Laura I. Schmidt

Internet use plays an important role in social participation in later life, yet little is known about how different domains of Internet use are linked to social outcomes or which factors shape engagement in these domains. Using an integrative approach, this study examines cognitive and affective attitudes toward Information and Communication Technology (ICT), age, and gender as predictors of social, informational, and entertainment-related Internet use and investigates how these domains relate to subjective (loneliness) and objective (social activity) indicators of social participation. Data were drawn from the baseline assessment of the SMART-AGE randomized controlled trial, comprising 648 community-dwelling adults aged 67–93 years (M = 75.0, SD = 5.63; 52% female). The proposed structural equation model showed good fit to the data. Positive affective but not cognitive attitudes as well as younger age were significantly correlated with all three Internet use domains. Male gender was associated with greater informational and entertainment Internet use, but not with social use. Among the Internet use domains, social use was linked to lower loneliness, informational use was positively associated with social activity, and entertainment use was negatively associated with social activity. Taken together, these findings highlight the importance of affective attitudes in shaping engagement in different forms of Internet use and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how different forms of Internet use are related to social participation in later life.

Insufficient sleep is common among university students and impairs health and academic functioning. While multidimensional perfectionism (perfectionistic concerns and strivings) and daily stress are potential contributors, yet their interplay and underlying cognitive mechanisms remain unclear. Cognitive pre‐sleep arousal may mediate links between stress, personality traits, and sleep. In a 14‐day micro‐longitudinal study, 88 German university students ( M = 22.47 years, SD = 3.48) wore fitness trackers and completed daily diaries assessing objective sleep duration, subjective sleep quality, subjective sleep onset latency (SOL), daily stress, and cognitive pre‐sleep arousal. Trait perfectionism and covariates (emotional distress, Big Five traits, and sex) were measured via questionnaires. Multilevel modelling and structural equation modelling were used. Neither perfectionistic concerns nor strivings predicted any sleep parameters. However, daily stress was associated with shorter sleep duration ( b = −0.21, p = 0.033), lower sleep quality ( b = −0.09, p = 0.006), longer SOL (root transformed: b = 0.01, p = 0.046), and higher cognitive arousal ( b = 0.06, p < 0.01). No interaction effects between perfectionism and stress were found. Within‐person mediation showed that on days with elevated stress, increased cognitive pre‐sleep arousal partially explained shorter sleep (indirect effect = −0.16), lower sleep quality (indirect effect = −0.08), and longer SOL (indirect effect = 0.01; all p < 0.001). Exploratory analyses indicated that emotional distress, unlike perfectionism, predicted longer SOL via heightened cognitive pre‐sleep arousal (indirect effect = 0.09, p = 0.007). Given the suboptimal model fit in the mediation models, all indirect effects should be interpreted with caution. Daily stress robustly impairs sleep and elevates cognitive pre‐sleep arousal, which partially mediates its negative effects on sleep variables. Multidimensional perfectionism was not associated with sleep, nor did it moderate the stress‐sleep link. Targeting cognitive pre‐sleep arousal may be a promising mechanism to improve sleep in students experiencing elevated stress.

This work examines associations between physiological and subjective stress responses occurring in daily life and elicited by the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). We analyzed data from 80 participants who underwent both a laboratory-based TSST for groups (TSST-G) and a five-day ambulatory assessment with three beeps per day. Using linear multilevel models, we examined how mood and cortisol reactivity and recovery experienced in the TSST-G correspond to stressor-related responses in everyday situations. Results revealed that mood and salivary cortisol responses elicited by the TSST-G were not significantly associated with corresponding measures obtained in daily life. However, better recovery of positive mood following the TSST-G was linked to a stronger association between positive mood and recent stressors in daily life, suggesting that these associations might reflect aspects of stress recovery rather than immediate reactivity. In our study, indicators of stress reactivity and recovery obtained in the TSST-G diverge from corresponding indicators obtained via ambulatory assessments. This might indicate that the TSST-G may not effectively capture the full complexity of stress reactivity and recovery processes experienced in everyday situations. The study underscores the need for caution when extrapolating laboratory-based results to real-life contexts and calls for future research to further investigate daily life and laboratory associations of stress responses.

