Showing 1 – 22 of 22 results.
Curated
Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE), United States, 1999-2001 (ICPSR 4248)
Released/updated on: 2010-06-30
Geographic coverage: Indiana, United States, Massachusetts, Alabama, Florida, Maryland, Michigan
Time period: 1999-01-01--2001-01-01
The data producers have recompiled the ACTIVE data into a new study which is available as of December 2023, ICPSR 38821; data users should plan to use study 38821 instead.
ACTIVE (Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly), 1999-2001 [United States] was a multisite randomized controlled trial conducted at six field sites with New England Research Institutes (NERI) as the coordinating center. The field sites included the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged in Boston, Indiana University, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Florida/Wayne State University (Detroit). The primary aim of the trial was to test the effects of three distinct cognitive interventions -- previously found to be successful in improving elders' performance on basic measures of cognition under laboratory or small-scale field conditions -- on measures of cognitively demanding daily activities. Trainings consisted of an initial series of ten group sessions followed by four-session booster trainings at one and three years. The three cognitive interventions focused on memory, executive reasoning, and speed of processing. The design included a no-contact control group. Participants were assessed at baseline, immediately after training, and annually thereafter. A total of 2,832 older adults were enrolled in the trial, and 2,802 were included in the analytical sample. Twenty-six percent of the participants were African American.
Curated
Simple Crosstabs
Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE), United States, 1999-2008 (ICPSR 36036)
Released/updated on: 2015-07-29
Geographic coverage: Detroit, Baltimore, Indiana, United States, State College, Alabama, Maryland, Birmingham, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Boston, Indianapolis
Time period: 1999-01-01--2008-01-01
The data producers have recompiled the ACTIVE data into a new study which is available as of December 2023, ICPSR 38821; data users should plan to use study 38821 instead.
ACTIVE (Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly), 1999-2008 was a multisite randomized controlled trial conducted at six field sites with New England Research Institutes (NERI) as the coordinating center. The field sites included the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Hebrew Senior Life (formerly Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged) in Boston, Indiana University, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Pennsylvania State University, and Wayne State University (Detroit). Data in this study are drawn from measures of cognitively demanding daily activities performed by participants who received a variety of cognitive interventions. Measures included both cognitive functioning (memory, inductive reasoning, speed processing, and general knowledge) and daily functioning (everyday problem solving, observations of daily living, complex reaction time, and general functional ability). Secondary to these measures, the study also includes data on health care and service utilization, driving habits, and mobility. Data were collected at the start of the study (baseline) as well as one, two, three, five, and ten years into the study. This collection includes the data from the tenth year of the study as well as a comprehensive analytical dataset, incorporating data from the previous collections (data from previous waves of the study as well as participant demographic data can be found in ICPSR 4248). A total of 2,832 older adults were enrolled in the trial, and 2,802 were included in the analytical sample. Twenty-six percent of the participants were African American.
Curated
Simple Crosstabs
Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE), United States, 1999-2019 (ICPSR 38821)
Released/updated on: 2023-12-11
Geographic coverage: Detroit, Indiana, United States, Alabama, Birmingham, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Massachusetts, State College, Maryland, Boston, Indianapolis
Time period: 1999-01-01--2019-12-31
ACTIVE (Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly) was a multisite randomized controlled trial conducted at six field sites with New England Research Institutes (NERI) as the coordinating center. The field sites included the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Hebrew Senior Life (formerly Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged) in Boston, Indiana University, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Pennsylvania State University, and Wayne State University (Detroit). Data in this study are drawn from measures of cognitively demanding daily activities performed by participants who received a variety of cognitive interventions. Measures included both cognitive functioning (memory, inductive reasoning, speed processing, and general knowledge) and daily functioning (everyday problem solving, observations of daily living, complex reaction time, and general functional ability). Secondary to these measures, the study also includes data on health care and service utilization, driving habits, and mobility. Data were collected at the start of the study (baseline) as well as one, two, three, five, and ten years into the study.
