Social and Personality Development in Late Adulthood

what contributes of life satisfaction and successful aging?

• adequate income

• good health

• active lifestyle

• extended social network

• choices

  • ability to reduce demands of life

• optimization

  • practice what you’re good at

• compensation

  • making up for slowing down

what types of memories to those in late adulthood often reminisce on?

life experiences with a sister

what stage are individuals in late adulthood in according to Erikson?

• realization of mortality and reflection on one’s life career

• Integrity

  • ppl feel they have realized and fulfilled the possibilities that have come their way

• Despair

  • 1. ppl feel dissatisfied w their life

  • 2. resolved earlier stages in a negative way

what is Peck’s theories during this time?

redefinition of self vs preoccupation w work role

• the theory that those in old age must redefine themselves in ways that do not relate to their work roles or occupations

body transcendence vs body preoccupation

• a period in which ppl must learn to cope w and more beyond changes in physical capabilities as a result of aging

ego transcendence vs ego preoccupation

• the period in which elderly ppl must come to grips with their coming

what is levinson’s theory during this time?

ppl enter late adulthood by passing thru transition stage

what is life review?

the point in life in which ppl examine and evaluate their lives

what are age stratification theories?

the view that an unequal distribution of economic resources, power, and privilege exists among ppl at different stages of life

how does culture shape the way we treat ppl in late adulthood?

asian societies generally hold elderly ppl, particularly family members, in higher esteem than western cultures

What is the Bernice Neugarten theory?

the more active you are, the more life satisfaction you will have

• associated w happiness, better functioning, and lower mortality rate

there are four personality types

what are the 4 different personality types in regards to getting older?

• disintegrated and disorganized

  • unable to accept aging

  • don’t want to look at physical or cognitive aging

• passive-dependent

  • fearful

  • start relying on others, bc scared to do things indep.

• defended

  • try to stop aging

  • plastic surgery ppl

• integrated

  • ok w getting older; stay active

what else do we see with the activity theory?

happiness and satisfaction from high level of involvement

adaptation to inevitable changes

• maintaining social involvement

• continuing/replacing previous activities but for some less is more

does age bring wisdom and what is wisdom?

wisdom: expert knowledge in the practical aspects of life

altho the research findings are mixed, some research finds that older adults, with their added years of experience to draw upon, use a more sophisticated theory of mind

What is the disengagement theory?

late adulthood involved gradual withdrawal from world on physical, psychological, and social levels

• low energy

• less interest

• lwo interaction

withdrawal is a mutual process and not necessarily negative

• society withdraws too

What is the continuity theory?

need to maintain desired level of involvement in society to maximize their sense of well-being and self-esteem

happiness depends on:

• positive emotions

• good physical and mental health

• financial security

• autonomy and independence

What is the selective optimization theory?

the process by which ppl concentrate on selected skill areas to compensate for losses in other areas

what is the general model of successful aging according to the selective optimization w compensation theory?

1. preceding conditions

   • developmental change over life span, reduction in general motivational, cognitive, and physical resources

2. processes

   • selection, optimization, compensation

3. outcome

   • reduced and transformed but effective life

what are the three types of places/spaces you may be durning late adulthood?

1. living at home

2. Specialized living environments - 10%

   • continuing-care community

     • assisted living (dorm like life)

   • Nursing institutions

     • adult day care (24/7 hour care)

     • skilled nursing

the greater the extent of nursing home care, the greater the adjustment required of residents

• loss of independence is problematic

what is institutionalism?

a psychological state in which ppl in nursing homes develop apathy, indifference, and a lack of caring about themselves

what is learned helplessness?

learning thru conditioning to be helpless

what does elder abuse look like?

intentional or neglectful acts by “trusted” individual that (may) lead to harm of elder

• physical abuse

• neglect

• emotional'/psychological abuse

• sexual abuse

• financial abuse/exploitation

• abandonment

how many people are affected by elder abuse?

may affect as many as 2 million ppl above the age of 60 each year

most frequently committed by family member

what are some policy issues in an aging society?

• our economy cannot bear the burden of so many older persons

  • consumers not producers

• escalating health care costs

  • increasing number of older adults

  • see doctors more often, hospitalized more often, longer hospital stays

  • 1/3 total health bill in US is for care of adults 65+ who make up 12% of the population

what are some reasons to retire?

• social security

• burnout

• health concerns

• employer incentives

• desire to travel, study, or spend more time w fam

what are the different types of retiees

• continuers: part-time or volunteer work

• involved spectators: back-seat role

• adventurers: new pursuits

• searchers: try different activities

• easy gliders: take each day as it comes

• Retreaters

what are the stages of retirement?

• honeymoon period

  • activities, travel

• disenchantment

  • not all i thought it could be

• reorientation

  • re-engaged

• retirement routines

  • feel fulfilled

• termination

  • back to work, or health problems

How do you plan for and live a good retirement?

• plan ahead financially

• consider tapering off from work gradually

• explore interests before retirement

• if you are married or in a long-term partnership. spend some time discussing views of ideal retirement with partner

• consider where you want to live

• determine advantages and disadvantages of downsizing your current home

• plan to volunteer your time

what is social support?

assistance and comfort supplied by another person or a network of caring interested ppl

why is social support important in late adulthood?

• important for successful aging

• sympathy and empathy

• can help furnish material support such as solve problems, give a ride, or fix broken things

• dogs can be especially good as providing social support

black community turn to the church for social support

what do friendships look like in late adulthood?

• allow older adults more control ab whom to include in a friendship

• friendships may be more flexible than family ties

• companionship when a partner or close friend dies

what is the socioemotional selectivity theory?

• older adults become more selective ab their social networks

  • spend more time w familiar individuals w whom they have had a rewarding relationship

• challenges stereotype of “emotional despair” due to social isolation

• older adults report more intense positive emotions w family members, less intense positive emotions w new friends, and equally intense positive emotions with established friends

how are relationships refashioned during late adulthood?

more time together, more sharing in household chores, role reversals. health changes

how do the roles change in marriage during late adulthood?

• stress of retirement or old age may change relationship

  • roles need to be renegotiated

• husband’s companionship needs tend to be greater (needy husbands)

  • men become less competitive

  • women become more independent and autonomous

what occurs with the death of a spouse?

few events are more painful than death of spouse

• no longer part of a pair

• must deal w profound grief

• no one to share life w and social life often changes

• economic changes often occur

why are family relationships so important in late adulthood?

connections important

• siblings, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren provide an important source of comfort to adults in last years

  • siblings are important bc of shared life

  • children often most important

    • coordinate and monitor services (disability)

    • direct assistance w daily living

    • financial help

Why are parents in late adulthood so close to their children?

• see their children as perpetuating their beliefs, values, and standards

• most parents and children remain close

• children may turn to their elderly parents for advice, information, monetary help