FIONA ALPASS
Biographic Data
| ID | 6181024 |
|---|---|
| NAME | FIONA ALPASS |
| GIVEN NAMES | FIONA |
| FAMILY NAME | ALPASS |
| SIGNATURE | ALPASS F |
| AFFILIATIONS | Massey University |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 27 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 95 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 27 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2004 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Employment, Volunteering, Social Support, and Meaning in Life in Older Adulthood
Meaning in life (MIL) is associated with enhanced well-being but little is known about sources of MIL for older adults. As an increasing proportion of older adults are engaged in employment and volunteer roles, this study aimed to examine the associations between MIL, employment, and volunteering among older adults still working and transitioning to retirement. Additionally, the study sought to examine what it is about these roles that may facili…
Combining Work and Care: Impact of Caregiving and Work-related Factors On Retirement Status Among Older Adults in New Zealand
Balancing work and caregiving responsibilities is a growing concern for ageing populations, with significant implications for workforce participation and retirement decisions. This study explores how caregiving-related and work-related factors affect retirement decisions of older adults reconciling paid work and caregiving responsibilities. We examined 502 informal caregivers aged 55–68 in paid employment from the New Zealand Health, Work, and Re…
Whanaungatanga and social capital: Experiences of Māori unpaid caregivers during the Covid-19 pandemic
This article examines the experiences of Māori unpaid caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on whanaungatanga (relationships, kinship) as crucial components of social capital. Through 35 in-depth interviews conducted between May 2023 and April 2024, we explore how the disruption of familial gatherings due to lockdowns impacted participants in our study, but also how digital technology and strong whānau (family) and community connectio…
Work Preferences, Control, and Independence among Midlife and Older Adults in Aotearoa/New Zealand
In 2023, current life expectancy for adults aged 65 and over in Aotearoa/New Zealand ranged from 84.6 to 89.2 years. Mandatory retirement has been abolished, but pension age eligibility remains at age 65. However, some older adults prefer to continue working, often experiencing a mismatch between current and preferred work statuses. The current study used data drawn from the 2020 wave of the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement study (HWR; N =…
Understanding older Māori informal caregivers’ experiences during the Covid‐19 pandemic through Te Whare Tapa Whā
Drawing upon Tā Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model, this research explores the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the health and wellbeing of older Māori informal caregivers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Utilising information from 35 in‐depth interviews conducted with Māori informal/whānau caregivers, this study identifies that the pandemic impacted the physical and mental health of Māori informal caregivers, facing challenges due to lockdown measu…
Social networks and social support of older immigrants in Aotearoa New Zealand
Immigrants commonly report difficulties with developing social connections post-transition, which can lead to social isolation as they age. Understanding what factors promote/hinder the social integration of immigrants is an important public health objective. We tested the public health model of social integration of Berkman et al . in a sample of older immigrants. This model calls for considering both the social conditions in which social networ…
Becoming an informal care-giver: The role of work status incongruence
The ageing of the workforce suggests that many older adults will be combining work and care. While there is extensive evidence for the impact of informal care-giving on paid employment, there is less research on how work status may influence the provision of informal care. It has also yet to be established whether work preferences may influence the uptake of care-giving responsibilities, particularly for older workers. We investigated the impact …
The Relationship Between Childhood Circumstances and Late Life Physical and Mental Health: The Role of Adult Socioeconomic Status
OBJECTIVES: Socioeconomic status and health in childhood are linked to health outcomes in later life. Health outcomes may also be shaped by socioeconomic circumstances in adulthood and later life. This paper examined the relationship between childhood conditions and later life health and tested whether this relationship was mediated by later life economic living standards. METHODS: Data from a longitudinal study of aging was combined with retrosp…
An Application of the Resource-Based Dynamic Process Model in the Context of Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is a widely promoted activity to enhance wellbeing for aging populations. However, there is limited follow-up data to understand the antecedents of multi-dimensional retirement planning activities, the resources such activities produce or the explanatory mechanisms. This research draws on recent theorizing, which suggests that retirement planning may play a mediating role in explaining how pre-retirement antecedents are transf…
Longitudinal Analysis of the Relationship Between Purposes of Internet Use and Well-being Among Older Adults