This collection integrates data from two previous collections (ICPSR 4248 and ICPSR 36036) and fills in gaps that existed in these two collections. In addition, this collection features composite scores for constructs like memory, reasoning speed, Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), as well as data from the National Death Index and state driving records.
Please read the collection notes for important analysis details.
Curated
Aging in Society: Housing Conditions for the Elderly, 1982 [Sweden] (ICPSR 9607)
Released/updated on: 1992-02-17
Geographic coverage: Sweden, Global
Time period: 1981-01-01--1982-01-01
This data collection is designed to increase knowledge concerning housing conditions for the elderly. Major areas of investigation include living conditions, the importance of accommodation, tendencies to move, moving destination, moving obstacles, moving activity, moving patterns, reasons for moving in the past, and the different social service efforts the elderly need to make it possible to stay in independent housing.
Curated
Aging Statistics (ICPSR 141)
Released/updated on: 2008-03-26
Geographic coverage: United States
Located on the Administration on Aging Web site, Aging Statistics provides links to a variety of tables, reports, databases, studies, and other statistical tools regarding aging populations in the United States. Links are grouped according to topic area, such as estimates and projections for aging populations, minority aging, and disabilities data.
Curated
Census of Population and Housing, 1980 [United States]: Special Tabulations of Population 60 Years and Over (ICPSR 8533)
Released/updated on: 1992-02-16
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 1979-01-01--1980-01-01
These data, which correspond to tables provided in the documentation, summarize information on the United States population aged 60 years and over that was collected in the 1980 Census of Population and Housing. The tables were prepared by the Bureau of the Census at the request of the National Institute on Aging. Variables appearing in one or more of the tables are age (in single years or five-year intervals), sex, race (black/white), living arrangements (institutionalization status, household/group quarters, living in families/alone, relationship to householder, persons per room), income (source, personal level, family level, household level, poverty status), veteran status, educational attainment, urban/rural residence, marital status, nativity status, and Spanish origin. In some of the tables totals that exclude amounts allocated for missing data are provided for purposes of comparison. The variables for which non-allocated figures are included are age, race, institutionalization status, income, veterans status, educational attainment, marital status, and Spanish origin. The file contains a complete set of tables for the United States as a whole, for each of the four Census regions, and for each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and five territories.
Curated
Center for Research on Social Reality [Spain] Survey, May 1992: Old Age (ICPSR 9997)
Released/updated on: 2006-03-30
Geographic coverage: Europe, Global, Spain
This data collection is part of a continuing series of semi-monthly surveys of individuals in Spain. Each survey consists of three sections. The first section collects information on respondents' attitudes regarding personal and national issues. This section includes questions on level of life satisfaction and frequency of relationships, as well as a rating of the importance of national issues. The second section varies according to the monthly topic, with this survey's topic focusing on old age. Among the issues investigated are terms that better define the elderly, adults, and the young, living arrangements of the elderly, level of activity and health conditions of the elderly, work activity, leisure activities, social services used, evaluation of social services, and knowledge of public institutions serving the aged. The third section collects demographic data such as sex, age, religion, income, and place of residence.
Curated
Simple Crosstabs
Cognition and Aging in the USA (CogUSA) 2007-2009 (ICPSR 36053)
Released/updated on: 2015-04-16
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 2007-01-01--2009-01-01
Cognition and Aging in the USA (CogUSA) is a national longitudinal study of cognition, focused on the age-related changes in cognition across cohorts and on the impact of cognition on key health and economic outcomes. The aim of the CogUSA Study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a variety of tests in assessing cognitive skills on a sample mirroring the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS) (ICPSR 6854). Data were derived in three waves, with each wave utilizing a variety of measures. In Waves 1 and 3, these measures included an adaptive number series test. The Woodcock-Johnson (WJ-III) number series test and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) were used in Wave 2. Waves 1 and 3 were conducted as telephone interviews, while Wave 2 was conducted as an in-person interview. This collection includes indicators of cognitive abilities and functioning as well as a variety of demographic, health, and economic variables. Dataset 1 presents participant demographic information, and Dataset 2 presents scores calculated for the cognitive tests administered to the respondents in each of the three waves.
