Psychology 203 Human Development Psychosocial Development in Late Adulthood (Chapter 18)

Big Five Traits Model N=neuroticism E=extraversion O=openness to experience A=agreeableness C=conscientiousness

Theory and Research Stability of Personality Traits Costa and McCrae research (1996) suggest only two traits may change –Increase in Agreeableness –Decrease in Extraversion Hostile people will remain Hostile Optimistic people will remain optimistic

Theory and Research Stability of Personality Traits Contrary beliefs BeliefFact * Old people are depressed More content and satisfied with life All old people have negative attitudes Extraverts will remain positive Neurotics will remain negative Old people personality are rigid Rigid is caused by cultural baggage not age

Ego Integrity versus despair Erikson’s eighth and final stage of development a person either achieve a sense of integrity of the self or yield to despair –Integrity – Accepting the lives they have lived and accept death –Despair – Their lives cannot be relived.

Models of Coping Adaptive Defenses Adaptive defenses may be unconscious or intuitive –Altruism –Humor –Suppression (keeping a stiff upper lip) –Anticipation (planning for the future) –Sublimation (turning lemons into lemonade) Independent of IQ, education and social class

Models of Coping Cognitive-Appraisal Coping strategies on basis on perception and analysis of situation Includes anything an individual thinks or does in trying to adapt o stress, regardless of how well it works Coping is dynamic and evolving process Requires continuous reappraisal between self and environment.

Models of Coping Cognitive-Appraisal Model

Models of Coping Cognitive-Appraisal Two Strategies Problem – Focused: strategy directed toward eliminating, managing or improving a stressful situation Emotion – Focused: strategy directed toward managing the emotional response to a stressful situation to lessen its physical or psychological impact (palliative coping)

Models of Coping Cognitive-Appraisal Emotion – Focused Divert attention away from a problem Give in to situation or problem Deny that the problem exists

Religion and Well Being Religion seems to play a supportive role –S–Social support –E–Encouragement of healthy lifestyle –P–Perception of a measure of control over life through prayer (positive emotional states –R–Reduction of stress –E–External control of misfortunes (faith in God) Nonreligious people with secular values have similar supportive role

Successful or Optimal Aging Disengagement Theory Activity Theory Continuity Theory Role of Productivity Selective Optimization with Compensation

Disengagement Theory Successful aging is characterized by mutual withdrawal between the older person and society Society stops providing useful roles for older adult

Activity Theory Successful aging is dependent on persons ability to remain active. Adult’s roles are major sources of satisfaction – The greater the loss of roles the less satisfied a person will be. –Retirement –Widowhood –Distance from children –infirmity

Continuity Theory To age successfully people must maintain a balance of continuity and change in both the internal and external structures of their lives. Continuation of a lifestyle. Retired people are happiest pursuing work or leisure activities similar to those they have enjoyed in the past

Role of Productivity Productive activity, either paid or unpaid is key to aging well. 9 out of 10 agers engage in some form of productive activity On average –One-third more housework –Twice as much yard work –Three times as much paid work –Four times as much volunteer work.

Selective Optimization with Compensation Older adults can be: More flexible in coping strategies –Emotion-focusing compensate for loss of control over certain areas of their lives More selective about social contacts Maintain contact with people who can best meet their current needs for emotional satisfaction. –Compensate for narrowing of possibilities in their lives

Work, Retirement, Leisure * The concept of retirement became widespread during the early twentieth century 1950 compulsory retirement was virtually outlawed in the US as a form of age discrimination Most adults who can retire do retire

Work, Retirement, Leisure Older workers are –More productive –Slower but more accurate –Dependable –Responsible –Frugal with time and materials

Work, Retirement, Leisure * The size of a retiree's social support network is the most powerful predictor of satisfaction in retirement Family-focused lifestyle –Low-cost activities around family, home and companions –Conversation –Watching television –Visiting with family and friends –Playing cards –Doing “what comes along”

Work, Retirement, Leisure Balanced investment – retirement activity allocated among family, work, and leisure. Serious leisure – requiring skill, attention and comment –Master a craft –Pursue an intense

Living Arrangements Developing countries both elderly men and women typically live with adult children and grandchildren in multigenerational households. Developed countries the minority of older adults living alone has increased greatly since (95.5% live in the community)

Living Arrangements * The growth of elderly single-person households are because of –increased old age benefits –reverse mortgage programs enable people to live at home longer –long-term care policies that discourage institutional living Factors for not living alone –Personality –Cognitive abilities –Physical health –Depleted social network

Group Living Arrangements Retirement hotel – remodeled to meet needs (switchboard, made service, message) Retirement community (self-contained development) Shared housing (shared informally by adult parents) Accessory apartment or ECHO (elder cottage housing opportunity) independent units on the grounds of family members) Congregated housing (private or government-subsidized rental apartment complexes or mobile homes) Assisted-living facility (semi-independent living in one’s own room or apartment) Foster-care home Continuing care retirement community

Mistreatment of Elderly Physical violence Psychological abuse Emotional abuse Material exploitation Neglect Violating personal rights –Right to privacy –Make their own personal and health decisions

Social Contact Social Convoy Theory –Changes in social contact Coworkers and other casual friends drop away * Retain a stable inner circle of social convoys –Close friends –Family members Socioemotional selectivity theory –Become increasingly selective about the people they spend their time with

UN’s Principles of Older Persons Independence –Access to adequate food, water, clothing and health care –Opportunity to work –Participate in determining when and what pace withdrawal from labor force –Access to appropriate educational and training programs –Able to reside at home for as long as possible

UN’s Principles of Older Persons Participation –Remain integrated in society, participate actively in formation and implementation of policies that affect their well-being, share knowledge and skills with younger generation –Seek and develop opportunities for service to the community –Able to form movements or associations of older persons

UN’s Principles of Older Persons Care –Should benefit from family and community care and protection in accordance with values –Have access to health care to help maintain or regain optimum level of physical, mental and emotional well-being –Able to utilize levels of institutional care providing protection, rehabilitation and social/mental stimulation in humane and secure environment –Able to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms including full respect for Dignity Beliefs Needs Privacy Quality for their lives

UN’s Principles of Older Persons Self-fulfillment –Able to pursue opportunities for the full development of their potential –Access to educational, cultural, spiritual, and recreational resources of society Dignity –Able to live in dignity and security free of exploitation and physical/mental abuse –Treated fairly regardless of age, gender, racial/ethic background, disability or status, and valued for their economic contribution

Long-Term Marriage Long-term marriage a new phenomenon One in five marriage lasts fifty or more years Conflict resolution skills are key to marital satisfaction Long marriage tested by advancing age and physical ills Divorce and remarriage is rare

Friendships * Friends are important because they are chosen by the person Soften the impact of stress on physical and metal health

Relationships with Adult Children In US, social security and Medicare have lifted some responsibilities for the elderly from family members Older parents become depressed if they have to ask for help from family because of strong value of independence