Cross-Cultural Differences in Adjustment to Aging: A Comparison Between Mexico and Portugal

Objective: To compare Adjustment to Aging (AtA) and Satisfaction with Life in a Mexican and a Portuguese older sample. Method: A total of 723 (n = 340 Mexican and n = 383 Portuguese) older adults were included and assessed with the AtA Scale (ATAS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWL). Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Portuguese participants were significantly older than Mexicans (mean age 85.19 and 71.36 years old, respectively) and showed higher education level (p < .001). No significant differences on gender and marital status were found. Results: Mexicans considered all aspects of AtA absolutely more important than their Portuguese counterparts (p < .001). For Mexicans, being cherished by their family (82.1%), being healthy, without pain or disease (75.9%), having spiritual religious and existential values (75%) and having fun and laughter (75%) were the most important for AtA, compared to having curiosity and an interest in learning (22.5%), creating and being creative (20.1%) and leaving a mark and seed for the future (18.0%) for Portuguese participants. Mexicans also reported a higher SWL than Portuguese participants. Mean scores were 6.10 (SD = 0.76) and 3.66 (SD = 1.47) respectively (p < .001). AtA and SWL were correlated in the Mexican sample (p = .001), but not in the Portuguese (p = .100). Discussion: Differences on AtA between Mexican and Portuguese older adults should be explained considering their cultural and social context, and their socio-demographic characteristics. The enhancement of AtA, and its relevance to improve well-being and longevity can become a significant resource or health care interventions

Cognitive Aging

The study of cognitive function in gerontology is considered relevant because it is an important risk factor for other pathologies in the old age, such as physical disability and dependence, depression, and frailty, mainly because of early pathological changes in cognitive function which are considered a preclinical state that may progress to dementia. In this chapter, cognitive functioning and the dimensions that are included in it (attention, memory, meta-memory, processing speed, executive functions, visuospatial skills, and language) are conceptualized. Additionally, the current evidence is analyzed regarding age-associated changes that are experienced during cognitive aging. These changes, or cognitive decline, are distinguished from those that are part of cognitive pathologies, the most common mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Such pathologies are conceptualized based on the current diagnostic criteria, and controversies and challenges are discussed. Additionally, we analyze the risk factors for cognitive functioning in aging, both modifiable and nonmodifiable ones. A review of the main nonpharmacological intervention techniques used from the gerontology approach is made. It includes the cognitive training in the case of age-related decline or techniques of stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation in the case of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Finally, we conclude with an analysis of the current state of this topic in the field of gerontology and its relevance in professional practice

Smart technology and the meaning in life of older adults during the Covid-19 public health emergency period: a cross-cultural qualitative study

The exponential increase of the older segment of the population is coinciding with the growing challenges of a digital society in different socio-cultural contexts. This exploratory study aims to analyze older adult perspectives of how smart technology influenced their meaning in life during the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency period, using qualitative research at a cross-national level. Three hundred and fifty-one community-dwelling older participants aged 65-87 years were included in the study. Participants were Italian, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish. All the narratives went through a process of content analysis. Findings of content analysis produced six themes: Meaningful relations, rewarding activities, spirituality, health and safety-related support, self-growth, and physical activity. Smart technology was important in promoting significant relations for Mexican older adults (71.3%), rewarding activities for Portuguese older adults (57.1%), spirituality for Spanish older participants (71.6%), and physical activity for Italian older adults (29.5%). This study indicated that smart technology during the Health Emergency period was important for the meaning in life of older populations, mostly by facilitating meaningful relations, rewarding activities and spirituality. Future interventions with older adults during pandemic periods should consider the diversity of themes associated with increasing older adult well-being, from a cross-cultural perspective.FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologiainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Upside of Negative Emotions: How Do Older Adults From Different Cultures Challenge Their Self-Growth During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Background and Objective: The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has raised increased challenges for older adults’ personal growth in diverse cultural settings. The aim of this study was to analyze negative emotions and their role on older adults’ self-growth in Mexico, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, a cross-national qualitative research was carried out. Methods: Data were collected from 338 community-dwelling participants aged 65 years and older, using a semi-structured interview protocol. Older adults were asked about negative emotions that significantly contribute to their self-growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Content analysis was used to identify key themes. Results: Seven main negative emotions (fear, sadness, anger, grief, boredom, loneliness, and shame) significantly contributed to seven themes of self-growth, across the samples: sharing difficult experiences with others, supportive partner, spiritual practices, engagement with life, generativity, volunteering activities, and intimacy and sexual satisfaction. Sharing difficult experiences with others was most pertinent to Mexican (13.9%) and to Italian (3.0%) participants, and a supportive partner to Portuguese (12.1%), and to Spanish participants (6.5%). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that negative emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to their older adults’ self-growth. This study highlighted the cultural diversity of experiences during the pandemics and underlined the upside of negative emotions and its relation to older adults’ self-growth during this period.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluación de las funciones física, cognitiva y afectiva-emocional en ancianos mexicanos, que viven en comunidades rurales