Background: Although medical guidelines for chronic kidney disease (CKD) clearly recommend measures such as blood pressure control, dietary changes, regular physical activity, and consistent medication adherence, individuals frequently encounter challenges in implementing these behavioral modifications. In medical practices, there is a lack of time and resources to comprehensively support CKD patients and low-threshold (digital) interventions aimed at enhancing patient activation are needed. This paper analyzes the acceptance and usage intention (Study 1) and the contribution to health literacy and behavioral change (Study 2) of a m-health program for CKD (“Oska”). The Oska program combines personal counseling via video calls with app-based support and is theoretically grounded in the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), with a strong emphasis on fostering self-efficacy and promoting implementation in daily routines.Method: Study 1: An online survey was conducted with N = 401 individuals with CKD and/or hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, or coronary heart disease (age: 50–89 years, M = 64.1, 49% female). Participants were recruited via the provider Appinio and presented with a vignette illustrating the Oska program and answered questionnaires on usage intention, desired support, compatible health benefits, health literacy, and perceived usefulness. Study 2: N = 109 participants with CKD, who already took part in the Oska program for an average of 4.7 months (age: 29–84 years, M = 62.3, 64% female, BMI: M = 29.6), completed established questionnaires on working alliance, kidney-specific health literacy, and behavior change. The analysis was conducted using structural equation models and linear regression analyses.Results: Acceptance and usage intention in study 1 were high and predominantly explained by compatible health benefits, health literacy, and perceived usefulness, but largely independent of sociodemographic factors and health-related variables. In study 2, higher health literacy was primarily fostered by longer program participation and, most notably, by a positive trust relationship (working alliance) (R²_adj = .48) Successful behavior change (across all guideline areas) was primarily attributed to a positively evaluated working alliance and Oska’s contribution to health literacy, rather than sociodemographic factors or the number and type of diagnoses (R²_adj = .14).Discussion: Digitally delivered coaching combined with app-based support is not only acceptable but may be particularly effective for CKD patients with low health literacy and multiple comorbidities. Relevant determinants include a trusting coaching relationship and a focus on health literacy as well as self-efficacy in implementing measures in everyday life.

The Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ) is a well-established, reliable, and valid instrument to measure basic and advanced mobile device skills among older adults. We offer a German adaptation of the MDPQ and report reliability and validity findings. A controlled translation procedure was applied. The translated scale was tested in two analytical samples with an age range of 50–95 years in 2020 (n = 548) and 2022 (n = 276). To assess reliabilities, internal consistencies and test–retest reliabilities are reported. To assess validity, we analyze the scale in the context of gender, age, and educational differences and its associations with measures of technology use and attitudes towards technology (convergent and divergent validity). The German adaptation of the MDPQ was found to be reliable and valid as the original version. The scale demonstrated an excellent internal consistency in both studies with α = 0.95 (study 2: α = 0.92) and ω = 0.95 (study 2: ω = 0.93). Subscale internal consistencies were all ≥ 0.65. Test–retest reliabilities with measurement waves 2 years apart showed excellent values (MDPQ full scale: r_tt = 0.84, p < 0.001). We also found the expected factorial structure of the scale, positive associations with education, mobile device use and technology attitudes, and negative associations with age. Women scored lower than men. The German adaptation of the MDPQ can serve as a useful tool to estimate mobile device skills in older adults in German speaking countries in a reliable and valid way, for example in survey research, research projects, and practice contexts. Translating and implementing the MDPQ in other European countries will help to further strengthen internationally harmonized assessments in technology and aging research.

Subjective age, that is, how old people feel in relation to their chronological age, has mostly been investigated from a macro-longitudinal, lifespan point of view and in relation to major developmental outcomes. Recent evidence also shows considerable intraindividual variations in micro-longitudinal studies as well as relations to everyday psychological correlates such as stress or affect, but findings on the interplay with physical activity or sleep as behavioral factors and environmental factors such as weather conditions are scarce. We examined data from 80 recently retired individuals aged 59–76 years (M = 67.03 years, 59% women) observed across 21 days. Daily diary-based assessments of subjective age, stress, affect, and sleep quality alongside physical activity measurement via Fitbit (steps, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) and daily hours of sunshine were collected and analyzed using multilevel modeling. Forty-four percent of the overall variance in subjective age was due to intraindividual variation, demonstrating considerable fluctuation. Affect explained the largest share in day-to-day fluctuations of subjective age, followed by stress and steps, whereas sunshine duration explained the largest share of variance in interindividual differences. In our daily diary design, subjective age was most strongly related to self-reported affect as a psychological correlate. We, however, also found clear associations with objective data on daily steps and weather. Hence, our study contributes to contextualizing and understanding variations in subjective age in everyday life.

