ACCI Conference 2024

This study investigated the impacts of (a) financial hardship and (b) a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias (ADRD) on emotional distress, and (c) whether internal coping resources, specifically mastery and optimism, mitigate emotional distress, and (d) how these associations differ by race/ethnicity among U.S. older adults. Furthermore, the present study investigated (e) how romantic relationship trajectories in later life influence emotional well-being. Analyses were based on the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative longitudinal data of U.S. older adults (N = 3,070). Multivariable ordinary least squares regression models predicting emotional distress were adjusted for health and sociodemographic characteristics. Results indicated that financial hardship and a diagnosis of ADRD were related to heightened emotional distress, whereas internal coping resources, both mastery and optimism, alleviated emotional distress. Compared with individuals who continuously married throughout the study period, those who were continuously never married exhibited significantly higher levels of emotional distress, whereas individuals who were divorced/separated at baseline but entered cohabiting union during the study period experienced significantly lower levels of emotional distress. Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics exhibited significantly lower levels of emotional distress than non-Hispanic Whites. Moderation analyses revealed that the detrimental effect of financial hardship on emotional distress was less conspicuous among non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics. The adverse impact of ADRD on emotional distress was significantly more pronounced among Hispanics. Finally, the impact of optimism on emotional distress was significantly more pronounced for non-Hispanic Asian/other races, suggesting non-Hispanic Asian/other, who possessed higher levels of optimism, experienced more significant benefits in terms of mitigating emotional distress. These findings have implications for interventions aimed at improving older adults’ emotional well-being.    

Author(s): Shinae Choi