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GENDER AND AGE DIFFERENCES IN EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS, SOMATIC COMPLAINTS, ADAPTIVE FUNCTIONING, AND MINDFULNESS IN OLDER LATVIAN ADULTS
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between aspects of mindfulness, adaptive functioning, emotional problems and somatic complaints in older Latvian adults. The study participants were 287 adults (215 women, 72 men) without serious cognitive or functional impairments, ages 60 to 91 years. They completed the Older Adult Self-Report and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. The results showed that the women indicated higher depression, anxiety and worry ratings than the men, but the women also reported higher levels of adaptive functioning. In comparison of the older adults by three age groups the results showed that the adults aged 80-91 reported lower scores on mindfulness than the adults aged 60 69, and that the oldest adults reported higher scores on somatic complaints, symptoms of depression, anxiety and worry. Correlational analysis showed negative correlations between the various complaints and mindfulness ratings, for both men and women. Similarly complaint ratings were lower for those who indicated more satisfactory personal relationships. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of the physical and emotional state, as well as adaptive functioning of older adults in Latvia, with mindfulness as a possible resource in improving their well-being.
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