Curated
County-Level Estimates of the Population Aged Sixty Years and Over by Age, Sex, and Race, 1977-1980 (ICPSR 7955)
Released/updated on: 1992-02-16
Geographic coverage: North Carolina, Indiana, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Kentucky, California, Kansas, Florida, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Iowa, Illinois, Texas, Connecticut, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, Idaho, Oregon, Vermont, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Maine, Alabama, Arkansas, Washington, South Carolina, Nebraska, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Colorado, Missouri, Alaska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Nevada, District of Columbia, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York (state), New Jersey, Michigan, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Louisiana, Ohio
Time period: 1977-01-01--1980-01-01
Preparation of this data collection was funded by grant #90-A-1279 from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging. Estimates of the population of persons 60 years old and older were received from the Census Bureau in printed form and were made machine-readable by staff at ICPSR. Other variables contained in this dataset were merged from existing machine-readable census files. The data concerning racial composition of counties were taken from the CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING, 1980 [UNITED STATES]: P.L. 94-171 POPULATION COUNTS (ICPSR 7854). The figures concerning per capita income were taken from the Bureau of the Census, GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, 1978 POPULATION ESTIMATES (ICPSR 7840). Variables include Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) state and county codes, 1978 per capita income of county, and total population of county broken down by sex, race, and age (in four-year increments with a category for persons 75 years old and older).
Curated
Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly, 1981-1993: [East Boston, Massachusetts, Iowa and Washington Counties, Iowa, New Haven, Connecticut, and North Central North Carolina] (ICPSR 9915)
Released/updated on: 2006-01-18
Geographic coverage: North Carolina, Iowa, New Haven, United States, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Boston
Time period: 1981-01-01--1993-01-01
The goals of the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) project were to describe and identify predictors of mortality, hospitalization, and placement in long-term care facilities and to investigate risk factors for chronic diseases and loss of functioning. The survey elicited information from persons 65 years of age and older in four geographic locations: East Boston, Massachusetts, New Haven, Connecticut, Iowa and Washington Counties, Iowa, and five counties in north central North Carolina. The public use baseline data (Part 1) cover demographic characteristics (age, sex, race, income, education, marital status, number of children, employment, and religion), height, weight, social and physical functioning, chronic conditions, related health problems, health habits, self-reported use of dental, hospital, and nursing home services, and depression. Data from six follow-up surveys conducted in all four of the sites are also provided (Parts 2-4 and 6-8), along with information from death certificates for deaths occurring in the first six years of follow-up for all four sites (Part 5).
Curated
Euro-Barometer 32: The Single European Market, Drugs, Alcohol, and Cancer, November 1989 (ICPSR 9519)
Released/updated on: 1996-12-10
Geographic coverage: United Kingdom, Portugal, Global, Spain, Greece, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, Denmark, Italy, France, Germany
Time period: 1989-10-12--1989-11-22
This round of Euro-Barometer surveys had for its major focus
issues involving drugs, alcohol, cancer, and the single European
market. Respondents were asked to consider the influence of the
environment, the anticipated effects of the Single Market of 1992, and
the repercussions of an aging population on public health. Moreover,
respondents were asked to identify and prioritize the most serious
health problems facing the European Community, and also to evaluate the
various efforts being made to combat these problems. Health topics
addressed included drugs and drug addiction, cancer, smoking,
alcoholism, AIDS, cardiovascular disease, education, diet, and
vaccinations. Other major questions involved additional effects of the
Single European Market of 1992, and whether certain issues of public
policy should be decided by national governments or jointly within the
European Community. Also, the survey gauged respondents' perceptions of
the European Parliament and the Commission of the European Communities,
along with categorizing opinions on the Soviet Union and President
Gorbachev, the United States and President Bush, the role and relevance
of NATO, U.S. military presence in Western Europe, and the possibility
of economic cooperation with Poland and Hungary. Respondents were also
asked to give examples of why they felt the United Nations was doing
either a good or a poor job in solving the problems it had to face, to
name various agencies and institutions that were part of the United
Nations, and to identify the Secretary General of the United Nations.
