Developmental Recapitulation in Adaptation to Vision Loss Among Middle-Age and Older Adults

Abstract

Previous research has suggested that a recapitulation of developmental stages occurs during periods of readjustment in situations involving significant contextual or environmental change. The purpose of this paper is to examine if evidence exists for developmental recapitulation among middle-age and older adults adapting to recent vision impairment. Psychosocial development was operationalized in accordance with Erikson's stage theory (Erikson, 1963, 1980) and measured using the Inventory of Psychosocial Balance (Domino & Affonso, 1990). Data were obtained from 99 middle-age and 96 older adult vision rehabilitation service applicants and compared with normative scale data for these age groups. Results found significantly lower Trust, Initiative, Industry, and Intimacy scores for middle-age adults and lower Initiative and Industry scores for older adults. Unexpectedly, middle-age adults who were visually impaired had significantly higher Integrity scores compared to the normative group. Findings provide preliminary evidence for developmental recapitulation of psychosocial stages in the process of adaptation to vision loss in middle age and older adults. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of social work practice with this population and future research.     

Correlates of Wisdom‐Related Performance in Adolescence and Adulthood: Age‐Graded Differences in “Paths” Toward Desirable Development

Across time and cultures, wisdom has been nominated as the ideal endpoint of development. Evidence suggests that the beginnings of wisdom are observed in adolescence. But are the correlates of wisdom‐related performance in adolescence different from those in adulthood because of differences in developmental status? To answer this question, heterogeneous samples of German adolescents (N=148, 14–20 years) and adults (N=143, 35–75 years) responded verbally to 2 wisdom‐related tasks and completed a psychometric battery involving measures of intelligence, personality, and the personality–intelligence interface. As predicted, in the adolescent sample intelligence and personality emerged as the strongest unique predictors of wisdom‐related performance. In contrast, in the adult sample the interface measures were the strongest unique predictors. Implications for the facilitation of positive development in adolescence are discussed.     

Evaluating Social Integration and Psychological Outcomes for Older Adults Enrolled at a University Intergenerational Program

Abstract

Intergenerational programs are proliferating. The basic assumption of such programs is that pairing older and younger people in various activities and contexts such as educational programs will produce positive developmental benefits for all participants. Educational programs appear to help adults to remain socially active and connected. The University of Valencia (Spain) initiated in 1999–2000 a “University Program for Seniors” for adults age 55 and over, entitled “Nau Gran.”The goal of this paper is to present baseline results on the benefits and impacts for older adults enrolled at the program during 2002. Results from a sample of 212 sophomore and junior older adult participants are presented. The questionnaire included socio-demographic information and items regarding health, social integration, and psychological outcomes. Results indicated that older adults attending courses at the University increased their level of social integration.     

Does physical exercise improve perceptual skills and visuospatial attention in older adults? A review

Neuroimaging studies suggest that when the brain ages, more areas are involved to perform a task in order to obtain the same results. This, together with the increase in crystalized intelligence and wisdom, is usually considered as a compensatory strategy. Research has demonstrated that physical activity might also act as a strategy and be one of the main factors that can slow down age-related perceptual and cognitive decline. Research also suggests that different types of physical exercise and sport lead to different changes in perceptual and cognitive skills as well as in several areas of the brain, especially those involving multiple domains, such as exergaming, dance or some sports. This review summarizes the findings of recent studies with older adults investigating the brain and cognitive benefits of different forms of physical exercise. Visuospatial attention, which plays a critical role in our daily lives, especially for older adults, is a central part of this analysis.     

Creating SPOTs for Successful Aging: Strengthening the Case for Developing University-Based Retirement Communities Using Social-Physical Place Over Time Theory

Five elements are cited as being critical for a university-based retirement communities’ (UBRCs’) success: proximity to the university, two-directional programming, continuing care, a financial link to the university, and a minimum 10% resident connection to the university. We illustrate these criteria using examples from existing UBRCs. The comparisons are then contextualized in the broader framework of Social-Physical Place Over Time (SPOT) theory. SPOT theory focuses on the interactions between social and physical places among older adults. By analyzing the intersections between SPOT theory and UBRC criteria, we identify additional criteria to improve the definition of a UBRC: transportation support and facilitating activity. UBRCs offer value because they provide the social and physical place where older adults can live when they retire, thereby improving changes in individual agency and belongingness needs, which are key tenets of SPOT theory. The integration of the UBRC criteria and the SPOT theory framework builds on this relatively new meta-theory in environmental gerontology. SPOT theory effectively highlights how UBRCs benefit older adults and the community; UBRCs provide significant benefits not only to older adult residents, but also to the university communities that house them.     

