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Contributors to mental health resilience in middle-aged and older adults: an analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2023

Shawna Hopper Open the ORCID record for Shawna Hopper [Opens in a new window] ,
John R. Best ,
Andrew V. Wister  and
Theodore D. Cosco
Shawna Hopper
Affiliation:
Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
John R. Best
Affiliation:
Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Andrew V. Wister
Affiliation:
Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Theodore D. Cosco*
Affiliation:
Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Theodore D. Cosco, Simon Fraser University, #2800-515 West Hastings St. (2nd Floor), Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5K3, Canada. Phone: +1 (778) 782 5065. Email: theodore_cosco@sfu.ca
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Abstract

Objectives:

Identifying the correlates of mental health resilience (MHR)—defined as the discrepancy between one’s reported current mental health and one’s predicted mental health based on their physical performance—may lead to strategies to alleviate the burden of poor mental health in aging adults. Socioeconomic factors, such as income and education, may promote MHR via modifiable factors, such as physical activity and social networks.

Design:

A cross-sectional study was conducted. Multivariable generalized additive models characterized the associations between socioeconomic and modifiable factors with MHR.

Setting:

Data were taken from the population-based Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), which collected data at various data collection sites across Canada.

Participants:

Approximately 31,000 women and men between the ages of 45 and 85 years from the comprehensive cohort of the CLSA.

Measurements:

Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Physical performance was measured objectively using a composite of grip strength, sit-to-stand, and balance performance. Socioeconomic and modifiable factors were measured by self-report questionnaires.

Results:

Household income, and to a lesser extent, education were associated with greater MHR. Individuals reporting more physical activity and larger social networks had greater MHR. Physical activity accounted for 6% (95% CI: 4 to 11%) and social network accounted for 16% (95% CI: 11 to 23%) of the association between household income and MHR.

Conclusions:

The burden of poor mental health in aging adults may be alleviated through targeted interventions involving physical activity and social connectedness for individuals with lower socioeconomic resources.

Keywords

mental health resilienceCLSAsocioeconomic factorssocial networkphysical activity

Information

Type
Original Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 36 , Special Issue 10: Issue Theme: Positive Psychiatry of Aging , October 2024 , pp. 929 - 938
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of International Psychogeriatric Association

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