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The number of grandparents providing supplementary care for their grandchildren has increased in the past decades. When analyzing the relationship between the amount of care provided by grandparents and their health, there are mixed results. Some studies suggest that the effects on supplementary caregivers’ health appear to be mediated by the context of caregiving (e.g., personal resources, social context, etc) instead of by its intensity. However, little data has examined the relationship between care intensity and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) (a concept that goes beyond health status) and what protective factors may mediate between care provided by grandparents and HRQoL. Based on the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin, 1993), we aimed to examine how the amount of care provided to grandchildren relates to grandparents’ mental and physical HRQoL and if social support and character strengths act as protective factors mediating this relationship. A sample of 300 grandparents from Spain participated in this study. We grouped participants by the type of supplementary care they were providing: regular or occasional. To test our hypotheses, we conducted path analysis. Character strengths and social support mediated the effect of the amount of care on grandparents’ mental HRQoL. Results also underlined the importance of character strengths as a mediator between the amount of care provided and grandparents’ physical HRQoL. This study highlights the importance of considering a positive orientation focused on protective factors (social support and character strengths) that may minimize the impact of the difficulties associated with grandparents’ caregiving.

Background Older adults have proven their ability to overcome adversities throughout their life. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on older adultsʼ psychological distress (anxiety and depression) over time. Methods A community‐dwelling Spaniard population (N = 192) completed a survey and reported on their sociodemographic characteristics, appraisal and personal resources. Older adults took part in a longitudinal online survey collected in April 2020 (during the lockdown restrictions) and at two subsequent time points 3 and 9 months after baseline (without lockdown restrictions and during the third wave of the pandemic respectively). Results Older adults did not evidence higher emotional distress than during the initial lockdown. Furthermore, depression remained stable and anxiety significantly decreased. Results also suggest that some sociodemographic characteristics, appraisals and personal resources are relevant. Older participants showed less anxiety than younger ones. Furthermore, being a male, resilience, and acceptance were related with the decrease of anxiety. Otherwise, fear of the COVID‐19 outbreak and depression were related with the increase of anxiety. Conclusion Older adults may adapt to the adverse pandemic impact by using more adaptive resources that reduce their distress. Efforts to ameliorate older adults' anxiety by focusing on older adults' personal resources should be considered.

Family can be an essential resource at times of loss or vital crisis. Loneliness and isolation in older adults might have serious negative consequences for their mental health. For this reason, this research aims to analyze the role of family function in the anxiety and depression experienced by older adults during the pandemic caused by COVID-19. Participants were 882 Spanish community-dwelling adults over 60 years of age. Sociodemographic characteristics, characteristics related to the coronavirus, self-perceived health, family function, avoidance, depression, and anxiety were analyzed. Data suggest a buffering effect of family function on anxiety and depression during the pandemic. Furthermore, being unmarried or a female, greater fear of COVID-19, worse self-perceived health, greater avoidance, and worse family function were associated with higher levels of anxiety. Likewise, greater fear of COVID-19, poorer self-perceived health, greater avoidance, and poorer family function, were associated with greater depression. These results point out that family dysfunction is a predisposing factor for the development of the emotional problems of anxiety and depression in older people in potentially stressful and loss situations.

