Rhianna L. S. Sharman

Objectives: As the world’s population ages, it is imperative to develop community initiatives that address the well‐being needs of older adults. This study aimed to identify older adults’ needs and preferences for a bespoke well‐being program in local councils in Southern Adelaide, South Australia. Methods: Six local older adults (between 65 and 87 years of age) participated in six co‐design focus groups. In the focus groups, older adults reviewed and discussed previous Council‐led well‐being programs and developed a new well‐being program for older adults. Reflexive thematic analysis was intentionally conducted on focus group dialog, after program development, to represent the perspectives and preferences of the older adults for a future well‐being program. Results: Three themes on preferred program content and delivery methods were identified. Theme (1) get the balance right, with two subthemes (a) volume of information versus activities, discussion, and self‐reflection and (b) facilitation matters, which highlight the value older adults placed on facilitation activities, discussion, and self‐reflection to facilitate behavior change. Theme (2) we value the science, with two subthemes (a) some topics warrant more practical strategies than scientific information and (b) information should be tailored, relatable and provide choice. Theme (3) continue to challenge aging stereotypes, including two subthemes (a) language must be accessible and (b) respect the diversity of the aging experience. Conclusions: To ensure maximum value for older adult participants at the community‐level in Australia, well‐being programs for older adults should include evidence‐based tailored content, time for discussion and group interaction, while also respecting the diversity of older adults in terms of abilities and preferences. Recommendations for policy makers and practitioners are outlined at the conclusion of the paper.

Emotional empathy is a congruent emotional response stemming from another's emotional state and has mixed evidence for its association with age. We sought to synthesize existing data to investigate cross-sectional changes in emotional empathy across adulthood using random-effects meta-analyses. Embase, APA PsycInfo, Medline, and Scopus databases were systematically searched until October 2022. Thirty-three studies assessed age categorically by comparing older (M = 68.42, SD = 4.95) with younger (M = 27.55, SD = 6.82) adults and demonstrated higher emotional empathy in older adults (g = 0.10, p = .039). Seven studies examined age continuously (18-100 years), resulting in a positive correlation with age (z_r = .08, p = .033). Subgroup analyses identified age effects differed based on the emotional empathy measure but not on measure type (state vs. trait) or gender ratio (73% women and 27% men). Cross-sectional results indicate emotional empathy may increase across adulthood. These results clarify the previously mixed reports of typical emotional empathy functioning in later life. Age effects varying due to the emotional empathy measure examined indicate that these measures' convergent validity should be reexamined. Further research should employ older, population-based, non-western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic samples and longitudinal designs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) prevent sudden cardiac death. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are underappreciated symptoms. We aimed to systematically synthesize prevalence estimates of mood disorders and symptom severities, pre- and post-ICD insertions. Comparisons were made with control groups, as well as within ICD patients by indication (primary vs. secondary), sex, shock status, and over time. Databases (Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Embase) were searched without limits from inception to 31 August 2022; 4661 articles were identified, 109 (39 954 patients) of which met criteria. Random-effects meta-analyses revealed clinically relevant anxiety in 22.58% (95%CI 18.26–26.91%) of ICD patients across all timepoints following insertion and depression in 15.42% (95%CI 11.90–18.94%). Post-traumatic stress disorder was seen in 12.43% (95%CI 6.90–17.96%). Rates did not vary relative to indication group. Clinically relevant anxiety and depression were more likely in ICD patients who experienced shocks [anxiety odds ratio (OR) = 3.92 (95%CI 1.67–9.19); depression OR = 1.87 (95%CI 1.34–2.59)]. Higher symptoms of anxiety were seen in females than males post-insertion [Hedges’ g = 0.39 (95%CI 0.15–0.62)]. Depression symptoms decreased in the first 5 months post-insertion [Hedges’ g = 0.13 (95%CI 0.03–0.23)] and anxiety symptoms after 6 months [Hedges’ g = 0.07 (95%CI 0–0.14)]. Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent in ICD patients, especially in those who experience shocks. Of particular concern is the prevalence of PTSD following ICD implantation. Psychological assessment, monitoring, and therapy should be offered to ICD patients and their partners as part of routine care.