Peer Reviewed Articles

Explore Rachel’s groundbreaking academic work in the field of aging science.

This section features an extensive archive of Dr. Pruchno’s published research, spanning over 125 peer-reviewed articles in leading medical and scientific journals. Topics include resilience in older adults, caregiving, long-term care, and health disparities. These studies have shaped policy, influenced practitioners, and advanced the national conversation on aging.

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Jones-Layman, A., Cartwright, F.P., Schug, S., Kitson, J., Siegert, L., & Pruchno, R. (2025). How the age-friendly domains apply to low-income cities and guide improvements: Perspectives of long-term residents in New Jersey. Public Opinion Quarterly, https://doi.org/10.1093/poq/nfaf027. 

Rachel Pruchno, Laura P Sands, Francine P Cartwright, Miriam Rose, Xiaofan Zhu, Subjective Successful Aging Predicts Probability of Mortality Over 9 Years Among Adults Aged 50–74, The Gerontologist, Volume 64, Issue 7, July 2024, gnad148.

Laura P Sands, Quyen Do, Pang Du, Rachel Pruchno, Peritraumatic Stress From a Disaster Increases Risk for Onset of Chronic Diseases Among Older Adults, Innovation in Aging, Volume 6, Issue 1, 2022, igab052.

Wilson-Genderson M, Heid AR, Cartwright F, Collins AL, Pruchno R. Change in Loneliness Experienced by Older Men and Women Living Alone and With Others at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Res Aging. 2022 May-Jun;44(5-6):369-381.

Wilson-Genderson M, Heid AR, Cartwright F, Pruchno R. Subjective Successful Aging: Measurement Invariance Across 12 Years. Gerontologist. 2022 Jul 15;62(6):e294-e303.

Bram Wolters, Almar Kok, Martijn Huisman, Francine Cartwright, Rachel Pruchno, Long-Term Impact of Hurricane Sandy Exposure on Positive and Negative Affect: The Role of Perceived Social Support, The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Volume 77, Issue 10, October 2022, Pages 1892–1903.

Sands LP, Do Q, Du P, Xu Y, Pruchno R. Long term impact of Hurricane Sandy on hospital admissions of older adults. Soc Sci Med. 2022 Jan;293:114659. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114659. Epub 2021 Dec 16. PMID: 34954672; PMCID: PMC8810733.

Wilson-Genderson, M., Heid, A. R., Cartwright, F., & Pruchno, R. (2021). Adverse childhood experiences, adult trauma, and depressive symptom trajectories. Aging & Mental Health, 26(11), 2170–2178.

Pruchno R, Wilson-Genderson M, Heid AR, Cartwright FP. Effects of peri-traumatic stress experienced during Hurricane Sandy on functional limitation trajectories for older men and women. Soc Sci Med. 2021 Jul;281:114097.

Heid, A. R., Wilson-Genderson, M., Pruchno, R., & Cartwright, F. P. (2021). Impact of Upper and Lower Body Functional Ability on Affect in Older Couples. Journal of Aging and Health, 33(10), 931-940.

Allison R Heid, Francine P Cartwright, Maureen Wilson-Genderson, Rachel Pruchno, Understanding Attrition and Bolstering Retention in a Longitudinal Panel of Older Adults: ORANJ BOWL, Innovation in Aging, Volume 5, Issue 2, 2021, igab010.

Heid AR, Pruchno R, Wilson-Genderson M, Cartwright FP. The Prospective Association of Personality Traits and Successful Aging. Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2022 Mar;94(2):193-214. doi: 10.1177/0091415021989460. Epub 2021 Feb 22. PMID: 33616413.

Rachel Pruchno, Maureen Wilson-Genderson, Allison Heid, Francine Cartwright, Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms Experienced by Older People: Effects of Time, Hurricane Sandy, and the Great Recession, The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Volume 76, Issue 5, May 2021, Pages 974–985.

Rachel Pruchno, Maureen Wilson-Genderson, Allison R Heid, Francine P Cartwright, Type of Disaster Exposure Affects Functional Limitations of Older People 6 Years Later, The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 75, Issue 11, November 2020, Pages 2139–2146.

Zachary J Christman, Maureen Wilson-Genderson, Allison Heid, Rachel Pruchno, The Effects of Neighborhood Built Environment on Walking for Leisure and for Purpose Among Older People, The Gerontologist, Volume 60, Issue 4, June 2020, Pages 651–660.

