scholarly journals Testing Life Course Models Whereby Juvenile and Adult Adversity Combine to Influence Speed of Biological Aging

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald L. Simons ◽  
Man-Kit Lei ◽  
Steven R. H. Beach ◽  
Leslie Gordon Simons ◽  
Ashley B. Barr ◽  
...  

The present study extends prior research on the links between social adversity and aging by employing more comprehensive measures of adversity and a new gene expression index of aging. Hierarchical regression and 20 years of data from a sample of 381 black Americans were used to test models regarding the impact of social adversity on speed of aging. Consistent with the early life sensitivity model, early adversity continued to predict accelerated aging after controlling for adult adversity. Contrary to the pathway model, adult adversity was not related to aging following controls for early adversity. The cumulative stress model received partial support as high adversity during adulthood amplified the effect of early adversity on aging. Finally, consonant with the social change model, low adversity during adulthood buffered the effect of early adversity on aging. These findings held after controlling for health behaviors such as smoking, diet, and exercise.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary M. Harvanek ◽  
Nia Fogelman ◽  
Ke Xu ◽  
Rajita Sinha

AbstractOur society is experiencing more stress than ever before, leading to both negative psychiatric and physical outcomes. Chronic stress is linked to negative long-term health consequences, raising the possibility that stress is related to accelerated aging. In this study, we examine whether resilience factors affect stress-associated biological age acceleration. Recently developed “epigenetic clocks” such as GrimAge have shown utility in predicting biological age and mortality. Here, we assessed the impact of cumulative stress, stress physiology, and resilience on accelerated aging in a community sample (N = 444). Cumulative stress was associated with accelerated GrimAge (P = 0.0388) and stress-related physiologic measures of adrenal sensitivity (Cortisol/ACTH ratio) and insulin resistance (HOMA). After controlling for demographic and behavioral factors, HOMA correlated with accelerated GrimAge (P = 0.0186). Remarkably, psychological resilience factors of emotion regulation and self-control moderated these relationships. Emotion regulation moderated the association between stress and aging (P = 8.82e−4) such that with worse emotion regulation, there was greater stress-related age acceleration, while stronger emotion regulation prevented any significant effect of stress on GrimAge. Self-control moderated the relationship between stress and insulin resistance (P = 0.00732), with high self-control blunting this relationship. In the final model, in those with poor emotion regulation, cumulative stress continued to predict additional GrimAge Acceleration even while accounting for demographic, physiologic, and behavioral covariates. These results demonstrate that cumulative stress is associated with epigenetic aging in a healthy population, and these associations are modified by biobehavioral resilience factors.


2019 ◽  
pp. 247-261
Author(s):  
Idan Shalev ◽  
Waylon J Hastings

Telomeres, the repetitive nucleoprotein regions at chromosome ends, are hallmarks of biological aging. Deficiencies in the network of proteins and nucleic acids which govern telomere regulation result in their gradual erosion over time, and shorter telomere length is associated with chronic disease as well as all-cause mortality. Telomeres are also indicative of cumulative stress experienced across the lifespan. This chapter summarizes empirical evidence for the impact of lifelong psychosocial stress, lifestyle behaviors, and chronic diseases on telomere biology. This biological embedding of experiences involves complex interactions with cellular processes regulating telomere length. Before describing such interactions, the chapter chronicles intrinsic regulation of telomeres by enzymatic, RNA, and epigenetic mechanisms. It then considers the stress-related mechanisms implicated in telomere regulation, including neuroendocrine systems, immuno-inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial respiration. A full understanding of these processes can promote better clinical treatments and intervention efforts to reverse the damaging effect of stress on telomeres.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1103
Author(s):  
Sara Sarraj ◽  
Małgorzata Szymiczek ◽  
Tomasz Machoczek ◽  
Maciej Mrówka