espanolLa familia puede ser un recurso fundamental en momentos de perdidas y crisis vitales. La soledad y el aislamiento en personas mayores provocan consecuencias negativas para su salud mental. La presente investigacion analiza el rol de la funcion familiar en la ansiedad y depresion experimentadas por personas mayores durante la pandemia ocasionada por el COVID-19. Participaron 882 adultos mayores de 60 anos evaluandose caracteristicas sociodemograficas y del coronavirus, salud, funcion familiar, evitacion, depresion y ansiedad. Los datos sugieren un factor amortiguador de la funcion familiar sobre la ansiedad y depresion durante la pandemia. Ademas, no estar casado, ser mujer, mayor miedo al COVID-19, una peor salud autopercibida, mayor evitacion y una peor funcion familiar se asociaba con mayores niveles de ansiedad. Mientras que mayor miedo al COVID-19, una peor salud autopercibida, mayor evitacion y una peor funcion familiar se relacionaban con mayor depresion. Los resultados permiten senalar que la disfuncion familiar es un factor predisponente para el desarrollo de problemas emocionales de ansiedad y depresion en personas mayores en situaciones potencialmente estresantes y de perdida. EnglishFamily can be an essential resource at times of loss or vital crisis. Loneliness and isolation in older adults might have serious negative consequences for their mental health. For this reason, this research aims to analyze the role of family function in the anxiety and depression experienced by older adults during the pandemic caused by COVID-19. Participants were 882 Spanish communitydwelling adults over 60 years of age. Sociodemographic characteristics, characteristics related to the coronavirus, self-perceived health, family function, avoidance, depression and anxiety were analyzed. Data suggest a buffering effect of family function on anxiety and depression during the pandemic. Furthermore, being unmarried or a female, greater fear of COVID-19, worse self-perceived health, greater avoidance, and worse family function were associated with higher levels of anxiety. Likewise, greater fear of COVID-19, poorer self-perceived health, greater avoidance, and poorer family function, were associated with greater depression. These results point out that family dysfunction is a predisposing factor for the development of the emotional problems of anxiety and depression in older people in potentially stressful and loss situations

Caring for older adults is a demanding task. Some professionals may find themselves in complex situations for which they may not be prepared. However, the repercussions of these difficult experiences will depend on personal factors. Resilience acts as a buffer against difficulties and experiences. However, its study with first-line caregivers in nursing homes is limited. This study aimed to validate the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-2 (CD-RISC2), examine its psychometric properties, and analyze the variables associated with resilience (sociodemographic and professionals´ variables).312 nursing home professionals participated in the study. Besides the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-2, they answered questionnaires about good care, burnout, quality of life, person-centered care, and well-being.The CD-RISC2 showed adequate reliability and test-retest reliability. Good support was found for convergent validity with perceived health, person-directed care, personal growth, life purpose, quality of life and good care, and for discriminant validity with burnout. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study that validates the CD-RISC2 Spanish version with front-line workers in nursing homes showing adequate psychometric properties.An abbreviated, simpler, self-assessed version may be more useful than longer versions, especially with professionals with a heavy workload, such as direct care staff in nursing homes.

Ageism is a problem in aging societies. Clinical psychologists and undergraduate psychology students have shown negative attitudes toward older adults. However, no specific measure against ageist my...

The COVID-19 outbreak could be considered as an uncontrollable stressful life event. Lockdown measures have provoked a disruption of daily life with a great impact over older adults’ health and well-being. Nevertheless, eudaimonic well‐being plays a protective role in confronting adverse circumstances, such as the COVID-19 situation. This study aims to assess the association between age and psychological well-being (personal growth and purpose in life). Young–old (60–70 years) and old–old (71–80 years) community-dwelling Spaniards (N = 878) completed a survey and reported on their sociodemographic characteristics and their levels of health, COVID-19 stress-related, appraisal, and personal resources. Old–old did not evidence poorer psychological well-being than young–old. Age has only a negative impact on personal growth. The results also suggest that the nature of the COVID-19 impact (except for the loss of a loved one) may not be as relevant for the older adults’ well-being as their appraisals and personal resources for managing COVID-related problems. In addition, these results suggest that some sociodemographic and health-related variables have an impact on older adults’ well-being. Thus, perceived-health, family functioning, resilience, gratitude, and acceptance had significant associations with both personal growth and purpose in life. Efforts to address older adults’ psychological well-being focusing on older adults’ personal resources should be considered.

