%0 Journal Article %J J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci %D 2023 %T Racial and Ethnic Trajectories of Sleep Disturbances: Variations by Age and Cohort. %A Chen, Jen-Hao %K Aging effects %K Cohort Effects %K Longitudinal analysis %K Racial and ethnic disparities %K Sleep trajectories %X

BACKGROUND: The racial and ethnic differences in trajectories of sleep disturbances in later life is crucial for addressing health disparities, but not well understood. This study examines (1) how trajectories of sleep disturbances vary by race and ethnicity and birth cohort and (2) whether social and health risk factors explain such variations.

METHODS: The study uses longitudinal data from the 2002-2018 Health and Retirement Study (N=21,963) and the multilevel growth curve model to assess trajectories of sleep disturbances and their variations across six cohorts of White, Black, and Hispanic older adults. Sleep disturbances are measured using a modified Jenkins Sleep Scale.

RESULTS: Without controls, sleep disturbances increased with aging for all racial and ethnic groups, but more rapidly among minorities, particularly younger cohorts of Hispanic older adults. When controlling for social and health risks, sleep disturbances did not change with aging for Whites and Blacks and increased for younger cohorts of Hispanics. Cohort effects were observed among White older adults, with higher sleep disturbances in younger cohorts. Importantly, the racial and ethnic disparities in age and cohort effects were not fully explained by social and health risks. Of the symptoms, the most salient racial and ethnic disparities were found in "waking up at night" and "not feeling rested."

CONCLUSIONS: Findings reveal several differences by race and ethnicity and birth cohort in trajectories of sleep disturbances. Efforts should be made to improve sleep health for older adults as they age, especially for younger cohorts of Blacks and Hispanics.

%B J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci %8 2023 Jan 26 %G eng %R 10.1093/gerona/glad031 %0 Journal Article %J Journal of Aging and Health %D 2022 %T Disparities in Mental Health and Well-Being between Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic. %A Chen, Jen-Hao %K Coronavirus impact %K COVID-19 %K Health Inequality %K LGBTQ %K minority experience %K psychosocial health %X

This study examines disparities in older adults' mental health and well-being during the pandemic by sexual minority status. This study analyzed data on older adults from the Health and Retirement Study's COVID-19 Module (N = 3142 for heterosexuals and N = 75 for sexual minorities). Weighted regressions linked concern about COVID-19, depression, pandemic emotional stress, and changes in loneliness, in-person contacts, income, and work to sexual minority status, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Compared to heterosexuals, sexual minority older adults had more concern about the pandemic and emotional stress and showed a decrease in in-person contact during the pandemic-these differences were not explained by sociodemographic characteristics. Sexual minority older adults were also more likely to have changes in income and work during the pandemic, but these differences were explained by sociodemographic characteristics. Sexual minority older adults have experienced worse mental health outcomes than heterosexuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, which merits intervention.

%B Journal of Aging and Health %V 34 %P 939-950 %G eng %N 6-8 %R 10.1177/08982643221081965