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1
Johnson, Debra Fay. "An assessment of the gambling behavior of older adults in a senior center setting." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2007. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/3073.
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Fifty-two individuals 60 years of age or older participated in this research study. This study is of significance because as opportunities to gamble are becoming more available and accessible, older adults are participating in gambling activities for leisure and recreational benefits. This phenomenon is of concern because older adults may be at risk for problems related to gambling that they may not be able to recover from. Furthermore, senior center directors and social workers need to know how to assess, evaluate and intervene with older adults who may have gambling problems or problems related to their gambling behavior.
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Allen, Natalie Ruth. "The transition to institutional living : the experience of elderly people." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/24410.
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The purpose of this study is to identify how elderly subjects perceive their transition from home to institutional living.
The study was conducted with a convenience sample of five subjects, 6-13 months following their admission to a unit which provides care for dependent elderly clients. The methodology introduced by Glaser and Strauss (1967), for the discovery of grounded theory, was used.
A conceptualization of the transition to institutional living as five sequential and inter-related phases is introduced. These phases are: anticipation, reaction, interpretation, negotiation and integration. In the first two phases subjects' responses to challenges to development, introduced by the transition, tend to predominate. The third and fourth phases are characterized by subjects' working through these challenges to achieve mastery within the new situation. The final phase is manifest in each individual's attributing personal meaning to the transition within the context of his or her total life.
Mastery within the new situation is achieved through problem solving approaches to increasing dependency, acceptance of personal responsibility for adjustment, and the perception of
institutionalization as but one incident in each individual's life history.
This transition was found to differ from those described amongst younger populations. It is proposed that this difference occurs as a function of developmental stage, frailty, and the environmental situation.
The findings of this study a) emphasize the holistic nature and complexity of nursing practice with frail elderly clients, b) support the use of concepts from developmental theory as a basis for nursing practice with elderly clients, and c) suggest ways in which nursing education and research may contribute to the development of nursing care for elderly clients.Applied Science, Faculty of
Nursing, School of
Graduate
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NEWMAN, JACQUELYN GAIL. "PERCEPTIONS OF AGING IN AN OLDER SAMPLE: LIFE SATISFACTION, EVALUATIONS OF OLD AGE, AND RESPONSES TO CARTOONS ABOUT OLD PEOPLE." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/183867.
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The present study was an exploration of the relationships among life satisfaction, attitudes toward aging and responses to cartoons about aging. Subjects were 86 community resident, active and financially secure adults aged 53 to 85. In this sample of subjects, the Life Satisfaction Index (Neugarten, Havighurst and Tobin, 1961) factors of Mood, Congruence and Zest combined with satisfaction with social involvements to account for 50% of the variance of attitude toward old age. Attitudes toward aging were measured with the Kogan-Wallach (1961) semantic differential evaluating the concept of "old age". As expected, all subjects rated cartoons which portrayed a clearly negative view of aging as less funny and more negative than cartoons which portrayed a more ambivalent view of aging. Contrary to expectation, responses to cartoons about aging were unrelated to life satisfaction, evaluations of old age or perceived societal attitudes toward old age.
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Dodge, Jan Marjorie. "THE RELATIONSHIP OF FAMILY SUPPORT TO ELDER WELL-BEING." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/276455.
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A descriptive study was conducted to examine the relationship between family support and elder well-being of a group of ambulatory elders living in the community. Information regarding the elder parent's reporting of the overall support received by adult children and its affect on well-being was sought. Forty five female subjects, aged 65 to 91 years, participated in this study. The subjects completed a questionnaire which included the Demographic Questionnaire, Family Support Exchange Questionnaire, Family APGAR, and Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. The sample population was homogeneous and no significant correlations were demonstrated between quantity or quality measures of family support and elder well-being. The study findings were consistent with previous studies in that elder parents generally live in close proximity to at least one adult child and have frequent contact with them. Elderly parents were satisfied with the support they received from children and would confide in their children.
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McGregor, Katherine DeWinter. "Reminiscence, life satisfaction, depression, and perceived health in elderly women a descriptive study." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 1988. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/247.
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Duncan, Harriet H. "Meanings and motivations among older adult mall walkers: a qualitative analysis." Diss., Virginia Tech, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/39728.
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Solsberry, Priscilla Wilson. "Cognitive factors in marital satisfaction among older retired couples and couples in their twenties." Virtual Press, 1993. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/862268.
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This study was designed to investiate the relationship between marital satisfaction and adherence to dysfunctional beliefs concerning the marital relationship among married couples in their twenties and retired married couples 65 years of age and older. Additionally, adherence to socially desirable response sets was also measured.Marital satisfaction among older couples was significantly higher than that of younger couples (p < .001). Older men demonstrated significantly greater adherence to dysfunctional beliefs about marriage than younger men (p < .01), while these beliefs were not significantly different for older and younger women. Older couples also demonstrated significantly greater adherence to socially desirable response sets than younger couples (p < .001 for women and p < .01 for men).Increased marital satisfaction was significantly correlated with decreased adherence to dysfunctional beliefs for all subjects (p < .001 for older women and p < .01 for all others) and with greater social desirability responding for all subjects except younger women (p < .01). Level of marital satisfaction among older couples was most influenced by that of one's spouse, while the satisfaction of younger couples was most affected by one's adherence to the belief that disagreement is destructive to the marriage.Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services
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Cleland, Sharon M. "The mediating effect of goal setting on exercise efficacy of efficacious older adults." Virtual Press, 2001. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1204203.
