Deborah Finkel
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Research. Dr. Finkel's research interests include applying the methods of behavior genetic analysis to investigations of cognitive aging and biological markers of the aging process, applying methods of longitudinal analysis to twin data to investigate genetic and environmental influences on longitudinal change. At the Institute for Gerontology at JU, she focuses on analyses of physical function and the disablement process, as well as investigations using data about functioning and dementia from the National Quality Registries.
Biography: Dr. Finkel received her Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Minnesota and was a professor of psychology at Indiana University Southeast for 30 years. Currently she is affiliated with the Center for Economic and Social Research at the University of Southern California. She works with twin studies of aging based in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Australia, and the U.S.
Article
Gustavson, D.
Bell, T.
Buchholz, E.
Zellers, S.
Luczak, S.
Reynolds, C.
, ... Consortium I.
(2025).
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Alcohol Consumption in Middle to Late Life Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.
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Nilsen, C., Finkel, D., Sindi, S., Kåreholt, I.
(2025).
Different stressors across the life course have different paths to impact cognitive and physical aging. Advances in life course research, 63.
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Finkel, D., Hyde, M., Hasselgren, C., Sacco, L., Sindi, S., Nilsen, C.
(2025).
Both childhood and adult perceived financial strain impact age trajectories of change in emotional health in late adulthood Aging & Mental Health.
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Kårelind, F., Johansson, L., Zarit, S., Wijk, H., Bielsten, T., Finkel, D.
(2025).
Factors influencing time to support in young-onset dementia: survival analysis of data from the Swedish Dementia Registry (SveDem) Aging & Mental Health.
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Ler, P.
Ploner, A.
Finkel, D.
Reynolds, C.
Zhan, Y.
Jylhava, J.
, ... Karlsson I.
(2024).
Interplay of body mass index and metabolic syndrome: association with physiological age from midlife to late-life GeroScience, 46, 2605-2617.
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Kårelind, F., Finkel, D., Zarit, S., Wijk, H., Bielsten, T., Johansson, L.
(2024).
Post-diagnostic support for persons with young-onset dementia - a retrospective analysis based on data from the Swedish dementia registry SveDem BMC Health Services Research, 24(1).
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Öberg, S., Sandlund, C., Westerlind, B., Finkel, D., Johansson, L.
(2024).
The existing state of knowledge about sleep health in community-dwelling older persons: a scoping review.
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Pilgrim, M., Beam, C., Nygaard, M., Finkel, D.
(2024).
Prospective Effects of Self-Rated Health on Dementia Risk in Two Twin Studies of Aging Behavior Genetics, 54, 307-320.
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Womack, S.
Beam, C.
Giangrande, E.
Tong, X.
Scharf, R.
Finkel, D.
, ... Turkheimer E.
(2024).
Co-recovery of physical size and cognitive ability from infancy to adolescence: A twin study Child Development, 95(4), 1367-1383.
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Lopes De Oliveira, T.
Tang, B.
Bai, G.
Sjölander, A.
Jylhävä, J.
Finkel, D.
, ... Hägg S.
(2024).
Effects from medications on functional biomarkers of aging in three longitudinal studies of aging in Sweden Aging Cell, 23(6).
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Hernandez, R.
Gatz, M.
Schneider, S.
Finkel, D.
Darling, J.
Orriens, B.
, ... Kapteyn A.
(2024).
Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) Is Also Relevant for Computer, Smartphone, and Tablet Use by Adults: Introducing the Brief Box Clicking Test American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(5).
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Schaefer, S., Peterson, D., Ernsth-Bravell, M., Finkel, D.
(2024).
PREDICTING THE ONSET OF DEMENTIA WITH LONGITUDINAL OBJECTIVE MEASURES OF PHYSICAL FUNCTION Innovation in Aging, 8(Supplement 1), 1364-1365.
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Ernsth-Bravell, M., Johansson, L., Finkel, D.
(2024).
PREVENTION OF SEVERE EVENTS IN OLDER PEOPLE IN SWEDEN: POSSIBILITIES AND CHALLENGES Innovation in Aging, 8(Supplement 1), 1267-1268.
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Bell, S.
Beam, C.
Finkel, D.
Barna, A.
King, A.
Sikes, K.
, ... Turkheimer E.
(2024).
Basic Science and Pathogenesis Alzheimer's & Dementia: Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 20.
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Johansson, L., Bielsten, T., Lindberg, J., Finkel, D.
(2024).