Eco-friendly composites are proposed to substitute commonly available polymers. Currently, wood–plastic composites and natural fiber-reinforced composites are gaining growing recognition in the industry, being mostly on the thermoplastic matrix. However, little data are available about the possibility of producing biocomposites on a silicone matrix. This study focused on assessing selected organic fillers’ impact (ground coffee waste (GCW), walnut shell (WS), brewers’ spent grains (BSG), pistachio shell (PS), and chestnut (CH)) on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of silicone-based materials. Density, hardness, rebound resilience, and static tensile strength of the obtained composites were tested, as well as the effect of accelerated aging under artificial seawater conditions. The results revealed changes in the material’s properties (minimal density changes, hardness variation, overall decreasing resilience, and decreased tensile strength properties). The aging test revealed certain bioactivities of the obtained composites. The degree of material degradation was assessed on the basis of the strength characteristics and visual observation. The investigation carried out indicated the impact of the filler’s type, chemical composition, and grain size on the obtained materials’ properties and shed light on the possibility of acquiring ecological silicone-based materials.


Author(s):  
Bum Jung Kim ◽  
Sun-young Lee

Extensive research has demonstrated the factors that influence burnout among social service employees, yet few studies have explored burnout among long-term care staff in Hawaii. This study aimed to examine the impact of job value, job maintenance, and social support on burnout of staff in long-term care settings in Hawaii, USA. This cross-sectional study included 170 long-term care staff, aged 20 to 75 years, in Hawaii. Hierarchical regression was employed to explore the relationships between the key independent variables and burnout. The results indicate that staff with a higher level of perceived job value, those who expressed a willingness to continue working in the same job, and those with strong social support from supervisors or peers are less likely to experience burnout. Interventions aimed at decreasing the level of burnout among long-term care staff in Hawaii may be more effective through culturally tailored programs aimed to increase the levels of job value, job maintenance, and social support.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412199697
Author(s):  
Laura Quiun ◽  
Marta Herrero ◽  
Maria del Carmen Yeo Ayala ◽  
Bernardo Moreno-Jiménez

Background Considering the importance of entrepreneurship and the impact of burnout on workers’ health, this study aims to explore the presence of burnout in entrepreneurs and the interaction of hardy personality (HP) in this process. Method The sample included 255 Spanish entrepreneurs. Occupational factors, working hours, labour immersion, HP, burnout syndrome (i.e. Emotional exhaustion, Depersonalization and Lack of accomplishment) and burnout consequences were assessed. Results Descriptive analysis showed that entrepreneurs had low levels of occupational factors, burnout syndrome and consequences. Hierarchical regression exploratory results indicated that working hours, labour immersion, and Emotional exhaustion were the most relevant predictors of the consequences. Besides, mediation models with PROCESS macro (v.3.0) highlighted the indirect effect of occupational factors and showed that emotional exhaustion was the only component of burnout that mediated in between the predictors and the consequences. As well, HP moderated the relationship between occupational factors and emotional exhaustion. Conclusions Occupational factors are the main predictor of burnout in entrepreneurs and HP could prevent their effect on Emotional exhaustion. The results suggest the importance of training to promote HP for better health and performance of entrepreneurs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 314-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooklyn Cole ◽  
Raymond J. Jones ◽  
Lisa M. Russell

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationship between psychological diversity climate (PDC) and organizational identification (OID) when influenced by racial dissimilarity between the subordinate and supervisor. Design/methodology/approach Ordinary least squares hierarchical regression analysis was run for hypotheses testing. Findings Three of the four hypothesized relationships were supported. Support was found for the direct relationship between PDC and OID. The moderator race was significant thus also supported. The moderator of dissimilarity was not supported. Finally the three-way interaction with race and dissimilarity was supported. Practical implications OID is an important variable for overall organizational success. OID influences a wealth of organizationally relevant outcomes including turnover intentions. Considering higher turnover exists for minority employees, understanding how diversity climate perceptions vary by employee race and therefore impact OID differently, helps managers when making decisions about various initiatives. Originality/value This study is the first the authors know of to investigate the impact of dissimilarity on the PDC-OID relationship.


