Module 7: Later life disorders

Question 1

What is selective mortality?

Answer 1

a form of attrition wherepeoplearenolongeravailablefor follow upbecauseofdeath

Question 2

How does selective mortality impact studies?

Answer 2

Selective mortality andattritiondue
to immobilityresultinabiasbecause
findingsobtainedfrom theremainingsamplearemorerelevanttodrawingconclusionsaboutrelativelyhealthypeoplethanaboutunhealthy people

Question 3

What are cohort effects?

Answer 3

aretheconsequencesofgrowingupduringaparticulartimeperiodwithits characteristicchallengesandopportunities.

Forexample,warandfamineshapeattitudes andhealthfordecadestofollow.

Anotherexampleisthedrasticchangeintheexpecta- tionsformarriageoverthepastcentury,atleastinWesternsocieties,
fromafocusonsta- bilitytoafocusonhappinessandpersonalfulfillment.

Question 4

What are time of measurement effects?

Answer 4

Time-of-measurement effects are confounds that arise because events at a particular point in time can have a specific effect on a variable that is being studied. For example, people tested while anticipating a major hurricane might demonstrate elevated levels of anxiety

Question 5

What are the prevalence rates for older generations?

Answer 5

sshowninthefigure,everysingledisor- derwaslesscommoninolderadultsthaninyoungeradults.Noneofthoseaged65andolder metthecriteriaforsubstanceusedisorders.

ostolderadultswhohaveanepisodeofapsy- chologicaldisorderareexperiencingarecurrenceofadisorderthatstartedearlierinliferather thananinitialonset.Forexample,97%ofolderadultswithgeneralizedanxietydisorderreport thattheirsymptomsbeganbeforetheageof65

Question 6

What are the 3 methodological limitations that affect reporting / studying psychological disorders in older populations?

Answer 6

1. response biases = against mental health leading to concealing symptoms
2. cohort effects = manypeoplewho reachedadulthoodduringthedrug-orientederaofthe1960scontinuetousedrugsastheyage (Zarit&Zarit,2011).Theirgenerationhasmoreproblemswithalcoholandsubstanceusedis- ordersinlatelifethanpreviousgenerationshad
3. selective mortality = Becausepeoplewithpsychologicaldisordersmaydieearlier,studieson agingmaysufferfromhigh drop out rates / less representative populations due to selectivemortality

Question 7

Issues with giving treatment to older adults with mental illnesses?

Answer 7

1. some psychiatricmedications,includingbenzodiazepines,antipsychotic medications,someantidepressants,andsomemedicationshave SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS IN OLDER ADULTS OR NEED LOWER DOSES
2. When cognitive declines are present,includingacaregiverinthe
   therapysessionsandproviding
   writtenremindersofsessioncontentcanbehelpful