We examined the effect of daily stress, age, and emotional stability/neuroticism on stress reactivity, using cortisol diurnal rhythms. We used data from the Normative Aging Study (Spiro & Bosse, 2001). The 72 men in this study ranged from 67-93 (M =79.29, SD =4.88). Multilevel modeling showed that higher daily stress...
In this study, we explored the relationships among gender, age, daily stressors, positive and negative affect, and neuroticism on cortisol outcomes in older men and women. We were particularly interested in whether variation in positive affect would have an effect on variation in negative affect and if this relationship would...
Inquiry into the cause of men's premature mortality has been historically framed in a biological deterministic perspective. This research takes an alternative view whereby the possible interactions of psychosocial variables with men's health promoting and health seeking behaviors are examined using cross-sectional survey data with older men. Specifically, this research...
In this study, we contrasted socioemotional selectivity theory (SST;
Carstensen, 2006) with dynamic integration theory (DIT; Labouvie-Vief, 2003) using
trajectories of quantitative and qualitative social support in later life. SST is a lifespan
theory of motivational development (Carstensen, Isaacowitz, & Charles, 1999). There
is a normative decline in social support...
The social aspects of older adults lives are strongly linked to well-being outcomes. Social relationships in older adulthood are rewarding, but also complex, and to maintain a positive social environment, older adults must reconcile long relationships histories, negotiate changing roles, and deal with increasing dependencies. Older adults are known to...
Grounded in the life course perspective, this study examined
stress among long-distance caregivers, asking whether stress levels vary
by family relation to the care recipient or by geographic distance. A
growing older adult population forecasts a corresponding need for
caregivers. Although family members are the primary source of care for...
Grounded in life span theory, this study explored how personal goals (as measured by possible selves) related to depressive symptoms in older adults. Possible selves represent individuals' ideas of what they would like to become (hoped-for selves) and what they are afraid of becoming (feared selves). Possible selves are also...
This research investigates the experiences of female allies of gay men and lesbians. A naturalistic and grounded theory paradigm is employed in this qualitative study. The participants are five female allies of gay men and lesbians from the Southeastern region of the United States. The participants share their experiences as...
Most aging individuals prefer to remain in a self-determined home environment, and generally aging adults want to remain in the same home or same community. The benefits of remaining in a self-determined private home environment while aging have been established. Because individuals present a diversity of needs, it takes interdisciplinary...