Lifespan Development: Social and Personality Development in Late Adulthood

Learning Objectives

  • 18.1.1 Explain research findings about Erikson’s stage of ego integrity versus despair
  • 18.1.2 Summarize the theories of psychosocial functioning in older adults
  • 18.2.1 Identify the factors that contribute to successful aging
  • 18.2.2 Describe the influence of religious coping in late adulthood
  • 18.3.1 Summarize the considerations associated with aging in place at a private residence
  • 18.3.2 Outline the various types of residential options available to older adults based on medical needs
  • 18.4.1 Characterize intimate partnerships in late adulthood
  • 18.4.2 Explain the significance of relationships for older adults
  • 18.4.3 Describe differences in older adults’ social networks
  • 18.5.1 Identify the factors that contribute to the decision to retire
  • 18.5.2 Evaluate the effect of retirement on the lives of older adults

Theories of Social and Personality Development in Late Adulthood

18.1: Overview

  • Objective: Explain research findings about Erikson’s stage of ego integrity versus despair.
  • Ego integrity vs. despair:
    • Research findings:
    • Limited research regarding adults’ capability to achieve acceptance.
    • Older adults tend to become more reflective and philosophical in their outlook on life.
    • Experience feelings of sadness when personal goals are thwarted or unmet.

18.1.1: Erikson’s Final Stage

  • Description of Ego Integrity vs. Despair:
    • Recognizes mortality, leading to a significant life crisis.
    • Involves a life review process to ascertain if life has been successful or a failure.
    • Positive resolution results in the development of wisdom (ego quality).
    • Ego Integrity: Sense of having led a meaningful and useful life.
    • Despair: Feelings of hopelessness caused by limited time to enact meaningful change in life.

18.1.2: Importance of Reminiscence

  • Reminiscence:
    • Serves as a foundational element for life review.
    • Central for achieving ego integrity and preparing for death.
    • Studies suggest a correlation between reminiscence and health improvements.

18.1.3: Theories of Psychosocial Functioning in Older Adults

  • Baltes and Baltes - Activity Theory:

    • Older adults can sustain higher performance and wellbeing when focusing on strengths.
    • Engagement in activities and roles leads to greater satisfaction, improved health, and enhanced morale.

  • Disengagement vs. Continuity Theory:

    • Disengagement theory: Suggests a natural reduction in social engagement leading to increased individual awareness and acceptance of this decline.
    • Continuity theory: Advocates for the preservation of previous habits and interests, promoting consistent engagement in activities across the lifespan.

Individual Differences in Late Adulthood

18.2: Successful Aging

  • Objective: Identify factors contributing to successful aging.
  • Successful aging paradigm:
    • Examines diverse metrics including health, cognitive abilities, social engagement, and productivity.

18.2.1: Health

  • Staying healthy and able:
    • Health linked to earlier life choices and proactive rehabilitation efforts.
    • Positive responses during health crises significantly affect recovery processes.

18.2.2: Cognitive Abilities

  • Retaining cognitive prowess:
    • Important links include:
    • Verbal intelligence and educational experience.
    • Engagement in complex cognitive challenges.
    • Openness to new experiences and technologies.
    • Avoidance of stereotypes related to aging (ageism).

18.2.3: Social Engagement

  • Factors contributing to engagement:
    • Life satisfaction strongly correlates with frequent family and friend interactions.
    • Community involvement promotes both physical and emotional health.
    • Altruism through helping others boosts satisfaction levels.

18.2.4: Productivity

  • Links to productivity:
    • Engagement in volunteer activities.
    • Beginning new hobbies or interests as a means of enhancing productivity.

18.2.5: Life Satisfaction

  • Indicators of life satisfaction:
    • Sense of control over one’s life.
    • Adequacy of social support perceived by individuals.
    • Perceived financial wellbeing.
    • Self-assessments of health conditions.
    • Comparing personal challenges with those of peers.

18.2.6: Critique of Successful Aging Paradigm

  • Critical questions:
    • Does this create a new form of ageism?
    • Is it possible for individuals with physical challenges to feel fulfilled and adequate?