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The purpose of this study was to ascertain the mediating effect of two types of goal setting conditions (self-set and assigned set goals) on exercise intensity, exercise efficacy and perceived physical ability of efficacious older adults participating in a fitness program. In addition, this study examined the extent to which the four sources of self-efficacy influenced walking self-efficacy and perceived physical ability. Sixteen older adults, who were participating in a fitness program, were randomly assigned to either the self-set or assigned set goal condition. The self-set group selected an exercise intensity (i.e., target heart rate range) each week prior to the walking bout, while the assigned set group were designated an exercise intensity (i.e., target heart rate range) each week before their walking session. The same walking duration was implemented for both goal groups throughout the eight-week goal-setting program. Heart rate monitors were used to collect information on exercise intensity. In week one, walking self-efficacy (WSE), exercise intensity and perceived physical ability (PPA) were collected. For weeks two through seven WSE, exercise intensity, goal setting post-questionnaire (only for the assigned group) were collected. In week eight, WSE, PPA, exercise intensity, and sources of self-efficacy were collected. The results revealed that goal condition had no significant effect on exercise intensity, perceived physical ability, and walking self-efficacy. However, this study assisted participants in becoming more aware of their heart rate (exercise intensity) by observing their heart rate monitors.School of Physical Education
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Holmes, Thomas R. "Prediction and control of wandering behavior : simulating natural contingencies of control." Virtual Press, 1986. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/472941.
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This study investigated the effects of an intervention designed to reduce the wandering of an 80 year old female resident of a long term care facility. A behavioral analysis of natural contingencies which maintained behaviors incompatible with wandering was conducted and the data from this analysis used to develop an intervention. The intervention simulated a dining room table and coffee break which naturally maintained sitting. An ABAC design revealed that this intervention was functionally related to a reduction in the proportion of a twenty minute interval spent wandering. The discussion focuses on possible causes of wandering and future directions for establishing a behavioral technology to control wandering.
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Cookman, Craig Alan. "Filling the void: A descriptive study of the process of attachment between elderly people and their pets." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/291338.
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A descriptive study using grounded theory methodology proposed to explore the process of attachment between elders and their pet dogs. Five informants aged sixty-one to eighty-four participated in the study. Eleven interviews provided data for analysis. Data analysis revealed a process where elderly informants reported 'something missing' in their lives previous to pet ownership. Pet adoption provided 'someone' to communicate with, 'someone' to come to know and understand, and 'someone' to be with and share everyday life. Filling the Void emerged as the core concept describing these processes. Further research requires a larger sample to allow more thorough theoretical sampling and subsequent variation in the data. Implications of this research for nursing practice include the need for nurses to be alert to the possibility a pet may be functioning as an attachment figure in the life of an older adult.
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Cole, Marsha Dee. "The effects of quality of social networks on psychological well-being in the visually impaired elderly." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2003. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2174.
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Hamon, Raeann Kunkle. "Activity participation and morale among older adults." Thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/50024.
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The use of discretionary time among older adults and its relationship to well-being is of particular interest to many researchers, practitioners, and service providers. Interview data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 171 persons 65 years of age and older from the urbanized area of Roanoke, Virginia. The study ascertains whether there is a relationship between amount of participation in thirteen activity categories and morale among older adults, after implementing controls for age, self-perceived health, and income. Using multiple regression analysis, results suggest that morale is largely influenced by the control variables, particularly health. In fact, almost none of the variance of the dependent variable is attributable to amount of activity. Implications for activity program development and theoretical refinement are discussed.Master of Science
incomplete_metadata
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Wacks, V. Quinton. "Successful aging, coping and learning : a case study of two diverse groups of older adults /." Diss., This resource online, 1990. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-07102007-142512/.
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McEwen, Marylyn. "Family adaptability, family cohesion, spirituality and caregiver strain in women as caregivers of elder kin." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/558069.
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Kramer, Marci D. "Relationship between frequency of musical activity participation, sense of coherence, and subjective reports of health in non- institutionalized older adults." Virtual Press, 1996. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1027116.
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This study investigated the relationship between frequency of musical activity participation, Sense of Coherence (SOC), and subjective report of health in older adults. From a sample of 197 older adults from Muncie and Anderson, Indiana, 129 (65.5%) individuals participated in this study. The participants completed an information sheet, the Musical Activity Participation Report, SOC, and Perceived Health questionnaires. Pearson r correlation coefficients found frequency of musical activity participation was not correlated with SOC but was correlated with subjective reports of health. A frequency table and chi-square analysis revealed that cohort and education were related to musical style preferences. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that musical activities enhanced perceived quality of life to a lesser degree than other activities. However, many participants commented on the positive impact of music on well-being. A one-way ANOVA and t-tests found gender and musical upbringing were related to frequency of musical activity participation.Fisher Institute for Wellness
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See, Sau-king, and 施秀琼. "Exercise and depression in Chinese older people: elderly health centers study." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2004. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31972135.
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鄢盛明 and Shengming Yan. "Parent-child relations and psychological well-being of older parents in China." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2003. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31244993.
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Blackford, M. Lezlie. "Death anxiety and coping in the elderly." Virtual Press, 1990. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/720169.
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Tichy, Anna Mae. "The relationship between self-esteem and physical condition as measured by the hand grip and leg press in retirement home residents." PDXScholar, 1985. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/225.
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The relationship between self-esteem and physical condition as measured by hand grip and leg press strength in 65 subjects from two retirement homes was examined in a pre-/post-test design. The originally selected subjects ranged from 60-99 years of age (10 males, 55 females). At the conclusion of the study, 54 subjects remained (5 males, 49 females). The functional description of the subjects was "frail elderly." Although most were mobile and alert, many had some physical or mental disability that prevented them from living independently. The subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: experimental (exercise) and two control groups. There was, however, cross contamination between groups and marked attrition in the experimental group. The study was then redesigned as descriptive and examined twenty hypotheses. No significant relationship was found between physical condition and self-esteem. However, significant negative relationships were found between age and physical condition and hours of rest and physical condition. Significant positive relationships were found between length of stay in the retirement home and self-esteem, hours of activity and leg press strength, and level of control in selection of retirement home and self-esteem. Most elderly subjects did not accept exercise as necessary. Rather, they believed that as the individual ages, the body's need for exercise decreases. The implications are that health education programs for the elderly should be directed toward the need for physical exercise to maintain strength. Strength is necessary for activities of daily living. The ability to maintain activities of daily living will help to improve and maintain the quality of life for the older citizen.