This study analyzes the efficacy of a brief psychoeducational program aimed at preventing older adult infantilization by nursing home professionals. We examined whether an experimental group of professionals reported less infantilization than those of a control group. Changes in stereotypes and humanization were regarded as sub-targets. The sample comprised 154 staff members. Infantilization, humanization, and negative stereotypes toward older adults were assessed before and after the intervention, and repeated measures of ANOVA and one-way ANCOVAs were conducted. Infantilization and negative stereotypes decreased in the experimental group. Significant post-intervention differences were found between the experimental and control groups both in infantilization and negative stereotypes but not in humanization. Results reflect the relevance of developing specific interventions focused on preventing infantilization as well as the need for professionals’ training and education to generate a culture of change.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyse how stereotypes towards older people moderate the relationship between burnout and quality of life (QoL) of professionals working in nursing homes.MethodA total of 312 professionals were asked to complete questionnaires of burnout Maslach Burnout Inventory quality of Life (QPL-35) and aging stereotypes (CENVE). The moderation effects were tested using linear regression models.ResultsA negative association was observed between burnout and QoL. It was also found a statistically significant moderator effect of the total score of stereotypes and the health stereotypes, besides a marginally statistically significant moderator effect for motivational stereotypes. The moderator effects were different for people with low and high negative stereotypes. QoL was more affected under conditions of high burnout, in which people with more negative stereotypes tended to present higher QoL than people with lower negative stereotypes.ConclusionHighly burned-out professionals in nursing homes may avoid their negative feelings projecting them to residents through stereotypes, as a way of coping with burnout and increasing their QoL. However, this mechanism is an “aggressive reaction” and may have negative effects for both the older adult and the professional. The comprehension of these variables is essential for developing adequate intervention programs.

Considering the Generativity Model in later life by Cheng, the objective of this study was to analyze how grandparents’ socializing values and styles toward grandchildren aged 6–12 are associated with grandparents’ personal growth. A sample of 300 grandparents participated in this study. Socializing styles (authoritative and permissive) mediated between participants’ personal and relationship values and their personal growth. Abilities and knowledge values showed a positive and a significant relation with grandparents’ personal growth. In contrast, the authoritarian style and materialistic values were not associated with grandparents’ personal growth. These results show how commitment to generative concerns and acts, such as grandchildren’s socialization, relates to grandparents’ well-being. The need to develop social programs promoting intergenerational shared activities and positive family interactions is stressed.

Although several biopsychosocial variables could play an important role as risk and protective factors of mental health, COVID-19 outbreak studies among older people have seldom focused on protective factors. The purpose of this study was to analyze how older adults' personal strengths predict their well-being and emotional distress.783 Spanish people aged 60 and over completed a survey that included sociodemographic characteristics, perceived health, direct or indirect infection by COVID-19, resilience, gratitude, experiential avoidance, family functioning, emotional distress and well-being. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was performed. SEM invariance was also used to analyze whether there were differences between older people affected by COVID-19 and those not affected.The best model supports the mediation effect of resilience, gratitude and experiential avoidance on older people's well-being and emotional distress. Whether participants or relatives had been infected by the virus or not did not affect the results.Variables used as criteria in older adults are related to well-being and emotional distress, but only indirectly and mediated by resilience, gratitude and experiential avoidance. This confirms the importance of considering psychological strengths in older people's well-being. Interventions focused on these personal resources should be considered.

Background There is extensive concern about older people’s care in institutions, especially recently in the past years. One of the reasons is linked to the cases of elder abuse, not only shown by academic and scientific sources, but also by social and mass media and their impact on public perception of the institutional setting. What is more, current COVID-19 pandemic consequences on older people have provoked alarm and worry especially about what is happening in institutions. Methods The sample for this study consists of 286 staff working in nursing homes in Spain. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Professional Good Care Scale in Nursing Homes (GCS-NH). Results Results of parallel analyses and exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) showed a four-factor model for the 32-item scale: humanization (9 items), non-infantilization (10 items), respect (7 items) and empowerment (6 items). Then, psychometric properties were tested analysing internal consistency (reliability) and convergent, divergent and criterion validity. High internal consistency (reliability) and different validity evidence were obtained for the total scores of the GCS-NH and its subscales. GCS-NH scores were also capable of detecting risk of probable institutional elder abuse. Conclusions Results show that this scale is an appropriate, valid, and reliable multidimensional instrument to evaluate good care in older institutionalized people by staff. Good care is an outcome of a complex construct in which a wide range of factors converge (staff, older people, and environmental characteristics). The GCS-NH has potential to be used as a multidimensional tool to assess good care.

