Psyc 222 Developmental Psychology II

1. Psyc 222 Developmental Psychology II Unit 8a: LATE ADULTHOOD Social Development Dean Owen, Ph.D., LPCC Spring 2011

2. What to look for today… • Social theories of Aging • Social contexts of aging: Living conditions • Relationships in Late Adulthood • Retirement

3. Social Theories of Aging • Disengagement Theory • Activity Theory • Continuity theory • Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

4. Social Theories of Aging Disengagement Theory Mutual withdrawal between elders and society takes place in anticipation of death. Older people become less social and active and this makes their life more comfortable and their ultimate death less disruptive for society. Cummings & Henry, 1961

5. Social Theories of Aging Activity Theory proposes that social barriers to engagement cause declining levels of interaction. The loss of certain roles (active parenting, career, or widowhood) produces attempts to stay engaged with others and remain active. The degree to which this is successful is a measure of life satisfaction….. As one group of activities disappear there is an attempt to find an alternative replacement. Maddox, 1963

6. Social Theories of Aging Continuity theory Tends to view most aging adults as attempting to maintain a “personal system”…an identity and a set of personal dispositions, interests, roles, and skills that provide a link or continuation with their earlier life…… Middle Adulthood Early Adulthood Adolescence childhood Late Adulthood Atchley, 1989

7. Social Theories of Aging Socioemotional Selectivity Theory This theory suggests that elders continue to refine and deepen their relationships with an increasingly selective number of important people. This is a continuation of the pattern of earlier adult periods when many acquaintances gives way to a smaller number of real friends. Carstensen & Lang, 2001

8. Social contexts of aging The quality of life and the degree of satisfaction experienced by elders depends upon their living arrangements.

9. Social contexts of aging Suburban elders enjoy higher income and better health

10. Social contexts of aging Inner-city elders have easier access to social services.

11. Social contexts of aging Elders living in rural areas have limited access to services and tend to be poorer.

12. Social contexts of aging Elders living communities with others of similar age and status tend to be happiest.

13. Social contexts of aging Elders living alone in large cities tend to be fearful of crime and limited opportunities for activity.

14. Social contexts of aging Aging in Place: This term refers to remaining in one’s own home during the later years and retaining control of many aspects of life…independent living in familiar surroundings. Health and mobility issues make this impossible for many.

15. Social contexts of aging Congregate housing: This refers to residential communities for the elderly that provide a wide range of services from completely independent living to assisted living to full nursing home care.

16. Relationships in Late Adulthood Social convoy Most elders will attempt to maintain close relationships with both family and close friends. This cluster, although changing, will continue to provide care and support and safety. The ability to maintain this cluster is associated with higher quality of life and satisfaction during late adulthood.

17. Relationships in Late Adulthood Marital Satisfaction Marital satisfaction peaks during late adulthood as many of the stresses of earlier life (career, child rearing, etc) decline and opportunities for shared activities and improved communication increases.

18. Relationships in Late Adulthood Divorce When divorce occurs late in life there is usually more stress than for younger people. Financial insecurity and reduced likelihood of remarriage make divorce more difficult for women.

19. Relationships in Late Adulthood Remarriage Cohabitation Although the rates are low, older individual’s remarry and the relationships tend to be stable. Increasingly cohabitation is being chosen for financial and personal reasons.

20. Relationships in Late Adulthood Widowhood • The adaptation to life following the loss of a spouse seems dependent upon: • Age (older people adapt better) • Social Support (having family and friends) • Personality (extraverted, high self-esteem, and high self-efficacy most important)

21. Relationships in Late Adulthood Friendship • The importance of friends increases during late life and serves a variety of functions including: • Intimacy • Companionship • Acceptance • Link to the community • Psychological support during loss

22. Relationships in Late Adulthood Issues of dependency As the aging process progresses there is an increasing need for the support and assistance of others. The two sources that are available include family and volunteers and paid professionals. Most elders prefer to remain independent for as long as possible and many express fear of becoming a burden on their children.

23. Relationships in Late Adulthood Issues of dependency Traditionally families routinely accepted an aging parent into the home but increasingly, many dual career families utilize professional care facilities to enable them to avoid interruption of career and child rearing responsibilities.

24. Relationships in Late Adulthood Elder abuse Active: Intentional actions design to harm an individual Passive: Failure to provide basic and needed care and services. Some elders suffer abuse from family, friends or professional caregivers. Abandonment by family care givers has been increasing.

25. Relationships in Late Adulthood Elder abuse

26. Retirement Voluntary Involuntary

27. Retirement • The decision to retire depends upon: • Financial affordability….the big gamble….hope to die the day the money runs out…. • Opportunities to pursue meaningful alternative activities….what about workaholics???? Is there life beyond career???? • Societal Factors (Available retirement benefits, pensions, etc.) • Gender (women retire earlier than men…..Why?)

28. Retirement • The adjustment to retirement is dependent upon: • Health status • Degree of planning • Degree of personal control over life events (voluntary or forced retirement for example) • The ability to view retirement not as the end of productive work but the beginning of a new and more flexible time of life. • Social support • Marital satisfaction

29. Retirement • Four main phases of retirement • Initial honeymoon period….fishing every day (6-12 months)…it’s great but it does get old….. • Growing dissatisfaction and frustration..feeling lost…. • Period of self-appraisal and redefinition • Establishment in new and productive activities including community involvement and increased family contact. The goal is to find a balance of productive work and meaningful leisure.

30. Optimal Aging Elders who achieve this have discovered ways to minimize losses and maximize gains. Social conditions that permit older adults to retain as much personal control and dignity as is possible while insuring that their social, psychological and physical needs are met. Optimal Aging is enhanced by : 1. Well funded social security programs 2. Adequate and flexible personal retirement programs 3. Quality, affordable and accessible health care 4. Availability of affordable and safe housing that can be adjusted according to the physical needs of individuals. 5. Availability of social services… 6. Opportunities for lifelong learning.

31. Questions or comments ??