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Cheng, Wing-kei, and 鄭永基. "The effect of a Tai Chi exercise program on the physical and psychological well-being of community dwelling elderly." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2001. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31257148.
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Fox, Diane Patricia. "Effects of collaboration on problem solving performance in healthy elderly couples and Parkinsonian-caregiver dyads." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp02/NQ32708.pdf.
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Brady, Grant. "A Meta-Analysis of the Nomological Network of Work Ability." PDXScholar, 2016. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/3341.
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As the workforces of industrialized countries around the world continue to age, research is needed to better understand how policies regarding retirement, and exit from the workforce, impact older workers. In particular, it is important to identify mechanisms that can be used to understand and promote the retention of older workers. Work ability (WA), a construct that has been predominately studied in Scandinavian and European countries, has been studied in this context, and identified as a predictor of exit from the workforce. Using the Job Demands-Resources model (JDR; Demerouti, Bakker, Nachreiner, & Schaufeli, 2001) as the theoretical basis, the goal of the present study was to compile and synthesize the existing literature on WA, quantitatively analyze its antecedents and outcomes (via meta-analysis), and assess potential moderators to these relationships. To my knowledge, this is the first quantitative synthesis of the WA literature. In total k = 158 studies including n =149,758 workers were included in this meta-analysis. Results showed that WA was related to a number of antecedents including job demands (r) = [-.15, -.30], job resources (r) = [.19, .25], and personal resources (r) = [.14, .45]; as well as to several outcomes including job satisfaction (r) = .23, job performance (self-rated) (r) = .23, and exit behaviors (r) = [-.19, -.36]. Moderator analyses showed that when assessing the relationship between WA and some correlates (e.g., disability, retirement), studies that used the Work Ability Index (WAI) found stronger relationships with WA than studies that used measures of perceived WA. Additionally, studies that included workers from certain occupations (e.g., blue collar jobs) found weaker relationships between WA and some of its correlates (e.g., physical job demands, job control) compared to studies of workers in other occupation groups (e.g., white collar jobs). The mean age of the sample also moderated the relationships between WA and some of its correlates. Specifically, studies that consisted of older workers found stronger relationships between WA and certain correlates (e.g., job control, physical job demands), whereas for other correlates (e.g., musculoskeletal disease, disability) studies consisting of younger workers found stronger relationships with WA. This study contributes to the existing literature by synthesizing findings from existing work, identifying gaps in the existing literature, and determining how various measures of WA impact the relationships between WA and its correlates. In addition, this study helps to identify factors that can be considered in interventions aimed at retaining older workers and extending working careers.
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Joseph, Anjali. "Where older people walk assessing the relationship between physical environmental factors and walking behavior of older adults /." Diss., Available online, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006, 2006. http://etd.gatech.edu/theses/available/etd-04072006-103929/.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006.Zimring, Craig, Committee Chair ; Kohl, Harold W., Committee Member ; Bafna, Sonit, Committee Member ; Sparling, Phillip, Committee Member ; Day, Kristen, Committee Member.
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Matla, Oliver T. "Aging with dignity : elderly housing in an urban setting." Virtual Press, 2000. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1164839.
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The living situation of the older generation is a matter of increasing social concern. Demographic changes are leading to larger proportions of elderly people in the populations of the developed world. Tied into this evolution and even more important are the processes of social change - in particular the loosening of traditional family bonds - which make the living situation of older people extremely precarious once they begin to become frail.One aspect of the living situation of older people, namely their housing situation, or more specifically the question of housing and care, has long been neglected or mainly answered with uniform solutions of institutionalized housing for the elderly. Today, these cannot be seen as the only answer to the diverse needs of elderly people, especially since the housing situation has a very strong influence in determining their degree of self-sufficiency. The increased need for housing suited to the needs of elderly people is the impetus for additional investigation, improvement of present conditions, and studies of future developments. The resulting knowledge and impact on the built environment will be very important to academia and the future education of all environmental design professionals as well as society in general.The purpose of this investigation is to illustrate the significance and relationship of socialand spatial requirements within the concept of living and care, because only the simultaneous addressing of these conditions allows for 'aging with dignity'. The existing demographic situation as well as the inadequate housing situation for the elderly makes it important to investigate the provision of health care, social services, and everyday necessities along with a well-designed architectural and urban development framework.This paper consists of three main parts. The first two parts focus on the research of theoretical and practical design aspects as they pertain to current thinking in elderly care and assisted living. This is accomplished through an investigation of published international examples. In addition, valuable information about the housing needs and desires of elderly people was gathered by exploring four built examples in the United States and Germany, thus helping to identify the framework of the architectural exploration.The third part documents the development and process of both an operational and design concept for elderly housing in a selected urban community. The site is located in Potsdam, Germany, within an existing urban block of the old city core. The architectural design attempts to express the idea of 'aging in dignity' and includes thoughts about the interrelation of new and existing residential units as well as their impact on the context.The aim of the study is to ascertain information about the effects of diverse, networked and, in part, innovative facilities and services on the independent living capabilities of the elderly, and the control over one's living environment. Promoting independent living, this study should help to determine the extent to which these services could be provided.Department of Architecture
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Noller, Marcia. "Health promotion and quality of life in noninstitutionalized older adults." Virtual Press, 1994. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/897498.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between health promotion and quality of life in noninstitutionalized older adults. The study was conducted within the framework of Nola Pender's Health Promotion Model.Approval for this study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Ball State University for human protection of the participants. Permission from the five churches' boards was obtained. Written assurance of anonymity of subjects was given.This study was descriptive and correlational. Quality oflife was the dependent variable and the independent variables were health promoting behaviors, importance of health, perceived health status, the number of chronic health conditions and any consequent disruption to life, prior involvement in a senior citizens' wellness group or with a health advisor, and demographic variables including age, gender, marital status, living alone or with a companion or family, and education. Volunteer subjects aged 65 and older from five church groups were asked to complete the following questionnaires: Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile, Quality of Life Index, Value Survey, and a demographic sheet. The demographic questionnaire included an item regarding self-perceived health status, whether or not the participant had been involved in a wellness group or with a health advisor for older adults, and a checklist of chronic health conditions and whether or not these had had debilitating consequences for the participant.Hypotheses included the following: (1) There is no correlation between health promoting behavior and quality of life among older adults. (2) There is no correlation between importance of health and quality of life among older adults. (3) There is no correlation between perceived health status and quality of life among older adults. (4) There is no correlation between the number of chronic health conditions and quality of life among older adults. (5) There is no correlation between disruption brought about by chronic health conditions and quality of life among older adults. (6) There is no significant difference between those older adults who had participated in a senior citizens' wellness group or with a health advisor and those who had not. (7) There are no significant differences in older adult males and females and those who live alone or with family or a companion regarding quality of life. (8) There is no correlation between age and quality of life among older adults. (9) There is no correlation between number of years of education and quality of life among older adults.Statistical significance was found between Quality of Life Index and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile scores (r=0.24, p<0.05) and Quality of Life Index and self-perceived health status scores (r=0.33, p<0.01). Other correlations, t-test, and analyis of variance did not achieve statistical significance.School of Nursing
