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Lydia W. Li

Professor of Social Work

Lydia W. Li

Professor Lydia Li is a gerontologist. Her research aims to understand and advance healthy aging among older adults in disadvantaged socio-economic positions. Her current research focuses on social isolation, depression and ageism. She is a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and a Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar. She served as the co-chair of the 2016 GSA program committee. She is associate editor of the International Journal of Social Welfare. She also serves on the editorial board of Research on Aging and Journal of Gerontological Social Work. She teaches courses related to social welfare policy, research methods, program evaluation, aging policy and social gerontology.

Research Interests/Focus

social isolation, depression, and suicide in older adults; ageism; cross-cultural gerontology; community-based interventions

Education

Year Degree   School
2000 PhD Social Welfare University of Wisconsin, Madison
1989 MSW Social Work University of Hong Kong, China
1984 Honor's Diploma Social Work Hong Kong Baptist College, China
Year Description
2023 Li, L. W., Luo, M., & Hu, R. X. (2023). Effects of widowhood transition on social connectedness among older adults in the United States: Gender differences [Paper presentation]. Society for Social Work and Research, Phoenix, AZ.
2023 Hu, R. X., & Li, L. W. (2023). Psychological pathways between social isolation and memory decline [Poster presentation]. Society for Social Work and Research, Phoenix, AZ.
2022 Li, L. W. (2022). Reducing social isolation for homebound older adults. Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
2022 Li, L. W. (2022). Improving social connections of older adults with chronic illness and disability [Forum presentation]. "Strengthening social connections in older adults." Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Mānoa, HI.
2021 Li, L.W., McLaughlin, S., Hu, R. & Luo, M. (2021). Reducing social isolation in homebound elders: A phone-based meditation intervention [Forum presentation]. Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.
2021 Social connectedness: Protection or vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paper presented at a symposium at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, online
2019 Li, L. W. (2019). Collaborative care model for older persons with comorbid hypertension and depression in rural China: Implementation and effectiveness [Presentation]. "Caring for All: Challenges and opportunities in China and beyond" conference, School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY.
2019 Hu, R., Luo, M., Zhang, A., & Li, L. (2019, May). Understanding ageism in relation to older adults’ health: A systematic literature review. Paper presented at the IAGG-ER, Gothenburg, Sweden.
2019 Li, L.W., McLaughlin, S., & Zhang, J. (2019, May). Healthy aging in older Chinese Americans: Associations with immigrant experiences. Poster presented at the IAGG-ER, Gothenburg, Sweden.
2019 Hu, R., Li, L.W., & Antonucci, T. (2019, November). Transitions in grandchild care: Health status and self-perceptions of aging as predictors. Poster presented at the 70th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Austin, TX.
2019 Cheng, J. & Li, L.W. (2019, November). Prevalence and management of hypertension among middle-aged and older adults in China. Poster presented at the 70th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Austin, TX.
2019 Li, L.W., Cheng, J., Xu, H., Liu, J., Zhang, Z. & Conwell, Y. (2019, November). Depression increases risks of myocardial infarction in two years: Evidence from CHARLS. Poster presented at the 70th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Austin, TX.
2018 Li, L. W. (2018, April). Elder care policy and challenges in the United States [Seminar]. Tsinghua University-U-M SSW academic exchange, Beijing, China.
2018 Li, L.W., McLaughlin, S., & Zhang, J. (2018, July). Healthy aging in older Chinese Americans: Prevalence and associations with the immigrant experience. Paper presented at a symposium at the Social Work Education and Social Development (SWSD) conference, Dublin, Ireland.
2018 Tham, Z., Chen, Y., McLaughlin, S., Zhang, J., & Li, L.W. (2018, November). Healthy aging among older adults in China. Poster presented at the 69th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA.
2018 Li, L.W., Zheng, Z., Xu, H., & Liu, J. (2018, November). Cognitive aging in rural and urban China: Benefits of marriage and education. Poster presented at the 69th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA.
1999 Li, L. W., & Seltzer, M. M. (1999, November). Intergenerational relationships and psychological well-being of midlife women. Poster presented at the 52nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA.

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