RCMAR Analysis Core Conference Minutes
October 21, 2014 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. (Pacific)
Call in information is 888 921-8686 (3103120536#)
Roll call, availability, and role assignments for next teleconference
Name
Present October 21
Available November 18
Hays, Ron (UCLA)
Yes
Yes
Kapteyn, Arie (USC)
No
Yes
Moore, Mignon (UCLA)
Yes
Yes
Mungas, Dan (UC Davis)
Yes
Yes
Schwartz, Steve (U Wash/U Colorado)
No
Yes
Stewart, Anita (UCSF)
Yes
Yes
Templin, Tom (WSU/U Mich)
No
Yes
Teresi, Jeanne (Columbia U)
No
Yes
Wallace, Steve (UCLA Coord Center)
Yes
Yes
Weech-Maldonado, Rob (Deep South)
Yes
Yes
Facilitator
Recorder
Anita Stewart
Rob Weech-Maldonado
Ron Hays
Steve Schwartz
I. Review and approval of minutes from September call
The minutes from the September call were approved, with no other changes. They will be
forwarded for posting on the password restricted area of the RMCAR web site
(http://www.rcmar.ucla.edu/). Use rcmar, rcmar-II (capitol I’s).
II. Additional/deletions to agenda
None.
III. Announcements
None.
IV. Annotated Reference Lists
-
Qualitative methods in minority aging research (Mignon Moore, UCLA): Mignon
distributed a list of references in September and requested feedback. She is trying to
determine whether the list is complete. Anita shared some links for inclusion prior to the
call. Anita also suggested a separate list on recruitment methods, with assistance from
the RCMAR Community Liaison Core.
-
Moderator and mediator analyses for investigating determinants of health disparities
(Tom Templin, WSU/UMich-MCUAAAR): Tom was not on the call.
-
Measuring and modeling cognitive function (Dan Mungas, UC Davis): Dan sees a need to
reorganize and streamline the list and plans to discuss with Jean T.
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-
Online panels (Ron Hays and Arie Kapteyn, UCLA/USC): Ron sent draft to Arie on July 15
for clean up; Arie was not on today’s call. Ron is giving a presentation at the Society for
Computers in Psychology on November 20, 2014 on “Use of online panels to conduct
surveys” (Hays, Kapteyn, & Liu: http://cognaction.org/scip/wpcontent/uploads/2014/01/2014.scip_.schedule.2.pdf). Papers presented at this
conference are submitted for publication in Behavioral Research Methods. Ron and
Honghu Liu will also give a UCLA RCMAR presentation on the same topic on December 15,
2014.
-
Secondary datasets on minority aging issues (Deep South RCMAR, Giyeon Kim): Paper
draft has been circulated among co-authors for comments. Targeting paper submission to
Journal of Aging and Health. Poster to be presented at GSA.
Discussion:
Some topics have too many references. Suggest breaking into multiple sections, perhaps with
an overview section.
There was discussion on online resources with archives of research methodology seminars,
such as the VA HSR&D and UCLA C-MORE. Ron shared the links for these sites:
VA Information Resource Center (VIReC) Cyberseminars
http://www.virec.research.va.gov/Resources/Cyberseminars.asp
UCLA Center for Maximizing Outcomes and Research on Effectiveness
(C-MORE) http://cmore.med.ucla.edu/
Steve W. also mentioned the UCLA GIM noon seminar series with live streaming as resource.
For example, Ron was presenting on October 24 on the “Change in Health-Related Quality of
Life from LASIK Surgery.” This seminar series is not archived.
V. RCMAR Preconference Workshop – 2015 – Use of Well-Being Measures in Minority Aging
Research
Past discussion:
Ron has agreed to take on the topic that Anita had (Subjective well-being vs. health-related
quality of life). There are many parallels between subjective well-being and quality of life.
The well-being concept described in the NRC report edited by Arthur Stone and Christopher
Mackie. What psychological constructs are covered under the well-being construct? In
addition to positive and negative affect, the report mentioned meaning and purpose in life.
New Discussion:
Steve W. indicated that GSA RCMAR pre-conference proposal to NIA provides a framework,
but there is flexibility in developing the program. The only thing fixed is the keynote speaker.
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Steve W. also indicated that the preconference includes representation of the various
RCMARs, and the audience includes student and faculty. Participants tend to be generalists
rather than specialists. Main goal of pre-conference should be to bring together well-being
content experts with minority aging researchers. Link the two fields, and make it practical.
How does well-being research apply to minority elders?
Drop measurement equivalence topic.
Health-related quality of life, subjective well-being, and satisfaction with life are interrelated
concepts
Time frame issues. FDA suggestion for real time (daily) reports (i.e. asking patients to
describe their current or very recent state) vs. retrospective reports. The FDA guidance
document (http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/Guidances/UCM193282.pdf) states: “PRO
instruments that call for patients to rely on memory, especially if they must recall over a long
period of time, compare their current state with an earlier period, or average their response
over a period of time, are likely to undermine content validity. Response is likely to be
influenced by the patient’s state at the time of recall. For these reasons, items with short
recall periods or items that ask patients to describe their current or recent state are usually
preferable.”
Potential topics:
 General overview
 Tools
 What are the key issues in measuring quality of life?
 Apply to minority aging. What would be most useful?
 Where does field need to go next?
Arie to invite Arthur Stone to participate in next RCMAR call to discuss pre-conference
program.
Invite someone from NIA to participate as speaker.
VI. 2014 GSA Conference
Steve W. indicated that RCMAR Minority Aging presentations at GSA were being promoted
through a PDF document that contained abstracts on oral and poster presentations of RCMAR
scholars and faculty. He also reminded the group about the RCMAR networking dinner at
GSA.
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Post Call Details
2014 RCMAR Measurement and Methods Conference Call Assignments
Recorder
Month
January 21
February 18
March 18
April 15
May 20
June 17
July 15
August 19
September 16
October 21
November 18
December 16
Anita Stewart
Dan Mungas
No March Call
Steve Schwartz
Tom Templin
Ron Hays
Mignon Moore
Arie Kapteyn
Tom Templin
Rob Weech-Maldonado
Steve Schwartz
Facilitator
Rob Weech-Maldonado
Anita Stewart
No March Call
Dan Mungas
Rob Weech-Maldonado
Arie Kapteyn
Ron Hays
Mignon Moore
Dan Mungas
Anita Stewart
Ron Hays
Summary of 2014 completed conference call participation
Name
Ron D. Hays
Arie Kapteyn
Mignon Moore
Dan Mungas
Steve Schwartz
Anita Stewart
Tom Templin
Rob Weech-Maldonado
# Recorder
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
# Facilitator
1
1
1
2
0
2
0
2
Total count
2
2
2
3
1
3
2
3
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Agenda for Next RCMAR Analysis Core Conference Call
November 18, 2014 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. (Eastern)
Call in information is 888 921-8686 (3103120536#)
Pin code for moderator: 6769
I. Roll call, availability, and role assignments for next teleconference
II. Review and approval of minutes from last call
III. Additions/deletions to agenda
IV. Announcements
V. Annotated reference lists
VI. 2015 Preconference: Use of Well-Being Measures in Minority Aging Research.
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Appendix 1: Annotated Reference Lists
Methods for Developing, Adapting, and Testing Measures for Minority
Populations