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Mohanty, Deepanwita. "Performance of older people at different levels of task complexity." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2001. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/1740.
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Technological innovations and career changes have made the workers need for training/retraining an important issue in organizations. However, due to presumed age differences in the ability to benefit from training, employers are sometimes concerned about spending money on training for older workers. This study investigated the relationship of age with attitude about computer training (self-efficacy and anxiety) and training performance at different levels of task complexity.
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Rineer, Jennifer Rae. "Social Job Characteristics and Older Workers: Effects on Job Satisfaction and Job Tension." PDXScholar, 2012. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/613.
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The workforce in most industrialized countries is aging and becoming more age diverse, but few studies have examined the implications of age differences in the design of jobs. This study examined the role of age as a moderator in the relationship between job characteristics and two individual outcomes, job satisfaction and job tension. Specifically, the study focused on the relationship between social characteristics of the job (given social support, [received] social support, interdependence, interaction outside the organization, and feedback from others) and job tension and job satisfaction among Portland Water Bureau employees. Based in Socioemotional Selectivity (SES) theory (Carstensen, 1991), I hypothesized that these job characteristics would have a differential relationship with these outcomes for older and younger workers. Results showed that four of the eight hypothesized interactions were significant, providing support for age as a moderating variable. Differential interaction effects were demonstrated on job satisfaction and job tension. Further, this study incorporated a new conceptualization and measurement of the social support job characteristic (given social support), which demonstrated utility in predicting outcomes. Subjective age was also found to moderate the relationship between job satisfaction and job attitudes, but in a pattern similar to that found for chronological age. This study contributes to the existing literature by answering the call to examine the role of individual differences in the relationship between job design features and outcomes, and by increasing knowledge of the types of job characteristics that increase job satisfaction and reduce job tension for older and younger employees. Implications for the aging workforce are discussed along with future research to better understand the mediating mechanisms.
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Hu, Chun. "Development of resilience scale and examination of relationships among resilience, physical activity and mental health for older adults in Hong Kong." HKBU Institutional Repository, 2019. https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_oa/721.
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Introduction: Resilience is an important trait and mechanism for older adults facing adversity in their later life. Physical activity has been established as an important determinant of mental health among older adults, in which relationship of resilience may play a mediating role. In order to examine the relationships among resilience, physical activity, and mental health in older adults, the current project is designed to conduct three studies. Study-1 aims to use qualitative method to identify the characteristics that contribute to resilience in a group of community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. Study-2 aims to develop and validate an age-specific resilience scale, named as "Resilience Scale for Chinese Older Adults (RSCOA)". Study-3 aims to test a model in which physical activity is hypothesized to influence mental health in path mediated by resilience. Methods: Twenty-five Chinese older adults (2 males, 23 females) aged 69 to 100 years (M=80.00, SD=39.08) were included in Study-1. Interviews were conducted to collect information about the adverse events in their lives, as well as their attitudes towards adversity and the beliefs underlying their approaches to overcoming adversity. The transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. In Study-2, a sequential approach was used to develop the RSCOA in three stages. In stage 1, scale candidate items were generated and initial content validity of the RSCOA were explored. In stage 2, the factorial structure of the RSCOA was extracted using exploratory factor analysis. In stage 3, exploratory structural equation modeling was conducted to test the structure. The reliability and validity of the RSCOA were also examined. In Study-3, cross-sectional data was collected from a sample of 293 Chinese older adults [60 males, 233 females; age from 65 to 95 years old (M=76.58, SD=7.02)] from eight community senior centres located in three districts in Hong Kong. Correlation analyses were performed and path analysis was employed to assess the associations among physical activity, resilience and mental health variables. Results: In Study-1, 7 themes were emerged from the interviews: 1). Equanimity- the realisation that life has both joys and sorrows. 2). Positive attitudes towards life. 3). Meaningfulness- the realisation that life has a purpose and is full of hope. 4). Self-reliance- a belief in one's capabilities and the realisation that each person's life path is unique. 5). Social support- which comes from family and friends, health care professionals, staff in the senior centres and others' appraisal. 6). Environmental support- which includes the support from neighbours, community senior centres and government. 7). Spirituality and faith- which can take the form of a belief in destiny, gratitude or religious faith. For the scale development and validation, a pool of 70 candidate items for RSCOA was established with good content validity in stage 1. In stage 2, seven factors, namely perseverance, self-reliance, spirituality, social support, living in the moment, environmental support, and meaningfulness, reflecting internal, external and existential dimensions, were identified and reflected in 27 items in the construct of resilience. In stage 3, the 27-item RSCOA was further examined, by which 3 items were deleted to achieve acceptable internal consistency (α= 0.87) and good concurrent as well as construct validities, and finally a 24-item RSCOA was confirmed. The measurement model displayed satisfactory model fit and proven invariant across gender. Building on the three path models, it was found that significant mediation effects of resilience on the relations from physical activity to depression (β =-.54, p=.002), from physical activity to loneliness (β=-.25, p=.005), as well as from physical activity to psychological well-being (β=.37, p=.008). In sum, the results confirmed that resilience mediates relationship from physical activity to mental health among the older adults. Conclusion: The qualitative analysis found that resilience of the Hong Kong older adults is characterised by internal, external and existential factors. A reliable and valid age-specific instrument for measurement of resilience in Chinese older people was developed. Older adults who are more physically active reported greater psychological well-being and less mental health problems, and the effects were mediated by resilience. The results may be useful for developing interventions that aim at assisting older adults to enhance the positive experiences and mental health in their lives.
