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• 1. [Article] Awareness of Aging in Taiwan and the United States : An Examination of Ageism among College Students using Stereotypes and Future Self-views

  Ageism in the context of global population aging could lead to increasing human and economic costs. Age stereotypes tend to be negative (Hummert, 1990) and ubiquitous (Nelson, 2002) there are a variety ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Awareness of Aging in Taiwan and the United States : An Examination of Ageism among College Students using Stereotypes and Future Self-views Author: Allen, Pamela M. Ageism in the context of global population aging could lead to increasing human and economic costs. Age stereotypes tend to be negative (Hummert, 1990) and ubiquitous (Nelson, 2002) there are a variety of well documented detrimental consequences of negative age stereotypes on older adults' physical, cognitive and psychological outcomes (Hummert, 2011; Levy, 2009; Hess et al., 2003). This contributes to a toxic social environment for older people. The issue is of growing importance especially in Asia, where most of today's older people reside (United Nations, 2012) and where ageism appears to be on the rise despite traditional predictions that cultural collectivism and filial piety should protect against negative stereotypes (North & Fiske, 2015). Ageism is proposed by stereotype embodiment theory (Levy, 2009) to be driven by a lifespan process by which beliefs about aging are internalized from the sociocultural context of the individual beginning in childhood. In addition, age stereotypes and self-views related to aging assimilate such that age stereotypes also become internalized into one's self-view. Together, age stereotypes and self-views are components of one's overall subjective awareness of aging (AoA), an "integral psychological process or condition of the aging self" representing one's sense of having grown older (Diehl et al., 2014, p. 2). Depending on whether AoA is positive or negative it functions to enhance or constrict developmental opportunity throughout adult development, respectively. In early adulthood, a period characterized by identity consolidation (Côté, 2009; Erikson, 1968) and a developing future time orientation (Nurmi, 1991), age stereotypes stand to be internalized into one’s future oriented self-concept. Internalization of negative age stereotypes into young adults' future self-views (of one's self in old age) matters because it could give rise to negative AoA early in adulthood and developmental trajectories constraining healthy aging later in life. The cross-cultural ageism research in Western and Eastern societies has assessed stereotypes only and there has been little attention to future self-views (Markus & Nurius, 1986), developmental influences such as experiences with older people (Hagestad & Uhlenberg, 2005), or processes such as internalization by which negative stereotypes can become self-relevant (Levy, 2009). Conversely, the extant work examining internalization of age stereotypes into future self-views as of yet offers little insight into cultural or developmental factors for the processes of internalization (e.g., Kornadt & Rothermund, 2012). Therefore in this dissertation I draw on stereotype embodiment theory (Levy, 2009) and the Awareness of Aging model (Diehl et al., 2014), to examine the positivity of age stereotypes and future self-views among young adults in the U.S. and Taiwan. Data from the Cross-Cultural Perceptions of Aging Study were used to quantitatively measure experiential variables as well as the degree of positivity of age stereotypes and future self-views among 942 American and 659 Taiwanese college students using the Taiwanese developed Older Person Scale (OPS; Lu & Kao, 2009). The dissertation adapted the OPS for first time use in English before using it to examine how cultural context, personal experiences with older adults related to age segregation, and gender impact the positivity of age stereotypes and future self-views cross-culturally. Multiple group confirmatory factor analysis established partial scalar cross-cultural measurement invariance of 15-item and 17-item versions of the scale for measuring age stereotypes and future self-views, respectively. Results showed a four factor structure of the scale reflecting the domains of 1) physical abilities and appearance, 2) psychological and cognitive abilities, 3) interpersonal relationships and social engagement, and 4) employment