Heid AR, Gerber AR, Kim DS, Gillen S, Schug S, Pruchno R. Timing of onset and self-management of multiple chronic conditions: A qualitative examination taking a lifespan perspective. Chronic Illn. 2020 Sep;16(3):173-189. doi: 10.1177/1742395318792066. Epub 2018 Sep 4. PMID: 30180778.

Wilson-Genderson M, Heid AR, Pruchno R. Long-term effects of disaster on depressive symptoms: Type of exposure matters. Soc Sci Med. 2018 Nov;217:84-91. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.09.062. Epub 2018 Oct 2. PMID: 30296694; PMCID: PMC7001525.

Heid, A. R., Pruchno, R., & Wilson-Genderson, M. (2018). Illness representations of multiple chronic conditions and self-management behaviors in older adults: A pilot study. International Journal of Aging Human Development, 87(1), 90-106.

Pruchno, R., Heid, A. R., & Wilson-Genderson, M. (2018). Successful Aging, Social Support, and Ownership of a Companion Animal. Anthrozoos, 31(1), 23-39.

Gerber, A., Heid, A. R., & Pruchno, R. (2018). Adult children living with aging parents: The association between income and parental affect. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development.

Sands, L. P., Xie, Y., Pruchno, R., Heid, A., & Hong, Y. (2018). Older adults’ health care utilization a year after experiencing fear or distress from Hurricane Sandy. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness.

Wilson-Genderson, M., Heid, A. R., Pruchno, R., & Sands, L. P. (2017). Onset of multiple chronic conditions and depressive symptoms: A life events perspective. Innovation in Aging, 1(2).

Wilson-Genderson, M., Pruchno, R., & Heid, A. R. (2017). Modeling Successful Aging Over Time in the Context of a Disaster. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 72(2), 328-339.

Heid, A. R., Schug, S., Cartwright, F. P., & Pruchno, R. (2017). Challenges Faced and Support Received: Older Adults’ Perceptions of Hurricane Sandy. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 11(1), 39-47.

Pruchno, R., Heid, A. R., & Wilson-Genderson, M. (2016). The Great Recession, Life Events, and Mental Health of Older Adults. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 84(3), 294-312.

Cromley, E.K., Wilson-Genderson, M., Heid, A.R., & Pruchno, R.A. (2016). Spatial associations of multiple chronic conditions among older adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology. Published online October 2, 2016.

Heid, A.R., Pruchno, R., & Cartwright, F.P. (2016). Exposure to Hurricane Sandy, neighborhood collective efficacy, and post-traumatic stress symptoms in older adults. Aging & Mental Health. Published online February 25, 2016.

Christman, Z., Pruchno, R., Cromley, E., Wilson-Genderson, M., & Mir, I. (2016). A spatial analysis of body mass index and neighborhood factors in community-dwelling older men and women. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 83(1), 3-25.

Pruchno, R.A., Wilson-Genderson, M., & Heid, A.R. (2016). Multiple chronic condition combinations and depression in community-dwelling older adults. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 71(7), 910-915.

Wilson-Genderson, M. & Pruchno, R. (2015). Functional limitations and gender differences: Neighborhood effects. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 81(1-2), 83-100.

Pruchno, R., Heid, A.R., & Wilson-Genderson, M. (2015). Resilience and successful aging: Aligning complementary constructs using a life course approach. Psychological Inquiry, 26(2), 200-207.

Cromley, E.K., Wilson-Genderson, M., Christman, Z., & Pruchno, R.A. (2015). Colocation of older adults with successful aging based on objective and subjective measures. Applied Geography, 56, 13-20.

Pruchno, R.A. & Wilson-Genderson, M. (2015). A Longitudinal examination of the effects of early influences and midlife characteristics on successful aging. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 70(6), 850-859.

Pruchno, R., Wilson-Genderson, M., & Gupta, A.K. (2014). Neighborhood food environment and obesity in community-dwelling older adults: Individual and Neighborhood effects. American Journal of Public Health, 104(5), 924-929.

Wilson-Genderson, M. & Pruchno, R. (2013). Effects of neighborhood violence and perceptions of neighborhood safety on depressive symptoms of older adults. Social Science & Medicine, 85, 43-49.

Pruchno, R. & Wilson-Genderson, M. (2012). Adherence to clusters of health behaviors and successful aging. Journal of Aging and Health, 24(8), 1279-1297.