Purpose: There is support for the role of Internet use in promoting well-being among older people. However, there are also contradictory findings which may be attributed to methodological issues. First, research has focused on frequency of online activity rather than how engagement in different types of online activities may influence well-being. Secondly, previous studies have used either cross-sectional designs, which cannot elucidate causality…
Loneliness, socio-economic status and quality of life in old age: The moderating role of housing tenure
The study investigated housing tenure as a factor moderating the effects of loneliness and socio-economic status (SES) on quality of life (control and autonomy, pleasure, and self-realisation) over a two-year period for older adults. Data from the 2010 and 2012 waves of the New Zealand Health, Work, and Retirement Study were analysed. Using case-control matching, for each tenant (N = 332) we selected a home-owner (N = 332) of the same age, gender…
A Capabilities Approach to Unequal Trajectories of Healthy Aging: The Importance of the Environment
Objectives: We aimed to examine the relationships of older people's standard of living and perceived quality of housing and neighborhoods, with different physical, mental, and social well-being trajectories over time. Method: Longitudinal data from 2,483 New Zealanders (55-70 years of age in 2006) surveyed biennially for 10 years were analyzed using latent profile growth analysis and MANOVA. Results: Five health trajectories were revealed: robust…
Longitudinal Trajectories of Quality of Life and Depression by Housing Tenure Status
Longitudinal Trajectories of Quality of Life and Depression by Housing Tenure Status
The psychological benefits of home ownership highlight the importance of secure and sustainable housing. Policies should be designed to ensure access to safe housing solutions for all older people
Reconciling Work and Caregiving Responsibilities among Older Workers in New Zealand
Construct Validation of Wenger’s Support Network Typology
Findings confirm the validity of Wenger's network types. However, the level to which participants endorse accessibility of family, frequency of interactions, and community engagement can be influenced by sample and contextual characteristics. Future research using the PANT items should empirically verify and derive the social support network types, rather than use a predefined scoring system
Measuring living standards of older people using Sen's Capability Approach: Development and validation of the LSCAPE-24 (Living Standards Capabilities for Elders) and LSCAPE-6
The impact of disparities in socio-economic status on the health of older people is an important issue for policy makers in the context of population ageing. As older people live in different types of economic circumstances and because, as people age, their desires and needs are different to those of younger generations, measures of living standards need to be appropriate for older people. This paper reports on the validation of a measure of livi…
Quality of life in indigenous and non-indigenous older adults: Assessing the Casp-12 factor structure and identifying a brief Casp-3
The Impact of Mobility on Quality of Life Among Older Persons
The findings from this study suggest that mobility interventions designed to enhance QOL should address satisfaction with functional capacity as well
Development and Validation of a Measure of Living Standards for Older People
The Effects of Types of Social Networks, Perceived Social Support, and Loneliness on the Health of Older People: Accounting for the Social Context
Social network type is a useful way to assess social integration within this model of cascading effects. More detailed information could be gained through the development of our network assessment instruments for older people
The impact of socio-contextual, physical and lifestyle variables on measures of physical and psychological wellbeing among Māori and non-Māori: The New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study
This article provides an overview of the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study (HWR), the focus of which is on determinants of cultural-contextual factors on physical and mental health among 6,662 New Zealand citizens, a nationally representative sample of adults between 55 and 70 years of age. The HWR was initiated in 2006 with two-year re-assessment intervals. The health and wellbeing of older Māori was a study priority as previous rese…
Factors affecting perceived quality of life of older persons with self-reported visual disability
How health affects retirement decisions: Three pathways taken by middle-older aged New Zealanders
Concerns about the economic impact of an ageing population have triggered many developed countries to advance policies that attempt to extend working lives and discourage early retirement. There is considerable evidence of a relationship between poor health and early retirement, but some researchers have suggested that there is a ‘justification bias’ in claims that ill-health is the cause of retirement. This paper reports a longitudinal qualitati…
Virtuously Watching One's Health: Older Adults’ Regulation of Self in the Pursuit of Health
Individual responsibility for health is socio-culturally emphasized. This study used discourse analysis to examine 60 New Zealand adults' (aged 55-70) uptake of health promotion discourse in talk about health and ageing. Many participants attempted to defy or manage an ageing body through a regime of exercise, food management and other practices. The subject position of being in control of one's health counteracted anxieties about ageing; followi…