and financial security. Content analyses of open ended descriptors of age stereotypes and future self-views among American college students provided a check on the assumption that the OPS captures content of these constructs in the population of American college students. Due to the superior psychometric properties of the OPS for measurement of the social domain, and relevance of this domain for experiences of intergenerational contact, the primary research questions were addressed with respect to the social domain. Results of moderated mediation modeling showed that, as hypothesized (hypothesis 1), Taiwanese participants exhibited less positivity in stereotypes and self-views in the psychological and social domains but not the physical or employment domains. Contrary to the expectation, Taiwanese age stereotypes were better characterized as slightly positive or ambivalent rather than negative. As predicted by hypothesis 2, females and those reporting regular experience of contact with older adults expressed more positivity in age stereotypes and future self-views in the social domain across cultural contexts. In support of hypothesis 3, age stereotypes mediated the association of 1) cultural context, and 2) contact frequency to the positivity of future self-views in the social domain. Exploratory results indicated that the strength of indirect effects did not vary significantly across cultural contexts or gender. Based on culture- and gender-based differences in interdependence of self-construals (Cross & Madson, 1997; Markus & Nurius, 1986), I hypothesize that Taiwanese students and American women would exhibit stronger association of age stereotypes to future self-views (i.e., internalization) than American men (hypothesis 4). Taiwanese and American women were found to have among the strongest internalization, but, unexpectedly, American men exhibited equal internalization and Taiwanese men exhibited the weakest internalization. A fifth hypothesis predicting that age integration (i.e., contact with both kin and non-kin older people) moderates the association of contact frequency with age stereotypes was unable to be tested due to an unbalanced response distribution on the relevant variable. Results of this dissertation reinforce the relevance of age stereotypes for future self-views among young adults and speak to the appropriateness of tailoring ageism-focused programs, policies, trainings or educational efforts to the individual or the cultural context. Title: Awareness of Aging in Taiwan and the United States : An Examination of Ageism among College Students using Stereotypes and Future Self-views Author: Allen, Pamela M. Ageism in the context of global population aging could lead to increasing human and economic costs. Age stereotypes tend to be negative (Hummert, 1990) and ubiquitous (Nelson, 2002) there are a variety of well documented detrimental consequences of negative age stereotypes on older adults' physical, cognitive and psychological outcomes (Hummert, 2011; Levy, 2009; Hess et al., 2003). This contributes to a toxic social environment for older people. The issue is of growing importance especially in Asia, where most of today's older people reside (United Nations, 2012) and where ageism appears to be on the rise despite traditional predictions that cultural collectivism and filial piety should protect against negative stereotypes (North & Fiske, 2015). Ageism is proposed by stereotype embodiment theory (Levy, 2009) to be driven by a lifespan process by which beliefs about aging are internalized from the sociocultural context of the individual beginning in childhood. In addition, age stereotypes and self-views related to aging assimilate such that age stereotypes also become internalized into one's self-view. Together, age stereotypes and self-views are components of one's overall subjective awareness of aging (AoA), an "integral psychological process or condition of the aging self" representing one's sense of having grown older (Diehl et al., 2014, p. 2). Depending on whether AoA is positive or negative it functions to enhance or constrict developmental opportunity throughout adult development, respectively. In early adulthood, a period characterized by identity consolidation (Côté, 2009; Erikson, 1968) and a developing future time orientation (Nurmi, 1991), age stereotypes stand to be internalized into one’s future oriented self-concept. Internalization of negative age stereotypes into young adults' future self-views (of one's self in old age) matters