Overviews of Measurement Issues
Using Focus Groups in the Development of Structured Surveys (UCSF)
Using Cognitive Interviews to Develop Structured Surveys (UCSF - updated June 2010)
IRT & DIF Readings (UCLA - updated July 2010)
Guidelines for Translating Surveys in Cross-Cultural Research (UCSF - updated May 2010)
Qualitative methods in minority aging research (Under development by UCLA)

Best Practices for Mixed Methods Research in the Health Sciences - NIH Office of Behavioral
and Social Sciences Research (also relevant to the next topic listed directly below)
Quantitative Analytic Methods


Strengthening Causal Inference in Nonrandomized Health Disparity Designs
Moderator and Mediator Analyses for Investigating Determinants of Health Disparities (Under
development by MCUAAR)
Concepts and Measures of Race/Ethnicity and Ethnic Identity




Ethnic Identity References
Race/Ethnicity - Conceptualization
Race/Ethnicity - Data Quality
Racial/Ethnic Discrimination Measurement
Specific Measures in Minority Populations




SF-36 in Older Minority Populations
Measuring and Modeling Cognitive Function (Under development by UC Davis)
Measuring Depression
Measuring Health Literacy
Methods for Collecting Data

Online Panels, American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) Report, 2010

Online panels issues (Under development by USC & UCLA)
Available Datasets

Secondary Datasets on Minority Aging Issues (Under development by Deep South RCMAR)
Methodological Issues Conducting Interventions to Reduce Disparities