The Effects of Types of Social Networks, Perceived Social Support, and Loneliness on the Health of Older People: Accounting for the Social Context
Social network type is a useful way to assess social integration within this model of cascading effects. More detailed information could be gained through the development of our network assessment instruments for older people
Virtuously Watching One's Health: Older Adults’ Regulation of Self in the Pursuit of Health
Individual responsibility for health is socio-culturally emphasized. This study used discourse analysis to examine 60 New Zealand adults' (aged 55-70) uptake of health promotion discourse in talk about health and ageing. Many participants attempted to defy or manage an ageing body through a regime of exercise, food management and other practices. The subject position of being in control of one's health counteracted anxieties about ageing; followi…
Crossing fields: The Case of a Multi-Disciplinary Research Team
There are increasing opportunities for researchers to work in multi-disciplinary research teams; however, the extensive literature on research practice barely refers to the challenges inherent in this approach. The article describes the experience of a multi-disciplinary team which was engaged in investigating the nature of technological learning in relation to productivity improvement in the dairy farming industry in New Zealand. The largely qua…
Longitudinal Trajectories of Quality of Life and Depression by Housing Tenure Status
The psychological benefits of home ownership highlight the importance of secure and sustainable housing. Policies should be designed to ensure access to safe housing solutions for all older people
How health affects retirement decisions: Three pathways taken by middle-older aged New Zealanders
Concerns about the economic impact of an ageing population have triggered many developed countries to advance policies that attempt to extend working lives and discourage early retirement. There is considerable evidence of a relationship between poor health and early retirement, but some researchers have suggested that there is a ‘justification bias’ in claims that ill-health is the cause of retirement. This paper reports a longitudinal qualitati…
Measuring living standards of older people using Sen's Capability Approach: Development and validation of the LSCAPE-24 (Living Standards Capabilities for Elders) and LSCAPE-6
The impact of disparities in socio-economic status on the health of older people is an important issue for policy makers in the context of population ageing. As older people live in different types of economic circumstances and because, as people age, their desires and needs are different to those of younger generations, measures of living standards need to be appropriate for older people. This paper reports on the validation of a measure of livi…
Development and Validation of a Measure of Living Standards for Older People
The impact of socio-contextual, physical and lifestyle variables on measures of physical and psychological wellbeing among Māori and non-Māori: The New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study
This article provides an overview of the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study (HWR), the focus of which is on determinants of cultural-contextual factors on physical and mental health among 6,662 New Zealand citizens, a nationally representative sample of adults between 55 and 70 years of age. The HWR was initiated in 2006 with two-year re-assessment intervals. The health and wellbeing of older Māori was a study priority as previous rese…
An Application of the Resource-Based Dynamic Process Model in the Context of Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is a widely promoted activity to enhance wellbeing for aging populations. However, there is limited follow-up data to understand the antecedents of multi-dimensional retirement planning activities, the resources such activities produce or the explanatory mechanisms. This research draws on recent theorizing, which suggests that retirement planning may play a mediating role in explaining how pre-retirement antecedents are transf…
Loneliness, socio-economic status and quality of life in old age: The moderating role of housing tenure
The study investigated housing tenure as a factor moderating the effects of loneliness and socio-economic status (SES) on quality of life (control and autonomy, pleasure, and self-realisation) over a two-year period for older adults. Data from the 2010 and 2012 waves of the New Zealand Health, Work, and Retirement Study were analysed. Using case-control matching, for each tenant (N = 332) we selected a home-owner (N = 332) of the same age, gender…
A Capabilities Approach to Unequal Trajectories of Healthy Aging: The Importance of the Environment
Objectives: We aimed to examine the relationships of older people's standard of living and perceived quality of housing and neighborhoods, with different physical, mental, and social well-being trajectories over time. Method: Longitudinal data from 2,483 New Zealanders (55-70 years of age in 2006) surveyed biennially for 10 years were analyzed using latent profile growth analysis and MANOVA. Results: Five health trajectories were revealed: robust…
Understanding older Māori informal caregivers’ experiences during the Covid‐19 pandemic through Te Whare Tapa Whā
Drawing upon Tā Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model, this research explores the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the health and wellbeing of older Māori informal caregivers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Utilising information from 35 in‐depth interviews conducted with Māori informal/whānau caregivers, this study identifies that the pandemic impacted the physical and mental health of Māori informal caregivers, facing challenges due to lockdown measu…