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Britt, Teresa. "The relationship of self-transcendence, spirituality, and hope to positive personal death perspectives in healthy older adults." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/277072.
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The lifespan developmental framework views aging as a time of continued personal change and development. Death is perhaps the most salient developmental challenge older persons face. The relationship of self-transcendence, spirituality, and hope to personal death perspectives was the focus of this research. A descriptive correlational approach was used to study the relationships between these variables. Interviews were conducted with forty healthy adults aged sixty-five and older. Findings revealed that self-transcendence and spirituality were significantly correlated with positive death perspectives in this sample. Findings also revealed significant relationships between age and death perspectives, gender and self-transcendence, and gender and spirituality. No significant relationships were found between hope and death perspectives and hopelessness and death perspectives.
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Orr, Mary Kay Pugh. "Housing for the elderly a theoretical approach." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/23378.
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Steven, John Mowat. "Problems/needs inventory of seniors with arthritis : implications for training of care-facility staff." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/26127.
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A problems/needs inventory enquired into special social-psychological-emotional problems experienced by seniors in care facilities, due to arthritis. The inventory was based on three questions: are there any such problems? If so, what are they? And, what could be done by facility staff to help relieve such problems? This was the first stage in a proposed larger project: to develop a Social Work component dealing with such special problems, in order to augment an existing staff training program, and to test, evaluate, revise and implement the complete program package.
A community-based approach was used. The Department of Social Work Services at the Arthritis Society produced a listing of key areas of concern at a brainstorming session; health-care and social-service professionals were surveyed by interview or by the Delphi Technique; a seniors' arthritis support group participated in a Nominal Group Technique session; care-facility staff met to discuss relevant issues; and, data was gleaned from current literature by a content analysis method.
There was general agreement that seniors in care with arthritis do have special social-psychological-emotional problems because of the disease, and also there was consistency regarding the nature of these problems.
Analysis of the data led to findings that included the following propositions: A sense of self-reliance and of social integration are essential to well-being. Limitations on movement, and the effects of chronic pain and of pain medication are associated with significant social-psychological emotional problems among seniors in care with arthritis. Two principles of care were identified: 1) support and encourage independence; and, 2) support and encourage social integration.
The propositions will be applied to the development of the content of the Social Work component of the training program. Also, many respondents made important recommendations regarding methods and format for the training program. These are included in this paper.Arts, Faculty of
Social Work, School of
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Hale, Beatrice, and n/a. "The meaning of home as it becomes a place for care : the emergence of a new life stage for frail older people? : a study in the dynamics of home care for older people." University of Otago. Department of Anthropology, 2006. http://adt.otago.ac.nz./public/adt-NZDU20070402.143208.
Full textAbstract:
This work is a study of the day to day experiences of older people in receipt of in-home care, the experiences of their family carers, and of their careworkers, resulting in a hypothesis about the structure of the lifecycle towards the end of life, and a consideration of both structured transition and individual transitions to and within this life stage. It has taken off from Laslett�s (1989,1996) seminal work on age divisions, into Third and Fourth Ages.
Through an initial examination of secondary sources, I have hypothesized that the older people in this care bracket are in fact in a new life stage, between that of the independent Third Age and the dependent Fourth Age. I call this life stage the stage of 'Supported Independence'. Further references to the secondary sources, and references to the data, have supported this hypothesis, and have shown that there is a structured transition from the stage of independence to that of supported independence.
The value of building such a life stage lies in the ability we then have to emphasize the situation of in-home care, bringing to prominence the experiences of the three stakeholders in this care environment.
I have used the rites of passage concept to make known the issues involving the move from independence to dependence and those issues predominant in receiving in-home care, in being the carer at such a time, and in being the careworker within the invisibility of home. This has shown a formalized separation from the independent identity, and a prolonged stage of liminality because of an often uncertain form of service delivery. In this liminal stage also are revealed the emotions of living at home with a disability and with care, the improvisatory practices, the passivity and the assertiveness of this time of ageing.
By applying this concept also to the family carers, I show the movement of families into and through the caring role, the joy of caring and the difficulties of taking responsibility without authority. I have shown carers� own improvisatory practices, and their determination to maintain the care recipient at home as long as possible.
For the careworker, the rites of passage concept shows how she (and the careworker participants in this study are all women), can act to either maintain the liminal position of the recipients or assist in their reconnection to greater autonomy. Exploring the careworkers� own positions by means of the rites of passage concept highlights their inter-structural position between the public and private sectors, and highlights too, the care industry�s position, between that of a time managed industry and a recipient-directed industry. Whether this can be regarded as liminal depends on the philosophies of care adopted by the industry.