Differences in Views of Family Life According to Age,Gender, and Parental Marital Status

A sample (N = 706) of children, adolescents, young adults, and older adults were surveyed with regard to their views of family. Young adults endorsed more nontraditional views than children and older adults and were more likely than other age groups to indicate that there is no best family type. Children and older adults were more likely than adolescents and young adults to endorse married or living together parents as the best family type. Women and respondents who had experienced parental divorce endorsed traditional views of family less strongly, but women also endorsed stronger expectations for their own family formation. Findings support the possibility of both developmental and sociocontextual influences on attitudes toward family life.     

Conducting Research Among Older Lesbian,Gay, and Bisexual Adults

Gerontologists and developmental researchers have neglected the study of sexual orientation among older adults. The apparent assumptions are either that it does not exist or that it is not necessary to know; consequently, older lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults remain invisible groups with the exception of a relatively small number of studies using convenience samples. This article examines some conceptual, practical and ethical challenges involved in designing and conducting research among older LGB adults. The limitations and emphases of extant research and the challenges in conducting such research are examined. The design of two studies that focused on mental and physical health and on care-giving among older LGB adults are discussed to suggest ways of meeting the challenges.     

Counseling to Promote Retirement Adjustment

Older adults, who represent an increasing proportion of the population, face a major challenge in the adjustment to retirement. Nearly one third of older adults experience difficulty in making this adjustment (Atchley, 1975). Atehley's (1975) theory of adjustment to retirement and relevant empirical data are examined. It is argued that reactions to retirement are diverse and multifaceted. Specific counseling interventions and barriers to counseling older adults are suggested.     

The Nature and Dimensions of the Grandparent Role

Abstract

Grandparenting is a fundamental personal and social role. Despite its importance, the nature and dimensions of the grandparent role and its relevance to developmental theory is not well understood. Recently, grandparenthood has been conceptualised as a highly generative activity, thus involving developmental work that previously was attributed to middle adulthood. However, the importance of generativity as a means of avoiding a sense of stagnation in older adults has yet to be thoroughly investigated. Not surprisingly, most studies have concluded that grandmothers and grandfathers find the role to be very satisfying. Nevertheless, the psychological factors that influence this satisfaction remain unclear. Future research is required to examine grandparent satisfaction in terms of grandparents' attitudes and expectations, grandparent behaviours (e.g., child care provision) and the derived meaning of grandparenthood. This research needs to follow an integrated, theoretical approach.     

Dimensions of subjective well-being and effects of physical activity in Chinese older adults

Subjective well-being (SWB) and its relationship with physical activity have not been systematically investigated in older Chinese people. This study explored these issues using qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of 23 community-dwelling Chinese older adults (age 55-78 y, 12 women); 16 were physically active and 7 physically inactive. Using cross-case analyses, 7 dimensions of SWB emerged: physical, psychological, developmental, material, spiritual, sociopolitical, and social. Although elements of SWB may be shared across cultures, specific distinctions were identified. Active respondents reported the unique contributions of physical activity to the physical, psychological, developmental, and social elements of SWB. The findings suggest that physical activity could enhance the quality of life in Chinese older adults.     

Social Relationships of African American and Hispanic Older Assisted Living Residents: Exploring the Role of Race and Ethnicity

African American and Hispanic older adults are underrepresented in assisted living communities, so little is known about how they experience social relationships in these settings. The purpose of the study was to explore resident-to-resident and resident-to-staff relationships experienced and perceived by African American and Hispanic older residents in assisted living settings. In-depth interviews with 15 African American and 15 Hispanic older adults were conducted in seven assisted living communities in Central Florida. Three salient themes emerged using a grounded theory approach: formation of relationships: emotional vs. instrumental support; language as a facilitator or barrier; and avoidance of inter-racial relationships. Implications for providing culturally competent services in assisted living communities with diverse populations are discussed.     