18.2.7: Religious Coping

  • Influence of religious coping:
    • Defined as the reliance on religious beliefs and institutions during stressful periods.
    • Commonly utilized for coping strategies among various demographics.
    • Notable racial and gender differences exist in utilization patterns.

18.2.8: Impact of Religious Beliefs

  • Religious beliefs associated with:
    • Reduced anxiety and worry.
    • Enhanced physical and mental health outcomes.
    • More effective life integration strategies.
    • Influences on income levels.
    • Social connections counted as essential for maintaining health and compliance with medical instructions.

Changes in Living Arrangements Associated With Aging

18.3: Aging in Place

  • Objective: Discuss considerations pertaining to aging in place.
  • Living arrangements:
    • Many older adults prefer remaining in their private homes, a practice referred to as "aging in place."
    • Home-based care services show significant positive effects on both physical and mental health of older adults.
Aging with Family
  • Living with adult children:
    • Approximately 6% of older men and 16% of older women reside with relatives, primarily adult children in the U.S.
    • Influential factors include:
    • Health conditions.
    • Economic status.
    • Gender and marital status of children.
    • Ethnical backgrounds.
Cultural Influences
  • Cultural variations in living arrangements:
    • Concept of filial piety: The expectation to honor and care for parents in old age is prominent, particularly within Asian cultures.
    • In various cultures, it is customary for children to take on caregiving roles for elders.

18.3.2: Residential Options

  • Residential alternatives for seniors:
    • Independent Living Communities:
    • Designed for older adults with no medical assistance available.
    • Emphasizes social activities among residents.
    • Assisted Living Facilities:
    • Currently accommodates about 3% of older adults, typically around age 80.
    • These individuals generally need support with daily tasks.
    • Staff assistance significantly contributes to stress reduction and enhances wellbeing.
    • Skilled Nursing Facilities:
    • Approximately 4% of older adults inhabit nursing homes.
    • Provide support for multiple activities of daily living (ADLs).
    • Roughly 50% of residents may present with dementia.
    • Continuing-Care Retirement Communities: Allow residents to age in place with varying levels of healthcare support as needed.

Social Relationships in Late Adulthood

18.4: Intimate Partnerships

  • Objective: Characterize intimate partnerships among older adults.
  • Partnerships:
    • Marital relationships are largely founded on loyalty, familiarity, and mutual investment.
    • Almost identical dynamics are observed in both gay and lesbian partnerships.

18.4.1: Significance of Relationships

  • Contact with Adult Children:
    • Changes in interaction dynamics as adult children become more independent.

18.4.2: Sibling and Grandchild Relations

  • Grandchildren and Sibling Dynamics:
    • As grandchildren approach adulthood, connections with elderly relatives often diminish.
    • Conversely, sibling relationships may gain importance in older age.

18.4.3: Role of Friendships

  • Friendships:
    • Serve as a crucial support system and contribute to emotional health and satisfaction.

18.4.4: Social Network Differences

  • Gender and Ethnic Variability:
    • Distinct differences in social networks based on gender.
    • Variations also exist regarding intimacy levels and network sizes.
    • Differences can also be observed across ethnic lines regarding social connections.

Career Issues in Late Life

18.5: Retirement Influences

  • Objective: Identify elements influencing retirement decisions.
  • Retirement Timing and Phases:
    • Various factors including financial implications and personal motivations lead to different retirement experiences.

18.5.1: Poverty and Retirement

  • Factors related to poverty:
    • Examines disparities across ethnic groups, disabilities, education level, and gender affecting poverty rates.

18.5.2: Retirement Effects on Living Arrangements

  • Sources of Income Post-Retirement:
    • Various income sources include:
    • Government pensions
    • Personal savings and other assets
    • Continuing part-time work
    • Public aid
    • Pension plans

18.5.3: Mobility and Living Choices

  • Change in living arrangements after retirement:
    • Enhanced living options including:
    • Amenity Moves: Movement towards benefits such as leisure-focused communities.
    • Compensatory (Kinship) Migration: Moving closer to family.
    • Institutional Migration: Transitions into assisted living or nursing facilities if health declines.