Respondents were queried regarding their source of information and
education on the United Nations, and were asked to indicate their level
of interest in receiving more information on pertinent United Nations
issues. As in previous Euro-Barometers, questions on political party
preference asked respondents which party they felt the closest to, how
they voted in their country's last general election, how they would
vote if a general election were held tomorrow, and, if not sure, which
party they would be most inclined to vote for. Respondents were also
asked to comment on the ideal number of children a family should have,
factors influencing the number of children parents decide to have, the
role of the family in society, and what government can do to improve
life for families. Other items included life satisfaction, use of and
attitudes toward dairy products, interest in politics, priority of
national goals, political party membership, and union membership.
Additional information was gathered on family income, number of people
residing in the home, size of locality, region of residence, occupation
of the head of household, and the respondent's age, sex, occupation,
education, religion, religiosity, subjective social class standing,
socio-professional status, and left-right political self-placement.
Curated
Hawaii Aging with HIV Cardiovascular Study, 2009-2014 (ICPSR 36389)
Released/updated on: 2016-03-10
Geographic coverage: United States, Hawaii
Time period: 2009-01-01--2014-09-01
This collection has not been processed by NACDA or ICPSR, and data are released in the format provided by the principal investigators. Please report any data errors or problems to user support, and we will work with you to resolve any data-related issues.
Hawaii Aging with HIV Cardiovascular Study (HAHCS) enrolled HIV-infected volunteer adults age 40 and over, recruited from the state of Hawaii. A natural history longitudinal study, HAHCS followed a cohort of 150 HIV positive subjects for five years. The study is based on observations that, while HIV-infected individuals now live longer because of the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy, these individuals may be at increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Rates of well-accepted traditional CV risk factors such as diabetes/hyperglycemia, body morphology changes and smoking are high in the HIV population. Furthermore, there is growing concern that HIV per se may also contribute to CV risk.
HAHCS evaluated the cross-sectional and longitudinal impact of oxidative stress and inflammation on the development of subclinical atherosclerosis. Researchers assessed subclinical atherosclerosis functionally by brachial artery flow mediated vasodilatation (FMD) and structurally by intima-media thickness (IMT) as well as coronary artery calcium score obtained by dual source CT. Data include behavioral health indicators, medical history information, and medical test results. Demographic data include age, sex, and race.
Curated
Home Heating Costs of the Rural Elderly in Michigan, 1980 (ICPSR 9051)
Released/updated on: 1992-02-16
Geographic coverage: United States, Michigan
The objective of the project was to determine the potential impact of increasing home heating costs on the life style, health, and social well-being of target populations of the elderly in rural Michigan, particularly those having limited incomes. The project is a continuation of a prior study in which the University of Michigan Institute of Gerontology conducted data processing, statistical analysis, and data interpretation for the 1980 needs assessment survey of the Michigan Region VII Area Agency on Aging in Bay City, Michigan. This agency in Bay City serves a primary service area of fourteen counties and an over-60 population of about 90,000.
Curated
Images of Aging in America, 1994 (ICPSR 3094)
Released/updated on: 2001-05-09
During 1994, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) conducted a survey to explore the different images, perceptions, and attitudes that Americans have toward aging, how those images have shifted over time, and how perceptions of aging differ among population subgroups. Respondents were asked about the factors that determine when men and women become "old," the best and worst things about being over 65, and problems experienced before and after age 65. Regarding intergenerational conflict, respondents were queried about levels of respect between people over 65 and people younger than 65, influence exerted by retired persons, and the share of government benefits allocated to older persons. Other areas of investigation focused on life satisfaction, health status, anxiety levels, and levels of contact with people aged 65 and older. Demographic characteristics of respondents include age, sex, marital status, living situation, and employment status.