Cromley, E.K., Wilson-Genderson, M., & Pruchno, R.A. (2012). Neighborhood characteristics and depressive symptoms of older people: Local spatial analyses. Social Science & Medicine, 75(12), 2307-2316.

Pruchno, R., Hahn, S., & Wilson-Genderson, M. (2012). Cigarette smokers, never-smokers, and transitions: Implications for successful aging. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 74(3), 193-209.

Pruchno, R.A., Wilson-Genderson, M. & Cartwright, F.P. (2012). The texture of neighborhoods and disability among older adults. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 67B(1), 89-98.

Gordon, J.R., Pruchno, R.A., Wilson-Genderson, M., Murphy, W.M., & Rose, M. (2011). Balancing caregiving and work: Role conflict and role strain dynamics. Journal of Family Issues, 33(5), 662-689.

Pruchno, R.A. Wilson-Genderson, M. & Cartwright, F. (2010). A two-factor model of successful aging. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 65B(6), 671-679.

Pruchno, R.A., Wilson-Genderson, M., Rose, M., &Cartwright, F. (2010). Successful aging: Early influences and contemporary characteristics. The Gerontologist, 50(6), 821-833.

Wilson-Genderson, M., Pruchno, R.A., & Cartwright, F.P. (2009). Effects of caregiver burden and satisfaction on affect of older end-stage renal disease patients and their spouses. Psychology & Aging, 24(4), 955-967.

Pruchno, R.A., Cartwright, F.P., & Wilson-Genderson, M. (2009). Effects of marital closeness on the transition from caregiving to widowhood. Aging & Mental Health, 13(6), 808-817.

Ferri, C.V. & Pruchno, R.A. (2009). Quality of life in end-stage renal disease patient: Differences in patient and spouse perceptions. Aging & Mental Health, 13(9), 706-709.

Ferri, C.V., Gottesman, I., & Pruchno, R.A. (2009).  Successful aging: Definitions and subjective assessment according to older adults. Clinical Gerontologist, 32(4), 379-388.

Pruchno, R., Cartwright, F.P., & Wilson-Genderson, M. (2009). The effects of race on patient preferences and spouse substituted judgments. Aging & Human Development, 69(1), 31-54.

Pruchno, R., Wilson-Genderson, M., & Cartwright, F.P. (2009). Depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction in the context of chronic disease: A longitudinal dyadic analysis. Journal of Family Psychology, 23(4), 573-584.

Pruchno, R., Wilson-Genderson, M., & Cartwright, F. (2009). Self-rated health and depressive symptoms in patients with end-stage renal disease and their spouses: A longitudinal dyadic analysis of late-life marriages. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 64B(2), 212-22.

Pruchno, R.A., Brill, J.E., Shands, Y., Gordon, J.R., Wilson Genderson, M., Rose, M., & Cartwright, F. (2008). Convenience samples and caregiving research: How generalizable are the findings? The Gerontologist, 48(6), 820-827.

Pruchno, R.A., Rovine, M.J., Cartwright, F., & Wilson-Genderson, M. (2008). Stability and change in patient preferences and spouse substituted judgments regarding dialysis continuation. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 63B(2), S81-S91.

Frye, B., Scheinthal, S., Kemarskaya, T., & Pruchno, R. (2007). Tai chi and low impact exercise effects on the physical functioning and psychological well-being of older people. Journal of Applied Gerontolgy, 26(5), 433-453.

Lemay, E.P., Pruchno, R.A., & Feild, M.L. (2006). Accuracy and bias in perceptions of spouses’ life-sustaining medical treatment preferences. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36(10), 2337-2361.

Feild, M.L., Pruchno, R.A., Bewley, J., Lemay, E.P., & Levinsky, N.G. (2006). Using probability vs. non-probability sampling to identify hard-to-access participants for health-related research: Costs and contrasts. Journal of Aging & Health, 18(4), 565-583.

Pruchno, R.A., Lemay, E.P., Feild, M.L., & Levinsky, N.G. (2006). Predictors of patient treatment preferences and spouse substituted judgments: The case of dialysis continuation. Medical Decision Making, 26(2), 112-121.

Pruchno, R.A., Lemay, E.P., Feild, M.L., & Levinsky, N.G. (2005). Spouse as health care proxy for dialysis patients: Whose preferences matter? The Gerontologist, 45(6), 812-819.

Pruchno, R.A. & Meeks, S. (2004). Health-related stress, affect, and depressive symptoms experienced by caregiving mothers of adults with a developmental disability. Psychology and Aging, 19(3), 394-401.