Reconciling Work and Caregiving Responsibilities among Older Workers in New Zealand
Birth Outcomes Across Ethnic Groups of Women in Nepal
This study was conducted at the Western Regional Hospital (WRH), Pokhara, Nepal. We investigated the relationship between selected socioeconomic variables, pregnancy indices, birth weight, and maternal health in women of different ethnic origins. In our cross-sectional data set, 29.8% of infants were born with a low birth weight. Our data analysis showed Indo-Aryan and lower caste ethnic groups had significantly lower weight babies than Tibeto-Bu…
Crossing fields: The Case of a Multi-Disciplinary Research Team
There are increasing opportunities for researchers to work in multi-disciplinary research teams; however, the extensive literature on research practice barely refers to the challenges inherent in this approach. The article describes the experience of a multi-disciplinary team which was engaged in investigating the nature of technological learning in relation to productivity improvement in the dairy farming industry in New Zealand. The largely qua…
Factors affecting perceived quality of life of older persons with self-reported visual disability
How health affects retirement decisions: Three pathways taken by middle-older aged New Zealanders
Concerns about the economic impact of an ageing population have triggered many developed countries to advance policies that attempt to extend working lives and discourage early retirement. There is considerable evidence of a relationship between poor health and early retirement, but some researchers have suggested that there is a ‘justification bias’ in claims that ill-health is the cause of retirement. This paper reports a longitudinal qualitati…
Virtuously Watching One's Health: Older Adults’ Regulation of Self in the Pursuit of Health
Individual responsibility for health is socio-culturally emphasized. This study used discourse analysis to examine 60 New Zealand adults' (aged 55-70) uptake of health promotion discourse in talk about health and ageing. Many participants attempted to defy or manage an ageing body through a regime of exercise, food management and other practices. The subject position of being in control of one's health counteracted anxieties about ageing; followi…
The Effects of Types of Social Networks, Perceived Social Support, and Loneliness on the Health of Older People: Accounting for the Social Context
Social network type is a useful way to assess social integration within this model of cascading effects. More detailed information could be gained through the development of our network assessment instruments for older people
The impact of socio-contextual, physical and lifestyle variables on measures of physical and psychological wellbeing among Māori and non-Māori: The New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study
This article provides an overview of the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study (HWR), the focus of which is on determinants of cultural-contextual factors on physical and mental health among 6,662 New Zealand citizens, a nationally representative sample of adults between 55 and 70 years of age. The HWR was initiated in 2006 with two-year re-assessment intervals. The health and wellbeing of older Māori was a study priority as previous rese…
The Impact of Mobility on Quality of Life Among Older Persons
The findings from this study suggest that mobility interventions designed to enhance QOL should address satisfaction with functional capacity as well
Development and Validation of a Measure of Living Standards for Older People
Quality of life in indigenous and non-indigenous older adults: Assessing the Casp-12 factor structure and identifying a brief Casp-3
Construct Validation of Wenger’s Support Network Typology
Findings confirm the validity of Wenger's network types. However, the level to which participants endorse accessibility of family, frequency of interactions, and community engagement can be influenced by sample and contextual characteristics. Future research using the PANT items should empirically verify and derive the social support network types, rather than use a predefined scoring system
Measuring living standards of older people using Sen's Capability Approach: Development and validation of the LSCAPE-24 (Living Standards Capabilities for Elders) and LSCAPE-6
The impact of disparities in socio-economic status on the health of older people is an important issue for policy makers in the context of population ageing. As older people live in different types of economic circumstances and because, as people age, their desires and needs are different to those of younger generations, measures of living standards need to be appropriate for older people. This paper reports on the validation of a measure of livi…
Longitudinal Trajectories of Quality of Life and Depression by Housing Tenure Status
Longitudinal Trajectories of Quality of Life and Depression by Housing Tenure Status
The psychological benefits of home ownership highlight the importance of secure and sustainable housing. Policies should be designed to ensure access to safe housing solutions for all older people
Reconciling Work and Caregiving Responsibilities among Older Workers in New Zealand
A Capabilities Approach to Unequal Trajectories of Healthy Aging: The Importance of the Environment
