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Objetivo: Explorar as relações entre eventos estressantes vividos no último ano, avaliações subjetivas de suporte, classe e mobilidade social e sintomatologia depressiva medida pela CES-D. Participantes: No contexto de uma pesquisa sobre envelhecimento saudável (PENSA), foram entrevistados 903 idosos residentes na comunidade (M = 72,3 ± 8,21 anos). Resultados: A prevalência de sintomas depressivos foi de 33,8%. Relacionaram-se com suporte insuficiente, ter vivido de quatro a 16 eventos estressantes, ter de 60 a 69 anos, ser mulher, perceber-se como de classe média baixa e ter mobilidade social descendente. A ausência de depressão relacionou-se com suporte social satisfatório, um a três eventos estressantes, ser homem, ter de 70 a 79 anos, ter mais de 80 anos, perceber-se de classe média e estabilidade da posição social. As análises multivariadas de regressão identificaram que alto número de eventos estressantes no último ano (OR = 2,55) e suporte social insatisfatório (OR = 2,31) ofereceram os maiores riscos para sintomatologia depressiva.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and identify sociodemographic factors and health behaviors associated with a negative perception of self-care in community-resident older adults in seven Brazilian cities. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Frailty in Brazilian Older Adults (FIBRA) study. Sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, and perception of self-care in health were assessed. For analysis, percentage distributions and respective 95% confidence intervals were estimated, at a significance level of 5%. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out, with stepwise variable selection. RESULTS: Of 2,552 older adults in the overall sample, most (65.8%) were women, with a mean age of 72.3 ± 5.5 years. The worst perception of self-care was associated with non-use of dental care services (OR = 1.48, p < 0.001), income range from 1.1 to 3 times the minimum wage (OR = 1.46, p = 0.049), smoking (OR = 1.41, p = 0.030), sedentary lifestyle (OR = 1.32, p = 0.003), and male gender (OR = 1.24, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Although no high frequencies of negative health behaviors were found, the association of poor perception of self-care with modifiable factors, such as sedentary lifestyle and smoking, stands out. Failure to seek dental care continues to be a challenging aspect among the elderly. These results point to a potential subjective indicator for clinical and health research surveys throughout the aging process.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate self-rated health and to identify its relationship with functional capacity, objective measures of muscle strength, and mobility in a sample of community-dwelling elderly adults. METHOD: A cross-sectional, population-based study using data from the "Fragility Study on Brazilian Elderly" (Fibra) electronic database, carried out between 2008 and 2009, in which 2,558 community-dwelling elderly were recruited. The dependent variable was self-rated health compared with peers of the same age, among the elderly. The odd ratios were adjusted for sociodemographic and health variables and were estimated through multinomial logistic regression. The analyses were carried out using the program Stata 14.0. RESULTS: The average age of the elderly participants was 72.3 years old (SD ± 5.5) and 65.6% of them were women. When comparing with someone of the same age, 70.2% of the participants rated their health as better than the other's; 23.4% of them rated it as equal, and 6.4% of the elderly rated it as worse. The adjusted regression model showed that the odd ratios were more important when rating health as worse among the elderly participants who were dependent on instrumental activities (OR = 2.19; 95%CI 1.22–3.92) and had weaker grip strength (OR = 0.96; 95%CI 0.93–0.99). Better health rating showed a statistically significant difference related to speed gait (OR = 0.88; 95%CI 0.81–0.94). CONCLUSION: We found associations between the self-rated health and instrumental activities of daily living, gait velocity, and grip strength. These results reinforce functionality as an important health predictor and broaden self-rated health approachs including social comparison criteria.

OBJECTIVE: This article reviewed studies that relate aspects of double vulnerability (caregivers' physical health, caregivers' self-perceived health, care recipients' dependency and perceived burden) with psychological aspects of caregivers' quality of life. METHODS: The search was conducted in the PubMed, Capes, LILACS, SciELO and AgeLine indexes using keywords in English and their corresponding words in Portuguese. RESULTS: Twenty-three papers were analyzed. With regards to the methods, most articles were made up of transversal studies and included various outcomes. There was a wide age range for the caregivers in the studies' samples, and many of them presented incomplete information about age. CONCLUSION: The results showed that a caregiver's quality of life is affected by several simultaneous variables such as the degree and type of dependency of the elderly person receiving care, the caregiver's health, perceived burden, and positive and negative affects.