In summary, the study examines the significance of the place of care, challenging the dominant ideology that home is best, and putting forward for consideration principles of care for other models of service delivery.
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Brody, Alex. "Bridge employment: Can occupational self-efficacy determine which bridges are crossed?" CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2005. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2618.
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A conceptual model examining the antecedents and outcomes of occupational self-efficacy among the older workforce is presented. Proposed antecedents to occupational self-efficacy included self-perceived stereotypes and work demands.
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Armstrong, Dorothy Sheilah. "Psychological well-being and spirituality: Constituents of successful aging." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 1999. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/1801.
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Dionigi, Rylee Ann. "Competing for Life: Older People and Competitive Sport." Diss., Connect to this title online, 2004. http://www.newcastle.edu.au/services/library/adt/public/adt-NNCU20041203.213850/index.html.
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Nussbaum, Paul David 1963. "Qualitative aspects of memory performance in depressed versus demented elderly." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/276623.
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This study investigated quantitative and qualitative aspects of memory in three age-and-education-matched groups (1) 38 normal elderly, (2) 15 patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT), and (3) 26 depressed elderly. Three clusters of dependent variables were used to examine group differences: (1) standard psychometric (Wechsler Memory Scale logical memory and visual reproduction subtests), (2) verbal recall measures (free recall measures of primary memory, secondary memory, prior item intrusions and extra list intrusions), and (3) verbal recognition memory measures (true positive, false positive, true negative, and false negative responses). Analyses of variance, with specified contrasts, found the DAT patients to demonstrate a pervasive memory impairment affecting both the qualitative and quantitative memory indices compared to depressed and normal elderly. The depressed elderly demonstrated impairment, compared to normal elderly, on tasks requiring effortful processing. Findings support pervasive memory loss in DAT patients and do not support clear memory impairment in the present depressed sample.
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吳湘舒 and Xiangshu Wu. "Illness perception and coping among older adults with coronary heart disease: a study at acute convalescentstage." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2002. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31243794.
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McKibbin, Christine L. "Self-Help Intervention and Locus of Control Perceptions of Conjugally Bereaved Older Adults." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1994. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc278394/.
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Locus of Control (LOC) is operationalized as a dispositional trait remaining stable throughout life, but may also be conceptualized as a domain specific state. Widowed persons' support groups, consisting of recently conjugally bereaved older adults (N=22) and one high functioning, long-term widowed peer group leader, were utilized to test LOC malleability. A significant increase in one State measure subscale, Desire for Control, was noted. Trait LOC remained stable. The change in State and Trait LOC change did not significantly relate to psychological symptom reduction. However, Trait LOC Internality related to fewer symptoms whereas State LOC Internality related to more symptoms.
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Warner, Laura J. (Laura Jan). "A Cross-Sectional Age Comparison of the Self-System Between Younger and Older Adults." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1992. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc501236/.
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One of the most perplexing problems in the psychology of aging is whether there are characteristic changes in aspects of personality over the life course. This study attempts to address issues relating to changes in the self-system believed to take place as individuals grow older. Of particular interest is what age differences exist in the four components of the objective self described by Atchley (1982): the ideal self, self-concept, self-esteem, and self-evaluation. In order to examine the differences in these components of the self between younger and older adults the following predictions are made: 1) the ideal self for older adults will be more highly interrelated to their present self-concept than will that of younger adults, 2) issues of self-esteem will be more salient in older versus younger adults, and 3) issues of self-evaluation will be more salient in older than in younger adults. A questionnaire developed by Dittmann-Kohli, (1990) containing 30 incomplete sentences asking for fears, desires, goals, time perspective, self-evaluation, and self-description was given to 110 individuals ranging in age from 17-43 and 89 persons ranging in age from 61-96. Results indicate only partial support for age changes in the self-system.
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Crabb, Brooke Evangeline. "Perceptions of the transition to assisted living as a function of psychological well-being, instrumental activities of daily living, and coping: A prospective study." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2003. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2439.
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This study examined the influence of three predictor variables on perceptions of assisted living: psychological well-being, functional status, and coping strategies. A multiple regression analysis was used to examine the influence of these factors on perceptions of the transition to assisted living.
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Oken, Barry S. "A Systems Approach to Stress and Resilience in Humans: Mindfulness Meditation, Aging, and Cognitive Function." PDXScholar, 2016. http://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/2700.
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Psychological stress is common and contributes to many physical and mental health problems. Its effects are mediated by a complex neurobiological system centering in the brain with effectors including autonomic nervous system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammatory system, and gene expression. A stressor pushes the human physiological system away from its baseline state towards a lower utility state. The physiological system may return towards the original state but may be shifted to a lower utility state. While some physiological changes induced by stressors may benefit health, chronic stressors usually have negative effects on health. In contrast to this stressor effect is the system's resilience which influences its ability to return to the high utility attractor basin following a perturbation by increasing the likelihood and/or speed of returning to the baseline state following a stressor.
Age-related cognitive decline is a major public health issue with few preventative options. Stress contributes to this cognitive decline, and mindfulness meditation (MM) is a behavioral intervention that reduces stress and stress reactivity in many health conditions. A randomized clinical trial was performed to determine if MM in older adults would improve measures of cognitive function, as well as psychology and physiology, and to determine what factors might predict who would improve. 134 at least mildly stressed 50-85 year olds were randomized to a MM intervention or a wait-list control. Outcome measures included a broad cognitive function battery with emphasis on attention and executive function, self-rated psychological measures of affect and stress, and physiological measures of stress. Self-rated measures related to negative affect and stress were all significantly improved as a result of the MM intervention compared to wait-list control. There were no changes in cognition, salivary cortisol, and heart rate variability. Potential explanations for the discrepancy between the beneficial mental health outcomes and lack of impact on cognitive and physiological outcomes are discussed.