LIVING WITH YOUNG ONSET DEMENTIA IN RESIDENTIAL CARE: ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM THE SWEDISH DEMENTIA REGISTER Innovation in Aging, 8(Supplement 1), 1255.
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Finkel, D., Kårelind, F., Zarit, S., Bielsten, T., Wijk, H., Johansson, L.
(2024).
LATENT CLASSES AND PROGRESSION OF MMSE IN YOUNG-ONSET DEMENTIA: DATA FROM THE SWEDISH DEMENTIA REGISTER Innovation in Aging, 8(Supplement 1), 527.
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Finkel, D., Jaffee, S.
(2024).
Introduction to IDEA Special Issue Behavior Genetics, 54, 1-3.
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Finkel, D.
Gatz, M.
Franz, C.
Catts, V.
Christensen, K.
Kremen, W.
, ... Pedersen N.
(2024).
Age and sex differences in the genetic architecture of measures of subjective health: Relationships with physical health, depressive symptoms, and episodic memory The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, 79(6).
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Finkel, D., Nilsen, C., Sindi, S., Kåreholt, I.
(2024).
Impact of childhood and adult socioeconomic position on change in functional aging Health Psychology, 43(5), 388-395.
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Ler, P., Ojalehto, E., Zhan, Y., Finkel, D., Dahl Aslan, A., Karlsson, I.
(2024).
Conversions between metabolically unhealthy and healthy obesity from midlife to late-life International Journal of Obesity, 48, 433-436.
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Luczak, S.
Beam, C.
Pahlen, S.
Lynch, M.
Pilgrim, M.
Reynolds, C.
, ... Gatz M.
(2023).
Remember this: Age moderation of genetic and environmental contributions to verbal episodic memory from midlife through late adulthood Intelligence, 99.
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Tang, B.
Li, X.
Wang, Y.
Sjölander, A.
Johnell, K.
Thambisetty, M.
, ... Hägg S.
(2023).
Longitudinal associations between use of antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and lipid-lowering medications and biological aging GeroScience, 45, 2065-2078.
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Phillips, D.
Finkel, D.
Petkus, A.
Muñoz, E.
Pahlen, S.
Johnson, W.
, ... Pedersen N.
(2023).
Longitudinal analyses indicate bidirectional associations between loneliness and health Aging & Mental Health, 27(6), 1217-1225.
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Malm, J., Bielsten, T., Odzakovic, E., Finkel, D., Nilsen, C., Kåreholt, I.
(2023).
Co-production to tailor a digital tool for monitoring symptoms of dementia in nursing home care in Sweden Innovation in Aging, 7(Supplement 1), 743.
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Kåreholt, I., Nilsen, C., Finkel, D., Sindi, S.
(2023).
Mid-life financial stress and cognitive and physical problems in older age: The role of potentially modifying factors Innovation in Aging, 7(Supplement 1), 377.
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Ojalehto, E., Finkel, D., Russ, T., Karlsson, I., Ericsson, M.
(2023).
Influences of genetically predicted and attained education on geographic mobility and their association with mortality Social Science and Medicine, 324.
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Giangrande, E., Beam, C., Finkel, D., Davis, D., Turkheimer, E.
(2022).
Genetically informed, multilevel analysis of the Flynn Effect across four decades and three WISC versions Child Development, 93(1), e47-e58.
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Emery, C., Finkel, D., Aslan, A.
(2022).
Bidirectional associations between body mass and bodily pain among middle-aged and older adults Pain, 163(10), 2061-2067.
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Beam, C.
Levine, M.
Finkel, D.
Zandi, E.
Giangrande, E.
Turkheimer, E.
, ... Davis D.
(2022).
Associations Among Measures of Epigenetic Age and Cognitive Functioning in the Louisville Twins at Midlife Behavior Genetics, 52(6), 346.
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Womack, S., Giangrande, E., Weber, R., Beam, C., Finkel, D., Davis, D., Turkheimer, E.
(2022).
Co-recovery of Physical Size and Cognitive Ability across Childhood Behavior Genetics, 52(6), 402.
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Pilgrim, M., Finkel, D., Beam, C.
(2022).
Genetic and Environmental Contributions to the Temporal Association Between Self-rated Health and Dementia Behavior Genetics, 52(6), 384.
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Finkel, D.
(2022).
Genetic Architecture of Self-rated Health: Relationship with Physical Health, Cognition Function, and Depression Behavior Genetics, 52(6), 359.
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Giangrande, E., Womack, S., Beam, C., Finkel, D., Davis, D., Turkheimer, E.