Se realizó un estudio con el propósito de identificar la presencia de situaciones desfavorables en el proceso de envejecimiento en poblaciones rurales mexicanas; en dicho contexto, no se contaba con estudios suficientes que proporcionen información adecuada para prevenir, promover y atender a la población envejecida. La presencia significativa de personas de edad en gran parte se debe al fenómeno migratorio, razón importante para generar conocimientos científicos que aporten a incrementar su bienestar biopsicosocial. La funcionalidad física es indicador de la vida activa e independiente en el anciano.Eje: Estudios sobre envejecimientoFacultad de Psicologí

Perception of self-growth during covid-19 pandemic: a cross cultural study with older adults

A pandemia de Covid-19 apareceu de forma global, afetando assim o auto-crescimento da população idosa. O objetivo deste estudo consiste na identificação e análise no auto-crescimento dos indivíduos idosos de duas nacionalidades: mexicana e portuguesa. Neste estudo participaram 226 idosos, com 65 anos ou mais anos e residentes na comunidade. Foi executada um estudo qualitativo transcultural, através de um protocolo de entrevista semiestruturada. Os participantes foram interrogados sobre a sua perceção do seu auto-crescimento durante a pandemia. Posteriormente foi feita uma análise de conteúdo e foram identificados os temas centrais. A análise de conteúdos indicou os seguintes temas: (1) Partilha de experiências de vida; (2) Relação afetiva de qualidade; (3) Espiritualidade e religião; (4) Estar ativo; (5) Interesse por novos projetos; e (6) Participação cívica. Os participantes idosos com nacionalidade mexicana relataram que a partilha de experiências de vida como o tema mais relevante, enquanto para os participantes portugueses, possuir uma relação afetiva de qualidade era mais importante. Este estudo evidenciou a heterogeneidade de experiências vivenciadas por cada cultura, realçando o auto-crescimento dos idosos no período pandémico.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluación de las funciones física, cognitiva y afectiva-emocional en ancianos mexicanos, que viven en comunidades rurales

Se realizó un estudio con el propósito de identificar la presencia de situaciones desfavorables en el proceso de envejecimiento en poblaciones rurales mexicanas; en dicho contexto, no se contaba con estudios suficientes que proporcionen información adecuada para prevenir, promover y atender a la población envejecida. La presencia significativa de personas de edad en gran parte se debe al fenómeno migratorio, razón importante para generar conocimientos científicos que aporten a incrementar su bienestar biopsicosocial. La funcionalidad física es indicador de la vida activa e independiente en el anciano.Eje: Estudios sobre envejecimientoFacultad de Psicologí

Risk factors of foot ulceration in patients with Diabetes Mellitus type 2

Objective. Identify the risk factors for foot ulceration in patients with diabetes type 2 (DM2) who attended a primary care center in the city of Colima (Mexico). Methodology. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted during 2012 with the participation of 87 patients with DM2 from both sexes and older than 30 years of age. Socio-demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical variables were measured. The study inquired about prior evaluation of the feet and prior education on diabetes by the healthcare team. Results. The mean age was 59 years and 70% were women. The average number of years since diagnosis was nine years; only 35% had good glycemia control; 66% engage in exercise; 51% wear open shoes; none had temperature differences in the feet; 82% had some type of dermatological abnormality; 50% had deformities in their feet. A total of 24% had been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and another 11% had peripheral vascular disease. Sixty percent of all the patients had risk of foot ulceration. Only 23% of the participants had had previous foot exams. One of every three diabetic patients had received education about the disease. Conclusion. An important proportion of the patients had risk of foot ulceration, contrary to the insufficient percentage of individuals with previous inspection and education about foot care. For nursing, it is an area of opportunity in this level of care to improve the inspection and education on diabetes, specifically on foot care, mainly in those patients with a prolonged evolution of the disease, deficient glycemia control, and risk of ulceration