This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of an intervention program for informal caregivers of elderly dependent that combined balneotherapy with group psychoeducation (BT-PE) based on the balanced care model. The BT-PE intervention (N = 124) was compared with a comparison group only exposed to balneotherapy (BT) (N = 76). The two modalities included both primary and secondary informal caregivers. A three-way mixed ANOVA was conducted to determine the effects of two between-subjects´ factors (intervention group and caregiver type) and one within-subjects´ factor (time) on burden, depression, anxiety, maladjustment and care satisfaction. Results showed less burden and more care satisfaction in both primary and secondary caregivers participating in the BT-PE program after the interventions. Primary caregivers also showed lower levels of maladjustment in the experimental group at post-intervention. Although depressive symptoms and anxiety decreased significantly in both intervention groups, BT-PE did not show lower scores compared with the application of sole BT. The relevance of caregivers´ psychoeducation on the balanced care model and its combination with balneotherapy is highlighted.

Recent approaches in the care of older people have led to a greater emphasis on good practices to prevent elder abuse. The instruments assessing good practices are very limited, and those focused on elder abuse have rarely considered subtle forms, especially in institutional settings. The aim of this study was to develop and assess the content validity of a good practices scale for professionals working in nursing homes. An extensive literature review of the tools assessing professionals’ good–bad practices towards older people was conducted. A preliminary scale based on Kayser-Jones’ (1990) [Old, Alone and Neglected: Care of the Aged in Scotland and the United States. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press] types of abuse was developed, including four subscales: Personalization, Humanization, Absence of Infantilization, and Absence of Victimization. Content validity was analyzed through a panel of eight experts. Rovinelli and Hambleton’s index of item-objective congruence was used to analyze the items’ inclusiveness in the assigned subscale to establish their representativeness. Items’ relevance and clarity were analyzed using the paired comparison method. The final version of the scale included 56 items, with appropriate levels of item objective-congruence, relevance, and clarity. This instrument will allow professionals to detect and develop awareness and intervention programs that aim to promote good practices in nursing homes.

IntroductionThe number of grandparents providing regular care for their grandchildren has increased substantially. Data drawn from the SHARE survey shows regular caregivers care for more than 30 hours per week in Europe. This means that many regular caregivers are performing tasks that are part of parents’ responsibilities. Some research has shown lower perceived health and role strain. However, it can also offer opportunities to grow. Rapid social changes have led to grandparents not perceiving their predecessors as role models, making them having to update themselves to relate with their grandchildren. Character strengths are the natural ability by which thoughts, feelings and behaviours allow to achieve goals. They could help grandparents increase their perceptions of personal growth. However, the role played by character strengths in personal growth has not been studied yet.MethodThis study aimed to analyze what character strengths predict extended babysitters´ personal growth. This study included 107 grandparents providing regular care (more than 15 hours per week) to at least one grandchild from Spain. The average age was 69.46 (SD=7.02), 63.6% were women, 76% were maternal grandparents and the average daily hours of care provided was 5.07 (DT=14.61). To analyze data, we conducted stepwise multiple regressions.Results:In step one, the total score of character strengths explained 21.1% of the variance in personal growth (F(1, 105)= 28.14; p≤.001). The total score of character strengths and emotional intelligence accounted for 25.6% of the variance in step two (F(1, 104)= 17.91; p≤.001). In the final step, total character strengths, emotional intelligence and creativity explained 28.6% of the variance (F(1, 103)= 13.79; p≤.05). The higher scores in character strengths, emotional intelligence and creativity, the more personal growth grandparents showed.Conclusion:These results reflect the importance of considering character strengths as factors associated with grandparents´ personal growth. Future interventions focused on extended babysitters could consider character strengths. Especially, creativity and emotional intelligence, strengths that may help grandparents to connect and dialogue with their own emotions and those of their grandchildren as well as experience the difficulties associated with caregiving as opportunities for growth and development.Funding:This Project was funded by Fundación San Pablo CEU (M02.0401.000.MPFI20CN)