(2022).
Phenotypic Divergence in Dizygotic Twins Links the Wilson Effect and the Scarr-Rowe Interaction Behavior Genetics, 52(6), 346.
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Weber, R., Howard, H., Beam, C., Finkel, D., Davis, D., Turkheimer, E.
(2022).
The Longitudinal Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Temperament in Twins Behavior Genetics, 52(6), 398-399.
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Finkel, D., Johansson, L., Westerlind, B., Lindmark, U., Ernsth-Bravell, M.
(2022).
AGE AND SITE DIFFERENCES IN PLANNED AND PERFORMED ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO IDENTIFIED RISKS IN OLDER ADULTS Innovation in Aging, 6(Supplement 1), 840.
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Finkel, D., Nilsen, C., Sindi, S., Kåreholt, I.
(2022).
Impact of Objective and Subjective Sep on Aging Trajectories of Functional Capacity Innovation in Aging, 6(Supplement 1), 220.
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Ler, P., Li, X., Hassing, L., Reynolds, C., Finkel, D., Karlsson, I., Dahl Aslan, A.
(2022).
Independent and joint effects of body mass index and metabolic health in mid- and late-life on all-cause mortality: a cohort study from the Swedish Twin Registry with a mean follow-up of 13 Years BMC Public Health, 22(1).
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Bülow, P., Bülow, P., Finkel, D.
(2022).
Differences and similarities of elderly persons in Sweden with a diagnosis of psychosis or non-psychosis (SMI) Innovation in Aging, 6(Supplement 1), 794.
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Womack, S., Beam, C., Davis, D., Finkel, D., Turkheimer, E.
(2022).
Genetic and Environmental Correlates of the Nonlinear Recovery of Cognitive Ability in Twins Developmental Psychology, 58(3), 535-550.
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Finkel, D., Davis, D., Giandgrande, E., Womack, S., Turkheimer, E., Beam, C.
(2022).
Socioeconomic status impacts genetic influences on the longitudinal dynamic relationship between temperament and general cognitive ability in childhood: The Louisville Twin Study Child Development, 93(2), e135-e148.
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Bülow, P., Finkel, D., Allgurin, M., Torgé, C., Jegermalm, M., Ernsth-Bravell, M., Bülow, P.
(2022).
Aging of severely mentally ill patients first admitted before or after the reorganization of psychiatric care in Sweden International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 16(1).
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Finkel, D.
Zavala, C.
Franz, C.
Pahlen, S.
Gatz, M.
Pedersen, N.
, ... Whitfield K.
(2022).
Financial strain moderates genetic influences on self-rated health: support for diathesis-stress model of gene-environment interplay Biodemography and Social Biology, 67(1), 58-70.
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Lindmark, U., Ernsth-Bravell, M., Johansson, L., Finkel, D.
(2021).
Oral health is essential for quality of life in older adults: A Swedish National Quality Register Study Gerodontology, 38(2), 191-198.
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Finkel, D., Malmberg, B., Sundström, G.
(2021).
Om tånaglar och funktionsförmåga: Ett anspråkslöst förslag om att komplettera vanliga ADL-mätningar med indikatorer för sådana subtila göromål som att sittande nå ner till tårna Äldre i Centrum, 1, 90-93.
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Johansson, L.
Finkel, D.
Lannering, C.
Dahl Aslan, A.
Andersson-Gäre, B.
Hallgren, J.
, ... Ernsth-Bravell M.
(2021).
Using aggregated data from Swedish national quality registries as tools to describe health conditions of older adults with complex needs Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 33, 1297-1306.
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Finkel, D., Bülow, P., Wilińska, M., Jegermalm, M., Torgé, C., Ernsth-Bravell, M., Bülow, P.
(2021).
Does the length of institutionalization matter? Longitudinal follow-up of persons with severe mental illness 65 years and older: shorter-stay versus longer-stay International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 36(8), 1223-1230.
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Beam, C.
Finkel, D.
Turkheimer, E.
Guterbock, T.
Johnson, S.
Giangrande, E.
, ... Davis D.
(2021).
Preliminary Results of Cognitive Ability Trajectories from Infancy Through Middle-Age in the Louisville Twin Study Behavior Genetics, 51(6), 693-694.
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Giangrande, E., Womack, S., Weber, R., Beam, C., Finkel, D., Davis, D., Turkheimer, E.
(2021).
Biometric Analysis of Within-Person Flynn Effects Behavior Genetics, 51(6), 706.