Age simulation suits are a promising tool to increase empathy and to promote positive attitudes toward older adults. However, studies have largely focused on (young) healthcare professionals, are probably biased by social desirability, and have not addressed participants’ views of the aging process triggered by the simulation. The current work combines two studies addressing effects of aging suits on both general and personal views on aging among heterogeneous samples, and exploring spontaneous associations during the simulation. In study 1, N = 165 adults (M = 37.1 years, SD = 15.4, range 18–74 years) answered questionnaires containing general views regarding older adults (“old people are…”) as well as personal perceptions (”aging means to me…”) before and after wearing an aging suit. In study 2, young adults (N = 22; M = 24.8 years, SD = 4.3, range 20–38 years) and middle-aged adults (N = 41; M = 60.8 years, SD = 6.9, range 40–75 years) carried out established geriatric assessments with and without aging suit, and spontaneous impressions on the instant aging experience were recorded. Findings indicated negative shifts in both general and personal views on aging measures in both age groups (d = .30 to d = .44). Analyses of qualitative data resulted in seven main themes, e.g., “strain/coordination”, “future me”, “empathy/insight”. Group comparisons revealed higher frequencies of future-self related thoughts among middle-aged adults, whereas younger adults mentioned predominantly physical effects of the suit. In conclusion, applying age simulation suits might evoke unintended negative views on aging. In comparison with young adults, middle-aged adults showed broader reflections including thoughts related to emotions, future-self, and potential struggles of older people.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and effects of a simple-to-implement multicomponent intervention to reduce sedentary time of office workers. Methods: Six groups of eight to ten office workers took part in the two-week Leicht Bewegt intervention. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline (T0, n = 52), after 2 weeks (T1, n = 46), and after 5 weeks (T2, n = 38), including subjective sedentary measures and social-cognitive variables based on the health action process approach (HAPA). Objective sedentary measures were obtained using activPAL trackers. Results: The intention to reduce sedentary behavior during work increased significantly from T0 to T1. Participants’ objective and subjective sitting time decreased significantly from T0 to T1, corresponding to an average decrease per 8-h-workday of 55 min (d = − .66) or 74 min (d = − 1.14), respectively. This reduction persisted (for subjective sitting time) at T2 (d = − 1.08). Participants indicated a high satisfaction with the intervention. Conclusions: The Leicht Bewegt intervention offers a feasible and effective opportunity to reduce sedentary behavior at work. Randomized controlled trials including longer follow-up time periods are needed to validate its benefits in different workplaces.

Sleep problems and stress are common among students and are associated with negative effects on academic performance as well as mental and physical health risks, but studies exploring mediating factors between stress and sleep on a daily basis are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of daily stress, Bedtime procrastination (BP) (i.e., postponing bedtime without external reasons), and sleep outcomes controlling for trait factors such as self‐control. N = 96 students at a German university (M = 22.2 years, SD = 4.0) wore a sleep‐tracking wearable (Fitbit Charge HR) for two weeks to assess sleep duration and to calculate the gap between the intended time to go to sleep and the objectively measured time of falling asleep. Stress, intended time to go to sleep, and sleep quality were assessed via daily diaries. Established questionnaires were used to measure trait self‐control, trait BP, and smartphone addiction. Multilevel analyses indicated that more stress experienced during the day was associated with more BP (b = 2.32, p = 0.008), shorter sleep duration (b = −3.46, p = 0.003), and lower sleep quality (b = 1.03, p = 0.005) after controlling for several trait factors. The association of daily stress with sleep outcomes (quality and duration) was partly mediated by BP. Our findings indicate that BP might be one factor that contributes to stress‐linked decreases in sleep duration and quality. Potential reasons for stress‐related later time to fall asleep—like higher physiological arousal or stress‐related worries—should be investigated in future studies.