Exploring Lifespan Development Chapter 18 Emotional and Social Development in Late Adulthood This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; Any rental, lease, or lending of the program. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Erikson’s Theory: Ego Integrity versus Despair feel whole, complete, satisfied with achievements serenity and contentment associated with psychosocial maturity Despair feel many decisions were wrong, but now time is too short bitter and unaccepting of coming death expressed as anger, contempt for others Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Peck: Three Tasks of Ego Integrity Ego differentiation versus work-role preoccupation Body transcendence versus body preoccupation Ego transcendence versus ego preoccupation Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Gerotranscendence Beyond ego integrity Cosmic, transcendent perspective Directed beyond self forward and outward Heightened inner calm Quiet reflection Senior Lifestyles Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Emotional Expertise Cognitive-affective complexity declines for many Affect optimization improves maximize positive emotions, dampen negative ones More vivid emotional perceptions make sure of own emotions use emotion-centered coping Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Reminiscence and Life Review telling stories about people, events, thoughts, and feelings from past self-focused: can deepen despair other-focused: solidifies relationships knowledge-based: helps solve problems Life Review considers the meaning of past experiences a form of reminiscence for greater self-understanding can help adjustment Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Personality in Late Adulthood Secure, multifaceted self-concept Allows self-confidence Continue to pursue possible selves Shifts in some characteristics More agreeable Less sociable Greater acceptance of change Resilience promotes adaptive functioning. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The New Old Age Third Age ages 65 to 79 and beyond marked by personal fulfillment, self-realization high life satisfaction need more opportunities U.S. Serve America Act Fourth Age physical decline need for care Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Senior Lifestyles

Spirituality and Religion in Late Adulthood About three-fourths of U.S. elders say religion is “very important.” Over half attend services weekly. Many become more religious/spiritual with age. not all: about one-fourth get less religious cultural, SES, gender differences Physical, psychological benefits social engagement spiritual beliefs themselves Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Factors in Psychological Well-Being Control versus dependency Health poor health, depression linked suicide risk Negative life changes Social support, interaction Senior Lifestyles Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Stability & Change in Personality Traits Hostile people are unlikely to mellow much with age unless they get help Optimistic people also likely to remain the same

Personality traits that contribute to health and longevity Personality is strong predictor of emotionality and subjective well-being Negative emotions decrease with age Positive emotions remained stable; possibly because as they age tend to seek activities and people that give them emotional gratification, also ability to regulate emotions- more happy

Coping strategies: Problem-focused versus emotional focused Problem-focused coping: involves use of instrumental (action orientated) strategies to eliminate, manage, or improve a stressful condition; usually when sees a realistic chance of changing the situation.  

Coping strategies: Problem-focused versus emotional focused Emotion-focused coping: (palliative coping), directed toward feeling better; managing the emotional response to a stressful situation to relieve its physical or psychological impact; usually use when feels that little or nothing can be done about the situation itself. One strategy is to divert energy away from the problem; another is to give in; another is to deny the problem.  

Coping strategies: Problem-focused versus emotional focused Emotion-focused coping Con’t: Older adults tend to use emotion-focused coping more than the young. They are more flexible and able to use both problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies, but are better able to effectively manage their emotions.

Two types of emotion-focused coping: Proactive- confronting or expressing one’s emotions or seeking social support) Passive- avoidance, denial, suppression.   The young and older tend to use more passive coping. See Table 18-1 (page 677)

Religion Positive link between religion or spirituality and health, marital satisfaction, psychological well-being, physical health Negative association (when religion lacking) with suicide, delinquency, criminality, substance use/abuse Meditation also effective.

Models of Successful Aging MacArthur Foundation: three main components of successful aging: Avoidance of disease or disease-related disability Maintenance of high physical and cognitive functioning Sustained, active engagement in social and productive activities

Depression and Suicide Physical illness, disability strong risk factors perceived negative physical health higher SES has stronger impairment–depression relationship Mental and physical health challenges related mental health often more debilitating Suicide rate highest over age 75 caregivers must provide autonomy when possible need for increase in mental health-care options Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Life Changes and Social Support Elders: high risk for negative life changes multiple life changes test coping skills women more at risk Positive social support increases physical and mental well-being. religion informal (family, friends) formal (paid workers, agencies) elders must select domains of control best type affirms self-worth, belonging Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Social Theories of Aging Disengagement theory mutual withdrawal of elders and society Activity theory social barriers cause declining interaction Continuity theory strive to maintain consistency between past and future Socioemotional selectivity theory social networks become more selective with age; extends lifelong process emphasize emotion-regulating functions of social contact Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Housing Arrangements in Late Adulthood Ordinary homes own home – preferred and most control with family number living alone increasing Residential communities congregate housing life-care communities Nursing homes restricts autonomy, social integration Green House model better Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Marriage in Late Adulthood Satisfaction peaks in late adulthood. fewer stressful responsibilities fairness in household tasks joint leisure emotional understanding, regulation If dissatisfied, harder for women ©Rmarmion/Dreamstime.com Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Long-Term Gay and Lesbian Partnerships Most happy, highly fulfilling healthier, happier than singles Coping with oppression may strengthen skill at coping with physical aging Face legal, health-care issues Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Divorce, Remarriage, Cohabitation few divorces in late adulthood, but increasing hard to recover, especially women Remarriage rates low; decline with age higher for divorced than widowed late remarriage stable Cohabitation growing trend financial and family reasons relationships stable Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Widowhood Most stressful event of life for many one-third of elderly significantly more women than men Few remarry; most live alone must cope with loneliness Reorganizing life harder for men more likely to remarry Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Possible Sources of Support for the Widowed Family Friends Senior centers Support groups Religious activities Volunteer activities Senior Lifestyles Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Never-Married, Childless Older Adults About 5% of Americans Develop alternative meaningful relationships youths friends relatives Men more likely to be lonely Senior Lifestyles Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Friendships in Late Adulthood Friends provide: intimacy companionship acceptance link to community help with loss Feel closest to a few nearby friends Choose friends similar to self Sex differences continue ©Monkey Business Images/Dreamstime.com Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Relationships with Adult Children Quality of relationship affects elders’ physical, mental health Assist each other Direction changes toward children helping as parents age. Closeness affects willingness to help. Emotional support most often Parents try to avoid dependency. Sex differences Mother–daughter ties often closest Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Elder Maltreatment Physical abuse Physical neglect Emotional abuse Sexual abuse Financial abuse ©Ginasanders/Dreamstime.com Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Risk Factors for Elder Maltreatment Dependent victim Dependent perpetrator emotionally or financially Psychological disturbance, stress of perpetrator History of family violence Low-quality nursing homes Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Decision to Retire Keep Working limited or no benefits few leisure interests high work commitment good health spouse working flexible work schedule pleasant, stimulating work Retire adequate retirement benefits compelling leisure interests low work commitment declining health spouse retiring routine, boring job Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Adjusting to Retirement Most people adapt well. Up to 30% report some adjustment difficulties. Factors in adjustment financial worries workplace factors spouse influence sense of personal control social support ©Suprijono Suharjoto/Dreamtime.com Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Leisure Activities Interests continue from earlier in life. choose personally gratifying pursuits frequency and variety drop with age Involvement in rewarding leisure linked to better health, reduced mortality self-expression new achievements helping others social interactions Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Senior Lifestyles

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Optimal Aging Minimize losses, maximize gains Focus less on outcomes, more on processes and reaching personal goals Some factors controllable, others not Social policies can help. Senior Lifestyles Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.