Steven H. Zarit, Ph.D.

1972, University of Chicago

Professor of Human Development

HDFS Department Head

Adjunct Professor, Gerontology Institute, University College of Health Science, Jönköping, Sweden

211H Henderson Bldg. South
(814) 865-5260
z67@psu.edu

Research Interests

Family caregiving for the elderly; health and functioning of the oldest old; development of prevention and treatment programs for mental health problems in later life; cross-national comparisons of old age care systems.

Current Research Projects

Adaptive Interventions for At-Risk Caregivers. Investigators: Steven H. Zarit, Principal Investigator. Elia Femia, Co-PI. Carol Whitlatch, (Margaret Blenkner Research Institute at Benjamin Rose), Co-PI.

This study explores the development of a new strategy, adaptive intervention, for family caregivers. Adaptive interventions use a structured assessment to identify the specific risk factors for each caregiver and apply only those interventions specific to the risk factors found. The current project will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, we will develop and evaluate a theory-driven assessment tool that will identify risk factors and their cut-offs for assigning people to specific interventions. The second phase will be a small trial in which the assessment developed in Phase 1 will be used to assign people to treatment modules. We expect that by giving family caregivers intervention modules specific to their risk profile will improve outcomes. This research is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (1 R34 MH073559-01).

The FAMILY CARES Study. Investigators: Steven H. Zarit, Principal Investigator; Rick Greene, Co-PI (Department of Health and Senior Services, State of New Jersey); Mary Ann Parris Stephens, Co-PI (Kent State University); Elia Femia, Project Manager.

This study examines the benefits and drawbacks of adult day care for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementing illnesses and their family caregivers. The focus is on how disruptive behavior might change as a result of involvement in structured day activity programs, and the implications of those changes for the primary family caregiver. This research was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (1 R01 MH590207)

Independence and Disabilitiy in the Oldest Old. Investigators: Steve Zarit, Denis Gerstorf and Nilam Ram, Penn State University; Elizabeth Fauth, Utah State University; Stig Berg, Bo Malmberg, Gerdt Sundström, Gerontology Institute, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.

This research is part of an international collaboration with faculty at the Gerontology Institute of Jönköping University. Studies explore the transition from independence to dependence in population-based and longitudinal samples of people in their 80s and early 90s. A theory based model of the disability process is used to guide the analysis of changes over time. We are also examining the responses of family and formal services to increased levels of disabilities. The goal of these projects are to identify factors that may delay the onset of disability in very late life, learn more about the care received by the very old, and look at social policies which may promote independence and quality of life in the face of dependence.

Independence and Disability in a Developing Country. Investigators: Steve Zarit, Penn State University; Stig Berg, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden; Ha Nguyen, Wake Forest University; Nguyen Ngoc and Hoang Ngoc Chuong, National Technical College of Medicine No. 2, Da Nang, Vietnam, and Alan Zonderman, National Institute on Aging.

This project is a collaborative effort of researchers in the United States, Sweden and Vietnam. Our goal is to identify functional competency and rates of dependency in a representative sample of people aged 55 and older living in Da Nang, Vietnam, and its surrounding rural districts. The study will provide systematic information about the need for assistance of older adults in Vietnam and how well traditional family supports are able to manage in caring for an expanding number of elders. We will also explore the medical, social, environmental and psychological processes that contribute to disability. Another outcome will be providing information on the needs of elders in the Da Nang area that can be used for development of services and other initiatives. This research is funded through a contract from the National Institute on Aging Intramural Branch.

Family Exchanges Study.  Investigators:  Karen Fingerman, Principal Investigator (Purdue University);  Steve Zarit, Michael Rovine, David Eggebeen (Penn State University). 

There are few legal or social sanctions in the U.S. requiring adults to provide assistance for their parents or grown offspring, but middle-aged adults frequently exchange assistance with generations above and below them. A burgeoning literature shows that most adults also experience frustration and tensions with parents and grown offspring. This study examines: Aim 1) patterns of exchanges with parents vs. offspring (what is exchanged and who does the exchanging), Aim 2) beliefs about these exchanges, and Aim 3) feelings about these exchanges and relationships. We also consider parents’ and offspring’s reports of the exchanges. The study fills a large gap in the literature by examining psychological processes (e.g., beliefs, feelings) associated with exchanges and considering multiple family members’ perspectives on these exchanges. Participants will include 400 European American and 220 African American adults aged 40 to 60 who have at least one living parent and one child over the age of 18. We are interviewing the target person, his/her spouse, his/her parents, and up to three children.  We will examine multiple family members’ (middle-aged adult, offspring, parent) reports of exchanges, as well as agreements and disagreements in family members’ views of supports and feelings. Unique contributions of the study include examination of: different family members’ reports of support within the same family (Aim 1); beliefs about motivations underlying exchanges with parents and offspring (Aim 2); positive and negative feelings about everyday exchanges and relationships (Aim 3). Findings from this study will have implications for understanding how provision and receipt of support are associated with variability in health at midlife. Findings also will be of use to policy makers concerning expectations and feelings adults hold regarding familial versus public obligations. This research is funded by the National Institute on Aging (R01 AG027769).

Teaching Interests

Adult development and aging; mental health and aging; cross-national comparisons of old age care; intervention research.

Outreach and Media Interests

(general public, practitioners, researchers): Alzheimer's disease; family caregiving; the oldest old; aging and mental health.

Education

Professional Experience

Honors

Public Service

Publications (1998 to present)