The perspective emphasized in this training program is that the development and maintenance of mental health in later life is a process, which involves biological and psychological capacities, as well as social contexts. Research experiences and class work focus on explicating the contributions of those domains to the individual's normal aging process and to differentiating patterns of mental illness from normal aging. Attention is given to deficits in functioning due to aging or disease as well as to conditions under which continuity or growth of abilities may be sustained. Studies by trainees are carried out in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings to give them exposure to a range of mental health issues that encompass prevention and promotion as well as treatment, rehabilitation and maintenance. Implementation of these objectives is achieved by organizing the training program into 2 substantive areas (assessment of risk in individuals and populations; intervention research) and 3 cross-cutting themes (methodology, research with minority and other underserved populations; ethical conduct of research). These areas and themes address major issues in mental health and aging, including questions on the origins of mental illness and mental competence in later life and the prevention and treatment of common problems. The 2 substantive areas build upon faculty's on-going research programs, with a focus on a variety of settings, contexts and methodologies for studying mental health issues of the aging. These substantive and cross-cutting themes will not function in isolation; rather, trainees will integrate across these areas in gaining research competence and experience. Three predoctoral and two postdoctoral trainees will be supported. Recruitment plans assure a pool of highly qualified applicants, including from minority groups. Review of past trainees shows high rates of completion and involvement in research careers.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
5T32MH018904-20
Application #
7256267
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1-NRB-W (01))
Program Officer
Wynne, Debra K
Project Start
1988-08-01
Project End
2009-06-30
Budget Start
2007-07-01
Budget End
2009-06-30
Support Year
20
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$175,139
Indirect Cost
Name
Pennsylvania State University
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Allied Health Profes
DUNS #
003403953
City
University Park
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
16802
Fauth, Elizabeth Braungart; Femia, Elia E; Zarit, Steven H (2016) Resistiveness to care during assistance with activities of daily living in non-institutionalized persons with dementia: associations with informal caregivers' stress and well-being. Aging Ment Health 20:888-98
Stawski, Robert S; Cichy, Kelly E; Piazza, Jennifer R et al. (2013) Associations among daily stressors and salivary cortisol: findings from the National Study of Daily Experiences. Psychoneuroendocrinology 38:2654-65
Cichy, Kelly E; Lefkowitz, Eva S; Fingerman, Karen L (2013) Conflict engagement and conflict disengagement during interactions between adults and their parents. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 68:31-40
Stawski, Robert S; Sliwinski, Martin J; Hofer, Scott M (2013) Between-person and within-person associations among processing speed, attention switching, and working memory in younger and older adults. Exp Aging Res 39:194-214
Cichy, Kelly E; Lefkowitz, Eva S; Davis, Eden M et al. (2013) ""You are such a disappointment!"": negative emotions and parents' perceptions of adult children's lack of success. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 68:893-901
Stawski, Robert S; Almeida, David M; Lachman, Margie E et al. (2011) Associations between cognitive function and naturally occurring daily cortisol during middle adulthood: timing is everything. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 66 Suppl 1:i71-81
Stawski, Robert S; Almeida, David M; Lachman, Margie E et al. (2010) Fluid cognitive ability is associated with greater exposure and smaller reactions to daily stressors. Psychol Aging 25:330-42
Yu, Fang; Ryan, Lindsay H; Schaie, K Warner et al. (2009) Factors associated with cognition in adults: the Seattle Longitudinal Study. Res Nurs Health 32:540-50
Revell, Andrew J; Caskie, Grace I L; Willis, Sherry L et al. (2009) Factor structure and invariance of the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD) Scale. Exp Aging Res 35:250-67
Stawski, Robert S; Sliwinski, Martin J; Smyth, Joshua M (2009) The effects of an acute psychosocial stressor on episodic memory. Eur J Cogn Psychol 21:897-918

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