because it could give rise to negative AoA early in adulthood and developmental trajectories constraining healthy aging later in life. The cross-cultural ageism research in Western and Eastern societies has assessed stereotypes only and there has been little attention to future self-views (Markus & Nurius, 1986), developmental influences such as experiences with older people (Hagestad & Uhlenberg, 2005), or processes such as internalization by which negative stereotypes can become self-relevant (Levy, 2009). Conversely, the extant work examining internalization of age stereotypes into future self-views as of yet offers little insight into cultural or developmental factors for the processes of internalization (e.g., Kornadt & Rothermund, 2012). Therefore in this dissertation I draw on stereotype embodiment theory (Levy, 2009) and the Awareness of Aging model (Diehl et al., 2014), to examine the positivity of age stereotypes and future self-views among young adults in the U.S. and Taiwan. Data from the Cross-Cultural Perceptions of Aging Study were used to quantitatively measure experiential variables as well as the degree of positivity of age stereotypes and future self-views among 942 American and 659 Taiwanese college students using the Taiwanese developed Older Person Scale (OPS; Lu & Kao, 2009). The dissertation adapted the OPS for first time use in English before using it to examine how cultural context, personal experiences with older adults related to age segregation, and gender impact the positivity of age stereotypes and future self-views cross-culturally. Multiple group confirmatory factor analysis established partial scalar cross-cultural measurement invariance of 15-item and 17-item versions of the scale for measuring age stereotypes and future self-views, respectively. Results showed a four factor structure of the scale reflecting the domains of 1) physical abilities and appearance, 2) psychological and cognitive abilities, 3) interpersonal relationships and social engagement, and 4) employment and financial security. Content analyses of open ended descriptors of age stereotypes and future self-views among American college students provided a check on the assumption that the OPS captures content of these constructs in the population of American college students. Due to the superior psychometric properties of the OPS for measurement of the social domain, and relevance of this domain for experiences of intergenerational contact, the primary research questions were addressed with respect to the social domain. Results of moderated mediation modeling showed that, as hypothesized (hypothesis 1), Taiwanese participants exhibited less positivity in stereotypes and self-views in the psychological and social domains but not the physical or employment domains. Contrary to the expectation, Taiwanese age stereotypes were better characterized as slightly positive or ambivalent rather than negative. As predicted by hypothesis 2, females and those reporting regular experience of contact with older adults expressed more positivity in age stereotypes and future self-views in the social domain across cultural contexts. In support of hypothesis 3, age stereotypes mediated the association of 1) cultural context, and 2) contact frequency to the positivity of future self-views in the social domain. Exploratory results indicated that the strength of indirect effects did not vary significantly across cultural contexts or gender. Based on culture- and gender-based differences in interdependence of self-construals (Cross & Madson, 1997; Markus & Nurius, 1986), I hypothesize that Taiwanese students and American women would exhibit stronger association of age stereotypes to future self-views (i.e., internalization) than American men (hypothesis 4). Taiwanese and American women were found to have among the strongest internalization, but, unexpectedly, American men exhibited equal internalization and Taiwanese men exhibited the weakest internalization. A fifth hypothesis predicting that age integration (i.e., contact with both kin and non-kin older people) moderates the association of contact frequency with age stereotypes was unable to be tested due to an unbalanced response distribution on the relevant variable. Results of this dissertation reinforce the relevance of age stereotypes for future self-views among young adults and speak to the appropriateness of tailoring ageism-focused programs, policies, trainings or educational efforts to the individual or the cultural context. Close

