Dear Readers,
Welcome to the final issue of Volume 66 of the Journal of Gerontological Social Work, which includes eight research articles and a media review; there are three qualitative studies and two quantitative studies. A special section features three review articles using rapid, systematic, and scoping review methodologies.
The issue opens with Lee and colleagues’ qualitative study of the perspectives and experiences of Asian gerontological social workers faced with anti-Asian sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results highlight increased fearfulness among this population, as well as concerns for the needs of older Asian clients and family members. Next, Jeong and Noh share rapid review findings on the role of resilience in preventing older adult suicide. Outcomes emphasize the positive impact of self-forgiveness, social connections, and finding meaning in life in reducing suicide risk. Article three, by Hsu et al., reports findings from a systematic review of the older adult volunteer experience, which reveals linkages between gender, health status, and educational attainment and volunteering. In addition, older volunteers tend to prefer health and social care opportunities. In article four, Nyebde et al. use scoping review procedures to examine the literature on sense of control and wellbeing in older people living with frailty. Findings illustrate that among this population, one’s internal sense of control is highly influenced by the physical and social environment. Next, Fabbre and colleagues present results from interpretive content analysis of biographical interviews with older transgender and gender expansive people regarding religion and spirituality; findings indicate explicit spirituality among this population involves renegotiating both spiritual beliefs and religious practices to effectively support one’s gender identity. In article six, Qiao et al. utilize longitudinal data from a matched case–control study of older caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s dementia (AD), focusing on the impact of cancer history on caregivers’ psychosocial well-being. Findings indicate that cancer history among caregivers of persons with AD is associated with higher psychological distress and fewer supportive social connections. Next, based on the 2018 National Health Interview Survey, Jang et al. examine linkages between financial difficulty and psychological distress among older adults and reveal a mediated connection between financial difficulties, sleep problems, and heightened psychosocial distress; this connection is dampened for married people. The final article presents Chai’s qualitative study of Korean American caregivers regarding their perspectives of the safety of persons with dementia in senior housing. Concerns center on fire risk, wandering, physical injury associated with falls or self-harm, potential neglect, and self-medication mismanagement.
The issue closes with Cassidy’s review of Aging and Social Policy in the United States by Dr Nancy Kusmaul. The textbook is described as “a timely educational resource for policy-related aging courses due to its discussion of COVID-19.” Highlights include use of a life-course perspective and an intersectional lens as well as accessible presentation of policy analysis, the social determinants of health, age-friendly policy initiatives, age-related federal policies, advanced care planning, and international perspectives on aging policy.
I hope you enjoy reading the informative articles about this issue!