Objective: To describe expressions of ageism as perceived by older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional, exploratory, and descriptive study, including 134 older adults who answered a digital questionnaire, between January and July 2022. A word cloud was used to identify stereotypes. Prejudice was assessed using the Anxiety about Aging scale and discrimination was measured using the Ageism Survey. In addition, a semi-structured questionnaire was used to identify the types of discrimination experienced in the pandemic. Results: Older persons tend to reproduce stereotypes associated with experience and wisdom, with the presence of biopsychosocial changes and dependence, and enjoyment of life. Most older persons reported discrimination (93.50%), especially perceived through “telling jokes about older persons” (72.39%). In the pandemic setting, the most perceived discriminatory manifestations referred to policies, practices, or norms related to the pandemic (38.06%) and when reading and watching news in the newspaper, the Internet, and television (35.07%). Conclusion: The findings suggest that older persons experienced ageism during the pandemic and show the need for programs and policies aimed at education on ageing, so as to reduce the stigmas of old age and discrimination, aiming to foster healthy ageing.

Objectives: To examine a model of associations between cognition, functionality, and life-space mobility, and the mediating role of perceived control and autonomy. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of older adults aged over 72 years, which used data from the FIBRA study. We used the structural equation modeling technique. Variables in this model were cognition, functionality, perceived control and autonomy, and life-space mobility, with sociodemographic and health covariables. Data imputation was done through the expected maximization method aiming at more effective data utilization. This study was funded by Coordenaçãão de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior. Results: The mediation model reached good fit indices. Cognition, functionality, and perceived control and autonomy demonstrated a predictive capacity for life space. Functionality and perceived control and autonomy mediated the relationship between cognition and life space; therefore, cognition influences life space, given its associations with the mediating variables. There was a mediating effect of perceived control and autonomy on the relationship between functionality and life space. Conclusions: Perceived control and autonomy have an adaptive role when considering changes in personal competencies. This adaptation is reflected on life spaces, indicating an adjustment between competence and environment. Studies aimed at promoting a good relationship between an individual and his or her context maintaining life space should consider perceived control and autonomy as important mechanisms in this relationship.

Objectives: To evaluate an explanatory model of direct and indirect associations regarding the psychological health of older caregivers of functionally dependent older adults. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed with older caregivers recruited in contexts of outpatient and home care. We collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, duration of caregiving, physical and cognitive function indicators of the older care recipients, perceived burden, family functioning, and psychological health measures (psychological need satisfaction and depressive symptoms). Results: We evaluated 133 caregivers (76% female, 69.5 ± 6.98 years). Variables that were significantly correlated with psychological health were selected to form an association model to be tested by structural equation modeling via path analysis. Depressive symptom variability was best explained by this model. Caregiver burden remained in the model as a mediator of indirect associations between physical function for instrumental activities of daily living and indicators of family functioning and psychological health. Three associative paths between caregiver burden and depressive symptoms were found — one of them was direct and the other two were mediated whether by family functioning or by the level of psychological need satisfaction. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms were the psychological health indicator best explained by the model involving instrumental functional demands that generate burden. Clinical consequences suggested by the model indicate interventions aimed at family functioning and opportunities of psychological need satisfaction as strategies for promoting caregivers' psychological health.

Abstract The aims of the present study were to estimate the frequency of change in self-rated health (SRH) among community-dwelling older adults, between two measures taken at a 9-year interval; and determine factors associated with a decline and an improvement in SRH, in relation to aspects of physical/emotional health and subjective wellbeing. Data were derived from a community-based study on frailty among Brazilian elderly. Associations were investigated using Pearson’s chi-square test and relative risk ratios were estimated using multinomial logistic regression analysis. 39.3% of participants did not change their SRH at both assessment times, 21.7% rated it as worse and 39.0% rated it as better. The relative risk ratio of an improvement in SRH for individuals with disability in basic activities of daily living (ADLs) was lower than for individuals with independence in basic ADLs (IRR=0.22; IC95%: 0.08-0.63). Understanding the complex interactions between self-rated health and the dimensions that influence the improvement of health perception may shed light on key determinants of the wellbeing among older adults.