Curated
Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, Access to Care, Calendar Year 1992: [United States] (ICPSR 6332)
Released/updated on: 2006-01-12
Geographic coverage: United States
This data collection is the second in a series of data releases from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) relating to beneficiary access to medical care. The MCBS is a continuous, multipurpose survey of a representative sample of the Medicare population, both aged and disabled. Sample persons are interviewed three times a year over several years to form a continuous profile of their health care experience. Interviews are conducted regardless of whether the sample person resides at home or in a long-term care facility, using the questionnaire version appropriate to the setting. The MCBS also collects a variety of information about demographic characteristics (date of birth, sex, race, education, military service, and marital status), health status and functioning, access to care, sources of and satisfaction with care, insurance coverage, financial resources, and family supports. The 1992 interview data were collected during September through December of 1992, the fourth round of data collection. The 1992 data are designed to stand alone for cross-sectional analysis, or they can be used for longitudinal analysis. Weights are provided for both cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis.
Curated
Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, Access to Care, Calendar Year 1993: [United States] (ICPSR 6637)
Released/updated on: 2006-01-12
Geographic coverage: United States
This data collection is the third in a series of data releases from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) relating to beneficiary access to medical care. The MCBS is a continuous, multipurpose survey of a representative sample of the Medicare population, both aged and disabled. Sample persons are interviewed three times a year over several years to form a continuous profile of their health care experience. Interviews are conducted regardless of whether the sample person resides at home or in a long-term care facility, using the questionnaire version appropriate to the setting. The MCBS also collects a variety of information about demographic characteristics (date of birth, sex, race, education, military service, and marital status), health status and functioning, access to care, sources of and satisfaction with care, insurance coverage, financial resources, and family supports. The 1993 interview data were collected during September through December of 1993, the seventh round of data collection. The 1993 data are designed to stand alone for cross-sectional analysis, or they can be used for longitudinal analysis. Weights are provided for both cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis.
Curated
Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, Calendar Year 1991: [United States] (ICPSR 6118)
Released/updated on: 2006-01-12
Geographic coverage: United States
This data collection is the first in a series of data releases planned from the ongoing Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). The MCBS is a continuous, multipurpose survey of a representative sample of the Medicare population. Sample persons are interviewed three times a year over several years to form a continuous profile of their health care experience. Field work for Round 1 began in September of 1991 and was completed in December. New rounds, which involve reinterviewing the same sample persons (or other appropriate respondents), begin every four months. Interviews are conducted regardless of whether the sample person resides at home or in a long-term care facility, using the questionnaire version appropriate to the setting. This first-round interview captured baseline information about the Medicare population, including their demographic characteristics (date of birth, sex, race, education, military service, and marital status), health status and functioning, insurance coverage, financial resources, and family support. Round 1 of the community interview, which questioned respondents living at home, also included a topical supplement on access to medical care, sources of medical care, and satisfaction with medical care.
Curated
Old Age in the United States, 1880 (ICPSR 8427)
Released/updated on: 1992-10-31
Geographic coverage: United States
This data collection describes the social conditions of the older population of the United States in the late nineteenth century. Variables include personal characteristics such as age, sex, marital status, race, birthplace, number of children, and occupation of sampled older persons. Detailed information, extracted from the 1880 United States Census manuscript census schedules, is provided on household composition and family structure. In addition, occupational and ethnic characteristics of family heads appearing on the same sampled census page as the older person (on census pages grouped by street location) are reported. The data collection consists of three independent samples: (1) a national sample, (2) a Southern urban sample, and (3) a Southern Black sample. Older Blacks are over-represented in the Southern urban and Southern Black samples in order to focus on their family experiences in the urban and rural South.
Curated
Old Age in the United States, 1900 (ICPSR 8428)
Released/updated on: 1993-02-14
Geographic coverage: United States
This data collection describes the social conditions of the older population of the United States at the turn of the century. Detailed information, extracted from the 1900 United States Census manuscript schedules, is provided on household composition and family structure for each sampled older person. Ecological characteristics of the county of residence, e.g., the percentage of the county's population that is foreign born, are provided for most sampled older persons. In addition, occupational and ethnic characteristics of family heads appearing on the same sampled census page as the older person (on census pages grouped by street location) are reported.