To determine which factors predict MM responsiveness, a responder was defined by determining if there was a minimum clinically important improvement in mental health. Predictors included demographic information and selected self-rated baseline measures related to stress and affect. Classification was performed using decision tree analysis. There were 61 responders and 60 non-responders. Univariate statistical analysis of the baseline measures demonstrated significant differences between the responder and non-responders in several self-rated mental health measures. However, decision tree was unable to achieve a reliable classification rate better than 65%.
A number of future research directions were suggested by this study, including to optimize the MM intervention itself, to better select participants who would benefit from MM, and to improve the outcome measures perhaps by focusing on decreased reactivity to stressful events. Finally, a less well-defined but always present future research direction is the development of better models and better quantitative analysis approaches to the multivariate but dynamically limited human empirical data that can be practically collected.
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Van, Lent Diane. "The relationship of spirituality, self-transcendence, and social support to morale in chronically ill elderly." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/276820.
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The relationship of spirituality, self-transcendence, and social support to morale in chronically ill elderly was the focus of this research study. The research was based upon a developmental framework of aging. Individuals answered questionnaires regarding their perspectives on the above variables to determine how significantly the variables related to feelings of morale. Findings revealed that self-transcendence and social support were significantly correlated with morale in this population. No significant relationship between spirituality and morale was found. Self-transcendence and social support together accounted for 45% of the variance in predicting morale in the chronically ill elderly. Findings also revealed existing relationships between spirituality and gender, education level and social support, and length of illness and social support.
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Lavoie, Cora Emily Marie. "Situational control and well-being in the institutionalized elderly." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/27719.
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This descriptive correlational study was designed to examine the relationship between situational control, and both psychological and physical well-being, in the institutionalized elderly. A convenience sample of 52 elderly institutionalized subjects was selected from two intermediate care facilities. The subjects completed the Perceived Weil-Being Scale, the Situational Control Of Daily Activities Scale, and the Subject Information Sheet. All residents were found to have an overall perception of situational control. However, residents perceived a lack of control for the daily activities of eating and grooming. The majority of residents obtained a moderately high score on the psychological well-being and physical well-being scales. No significant relationship was found between situational control and psychological well-being, or situational control and physical well-being. A significant positive relationship was found between psychological well-being and physical well-being.Applied Science, Faculty of
Nursing, School of
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Ntozini, Anathi. "Psychological well-being of institutionalised and non-institutionalised isiXhosa and English ethnic speaking elderly south African residing within the Buffalo City area." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6368.
Full textAbstract:
Background: International research has clearly indicated that the world’s population is ageing: almost all countries in the world are experiencing a significant growth in the proportion of older persons in their population. This is also true for developing countries such as South Africa that are beginning to show signs and symptoms of an ageing population. Among Southern African Development Communities (SADC), South Africa has the highest number of ‘senior citizens’. Population reports indicate that the population of old people rose from paltry 2.8 million in 1996 to more than 4 million in 2011 and this is expected to skyrocket to seven million by 2030. In spite of the increasing number of senior citizens in socio-structural landscapes in South Africa, there is still lack of adequate, workable and effective policy frameworks for the wellbeing of the elderly. There is also paucity of psychological data of the elderly, especially along racial divides to determine whether the after-effects of apartheid still hold sway or not in post-apartheid South Africa. This study was conceived to investigate the psychological well-being of the elderly in Buffalo City, Eastern Cape, South Africa between two racial-ethnic elderly groups. The specific objectives of the study were to explore the relationship between the socio-demographic characteristics and psychological well-being of the black (Xhosa) and white (English) elderly in Buffalo City, South Africa and second, to validate the relationship between psychological well-being and physical activity, loneliness, spirituality/religiosity as well as ageism among the sampled population. The set-point theory, selective optimisation compensation theory (SOCT) as well as the continuity theory were employed to guide the conduct of the study. Method: Psychological measuring instruments were deployed to collect data for the study from a total of 301 elderly respondents in retirement and private individual homes (191 isiXhosa and 110 English speaking elderly). Both simple random sampling (SRS) and purposive sampling procedures were used to select the respondents. The measuring instruments included the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-being (RSPWB), Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), Assessment of Spiritual and Religious Sentiments Scale (ASPIRES), University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, the Palmore Ageism Survey scale and a biographical questionnaire. Data was analysed using MANOVA, One-way variance analysis and regression coefficient. The racial differences logically influenced the selection of the respondents for the study. Results: The study revealed a significant statistical relationship between physical activity (PA) and psychological well-being of the elderly, regardless of the sociodemographic variables. PA showed a significant relationship with psychological wellbeing of the elderly. The study also discovered that loneliness correlates significantly with all four of the psychological well-being scales. It shows that the higher the levels of loneliness experienced by the elderly, socio-demographic variables controlled, the lower the levels of psychological well-being in terms of autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. However, with the exception of the relationship between loneliness and purpose in life, ethnic affiliation moderates autonomy, environmental mastery and self-acceptance. English elderly constantly experienced higher levels of autonomy than the isiXhosa elderly do with an increase in loneliness. The study also found a positive relationship between ageism and psychological well- being. However, with low levels of ageism, the English elderly, in comparison with the isiXhosa elderly, is likely to show higher levels of autonomy. In addition, a significant statistical relationship between ageism and environmental mastery and purpose in life was found among the isiXhosa elderly. Although, with an increase in ageism, there is a slight increase in autonomy in both groups, the English elderly throughout showed higher levels of autonomy than the isiXhosa elderly showed. The study found a positive relationship between religiosity/spirituality and psychological well-being of the elderly. However, race could moderate the relationship between prayer fulfillment and psychological well-being at all four levels (autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and self-acceptance). With an increase in prayer fulfillment, the autonomy of the English elderly increases fairly quickly, while the autonomy of the isiXhosa elderly decreases slightly. Comparatively, the study found that isiXhosa elderly reported lower levels of psychological well-being than the English elderly. Conclusion/Recommendation: The study concludes that there is the need to develop a solid national data bases on needs and use of services, and process of ageing in order to access research data to assist planning, dissemination, delivery and evaluation of effective service delivery for the elderly population in South Africa, especially along racial divides.