IntroductionThe quality of life (QoL) of professionals working in nursing homes is often impaired by the stress that they experience daily. This sustained stress is known as burnout. A syndrome that ends up negatively affecting all areas of life and decreasing their quality of life. Negative stereotypes can alter how professionals perceive older adults. The literature has supported the relationship between high levels of burnout and negative stereotyping. These may moderate the impact of stress as a function of how they perceive stressors as reported by Lazarus and Folkman (1984).ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze how burnout affects professionals´ quality of life and how this relationship is moderated by their stereotypes towards the residents. The sample included 312 professionals working in nursing homes. Quality of life (QPL-35), burnout (MBI) and negative stereotypes towards older adults´ health, motivation and personality (CENVE) were measured. To analyze the data, we performed linear regression models.Results:We found a negative relationship between burnout and quality of life (p2=0.47). The results of the moderation analysis show that they are significant regarding total stereotypes variable (M1: b=0.10, SE=0.04, t=2.18, p=0.03), the health subscale (M2: b=0.14, SE=0.04, t=3.11, pConclusion:These results reflect the importance of investigating the role of stereotypes and their relationship with professionals´ quality of life and burnout. Future intervention programs that aim to prevent negative stereotypes are needed not only to improve residents´ quality of life, but also for professionals wellbeing and quality of life.Funding:This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant no. PSI2016-79803-R).

IntroductionKayser-Jones (1981) described infantilization as one of the four most frequent types of violence in nursing homes. Older people perceive infantilization as disrespectful and patronizing. In professionals, it can lead to protective behaviors that reduce autonomy and generate more dependency. Despite the importance of this phenomenon, the interventions are scarce and show methodological limitations.ObjectiveThis study analyzed the efficacy of a psychoeducation program for the prevention of infantilization in professionals working in nursing homes. The sample included 154 direct-care workers. The experimental group (N=111) attended a psychoeducational group intervention program while the control group (N=43) did not attend any intervention program. We assessed the infantilized practices the professionals recognized they conducted and the ones observed in the institution before and after the intervention. The intervention lasted 6 hours and included four sessions distributed in two days. These sessions aimed to reduce negative stereotypes, preventing infantilized communication patterns and the use of behaviors or practices that are frequently used with children. We also offered professionals alternative practices that recognize autonomy, decision-making and respect older adults´ dignity and uniqueness. To analyze data, we conducted Repeated measures of ANOVA and one-way ANCOVAs.Results:The scores of infantilization in the experimental group significantly decreased from pre-intervention to post-intervention in the professional, F(1, 85) = 37.184, p = .01, partial η2 = .030, and in the institution, F(1, 84) = 32.128, p = .01, partial η2 = .277, while the control group did not show any changes. There was a statistically significant difference in post-intervention between the experimental and the control group when participants scored their infantilization practices, F(1, 115) = 5.175, p = .03, partial η2 = .043, and infantilization practices observed in the institution, F(1, 115) = 5.810, p = .018, partial η2 = .048.Conclusion:These results reflect the importance of developing interventions focused on preventing infantilization, methodologically rigorous, in which professionals´ training and education are considered key pieces to generate a culture of change. More research is needed to understand this problem in greater depth to develop programs that address this problem at different levels.Funding:This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant no. PSI2016-79803-R).