2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Gkorezis ◽  
Eugenia Petridou ◽  
Panteleimon Xanthiakos

Purpose – Leader-member exchange (LMX) has been proposed as a core mechanism which accounts for the impact of various antecedents on employee outcomes. As such, the purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of LMX regarding the relationship between leader positive humor and employees’ perceptions of organizational cynicism. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 114 public employees. In order to examine the authors’ hypotheses hierarchical regression analysis was conducted. Findings – As hypothesized, results demonstrated that LMX mediates the relationship between leader positive humor and organizational cynicism. Research limitations/implications – Data were drawn from public employees and, therefore, this may constrain the generalizability of the results. Also, the cross-sectional analysis of the data cannot directly assess causality. Originality/value – This is the first empirical study to examine the mediating effect of LMX in the relationship between leader humor and employees’ perceptions of organizational cynicism.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary B. Awino ◽  
Dominic C. Muteshi ◽  
Reginah K. Kitiabi ◽  
Ganesh P. Pokhariyal

The study tested the impact of organization culture on the on the relationship between firm-level strategy and performance of food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya. The opinion of the CEO/MDs from 125 firms in this sector was sought by application of a structured questionnaire; the collected data was analysed using hierarchical regression analysis. The paper stated hypothesis that organizational culture has a significant effect on the relationship between firm-level strategy and performance. The results supported the hypothesis. Therefore, firm development of strong organization culture to support firm-level strategy for higher performance is paramount. These findings will contribute to government policy formulation for sector’s expansion and competitiveness and management drives in building a positive organization culture to support firm-level strategy for improved performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Lee Nakyung ◽  
Im Tobin

Within the continuing economic downturn, our society has been facing rapid dichotomization and bi-polarization between groups which reinforces social inequality. Young (2011) states that social inequality should be viewed as a concept of oppression, not by the distribution of resources, which has been considered as a general indicator of social inequality. Following her argument, she suggests exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism, and violence as sub-concepts of oppression. In this sense, this study uses the distribution of resources as an independent variable and the ‘perceived oppression’ presented by Young as a dependent variable to identify the role of social support as a factor that makes the difference between social-structural inequality and contextual inequality. Through hierarchical regression analyses and bootstrapping methods this paper looks at how the two different perspectives on inequality are related, and how the social support mediates the relationship between socio-economic position and perceived oppression. By shedding light on the meaning of socio-economic isolation of individuals, this study will contribute to the academia in searching for the alternatives to strengthen the stability of our society where the new paradigm of communication is being used to form network ties and corresponding sense of supports.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0145482X2110466
Author(s):  
Justin A. Haegele ◽  
Xihe Zhu ◽  
Sean Healy

Introduction: This study sought to examine: (a) the associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep duration, as discrete behaviors, with depression among adults with visual impairments; and (b) the impact of meeting none, one, two, or three of the guidelines for these behaviors on depression among adults with visual impairments. Materials: One hundred eighty-two ( Mage = 44.8) adults with visual impairments, recruited via email through two visual impairment organizations in the United States, completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form, a sleep duration question, the Major Depression Inventory, and a demographic questionnaire. Based on results from the questionnaires, dichotomous variables for meeting or not meeting physical activity, sleep, and sitting guidelines were created. Data were analyzed using three components: a descriptive analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation analyses, and hierarchical regression analyses. Results: Overall, 14.8% of participants were categorized as having some degree of depression. Meeting the sleep guideline was a significant negative predictor of depression scores in the hierarchical regression analyses. The number of guidelines met was a negative predictor for depression score controlling for other variables. Discussion: Adequate sleep, as well as meeting all three guidelines synergistically, was meaningful in influencing depression among this population. The current study’s results should prompt the continued examination of health-behaviors among adults with visual impairment using a more holistic 24-hour activity cycle framework. Implications for practitioners: This study supports the utilization of multi-behavioral interventions to reduce the risk of depression by enhancing physical activity and sleep, while reducing sitting time, among this population.


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