Dear Readers,
Welcome to the third issue of Volume 66 of the Journal of Gerontological Social Work. It features eight research articles, which includes a special section highlighting caregiving related topics. The issue opens with Larsson and colleagues’ qualitative study of older adults’ summer camp experiences in Sweden; results indicate that summer camp stays enhanced quality of life and sense of community while also helping to mitigate loneliness. Next, Emerson et al. share a survey study examining older adults’ responses to social distancing; findings reveal that emotional outcomes were largely negative, especially for young old and female respondents. Article three, by Tang et al., examines factors associated with life satisfaction and mental health among custodial grandparents; results support the connections between effective stress management, the use of informal and formal support services, and positive outcomes for grandparents. Next, Gao and colleagues present findings from a survey study of perceived quality of life among Chinese older adults living with cognitive impairment and associated caregiver characteristics. Findings indicate that addressing caregivers’ burden and depressive symptoms can promote better quality of life among care recipients. Article five, by Toze and colleagues, features a mixed methods survey study that examines older trans and gender diverse people’s experience of social support in Australia and the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings corroborate existing research illustrating the important role the friends of trans and gender diverse people play in overall the well-being among this population group. Next, Yılmaz Kara and colleagues share details from a cross-sectional study of perceived caregiver burden among informal caregivers of older adults hospitalized for pulmonary care. Results indicate that caregiver characteristics are stronger predictors of burden than care recipients’ needs, and female caregivers with lower education levels and more than one chronic disease perceive the highest level of burden. Article seven, by Milberger and colleagues, discusses positive findings associated with participating in a social support program for older caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as reduced stress and depressive symptoms and improved perceptions of health. The issue closes with Scott and Funk’s secondary qualitative analysis of families’ experiences across a continuum of older adults’ moves into long-term residential care; findings indicate that such moves tend to generate cumulative family disempowerment over time.
I hope you enjoy reading the informative articles in this issue!