• 2. [Article] The aging endoplasmic reticulum

  Hallmarks of aging include the accumulation of aberrant proteins and a lower resistance to stresses. Because the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) functions to fold proteins and possesses unique stress sensing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The aging endoplasmic reticulum Author: Dixon, Brian M. Hallmarks of aging include the accumulation of aberrant proteins and a lower resistance to stresses. Because the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) functions to fold proteins and possesses unique stress sensing pathways, the central hypothesis of this dissertation is that the ER is a target of cellular aging and significantly underlies these age-related phenotypes. This hypothesis was tested using isolated microsomes from young (3-6 mo) and old (24-26 mo) rats and a novel primary hepatocyte cell culture model that maintains the aging phenotype. The ER luminal oxidation/reduction (redox) environment, exemplified by the glutathione redox ratio (GSH:GSSG), is vital for both ER stress signaling and the regulation of ER oxidoreductase activity. Therefore, the hepatic microsomal GSH:GSSG ratio from young and old rats was determined. Our results showed that the GSH:GSSG ratio in young rats was 3.8:1 and that, in contrast to the age-related loss of GSH redox in whole liver, microsomal GSH:GSSG increased to 6.4:1 in old rats. This increase is sufficient to convert ER oxidoreductases from folding proteins to enzymes involved in protein unfolding. These results show that the ER is under an increased stress with age, yet no activation of ER stress response pathways was detected. Using the aging cell culture model noted above to examine the loss of ER stress response with age, we show that following induction of an ER stress by tunicamycin, ER-mediated "pro-apoptotic" pathways were in intact with age, but induction of "pro-survival" genes were significantly delayed. Taken together, these show that aging leads to: 1) a reductive shift in ER thiol redox, and 2) an attenuation of ER stress response. Lastly, previous work showed that (R)-alpha-lipoic acid (R-LA) restores GSH levels and redox status in aged rat livers. To determine whether R-LA also reversed the age-related changes in ER GSH redox status, young and old rats were supplemented with R-LA. Results showed that R-LA reversed both the age-related increase in the ER GSH redox state and induced protective ER stress response pathways in a manner similar to young animals. Thus, R-LA may be an effective therapeutic to maintain ER homeostatic mechanisms with age. Title: The aging endoplasmic reticulum Author: Dixon, Brian M. Hallmarks of aging include the accumulation of aberrant proteins and a lower resistance to stresses. Because the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) functions to fold proteins and possesses unique stress sensing pathways, the central hypothesis of this dissertation is that the ER is a target of cellular aging and significantly underlies these age-related phenotypes. This hypothesis was tested using isolated microsomes from young (3-6 mo) and old (24-26 mo) rats and a novel primary hepatocyte cell culture model that maintains the aging phenotype. The ER luminal oxidation/reduction (redox) environment, exemplified by the glutathione redox ratio (GSH:GSSG), is vital for both ER stress signaling and the regulation of ER oxidoreductase activity. Therefore, the hepatic microsomal GSH:GSSG ratio from young and old rats was determined. Our results showed that the GSH:GSSG ratio in young rats was 3.8:1 and that, in contrast to the age-related loss of GSH redox in whole liver, microsomal GSH:GSSG increased to 6.4:1 in old rats. This increase is sufficient to convert ER oxidoreductases from folding proteins to enzymes involved in protein unfolding. These results show that the ER is under an increased stress with age, yet no activation of ER stress response pathways was detected. Using the aging cell culture model noted above to examine the loss of ER stress response with age, we show that following induction of an ER stress by tunicamycin, ER-mediated "pro-apoptotic" pathways were in intact with age, but induction of "pro-survival" genes were significantly delayed. Taken together, these show that aging leads to: 1) a reductive shift in ER thiol redox, and 2) an attenuation of ER stress response. Lastly, previous work showed that (R)-alpha-lipoic acid (R-LA) restores GSH levels and redox status in aged rat livers. To determine whether R-LA also reversed the age-related changes in ER GSH redox status, young and old rats were supplemented with R-LA. Results showed that R-LA reversed both the age-related increase in the ER GSH redox state and induced protective ER stress response pathways in a manner similar to young animals. Thus, R-LA may be an effective therapeutic to maintain ER homeostatic mechanisms with age. Close