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Nilsen, C., Nelson, M., Andel, R., Crowe, M., Finkel, D., Pedersen, N.
(2021).
Job Strain and Trajectories of Cognitive Change Before and After Retirement The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, 76(7), 1313-1322.
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Zammit, A.
Piccinin, A.
Duggan, E.
Koval, A.
Clouston, S.
Robitaille, A.
, ... Hofer S.
(2021).
A coordinated multi-study analysis of the longitudinal association between handgrip strength and cognitive function in older adults The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, 76(2), 229-241.
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Finkel, D., Davis, D., Giangrande, E., Womack, S., Turkheimer, E., Beam, C.
(2021).
SES Differences in Longitudinal Dynamic Relationship Between Temperament and Cognition in Childhood: The Louisville Twin Study Behavior Genetics, 51(6), 704-705.
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Finkel, D., Ernsth-Bravell, M.
(2020).
Cohort by Education Interactions in Longitudinal Changes in Functional Abilities Journal of Aging and Health, 32(3-4), 208-215.
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Beam, C.
Turkheimer, E.
Finkel, D.
Levine, M.
Zandi, E.
Guterbock, T.
, ... Davis D.
(2020).
Midlife study of the Louisville Twins: Connecting cognitive development to biological and cognitive aging Behavior Genetics, 50(2), 73-83.
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Li, X.
Ploner, A.
Wang, Y.
Magnusson, P.
Reynolds, C.
Finkel, D.
, ... Hägg S.
(2020).
Longitudinal trajectories, correlations and mortality associations of nine biological ages across 20-years follow-up. eLIFE, 9.
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Finkel, D., Franz, C., Christensen, K., Reynolds, C., Pedersen, N.
(2020).
Longitudinal twin study of subjective health: Differences in genetic and environmental components of variance across age and sex The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, 75(1), 1-10.
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Raymond, E.
Reynolds, C.
Dahl Aslan, A.
Finkel, D.
Ericsson, M.
Hägg, S.
, ... Jylhävä J.
(2020).
Drivers of Frailty from Adulthood into Old Age: Results from a 27-Year Longitudinal Population-Based Study in Sweden The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 75(10), 1943-1950.
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Finkel, D., Ernsth-Bravell, M., Pedersen, N.
(2020).
Role of motor function and lung function in pathways to ageing and decline Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 32, 2479-2487.
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Emery, C., Finkel, D., Gatz, M., Dahl Aslan, A.
(2020).
Evidence of bi-directional associations between depressive symptoms and body mass among older adults The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, 75(8), 1689-1698.
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Beam, C., Finkel, D., Giangrande, E., Morris, A., Davis, D.
(2020).
Genetic influence on Secure Attachment Depends on Socioeconomic Status Behavior Genetics, 50(6), 443.
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Finkel, D., Davis, D., Turkheimer, E., Beam, C.
(2020).
Longitudinal dynamic relationship between temperament and cognition in childhood: the Louisville Twin Study Behavior Genetics, 50(6), 454.
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Finkel, D., Ernsth-Bravell, M.
(2019).
Genetic influences on lung function contribute to subsequent age changes in motor and cognitive function Behavior Genetics, 49(6), 492.
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Duggan, E.
Piccinin, A.
Clouston, S.
Koval, A.
Robitaille, A.
Zammit, A.
, ... Hofer S.
(2019).
A multi-study coordinated meta-analysis of pulmonary function and cognition in aging The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 74(11), 1793-1804.
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Finkel, D., Sternäng, O., Jylhävä, J., Bai, G., Pedersen, N.
(2019).
Functional Aging Index Complements Frailty in Prediction of Entry into Care and Mortality. The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 74(12), 1980-1986.
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Davis, D., Turkheimer, E., Finkel, D., Beam, C., Ryan, L.
(2019).
The Louisville Twin Study: Past, Present and Future. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 22, 735-740.
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Pedersen, N.
Gatz, M.
Finch, B.
Finkel, D.
Butler, D.
Dahl Aslan, A.
, ... Whitfield K.
(2019).
IGEMS: The Consortium on Interplay of Genes and Environment Across Multiple Studies - An Update Twin Research and Human Genetics, 22(6), 809-816.
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Finkel, D., Andel, R., Pedersen, N.
(2018).
Gender Differences in Longitudinal Trajectories of Change in Physical, Social, and Cognitive/Sedentary Leisure Activities The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, 73(8), 1491-1500.
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Hallgren, J., Fransson, E., Reynolds, C., Finkel, D., Pedersen, N., Dahl Aslan, A.