Methodological Resources for Translating Evidence-Based Behavioral Interventions (EBI) to
Reach Disparity Populations in Ethnically Diverse Communities (UCSF)
Depression (development TBA)
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APPENDIX II: 2015 PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOP
Use of Well-Being Measures in Minority Aging Research
January 21, 2014 Updates
Funding has been received for this full-day workshop (November 18, 2015) based on the
following abstract:
2015: Use of Well-being Measures in Minority Aging Research. As the interest in healthy
aging has grown, measuring subjective well-being has become part of identifying trends in aging
and evaluating the impacts of policy on health. A NIA/Brookings 2011 workshop concluded that
subjective well-being measures could be useful and appropriate for targeted populations and
policies, although the usefulness for the general population was uncertain. Key issues included
variations in how behavior is influenced by well-being in different groups, how to account for
adaptation to objectively bad circumstances, how different groups interpret survey questions on
well-being, and how to include equity considerations. The goals of this conference are to
introduce minority aging researchers to the usefulness and impact of research on well-being, to
connect leading researchers in the measuring well-being to scholars in minority aging, to
stimulate new research using state of the art measures on well-being relevant to minority
elderly populations, and improve the utility of research on well-being among elders of color in
policy and practice. The objectives are for participants to improve their understanding of wellbeing theory, methods, and application so that they are better able to incorporate well-being in
their research questions, analysis, and dissemination. The morning will be devoted to
presentations from leaders in the field of well-being measures reviewing key domains in wellbeing as they apply to minority aging. The afternoon will focus on practice skills and include a
small group breakout session led by the speakers to discuss incorporating well-being measures
into minority aging research agendas.
Additional topics raised on January call: Are they differences in the meaning of SWB by
race/ethnic group?
The only confirmed speaker is Arthur Stone. We need to discuss the draft content and
speakers.
Topics
Keynote: State of the Art in
Measuring Subjective Wellbeing
Economic Approaches
Speaker
Arthur Stone, PhD,
CONFIRMED
Psychological Approaches
Cross national/cross cultural
perspectives
Carol Ryff, PhD
Carol Graham, PhD
Arie Kapteyn, PhD
Affiliation
Distinguished Professor, Stony Brook
University.; Chair, NAS panel on Measuring
subjective well-being
Prof., Econ.; Assoc. Dir. USC RCMAR; Former
Dir., Roybal Center, Financial Decision-making,
RAND
Professor, Psychology, Univ. of Wis.-Madison
College Park Professor, Univ. of Maryland
School of Public Policy
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Topics
Integrating minority aging
issues, Discussion by RCMAR
directors
Speaker
James S. Jackson, PhD
Spero Manson, PhD
Eliseo Pérez-Stable,MD
Testing measurement
equivalence
Subjective well-being vs.
health-related quality of life
Ron Hays, PhD
Measurement of well-being in
national datasets
Jacqui Smith, PhD
Anita Stewart, PhD
Affiliation
Professor, Univ. of Michigan & RCMAR
Distinguished Prof., U Colorado-Denver &
RCMAR
Professor, UC-San Francisco & RCMAR
Professor, GIM/HSR, UC-Los Angeles &
RCMAR
Professor, Institute on Health & Aging, UCSan Francisco & RCMAR
Professor, Psychology; Co-I, Health &
Retirement Study, Univ. of Michigan & RCMAR
In December, Arie Kapteyn circulated by email a copy of “Subjective Well-Being: Measuring
Happiness, suffering, and other dimensions of experience” (authored by Kapteyn, Lee, Tassot,
Vonkova, and Zamarrow) and a National Research Council of the National Academies report,
“Panel on measuring subjective well-being in a policy-relevant framework” (edited by Arthur A.
Stone and Christopher Mackie). Arie also noted that Arthur Stone has moved to USC from
Stony Brook to head the Center for Self-Report Science.
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References for Well-Being Measures in Minority Aging Research:
Anita cited two books that represented the early work in conceptualizing quality of life (later
called subjective well-being). Andrews and Withey called it "global well-being". Campbell
called it quality of life and "sense of well-being."
Angus Campbell, Philip Converse, and Willard Rodgers. The Quality of American Life:
Perceptions, Evaluations, and Satisfactions. Russell Sage Foundation, New York, 1976.
Frank M. Andrews and Stephen B. Withey. Social Indicators of Well-Being. Plenum Press, New
York, 1976 (2nd printing 1978 but not 2nd edition).
Ron and Anita authored and coauthored several chapters in Stewart and Ware (Eds.) (1992)
and developed many measures for the MOS. Some of the scales were used in total or in
shortened forms in creating the SF36. It is interesting reading for anyone interested in
health related quality of life and well-being measures. This title was the first to mention
functioning and well-being.
Stewart, A.L., & John E. Ware, J. (Eds.). (1992). Measuring Functioning and Well-Being: The
Medical Outcomes Study Approach. Durham, NC: Duke University Press. RAND Corp.
Anita also referred us to the CDC website on HLQL and Well-Being,
http://www.cdc.gov/hrqol/wellbeing.htm.
Ron mentioned the following webinar:
Promoting and Measuring Well-Being and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Healthy People
2020 Spotlight on Health webinar. The Health People 2020 website describes measures it
intends to evaluate in measuring health related quality of life and well-being.
http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/qolwbabout.aspx
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