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Loi, Lui Ping. "Why older adults seek employment: An examination of the differing motivations among subgroups." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2001. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2012.
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Koo, Fung Kuen. "Disharmony between Chinese and Western views about preventative health : a qualitative investigation of the health beliefs and behaviour of older Hong Kong Chinese people in Australia." University of Sydney, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/1610.
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Doctor of PhilosophyThis study explores the health beliefs and preventive health behaviours of older Hong Kong Chinese people resident in Australia. Participation in physical activity was used as the case study. There were two frameworks used to shape the research. Because of their perceived influence on the health beliefs and practices of Hong Kong Chinese people, the traditional Chinese philosophies of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism provided the philosophical framework. The Theory of Planned Behaviour provided a theoretical framework for understanding the target group's preventive health behaviour. Data was collected by means of in-depth interviews, participant observation and case study. Twenty-two informants were interviewed, their transcripts analysed, summarised and typologised, identifying six states of physical activity participation. Findings demonstrated that this target group possessed a holistic view of health, with food taking a special role in preventive care and self-treatment at times of illness. The Cantonese terms used to denote “physical activity” caused confusion among the target group. Most interpreted it as meaning deliberate planned body movement, strength-enhancing activities or exercise, although some did see it as including mundane daily activities and chores. Lack of time, no interest and laziness were reported as the main reasons for low participation in deliberate planned physical activity. Cultural, social and environmental determinants were the intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing attitudes toward physical activity, as well as perceived social supports and perceived control over physical activity participation barriers. To a large extent, these interactive determinants of health were rooted in the three traditional Chinese philosophies mentioned above. The thesis concludes by arguing that rather than simply advocating activities designed for other populations, health promotion strategies and education need to create links to the traditions of this target group and also clarify their conception of physical activity.
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Steele, Edith Ann Bell. "ENTRAPMENT: A PASSAGE INTO DESPAIR IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES (ELDERLY, HOPELESSNESS, GERIATRICS, LONELINESS, NURSING HOME)." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/291322.
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Palmer, Andrew Demetrius. "The Impact of Communication Impairments on the Social Relationships of Older Adults." PDXScholar, 2015. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/2344.
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Communication forms the foundation of social interaction. For older adults, however, there is known to be an increased risk of developing conditions that interfere with the ability to communicate. These conditions may occur for a variety of reasons, including age-related changes in physical or sensory functioning, injury, and disease. It is estimated that 55% of all Medicare beneficiaries have a communication impairment of some kind. Social contact is known to be vital for older adults' mental and physical health but, because communication impairments often co-occur with other types of disability, it is difficult to generalize about the relative impact of a communication impairment on the social relationships of older adults. Specific aims of the study were to examine whether the severity of a communication impairment is associated with social measures, whether there is an interaction between communication impairments and physical disability, and to examine the role of relationship-control strategies in maintaining access to a larger or more supportive social network. A mixed-methods study design was employed. Community-dwelling older adults were surveyed about the size and diversity of their social networks, frequency of social interactions, and physical and mental health (n = 240) and qualitative data were collected from a smaller subsample. Findings demonstrated that communication impairment was a significant independent predictor for key characteristics of social relationships, including the composition of the social network, certain types of social support, the frequency of social participation, and social self-efficacy. Communication impairment was a significant predictor for higher levels of loneliness and depression. In addition two distinct pathways between communication impairment and psychological well-being were identified, with social self-efficacy and reassurance of worth as mediators. Additional insights were provided by the qualitative results. These findings may guide future clinical practice and research by providing a better understanding of the role of communication in health, disability, and the risk of social isolation.
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Orlando, Theresa Eileen. "The meaning of falling for elderly community-dwelling individuals." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/27729.
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Falls in the elderly Canadian population pose a serious health problem; they are the leading cause of accidental death in persons aged 65 and older. The most common serious injuries associated with falling are hip fractures; more than 19,000 Canadians sustain a hip fracture yearly as a result of a fall.
A review of the literature reveals that most of the studies on falling have been conducted in institutional settings. Community-based studies have identified the risk factors associated with falling to assist in case-finding and fall prevention. However, qualitative studies of falling for elderly community-dwelling individuals are non-existent.
The purpose of this study is to describe the meaning of falling for elderly community-dwelling individuals. The phenomenological approach to qualitative methodology was used for this study. This approach seeks to describe human experience as it is lived. Individuals 65 years of age or older were contacted through a Long Term Care Unit. Eight women became informants,
participating in repeated interviews guided by open-ended questions.
From the content analysis of the data, three major categories of data that were common to the participants were identified and developed. The three categories represent levels of perception in relation to falling, which together represent the entire meaning of falling. At the first level, participants interpreted the various aspects of their falls. The second level describes the reactions to falling. The third level describes how participants coped with falling in the context of coping with aging.
These findings revealed that falling was viewed as a symbol of aging and therefore, the emotional reaction to falling occurred in the context of growing old. Furthermore, it was found that coping with falling occurred in the broader context of coping with aging. The implications for nursing practise,
education, and research were identified in light of the research findings.Applied Science, Faculty of
Nursing, School of
Graduate
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Hwang, Jinsook. "Body Image, self-esteem, and clothing of men and women aged 55 years and older." Thesis, This resource online, 1993. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-06232009-063041/.
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