(2018).
Cognitive trajectories in relation to hospitalization among older Swedish adults Archives of gerontology and geriatrics (Print), 74, 9-14.
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Finkel, D., Ernsth-Bravell, M.
(2018).
Cohort By Education Differences In Longitudinal Change In Functional Ability Innovation in Aging, 2(suppl_1), 477.
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Book chapter
Finkel, D., Pedersen, N., Reynolds, C.
(2022).
Cognitive aging: the role of genes and environments in patterns of change.
In:
A. Tarnoki, D. Tarnoki, J. Harris and N. Segal
(Ed.),
Twin Research for Everyone:
From Biology to Health, Epigenetics, and Psychology
(pp. 351 -370).
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Finkel, D., Sundström, G.
(2021).
Quality of Life of Older Swedes.
In:
Rojo-Pérez F., Fernández-Mayoralas G.
(Ed.),
Handbook of Active Ageing and Quality of Life
(pp. 549 -558).
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Conference paper
Finkel, D., Ernsth-Bravell, M.
(2019).
Age changes in lung function precede and contribute to subsequent age changes in motor function and cognition.
International Conference of Psychological Science, 7-9 March 2019, Paris, France.
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Finkel, D.
(2019).
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Functional Ability in the Second Half of Life.
International Congress “Social Adaptation, Assistance, and Elderly Health in Present-Day Society,” 10-13 April 2019, St. Petersburg, Russia.
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Finkel, D., Emery, C., Gatz, M., Dahl Aslan, A.
(2019).
Evidence of bi-directional associations between depressive symptoms and body mass among older adults.
The annual meeting of the Swedish Society of Epidemiology, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Jylhävä, J.
Raymond, E.
Reynolds, C.
Finkel, D.
Ericsson, M.
Dahl Aslan, A.
, ... Pedersen N.
(2019).
Drivers of frailty from adulthood into old age: Results from a 27-year longitudinal population-based study in Sweden.
International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics European Region Congress 2019, 23rd – 25th May 2019, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Finkel, D., Schwartz, E.
(2019).
Diversity of day-to-day emotional experiences and social interactions.
International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics European Region Congress 2019, 23rd – 25th May 2019, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Finkel, D.
(2019).
Longitudinal relationships between cognitive and functional aging.
International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics European Region Congress 2019, 23rd – 25th May 2019, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Johansson, L., Ernsth-Bravell, M., Finkel, D.
(2019).
Health and social care in the most ill older persons.
International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics European Region Congress 2019, 23rd – 25th May 2019, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Finkel, D., Lindmark, U., Johansson, L., Ernsth-Bravell, M.
(2019).
Oral health predicts quality of life in data from Swedish National Quality Registries.
International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics European Region Congress 2019, 23rd – 25th May 2019, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Nyman, R., Finkel, D.
(2019).
Living urban or rural in late adulthood ... What is important and what is the difference? .
International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics European Region Congress 2019, 23rd – 25th May 2019, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Ernsth-Bravell, M., Finkel, D.
(2018).
Cohort differences in longitudinal change in functional ability.
24th Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Oslo, Norway, June 2-4, 2018.
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Finkel, D., Sternäng, O., Pedersen, N.
(2018).
Functional biological age as marker of systemic aging processes.
24th Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Oslo, Norway, June 2-4, 2018.
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Finkel, D., Ram, N., Pedersen, N.
(2018).
Longitudinal changes in within-person fluctuation in mood as a marker of decline.
24th Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Oslo, Norway, June 2-4, 2018.
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Finkel, D., Zavala, C.
(2018).
Sex differences in financial strain moderation of genetic influences on subjective health.
24th Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Oslo, Norway, June 2-4, 2018.
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Finkel, D., Pedersen, N.
(2018).
Financial strain moderates genetic influences on self-reported health: Support for social compensation model.
48th Behavior Genetics Annual Meeting, 1-3 August 2018, Boston, MA, USA.
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Kåreholt, I., Darin-Mattsson, A., Finkel, D., Ernsth-Bravell, M., Wilińska, M.
(2018).
Psychological distress, mental illness, and mood fluctuations in old age – causes and consequences.
24th Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Oslo, Norway, June 2-4, 2018.
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Other publications
Bell, S.
Beam, C.
Zandi, E.
Kam, A.
Andrews, E.
Becker, J.
, ... Turkheimer E.
.
Second generation DNA methylation age predicts cognitive change in midlife: The moderating role of childhood socioeconomic status.
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