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

211 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 RO1 MH590207)

Predictors of Independence and Disabilitiy in the Oldest Old. Investigators: Elizabeth Fauth, Principal Investigator, Stig Berg, Bo Malmberg, Gerdt Sundström (all of the Gerontology Institute, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden), and Steve Zarit, Denis Gerstorf and Nilam Ram, Penn State University.

This research explores the transition from independence to dependence in a population-based and longitudinal sample of people in their 80s and early 90s. This project combines data from 4 longitudinal studies of the oldest-old to form the largest sample of very old people to date who have participated in in-depth assessments of functioning and health. 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 the study is to identify factors that may delay the onset of disability in very late life, as well as to learn more about the care received by the very old.

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.

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

Selected Publications