Se evaluaron 4 dosis del fertilizante 15-20-25 fueron 2, 3, 4 y 5 gramos por litro de agua más un testigo. El objetivo fue Determinar la mejor dosis de 15-20-25 para favorecer la floración de Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. Los resultados mostraron que la variable Contenido de clorofila a los 90 días el mejor tratamiento fue el No. 4, con54.95 unidades SPAD, con una diferencia significativa del tratamiento 5 que fue el testigo con 44.64. En la variable de Diámetro de tallo el tratamiento que tuvo mejor resultado fue el tratamiento 2 con 0.741 centímetro, teniendo una diferencia significativa con el testigo. En la variable de número de hojas, el Tratamiento que tuvo mayor número fue el 4 con un total de 20 hojas. En este sentido vemos que el tratamiento que funcionó de mejor manera y que obtuvo mayor contenido de clorofila, mayor diámetro de tallo y numero de hojas fue el tratamiento No. 4, con una dosis de 5 gramos por litro, donde se pudo observar plantas vigorosas de hojas gruesas y color verde obscuro por el alto contenido de nitrógeno registrado en la planta siendo además las que primero iniciaron la etapa de floración y mejor calidad de ramo floral.

Family can be an essential resource at times of loss or vital crisis. Loneliness and isolation in older adults might have serious negative consequences for their mental health. For this reason, this research aims to analyze the role of family function in the anxiety and depression experienced by older adults during the COVID-19 crisis. Participants were 882 Spanish community-dwelling adults over 60 years of age. Sociodemographic characteristics, characteristics related to the coronavirus, self-perceived health, family function, avoidance, depression and anxiety were analyzed. Data suggest a buffering effect of family function on anxiety and depression during the pandemic. Furthermore, being unmarried or a female, greater fear of COVID-19, worse self-perceived health, greater avoidance, and worse family function were associated with higher levels of anxiety. Likewise, greater fear of COVID-19, poorer self-perceived health, greater avoidance, and poorer family function, were associated with greater depression. These results point out that family dysfunction is a predisposing factor for the development of the emotional problems of anxiety and depression in older people in potentially stressful and loss situations.

Current studies have shown that older people ́s Quality of Life (QoL) is more associated to individual ́s sense of happiness and subjective life satisfaction than to objective problems, such as physical functioning. CASP scale conceptualizes QoL based in a psycho-sociological perspective. Originally it consisted of 19 items (four factors: control, autonomy, self-realization and pleasure; the first letter of each factor were joined to create the acronym, CASP), but Wiggins, Netuvelli, Hyde, Higgs and Blane (2008) proposed a shorter version including 12 items and three factors (control combined with autonomy, pleasure and self-realization). Objective and methods. The aim of this study was to assess the structure of the CASP- 12 SHARE version using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in a sample of 1,108 people aged 60 years and over. We checked the CASP structures traditionally proposed (one-dimensional, four dimension first-order factor and second order factor model) and tested, for the first time, the three domains model proposed by Wiggins et al. (2008) with the objective of constructing a model with acceptable fit to the data that also retains the theoretical value of the scale. Results. The three factor model (1) pleasure, 2) self-realization and 3) autonomy and control) showed a good overall fit (CFI=.932; TLI=.912; RMSEA=.067). An adequate internal consistency was also obtained. Conclusion. This is the first study that explored the psychometric properties and validated a well-fitting three factor structure proposed by Wiggins and cols (2008) for the CASP-12 in a large population sample of older people from Spain. The results of the current study support a multidimensional model for the CASP-12 composed by three factors. The CASP-12 has potential to be used as a multidimensional tool to assess QoL in older people. pre-print 270 KB

Although the engagement of grandparents in grandchildren’s life has increased, there is a lack of research that explores the values that grandparents desire to transmit to their grandchildren. The aim of this study was to analyze the factor structure, the validity, and the reliability of the Values Aspired for the Future Scale in a sample of grandparents. Three hundred grandparents participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a three-factor structure with an excellent overall fit: personal and relationship values, abilities and knowledge values, and materialistic values. Grandparents’ sex did not have a moderating effect on the factor structure. An adequate internal consistency was obtained. Significant associations between values, health-related quality of life, social support, and psychological well-being were found, with the exception of the materialistic values. This scale should be tested in different cultural contexts in order to confirm the results found. The implications ...