http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0747563217304818http://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S0747563217304818?httpAccept=text/xmlhttp://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S0747563217304818?httpAccept=text/plain}, author = {William J. Chopik and Rikard, R.V. and Cotten, Shelia Drentea Patricia} } @article {9051, title = {Longitudinal associations between marital quality and sleep quality in older adulthood.}, journal = {Journal of Behavioral Medicine}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 Apr 11}, abstract = {The current study examined how changes in marital quality are associated with changes in sleep quality in older adults over an 8-year period. Older adults from the Health and Retirement Study completed measures of both marital support/strain and sleep quality in 2006, 2010, and 2014 (N~=~4981). We used latent growth curve models to examine intraindividual change in support, strain, and sleep quality. Further, we examined interrelationships between changes in each of these three indicators. Results showed that higher marital quality was associated with better sleep at baseline. We also found that marital quality and sleep quality were coordinated over time-as marital quality increased, so did sleep quality. When this covariation was accounted, the prospective effects of baseline marital quality on changes in sleep quality were not found. The current study provided evidence for a long-term temporal coordination of marital quality and sleep quality in older adults.}, keywords = {Marriage, Sleep}, issn = {1573-3521}, doi = {10.1007/s10865-017-9850-2}, author = {Ji Hyun Lee and William J. Chopik and Lawrence B Schiamberg} } @article {8358, title = {Age differences in conscientiousness facets in the second half of life: Divergent associations with changes in physical health}, journal = {Personality and Individual Differences}, volume = {96}, year = {2016}, month = {07/2016}, pages = {202-211}, publisher = {96}, abstract = {The development of personality across the lifespan has captivated researchers for several years. However, lower order facets may show different developmental trends and divergent associations with outcomes compared to their higher order traits. In a sample of 12,762 older adults, age differences in conscientiousness and its facets were examined. Further, the degree to which conscientiousness and its facets differentially predicted physical health over a four-year period was also examined. Broader conscientiousness, orderliness, and industriousness were lowest in late life. Traditionalism and virtue were highest in late life. Responsibility was highest around age 70. Self-control did not show any significant age-related differences. Conscientiousness, orderliness, industriousness, and responsibility were most consistently related to physical health over time. The findings are discussed in the context of the mechanisms that give rise to personality development and divergent associations in outcomes among seemingly related facets.}, keywords = {Conscientiousness, Health Conditions and Status, Older Adults, Self-control}, doi = {10.1016/j.paid.2016.02.076}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886916301325}, author = {William J. Chopik} } @article {8596, title = {The Benefits of Social Technology Use Among Older Adults Are Mediated by Reduced Loneliness.}, journal = {Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw}, volume = {19}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Sep}, pages = {551-6}, abstract = {

Technology has the ability to enhance and enrich the lives of older adults by facilitating better interpersonal relationships. However, few studies have directly examined associations between technology use for social reasons and physical and psychological health among older adults. The current study examines the benefits of technology use in 591 older adults from the 2012 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (Mage = 68.18, SD = 10.75; 55.5\% female). Social technology use was assessed through five technology-based behaviors (i.e., using e-mail, social networking sites, online video/phone calls, online chatting/instant messaging, using a smartphone). Attitudes toward the usability and benefits of technology use were also assessed. Older adults had generally positive attitudes toward technology. Higher social technology use was associated with better self-rated health, fewer chronic illnesses, higher subjective well-being, and fewer depressive symptoms. Furthermore, each of the links between social technology use and physical and psychological health was mediated by reduced loneliness. Close relationships are a large determinant of physical health and well-being, and technology has the potential to cultivate successful relationships among older adults.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Attitude to Computers, depression, Female, Health Status, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Loneliness, Male, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Social Networking, Telecommunications}, issn = {2152-2723}, doi = {10.1089/cyber.2016.0151}, url = {http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/cyber.2016.0151}, author = {William J. Chopik} } @article {8911, title = {Changes in Optimism Are Associated with Changes in Health Over Time Among Older Adults.}, journal = {Social Psychological and Personality Science}, volume = {6}, year = {2015}, month = {2015 Sep}, pages = {814-822}, abstract = {

Little is known about how optimism differs by age and changes over time, particularly among older adults. Even less is known about how changes in optimism are related to changes in physical health. We examined age differences and longitudinal changes in optimism in 9,790 older adults over a four-year period. We found an inverted U-shaped pattern between optimism and age both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, such that optimism generally increased in older adults before decreasing. Increases in optimism over a four-year period were associated with improvements in self-rated health and fewer chronic illnesses over the same time frame. The findings from the current study are consistent with changes in emotion regulation strategies employed by older adults and age-related changes in well-being.

}, keywords = {Health Changes, Health Conditions and Status, Older Adults, Optimism}, issn = {1948-5506}, doi = {10.1177/1948550615590199}, author = {William J. Chopik and Eric S Kim and Jacqui Smith} } @article {8009, title = {Are people healthier if their partners are more optimistic? The dyadic effect of optimism on health among older adults.}, journal = {J Psychosom Res}, volume = {76}, year = {2014}, month = {2014 Jun}, pages = {447-53}, publisher = {76}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: Optimism has been linked with an array of positive health outcomes at the individual level. However, researchers have not examined how a spouse{\textquoteright}s optimism might impact an individual{\textquoteright}s health. We hypothesized that being optimistic (and having an optimistic spouse) would both be associated with better health.

METHODS: Participants were 3940 adults (1970 couples) from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative panel study of American adults over the age of 50. Participants were tracked for four years and outcomes included: physical functioning, self-rated health, and number of chronic illnesses. We analyzed the dyadic data using the actor-partner interdependence model.

RESULTS: After controlling for several psychological and demographic factors, a person{\textquoteright}s own optimism and their spouse{\textquoteright}s optimism predicted better self-rated health and physical functioning (bs = .08-.25, ps<.01). More optimistic people also reported better physical functioning (b = -.11, p<.01) and fewer chronic illnesses (b=-.01, p<.05) over time. Further, having an optimistic spouse uniquely predicted better physical functioning (b = -.09, p<.01) and fewer chronic illnesses (b = -.01, p<.05) over time. The strength of the relationship between optimism and health did not diminish over time.

CONCLUSIONS: Being optimistic and having an optimistic spouse were both associated with better health. Examining partner effects is important because such analyses reveal the unique role that spouses play in promoting health. These findings may have important implications for future health interventions.

}, keywords = {Adult, Affect, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Health Status, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Self Report, Spouses}, issn = {1879-1360}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.03.104}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399914001731}, author = {Eric S Kim and William J. Chopik and Jacqui Smith} }