Objectives: We aimed to examine the relationships of older people's standard of living and perceived quality of housing and neighborhoods, with different physical, mental, and social well-being trajectories over time. Method: Longitudinal data from 2,483 New Zealanders (55-70 years of age in 2006) surveyed biennially for 10 years were analyzed using latent profile growth analysis and MANOVA. Results: Five health trajectories were revealed: robust…
Longitudinal Analysis of the Relationship Between Purposes of Internet Use and Well-being Among Older Adults
Purpose: There is support for the role of Internet use in promoting well-being among older people. However, there are also contradictory findings which may be attributed to methodological issues. First, research has focused on frequency of online activity rather than how engagement in different types of online activities may influence well-being. Secondly, previous studies have used either cross-sectional designs, which cannot elucidate causality…
Loneliness, socio-economic status and quality of life in old age: The moderating role of housing tenure
The study investigated housing tenure as a factor moderating the effects of loneliness and socio-economic status (SES) on quality of life (control and autonomy, pleasure, and self-realisation) over a two-year period for older adults. Data from the 2010 and 2012 waves of the New Zealand Health, Work, and Retirement Study were analysed. Using case-control matching, for each tenant (N = 332) we selected a home-owner (N = 332) of the same age, gender…
The Relationship Between Childhood Circumstances and Late Life Physical and Mental Health: The Role of Adult Socioeconomic Status
OBJECTIVES: Socioeconomic status and health in childhood are linked to health outcomes in later life. Health outcomes may also be shaped by socioeconomic circumstances in adulthood and later life. This paper examined the relationship between childhood conditions and later life health and tested whether this relationship was mediated by later life economic living standards. METHODS: Data from a longitudinal study of aging was combined with retrosp…
An Application of the Resource-Based Dynamic Process Model in the Context of Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is a widely promoted activity to enhance wellbeing for aging populations. However, there is limited follow-up data to understand the antecedents of multi-dimensional retirement planning activities, the resources such activities produce or the explanatory mechanisms. This research draws on recent theorizing, which suggests that retirement planning may play a mediating role in explaining how pre-retirement antecedents are transf…
Becoming an informal care-giver: The role of work status incongruence
The ageing of the workforce suggests that many older adults will be combining work and care. While there is extensive evidence for the impact of informal care-giving on paid employment, there is less research on how work status may influence the provision of informal care. It has also yet to be established whether work preferences may influence the uptake of care-giving responsibilities, particularly for older workers. We investigated the impact …
Understanding older Māori informal caregivers’ experiences during the Covid‐19 pandemic through Te Whare Tapa Whā
Drawing upon Tā Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model, this research explores the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the health and wellbeing of older Māori informal caregivers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Utilising information from 35 in‐depth interviews conducted with Māori informal/whānau caregivers, this study identifies that the pandemic impacted the physical and mental health of Māori informal caregivers, facing challenges due to lockdown measu…
Social networks and social support of older immigrants in Aotearoa New Zealand
Immigrants commonly report difficulties with developing social connections post-transition, which can lead to social isolation as they age. Understanding what factors promote/hinder the social integration of immigrants is an important public health objective. We tested the public health model of social integration of Berkman et al . in a sample of older immigrants. This model calls for considering both the social conditions in which social networ…
Work Preferences, Control, and Independence among Midlife and Older Adults in Aotearoa/New Zealand
In 2023, current life expectancy for adults aged 65 and over in Aotearoa/New Zealand ranged from 84.6 to 89.2 years. Mandatory retirement has been abolished, but pension age eligibility remains at age 65. However, some older adults prefer to continue working, often experiencing a mismatch between current and preferred work statuses. The current study used data drawn from the 2020 wave of the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement study (HWR; N =…
Employment, Volunteering, Social Support, and Meaning in Life in Older Adulthood
Meaning in life (MIL) is associated with enhanced well-being but little is known about sources of MIL for older adults. As an increasing proportion of older adults are engaged in employment and volunteer roles, this study aimed to examine the associations between MIL, employment, and volunteering among older adults still working and transitioning to retirement. Additionally, the study sought to examine what it is about these roles that may facili…
Psychology (22 works) · Medicine (20 works) · Gerontology (17 works) · Health disparities and outcomes (14 works) · Sociology (12 works) · Economics (9 works) · Population (9 works) · Retirement, Disability, and Employment (9 works) · Computer Science (7 works) · Demographic economics (7 works)