Resumo Objetivo Identificar a presença de sintomas de incontinência urinária (IU) e testar um modelo de associações diretas e indiretas com as variáveis psicossociais senso de controle/autonomia e participação social em idosos residentes na comunidade. Método Estudo transversal, realizado com 419 idosos de 72 anos ou mais (70,2% feminino) participantes das medidas de seguimento do Estudo Fibra-Polo Unicamp. Idade, sexo e escolaridade foram as variáveis sociodemográficas selecionadas como antecedentes das relações entre IU e participação social. Senso pessoal de controle e autonomia foi testado como mediador dessas relações em análise de caminhos via método de equações estruturais (Path Analysis). Resultados A IU foi relatada por 38% da amostra, com diferenças significativas entre os sexos (41% feminino versus 31,3% masculino). Foram propostos três níveis de participação social a partir do grau de envolvimento dos indivíduos com a sociedade. O modelo de associações explicou 15% da variância em participação social. Efeitos diretos foram encontrados entre controle e autonomia e participação social. Efeitos indiretos entre escolaridade e participação foram mediados pela presença de IU. Conclusão IU contribuiu para a restrição em participação social em todos os níveis. Controle e autonomia não se mostrou um mediador psicológico para as relações entre IU e participação, embora associada a ambas variáveis. A presença de IU potencializou as relações desvantajosas entre escolaridade e participação social. Enquanto fatores de natureza modificável, iniciativas clínicas e psicossociais sobre IU podem resultar em diminuição de efeitos psicológicos negativos e redução de desigualdades educacionais em participação social.

Resumo Objetivo Investigar a incidência e variáveis associadas à estabilidade e à mudança da satisfação com a vida (SV) em medidas de linha de base (LB) e seguimento (SG) realizadas a um intervalo de nove anos, em idosos recrutados na comunidade. Método Estudo longitudinal prospectivo com dados da LB (2008-2009) e do SG (2016-2017) do Estudo Fragilidade em Idosos Brasileiros, envolvendo 360 idosos com 71,7±5,0 anos na LB (68,9% mulheres). Foram calculadas associações entre variáveis sociodemográficas, indicadores objetivos e subjetivos de saúde e variáveis psicossociais em LB e a incidência de estabilidade e mudança em SV no SG. Resultados Nove anos depois da LB, foram observadas: maior incidência de estabilidade (61,1%) do que de piora (26,4%) ou melhora (12,5%) da SV; menor incidência de piora no grupo de 80 anos e mais do que no de 70 a 79; maior incidência de mudança do que estabilidade da SV entre os idosos com multimorbidades e com pontuação > 6 em sintomas depressivos; maior incidência de piora da SV entre os idosos com baixos níveis de autoavaliação de saúde (risco relativo; RR=2,26) e de satisfação com a memória (RR=2,33). Conclusões A incidência de estabilidade em SV em idosos foi mais frequente do que a de piora ou melhora. Indicadores subjetivos de saúde física e satisfação com a memória podem ser sinalizadores de deterioração em bem-estar no tempo e sintomas depressivos de instabilidade nas avaliações, possivelmente acompanhando a redução ou o aumento da SV. Foi observada considerável heterogeneidade nas manifestações de SV entre idosos.

Abstract Objective: To identify if multimorbidity and burden are associated with a greater likelihood of frailty in elderly caregivers of other elderly persons within the family context. Method: 148 elderly caregivers caring for other elderly persons [M=69.7 (±7.0) years old] were recruited using a criterion of convenience in public and private health services in the city of Campinas and surrounding areas. Information was gathered about socio-demographic context, context of care, physical health, care burden using the Zarit Burden Scale, and frailty, measured by subjective evaluation. Four groups of vulnerability were created based on the presence or absence of multimorbidities and high or low burden, in order to verify which group was most strongly associated with frailty. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, measurements of association and multivariate hierarchical logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of multimorbidity was 55.4%. The Zarit Burden Scale presented a median of 23 out of a total of 88 points. Of the sample, 35.1% were frail, 46.0% intermediate, and 18.9% robust. Elderly caregivers with multimorbidity and high burden had a greater probability of frailty (OR=3.6; CI 1.55-8.36), followed by those with multimorbidity and low burden (OR=2.8; CI 1.13-6.79). Conclusion: The sensation of burden among caregivers was reduced; those with double vulnerability were most prevalent among the four groups and had the greatest association with the occurrence of frailty; multimorbidity was associated with frailty. If combined with perceived burden, however, the odds ratios of the elderly caregivers being frail increased.