Pruchno, R.A. & McMullen, W.F. (2004). Patterns of service utilization by adults with a developmental disability: Type of service makes a difference. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 109(5), 362-378.

Pruchno, R.A. (2003). Enmeshed lives: Adult children with developmental disabilities and their aging mothers. Psychology and Aging, 18(4), 851-857.

Pruchno, R.A. & McKenney, D. (2002). Psychological well-being of black and white grandmothers raising grandchildren: Examination of a two-factor model. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 57(5), P444-452.

Pruchno, R.A. & Rose, M.S. (2002). Time use by frail older people in different care settings. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 21(1), 5-23.

Miltiades, H.B. & Pruchno, R. (2002). The effect of religious coping on caregiving appraisals of mothers of adults with developmental disabilities. The Gerontologist, 42(1), 82-91.

Miltiades, H.B. & Pruchno, R. (2001). Mothers of adults with developmental disability: Change over time. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 106(6), 548-561.

Pruchno, R.A. & McKenney, D. (2000). Living with grandchildren: The effects of custodial and co-resident households on the mental health of grandmothers. Journal of Mental Health and Aging, 6, 269-290.

Pruchno, R.A. & Rose, M. S. (2000). The effect of long-term care environments on health outcomes. The Gerontologist, 40(4), 422-428.

Pruchno, R. & Hayden, J.M. (2000). Interview modality: Effects on costs and data quality in a sample of older women. Journal of Aging and Health, 12(1), 3-24.

Pruchno, R., Litchfield, L., & Fried, M. (2000). Measuring the Impact of Workplace Flexibility, Boston College Center for Work and Family.

Pruchno, R. & Patrick, J.H. (1999). Mothers and fathers of adults with chronic disabilities: Caregiving appraisals and well-being. Research on Aging, 21(5), 682-713.

Pruchno, R. (1999). Raising grandchildren: The experiences of black and white grandmothers. The Gerontologist, 39(2), 209-221.

Rose, M.S. & Pruchno, R.A. (1999). Behavior sequences of long-term care residents and their social partners. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 54(2), S75-S83.

Peters-Davis, N., Moss, M.S., & Pruchno, R.A. (1999). Children-in-law in caregiving families. The Gerontologist, 39(1), 66-75.

Pruchno, R.A. & Patrick, J.H. (1999). Effects of formal and familial residential plans for adults with mental retardation on their aging mothers. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 104, 38-52.

Pruchno, R.A., Patrick, J.H., & Rose, M.S. (1998). Recruiting research participants: A comparison of the costs and effectiveness of five recruitment strategies. The Gerontologist, 38(3), 295-302.

Pruchno, R.A., Patrick, J.H., & Burant, C.J. (1997). African American and white mothers of adults with chronic disabilities: Caregiving burden and satisfaction. Family Relations, 46(4), 335-346.

Pruchno, R.A., Burant, C.J., & Peters, N.D. (1997). Typologies of caregiving families: Family congruence and individual well-being. The Gerontologist, 37(2), 157-167.

Pruchno, R.A., Burant, C.J., & Peters, N.D. (1997). Coping strategies of people living in multigenerational households: Effects on well-being. Psychology and Aging, 12(1), 115-124.

Pruchno, R.A., Burant, C.J., & Peters, N.D. (1997). Understanding the well-being of care receivers. The Gerontologist, 37(1), 102-109.

Patrick, J. H. & Pruchno, R.A. (1996). Mothers' perceptions of service use and unmet service needs for their adult offspring with chronic mental illness. Psychiatric Annals, 26 (12), 757-765.

Pruchno, R.A. & Johnson, K.W. (1996) Research on grandparenting: Review of current studies and future needs. Generations, 20(1), 65-70.

Pruchno, R.A., Patrick, J. H., & Burant, C.J. (1996). Mental health of aging women with children who are chronically disabled: Examination of a two-factor model. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 51(6), S284-S296.

Pruchno, R.A., Patrick, J. H., & Burant, C.J. (1996). Aging women and their children with chronic disabilities: Perceptions of sibling involvement and effects on well-being. Family Relations, 45(3), 318-326.

Pruchno, R.A. (1995). Review: Long term care, an annotated bibliography. T.H. Koff & K.M. Bursac (Eds.). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Contemporary Gerontology, 2(3), 107.

Pruchno, R.A., Smyer, M.A., Rose, M.S., Hartman-Stein, P.E., & Henderson-Laribee, D.L. (1995). Competence of long-term care residents to participate in decisions about their medical care: A brief, objective assessment. The Gerontologist, 35(5), 622-629.

