Project 1 -- (psychosocial, sociodemographic and
health variables)
ABSTRACT:
Project
1 has two primary aims. The first is to collect a second
wave of data, approximately 9-10 years
later,
on the MIDUS I core
sample (N = 3,485), metropolitan over-samples (N = 757), twins
(N = 998
pairs),
and
siblings
(N = 951) of core respondents.
At T2, respondents will be 35 to 86 years of age, thereby
allowing
for investigation
of age changes and differences
in a wide
array of behavioral, psychosocial, and
experiential
factors hypothesized
to
influence unfolding trajectories
of health and illness. In
the 4+ years since
the data have
been
available, MIDUS I
findings have
appeared in 42 journals covering numerous scientific
fields.
Data
collection
will largely repeat T1
assessments (45 minute phone
interview, 100 page self-administered
questionnaire) plus;
additions
in select areas
(e.g., cognitive functioning,
optimism
and coping,
stressful life
events, caregiving).
The
second
primary aim is
to recruit
a Milwaukee,
WI over-sample of
African
Americans
(N = 400) to
participate
in a lengthy field interview and
questionnaire
paralleling the
above
instruments, designed
to maximize
response
rates.
The hypotheses to be
investigated with MIDUS
II
are
extensive, given the
many
investigators working
with
the
data. An overarching
theme across them is that
behavioral and psychosocial
factors
are consequential
for health (mental and physical).
Illustrative examples:
regarding
age-related resilience,we
predict
that aging
individuals who show delayed
on set
of health
problems,
have
fewer disabilities,and lower
mortality
are
those
with psychological strengths (e.g., emotion
regulation,
coping, control,
goals/purpose,
cognitive abilities,
religious/spiritual beliefs),quality
ties to others
(e.g.,
spouse,
family, friends) and positive
health practices.
Regarding
socioeconomic
factors and health, we
predict
that
behavioral and psychosocial factors
are
key
mediators/
moderators of SES-related
effects
on health.
Regarding the
African
American sample, we predict
that perceived discrimination and related
measures of
affect and coping will be
linked withhealth
outcomes, and
intervening
health practices.
The neurobiological
mechanisms through which these
many behavioral and
psychosocial
variables influence
health will be
elaborated in Projects 4
and 5. Given the guiding
objective
of integrating these
many levels
of
analysis in
understanding pathways to health and illness, Project
1 will
also
include emphasis on
person-
centered
methodologies
to accomplish such integration. Revisions focus on
clarifying
guiding theory,
documenting
the high quality of the original
MIDUS study, adjusting projected
response rates, and
articulating
how the
proposed
research will advance existing paradigms in aging.
Project 1
Documentation