• 3. [Article] Aging in place : a contemporary social phenomenon

  Most aging individuals prefer to remain in a self-determined home environment, and generally aging adults want to remain in the same home or same community. The benefits of remaining in a self-determined ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Aging in place : a contemporary social phenomenon Author: Lee, Megan (Megan Elizabeth) Most aging individuals prefer to remain in a self-determined home environment, and generally aging adults want to remain in the same home or same community. The benefits of remaining in a self-determined private home environment while aging have been established. Because individuals present a diversity of needs, it takes interdisciplinary and multifaceted approaches with options to keep older adults in their communities. Aging in place (AIP) represents an interdisciplinary approach to creating options that facilitate remaining in a self-determine environment. The purpose of this research was to examine the current state of the interdisciplinary concept aging in place (AIP). The need to understand AIP is more globally relevant as the U.S. becomes an aging society facing rapid change due to technology, globalization, and mobility. Guided by the tenants of theory development, and the ecological model of housing choice, two manuscripts were developed focusing on the current state of AIP. The first research study titled, An Evolutionary Concept Analysis: Aging in Place, used the content analysis method to examine the concept across diverse disciplines. A derived definition was developed that includes research, practice, policy, and those individuals involved in the aging process. The definition reflects the contemporary state of AIP and can be used for theory development and to unify all users of the AIP concept. The second research study titled, The Current State of Older Women Aging in Place in Oregon, used qualitative case study methods to examine seven cases of aging in place. The aim of the project was to examine seven women’s current and past experiences, and the dynamic process of aging in place in a self-determined private home environment. Two common themes were identified (1) The AIP reflects the woman’s process of self-preserving actions that maintain current AIP independence, and (2) AIP situational independence suggests that the participants’ pathways to their current AIP began after they each experienced an individualized trigger event. The findings have theoretical and practice implications that provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to identifying the current status of AIP and the development of options that facilitate the AIP process. Title: Aging in place : a contemporary social phenomenon Author: Lee, Megan (Megan Elizabeth) Most aging individuals prefer to remain in a self-determined home environment, and generally aging adults want to remain in the same home or same community. The benefits of remaining in a self-determined private home environment while aging have been established. Because individuals present a diversity of needs, it takes interdisciplinary and multifaceted approaches with options to keep older adults in their communities. Aging in place (AIP) represents an interdisciplinary approach to creating options that facilitate remaining in a self-determine environment. The purpose of this research was to examine the current state of the interdisciplinary concept aging in place (AIP). The need to understand AIP is more globally relevant as the U.S. becomes an aging society facing rapid change due to technology, globalization, and mobility. Guided by the tenants of theory development, and the ecological model of housing choice, two manuscripts were developed focusing on the current state of AIP. The first research study titled, An Evolutionary Concept Analysis: Aging in Place, used the content analysis method to examine the concept across diverse disciplines. A derived definition was developed that includes research, practice, policy, and those individuals involved in the aging process. The definition reflects the contemporary state of AIP and can be used for theory development and to unify all users of the AIP concept. The second research study titled, The Current State of Older Women Aging in Place in Oregon, used qualitative case study methods to examine seven cases of aging in place. The aim of the project was to examine seven women’s current and past experiences, and the dynamic process of aging in place in a self-determined private home environment. Two common themes were identified (1) The AIP reflects the woman’s process of self-preserving actions that maintain current AIP independence, and (2) AIP situational independence suggests that the participants’ pathways to their current AIP began after they each experienced an individualized trigger event. The findings have theoretical and practice implications that provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to identifying the current status of AIP and the development of options that facilitate the AIP process. Close

• 4. [Article] Building a State for All Ages: Tapping the Potential of Older Oregonians

  This report explores how the aging population—including native Oregonians and senior adults moving to the state—represent an asset to Oregon. Aging in America has often been viewed from a perspective of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Building a State for All Ages: Tapping the Potential of Older Oregonians Author: Percy, Stephen, Ramaley, Judith A., Tapogna, John, Neal, Margaret B., Bloom, Jay, Reece, Alexandra Year: 2016 This report explores how the aging population—including native Oregonians and senior adults moving to the state—represent an asset to Oregon. Aging in America has often been viewed from a perspective of deficit and decline. We wholeheartedly challenge this perspective. This report identifies how older adults can play vital roles in the workforce, entrepreneurship and innovation, and supporting community revitalization through volunteering of time and talent. Title: Building a State for All Ages: Tapping the Potential of Older Oregonians Author: Percy, Stephen, Ramaley, Judith A., Tapogna, John, Neal, Margaret B., Bloom, Jay, Reece, Alexandra Year: 2016 This report explores how the aging population—including native Oregonians and senior adults moving to the state—represent an asset to Oregon. Aging in America has often been viewed from a perspective of deficit and decline. We wholeheartedly challenge this perspective. This report identifies how older adults can play vital roles in the workforce, entrepreneurship and innovation, and supporting community revitalization through volunteering of time and talent. Close

• 5. [Article] Effects of single- vs. dual-task training on balance performance under dual-task conditions in older adults with balance impairment: A randomized, controlled trial

  xiv, 96 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effects of single- vs. dual-task training on balance performance under dual-task conditions in older adults with balance impairment: A randomized, controlled trial Author: Silsupadol, Patima, 1975- Year: 2009, 2008 xiv, 96 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. Title: Effects of single- vs. dual-task training on balance performance under dual-task conditions in older adults with balance impairment: A randomized, controlled trial Author: Silsupadol, Patima, 1975- Year: 2009, 2008 xiv, 96 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. Close