Background This study examines how changes in cognition over time are related to participation social activities and the extent of networks. Methods Data drawn from a population-based, longitudinal that began 1989 among elderly Taiwanese. An over-dispersed Poisson model is used regress number failed cognitive tasks (0–5) 1996, 1999, 2000 on prior measures impairment, activities, networks, health status, sociodemographic characteristics. The analysis sample comprises 2387 individuals, who...

Using data from the Human Mortality Database for 29 high-income national populations (1751-2004), we review trends in sex differential e(0). The widening of this gap during most 1900s was due largely to a slower mortality decline males than females, which previous studies attributed behavioural factors (e.g., smoking). More recently, began narrow countries, and researchers tried explain reversal with same factors. However, our decomposition analysis reveals that, majority recent narrowing is...

Background Cigarette smoking is responsible for a massive loss of life in both developed and developing countries. This article develops an alternative to the Peto–Lopez method estimating number or fraction smoking-attributable deaths high-income Methods We use lung cancer death rates as indicator damage caused by smoking. Using administrative data population aged ≥50 years from 20 countries period 1950 2006, we estimate negative binomial regression model that predicts mortality causes other...

Background: We compare the genotype distribution for serotonin transporter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) in a sample of older Taiwanese adults with samples various racial and ethnic groups collected other studies. also explore interactions among sex, stressors, 5-HTTLPR on depressive symptoms our sample. Methods: Using nationally representative 984 aged 53 older, we model as function two classes stressors: lifetime trauma recent major life events. test two- three-way 5-HTTLPR, sex. >Results: This...

The impact of rising drug use on US mortality may extend beyond deaths coded as drug-related to include excess from other causes affected by use. Here, we estimate the full extent drug-associated mortality. We annual death rates for 1999–2016 state, sex, five-year age group, and cause model relationship between drug-coded mortality—which serves an indicator population-level prevalence use—and causes. Among residents aged 15–64 living in 50 states, estimated number 2016 (141,695) was 2.2...

Working memory (WM), which underlies the temporary storage and manipulation of information, is critical for multiple aspects cognition everyday life. Nevertheless, research examining WM specifically in older adults remains limited, despite global rapid increase human life expectancy. We examined a large sample ( N = 754) healthy (aged 58-89) non-Western population (Chinese speakers) Taiwan, on digit n-back task. tested not only influence age itself load (1-back vs. 2-back) but also effects...

Although there is little dispute about the impact of US opioid epidemic on recent mortality, less consensus whether trends reflect increasing despair among American adults. The issue complicated by absence established scales or definitions as well a paucity studies examining changes in psychological health, especially well-being, since 1990s. We contribute evidence using two cross-sectional waves Midlife United States (MIDUS) study to assess measures distress and well-being. These capture...

Measures of contraceptive use at one point in time do not account for its changing nature. A measure that addresses the pattern method over may better predict cumulative risk unintended pregnancy.Women pregnancy were selected from 1995 National Survey Family Growth, and their patterns compared across age-groups. Survival analysis was used to validate women's long-term as an indicator risk, multivariate regression analyses explore potential covariates current use.More than two-thirds women...

Objectives: To explore three questions: 1) Do chronic stressors predict physiological dysregulation? 2) Is that relationship moderated by characteristics of the individual and his or her social environment? 3) perceived levels stress mediate between Methods: Data come from a nationally representative, longitudinal study older Taiwanese (n = 916). Regression models are used to examine number life challenges (i.e., stressors) during 1996 2000 dysregulation (in 2000) based on 16 biomarkers...

The objective of this study was to investigate whether life satisfaction and depressive symptoms are independent predictors mortality in a non-Western sample adults. included 5,131 adults (ages 50-95 at baseline) Taiwan who participated the Survey Health Living Status Near Elderly Elderly. There were 1,815 deaths recorded over 10-year period. Higher significantly predicted lower risk after controlling for age, sex, education, marital status, health status. Depressive higher mortality. A...

Most research on adolescent development focuses specific problem behaviors, whereas few studies examine the avoidance of multiple forms risk taking or determinants positive development. This article develops two measures designed to address this lack: (a) a "Missteps Scale" in which are assessed through years, and (b) "Positive Well-Being Index" that includes development, ranging from satisfaction with life community involvement. Demographic, family, school, neighborhood characteristics were...

Objectives: Assess the effects of social relationships on physical and mental health among elderly in Taiwan. Methods: Using 4 waves a survey elderly, we examine relationship between ties perceived support four outcomes—mortality, functional status, self-assessed health, depression. Results:Perceived are related to but many apparent attenuated presence controls for prior health. However, positive perceptions about protective (but not physical) Discussion: If baseline is ignored, estimates at...

We use a population-based representative sample of older Taiwanese to investigate links between respondents' perceived levels stress and broad set biological measures. These biomarkers were collected at single time (2000) reflect sympathetic nervous system (SNS)-activity, hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-activity, immune function, cardiovascular metabolic pathways. model the relationship (1) extreme values for each 16 individual indicators; (2) measure cumulative physiological...

Using five waves of the Taiwanese Longitudinal Study Aging (1996-2011), we investigate (1) association between family members' education and age trajectories individuals' depressive symptoms (2) gender differences in those relationships. Our examination is guided by several theoretical frameworks, including social capital, control, as leveler, resource substitution. Nested models show that having a more educated father associated with lower symptoms, but relationship disappears after...

Social isolation and loneliness are both established risk factors for mortality, but it remains unclear how these two conditions interact with each other. We used data from 3975 adults aged 25–74 years who completed self-administered questionnaires (SAQs) the Midlife in United States (MIDUS) National Study Wave 2 (2004–2006). Loneliness was measured by asking participants often they felt lonely. A shortened version of Berkman-Syme Network Index that captured partnerships, friends/family,...