Chapter 3: The Relevance of Leisure in Theories of Aging 3 The Relevance of Leisure in Theories of Aging Douglas A. Kleiber and M. Rebecca Genoe C H A P T E R

The Relevance of Leisure in Theories of Aging: Key Points Relevance of aging theory in leisure research and practice Psychological theories of aging Sociological theories of aging Development of theories of aging Critiques of theories of aging

Aging Theory Social gerontology—the social and psychological aspects of aging studies Key underpinnings to theory of natural aging –Decline is not failure. –Accommodation and adaptation are not signs of weakness.

Theory Systematic explanation of phenomena based on observations Based on evidence Subject to criticism Try to explain why things happen the way they do, or how they happen

Leisure as a Context for Continuity and Change Aging may result in losses of leisure activity or may afford more leisure activity. Activity priorities change. Less meaningful activities are abandoned. Overall activity appears to decrease with age.

Figure 3.1 Figure 3.1 In general, activity involvement decreases with age.

Aging Research Cross-sectional research Longitudinal studies

Psychological Theories of Aging Gerotranscendence Selective optimization with compensation Substitution theory Socioemotional selectivity theory Psychosocial stage theory Innovation theory of successful aging

Gerotranscendence Relinquishing the need for control as part of acceptance of mortality Increased attachment to earlier generations Fear of death disappears Self-confrontation Social and personal relations

Selective Optimization With Compensation Accounting for how older adults adapt to age-related losses to maintain quality of life Selecting activities that are more meaningful Optimizing a more restricted number of activities Compensating strategically for limitations to preserve involvement in preferred activity

Older adults may choose more meaningful and pleasant activities, reflecting an active selection process intended to maintain emotionally close relationships.

Substitution Theory Describes conditions under which one activity might replace another. Avoid frustration by channeling energies into more achievable goals.

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory Based on awareness of limited time left to live. Older adults reduce social relationships to those that are more familiar and meaningful. Older adults are seeking satisfaction in the present instead of the future. In keeping with selective optimization with compensation theory.

Psychosocial Stage Theory Based on generativity and ego integration. In the early period of later life, people ask themselves: –What is to be done? –What is personally worth doing? –What do I still believe about my world? –How can I stay healthy enough to do what I want?

Opportunities to take up new leisure activities often arise later in life as interests change.

Innovation Theory of Successful Aging Explores the adoption of new leisure activities in later life. Suggests that innovation can lead to self- preservation or self-reinvention.

Identity Process Theory Views adult identity as the “composite of the individual’s self-representation in a variety of substantive areas” (Whitbourne, 2001). Highlights the importance of how people view themselves and how an individual accommodates identity changes with age. Includes multiple threshold perspective.

Sociological Theories of Aging Activity theory Disengagement theory Continuity theory Ecological systems theory

Activity Theory Proposes that engagement in a variety of activities leads to greater life satisfaction for older adults. Suggests that social activities are more effective than solitary ones.

Disengagement Theory Asserts that people naturally withdraw from society as they age. Proposes that mutual withdrawal prepares both the individual and society for the individual’s death.

Figure 3.3 Figure 3.3 Ecological systems model.

Continuity Theory Most compelling of the classical sociological theories of aging. Suggests that people continue the types of leisure involvement as in early life and adapt to new situations following the patterns developed in early life. Does not assume one path for aging.