Abstract Objective: to compare the life satisfaction of family caregivers, taking into account their gender, age, time since starting care, health, religion, perceived burden and quality of life, and the level of physical and cognitive dependence of the elderly person receiving care, and to investigate the associations between these variables and low life satisfaction. Methods: a total of 148 caregivers in Indaiatuba and Campinas, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, selected using the convenience method, were interviewed at home, in private medical clinics and outpatient units, using questionnaires about the sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, time since starting care, scales of life satisfaction, religiosity, perceived burden and quality of life of the caregiver, and the physical and mental health of the elderly person receiving care. Descriptive, Multivariate and Univariate Logistic Regression analysis were used. Results: caregivers who exhibited low life satisfaction included more frail individuals, with three or more chronic diseases and depression, greater perceived burden and lower self-fulfillment and pleasure, and control and autonomy, scores, which are factors of the Perceived Quality of Life Scale. Elderly caregivers who scored low in self-fulfillment factor and pleasure (OR=101.29; CI=28.68 - 357.73) and who scored high in perceived burden (OR=5.89, CI=2.13 to 16.24) had a greater chance of having low life satisfaction scores. Conclusions: The assessment of caregivers of their satisfaction with life is more influenced by subjective than objective variables, and low satisfaction seems to be strongly associated with poor quality of life, high burden, and caregiver frailty.

Abstract Objective: The present study aimed to analyze the distribution of measures of subjective and psychological well-being according to demographic criteria and length of participation in the program. Method: A cross sectional study using the following instruments was carried out: a sociodemographic questionnaire (age, gender, education, length of participation in University of the Third Age (U3A) and similar programs located in the city of São Paulo, Brazil; an Overall Life Satisfaction Scale; a Life Satisfaction Scale that contemplated four domains: health, physical capacity, mental capacity and social involvement; a Positive/Negative Affect Scale; and a Personal Development Scale. The data were analyzed by the chi-squared test (for comparison of categorical variables), the Mann-Whitney and the Kruskal-Wallis U tests (for comparison of continuous variables). Results: Age and gender were the main factors that were significantly associated with overall life satisfaction, life satisfaction in specific domains, and morale. Higher education was associated with psychological adjustment. Conclusion: Participating in a U3A contributes to high levels of subjective and psychological well-being. Elderly individuals of more advanced ages and men had higher rates of satisfaction with life and positive feelings. The elderly can assess their development trajectory, their commitment to society and consider their efforts in pursuing an ideal of personal excellence.

Abstract Objective : To evaluate the association between the double vulnerability of being elderly and a caregiver and quality of life assessed by Control, Autonomy, Self-realization and Pleasure factors (CASP-19). Method : 148 elderly caregivers participated in the present study. They were selected for convenience from Brazilian public and private health services - a sample from the study “The Psychological Well-Being of Elderly Persons Caring for Other Elderly Persons in a Family Context”. The variables: caregiver’s state of health, care demands, perception of burden, self-rated health, and quality of life were selected. Descriptive analyses, chi-squared tests, Fisher’s exact test, the Kruskal-Wallis test and analysis of multivariate hierarchical logistics were carried out, with theStepwisecriteria applied for selection of variables. Results : The hierarchical multivariate analyses found that number of symptoms and total burden were significantly associated with a poorer quality of life. Elderly persons with three or more symptoms and those with a high burden level were at a higher risk of poor quality of life. The variables number of diseases, burden, and self-rated health compared with the past, were significantly associated with a poorer quality of life. Conclusion : It can be concluded that for the elderly caregiver, physical aspects (signs and symptoms, chronic diseases and a perception of health deterioration) combined with burden are the aspects that most influence quality of life.

O artigo traz algumas considerações a respeito do campo teórico da Gerontologia Ambiental, ao traçar um breve panorama dos temas clássicos de estudo e aplicação dos novos campos abertos pelas demandas do envelhecimento populacional e políticas públicas decorrentes. O texto busca também salientar o aumento na produção acadêmica internacional no campo, porém não acompanhado na produção nacional. Destaca-se a importância da perspectiva ambiental para as ações práticas do profissional gerontólogo em suas tarefas de gestão de cuidados, serviços e políticas no campo da velhice e dos processos de envelhecimento.