Pruchno, R.A., Peters, N.D., & Burant, C.J. (1995). Mental health of co-resident family caregivers: Examination of a two factor model. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 50(5), P247-P256.

Pruchno, R.A., Moss, M.S., Burant, C.J. & Schinfeld, S. (1995). Death of an institutionalized parent: Predictors of bereavement. Omega, 31(2), 99-119.

Pruchno, R.A., Peters, N.D., Kleban, M.H., & Burant, C.J. (1994). Attachment among adult children and their institutionalized parents. Journals of Gerontology, 49(5), S209-S218.

Pruchno, R.A., Burant, C.J., & Peters, N.D. (1994). Family mental health: Marital and parent-child consensus as predictors. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 56(3), 747-758.

Dempsey, N.P. & Pruchno, R.A. (1993). The family's role in the nursing home: Predictors of technical and non-technical assistance. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 21(1-2), 127-146.

Pruchno, R.A., Dempsey, N.P., Carder, P. & Koropeckyj-Cox, T. (1993). Multigenerational households of caregiving families: Negotiating shared space. Environment and Behavior, 25(3), 349-366.

Pruchno, R.A. & Kleban, M.H. (1993). Caring for an institutionalized parent: The role of coping strategies. Psychology and Aging, 8(1), 18-25.

Pruchno, R.A. (1991). Family caregiving: Personal and social costs. Experimental Aging Research, 17(2), 89-90.

Pruchno, R.A., Michaels, E., & Potashnik, S.L. (1990). Predictors of institutionalization among Alzheimer disease victims with caregiving spouses. Journals of Gerontology, 45(6), S259-S266.

Pruchno, R.A., Kleban, M.H., Michaels, E., & Dempsey, N. (1990). Mental and physical health of caregiving spouses: Development of a causal model. Journals of Gerontology, 45(5), 192-199.

Pruchno, R.A. (1990). The effects of help patterns on mental health of spouse caregivers. Research on Aging, 12(1), 57-71.

Brody, E.M., Dempsey, N., & Pruchno, R.A. (1990). Mental health of sons and daughters of the institutionalized aged. The Gerontologist, 30(2), 212-219.

Pruchno, R.A. & Resch, N.L. (1989). Mental health of caregiving spouses: Coping as mediator, moderator, or main effect? Psychology and Aging, 4(4), 454-463.

Pruchno, R.A. & Resch, N.L. (1989). The context of change: Disorientation following intrainstitutional relocation. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 8, 465-480.

Pruchno, R.A. & Potashnik, S.L. (1989). Caregiving spouses: Physical and mental health in perspective. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 37(8), 697-705.

Pruchno, R.A. & Resch, N.L. (1989). Aberrant behaviors and Alzheimer's disease: Mental health effect on spouse caregivers. Journals of Gerontology, 44(5), S177-S182.

Pruchno, R.A. & Resch, N.L. (1989). Husbands and wives as caregivers: Antecedents of depression and burden. The Gerontologist, 29(2), 159-165.

Pruchno, R.A., Kleban, M.H., & Resch, N. (1988). Psychometric assessment of the multidimensional observation Scale for elderly subjects (MOSES). Journals of Gerontology, 43 (6), 164-169.

Pruchno, R.A. & Resch, N.L. (1988). Intrainstitutional relocation: Mortality effects. The Gerontologist, 28(3), 311-317.

Nesselroade, J.R., Pruchno, R.A., & Jacobs, A. (1986). Reliability vs. stability in the measurement of psychological states: An illustration with anxiety measures. Psychologische Beitrage, 28(1-2), 255-264.

Pruchno, R.A. & Smyer, M.A. (1985). Therapeutic interventions with adult caregivers. Proceedings from the conference The future of natural caregiving networks in later life: Policy, planning, research, and intervention. Buffalo, NY: University of Buffalo.

Pruchno, R.A., Blow, F., & Smyer, M.A. (1984). Life events and interdependent lives: Implications for research and intervention. Human Development, 27(1), 3l-4l.

Smyer, M.A. & Pruchno, R.A. (1984). Service use and mental impairment among the elderly: Arguments for prevention. Professional Psychology-Research and Practice, 15(4), 528-537.

Pruchno, R.A. & Smyer, M.A. (1983). Mental health problems and aging: A short quiz. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 17(2), 123-140.