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Author(s): Moore, Raeanne C; Martin, A'verria Sirkin; Kaup, Allison R; Thompson, Wesley K; Peters, Matthew E; Jeste, Dilip V; Golshan, Shahrokh; Eyler, Lisa T | Abstract: ObjectiveCompassion is an important contributor to pro-social behavior and maintenance of interpersonal relationships, yet little is known about what factors influence compassion in late life. The aim of this study was to test theories about how past and current stressors and emotional functioning, resilience, and demographic indicators of life experiences are related to compassion among older adults.MethodsOne thousand and six older adults (50-99 years) completed a comprehensive survey including self-report measures of compassion, resilience, past and present stress, and emotional functioning (i.e., stressful life events, perceived stress, and current and prior depression and anxiety), and demographic information. The sample was randomly split, and exploratory and confirmatory regression analyses were conducted testing hypothesized relationships with compassion.ResultsExploratory stepwise regression analysis (n = 650) indicated that participants who reported higher levels of compassion were more likely to be female, not currently in a married/married-like relationship, reported higher resilience levels, and had experienced more significant life events. Age, income level, past and current mental distress, and interactions between resilience and other predictors were not significantly related to compassion. The associations between greater self-reported compassion and being female, having greater resilience, and having experienced more significant life events were supported by a confirmatory stepwise regression analysis (n = 356).ConclusionsOlder women report more compassion than older men. Resilience and significant life events, independently, also appear to facilitate a desire to help others, while current stress and past and present emotional functioning are less relevant. Specificity of findings to older adults is not yet known.

enhanced cognition remains poorly defined, there is now an urgent need to further delineate the role of BP in AD. We examined the relationship of BP to hippocampal volume in the ADNI data, yet the most robust longitudinal data to date. Methods: An exhaustive list of publications detailing the ADNI methods is currently available elsewhere. The DANI data used in this analysis were downloaded on October 10, 2012. Initially we used Univariate analysis to examine the data. Where appropriate, Proc GLM (General Linear Model), and Multiple Logistic Regression analyses were used to discern the relationships of BP to hippocampal volume, and the LSMeans in GLM to estimate mean values. All analyses were performed in the Statistical Analysis System (SAS), Research Triangle North Carolina. Results: Of the 1210 subjects initially examined for these analyses, 558 and 240 subjects had complete data on important covariates at 2 and 4 years follow-up, respectively. In our final model that adjusted for age, gender education and ethnicity, increased double product (SBP * heart rate) a measure the heart’s work load and SBP, related to reduced hippocampal volume at 24 months and 48 months, respectively (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: We concluded that SBP and double product were associated with reduced hippocampal volume in the ADNI study. Even if better control of BP translates into very small improvements in cognition, substantial gains might be realized given the total number of persons with hypertension in the United States.