Project Summary/Abstract
Large segments of current US middle-aged adults are suffering and doing more poorly than earlier-born
cohorts43,65. These trends are distinct to the US. Several studies have documented that compared to Asian and
European nations, US middle-aged adults exhibit higher rates of disability and chronic illness than same-aged
peers6,10,73. Despite known differences between the US and other nations, little research has examined the
mechanisms underlying diversity in midlife development and individual-level characteristics that either magnify
or mitigate differences. Our objective is to use the HRS family of studies to identify the intergenerational,
financial, and health behavior mechanisms driving diversity in midlife development and whether they differ
across individual-level characteristics that span socio-demographics (i.e., education, gender, and race) and
psychosocial resources (i.e., social support and control beliefs). Our specific aims are: (1) describe similarities
and differences in midlife development of health, well-being, and cognition across multiple nations; (2)
investigate the intergenerational, financial, and health behavior mechanisms driving diversity in midlife
development; and (3) to examine the role of individual-level characteristics that moderate diversity in midlife
development. To address our research questions, multilevel models will be applied to harmonized longitudinal
data (collected from early 1990s to present day) from 17 nations across North America, Asia, and Europe.
Each dataset contains national samples that are repeatedly assessed on interdisciplinary outcomes. The
achievable outcome of Aim 1 is to comprehensively examine similarities and differences between the US
trends and those obtained for other high-income nations. For Aim 2, we draw from the research team's
conceptual and empirical research55,61 to investigate whether changing intergenerational relationships,
increased financial vulnerabilities and a shrinking health behavior safety net are driving diversity in midlife
development within- and between-nations. For Aim 3, we will target key questions of diversity by identifying
population segments within and across nations who are most vulnerable and identify malleable protective
resources to promote better positive midlife development. This project will provide novel insights into identifying
the intergenerational, financial, and health behavior mechanisms underlying diversity in midlife development
and whether they are operating similarly across nations with different policy contexts. For example, in nations
with less comprehensive health care, such as the US, health behavior factors could be a driving force as
opposed to nations with a national health care system. Similarly, we will uncover whether greater
intergenerational dependency in the form of increased contact and financial transfers are a more potent
mechanism in nations with less encompassing family and work policies. Findings from our project will also
shed light on factors that can promote resilient outcomes and inform future prevention and intervention efforts.