Curated
Survey of Aging Veterans, 1983: [United States] (ICPSR 8479)
Released/updated on: 1992-02-16
Geographic coverage: United States
The Survey of Aging Veterans was designed to provide the Veterans Administration with information needed to plan for the demands of United States veterans for medical and pension benefits over the next decade and beyond. The goal of the study was to be able to make estimates of future demands and future support needed for the rapidly expanding older veteran population. The survey yielded data on the current social, economic, and health status of noninstitutionalized veterans aged 65 and older, their patterns of utilization of Veterans Administration facilities and benefits, and future expectations regarding use of Veterans Administration programs and services. The survey also profiled the social, economic, and health status of the veteran cohorts aged 55 to 64 who will become eligible for Veterans Administration benefits over the next decade. Variables in this data collection include age, marital status, veteran status, employment, medical conditions, functional status, activity level, health and life insurance coverage, financial status, use of health care services, use of Veterans Administration benefits and services, future expectations regarding such things as personal health, finances, and need for support services, and experience with and attitudes toward Veterans Administration programs and benefits. The survey was conducted for the Veterans Administration by Louis Harris and Associates.
Curated
Survey of Health Services Utilization and Expenditures, 1970 (ICPSR 7740)
Released/updated on: 1992-02-16
Geographic coverage: United States
This national survey was conducted to compare health services utilization and expenditures in 1970 with results of similar studies done in 1953, 1958, and 1964. In the survey, respondents from 3,763 families plus additional older individuals -- a total of 11,619 persons -- were interviewed in 1971. One or more persons in each family provided information regarding use of health services, the cost of such services, and how these costs were met for the calendar year 1970. Information was also collected on perceptions of illness and health, attitudes and opinions about medical care in the United States, and health beliefs. An attempt was made to verify all hospital admissions, physician visits, and insurance reports and claims. These verifications had two purposes: first, to determine if the reported care was, in fact, provided during the survey year, and second, to elicit more precise information than the families were likely to give on diagnoses, costs, kinds of treatment, and sources of payment for services. Verification data were obtained for over 90 percent of the hospital admissions and for two-thirds of the physician visits. Demographic data were also collected, including age, sex, race, education, occupation, income, and place of residence.
Curated
Well Elderly 2, Los Angeles, California, 2004-2008 (ICPSR 33641)
Released/updated on: 2013-05-28
Geographic coverage: United States, Los Angeles, California
Time period: 2004-11-01--2008-10-01
Older people are at risk for health decline and loss of independence. Lifestyle interventions offer potential for reducing such negative outcomes. The Well Elderly study attempts to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a preventive lifestyle-based occupational therapy intervention, administered in a variety of community-based sites, in improving mental and physical well-being and cognitive functioning in ethnically diverse older people. Participants included 460 men and women aged 60 - 95 years recruited from 21 sites in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. For six months elders in one group received the Well Elderly Intervention, while elders in the other group remained untreated for the first six months and received the intervention during the second six-month phase. Following receipt of the intervention, subjects in both groups remained untreated for respective twelve month spans. The manualized intervention consisted of small group and individual sessions led by a licensed occupational therapist. Typically, each group had six to eight members, all recruited from the same site and treated by the same intervener. Monthly community outings were scheduled to facilitate direct experience with intervention content such as the use of public transportation. An assessment battery (including questionnaires, cognitive tests, and biomarker samples) measured potential mediating variables as well as outcome variables and was administered at study baseline and at subsequent six-month intervals. In addition, at baseline a set of background and control variables were measured. At the end of each assessment session (questionnaires and cognitive tests), subjects provided salivary samples. The Samples were assayed for cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, and alpha amylase. Assessment of health-related quality of life, life satisfaction, and depression was based on self-rated questionnaires. Cognitive tests were conducted individually. Perceived physical health and aspects of mental well-being were measured, as were depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction. Variable categories include, health survey, stressful events, feelings, connections, attitudes, supports, beliefs, issues, activities, and demographics i.e. respondents age, sex, race, education level, employment, and income.