Direct and Moderating Effects of Social Affordances on School Involvement and Delinquency Among Young Adolescents

Using social control theory and attachment theory as guides, this study examined how qualities of young adolescents' social relationships (i.e., mother, sibling, and friend) and dynamic interactions among characteristics of those relationships are associated with school involvement and delinquency. The participants included older siblings (M age=14.3), younger siblings (M age=11.6), and their mothers from 434 families who completed web‐based surveys. Results were largely consistent with tenets of social control theory and attachment theory. Young adolescents' social relationships mostly worked in additive ways, but sometimes in compensatory ways for older siblings, to promote positive adjustment. The results suggest that young adolescents' social relationships may be differently associated with adjustment depending on birth order or developmental stage.     

Older adults' narratives about a flood disaster: Resilience, coherence, and personal identity

Older adults are a vulnerable group in a disaster and are more at risk of adverse effects as a result. This paper draws on the use of narrative theory in health and gerontology studies to examine how a disruptive disaster was storied. Narrative interviews were conducted with nine older adults aged over 65 years who had recently experienced a flood disaster. The participants' narratives about the disruptive event were integrated with past personal events that spanned more than seven decades. The disaster became a reference point for previous challenging experiences, which created biographical continuity, coherence and order over time. Furthermore, the disaster stories were about biography and identity, and showed how older adults made sense of the flood from a life-course perspective. The use of narrative approaches provides an insight into how the flood disaster was experienced, and reveals how four older adults storied their experiences of a significant life challenge.     

Reflections on Hurricane Katrina by Older Adults

Abstract

This article presents three case studies of older adults who survived Hurricane Katrina. Their narratives are used to illustrate risk and resilience theory as well as principles of survivorship. Implications for social work practice are provided.     

Interactive remembering: Insights into the communicative competence of older adults

This paper challenges some of the traditional views of older adults' speech by considering conversational narrative interaction among three elderly peers from a life-span developmental perspective of aging. A range of pragmatic models developed primarily for younger adults' talk are extended to facilitate an analysis of interaction among elderly peers, showing how the speakers in the data use sophisticated strategies to recall events and establish communicative bridges between conversation participants. The differing social and communicative goals of older adults are examined, contrasting their communicative, and particularly narrative, competency with negative perceptions of elderly discourse, thus demonstrating that to view aging as synonymous with linguistic decline is unfounded.     

The Critical-Ecological Framework: Advancing Knowledge,Practice, and Policy on Older Adult Abuse

The abuse of older adults in our society is a recognized yet understudied issue compared to other forms of family violence. Within this article, research, theory, and practice in family violence and older adult abuse are compared; elements that can be transferred to the field are analyzed; and gaps are identified. An extensive literature review, two focus groups with local stakeholders, and interviews with six key informants recognized as national subject experts formed the basis of this analysis. The results informed the development of a critical-ecological model designed to address the gaps and advance the field.     

The gatekeeper model: implications for social policy

One of the most important needs of an aging population is to insure that older adults are able to live as independently and safely as possible. The question for social policymakers is how to meet this goal in an era of shrinking resources and growing numbers of older adults. The Gatekeeper Model is highlighted as a method to insure that older adults at risk of problems that impact their ability to live independently can be helped by existing systems of care. The model trains employees of community businesses and corporations who work with the public to serve as community gatekeepers by identifying and referring community-dwelling older adults who may be in need of help. A research project was conducted at Spokane Mental Health, Elder Services Division, where the model was developed. The results indicate that community-based gatekeepers found 40% of clients. Gatekeepers find a distinct population of community-dwelling older adults who are not found by more traditional referral sources. The social policy implications of the Gatekeeper Model are discussed.     

Learning with active rural community-dwelling older adults: comprehensive effects of intergenerational service-learning in Taiwan

This study evaluated the experiences of college students serving with active, rural community-dwelling older adults and evaluated outcomes among the students, older adults, and community leaders in rural Taiwan. Thirty-one undergraduate students assisted older adults for six weeks at three senior citizen centers as they participated in an active aging competition. The analysis of qualitative data indicated that students adapted to the communicating barriers of language and cultural variances, were aware that older adults longed for company, and impressed the active image of older adults. The results of this study indicated that service-learning with rural community-dwelling older adults simultaneously benefits students, community leaders, and older adults.