Late Adulthood: Psychosocial Development PDF

chapter fifteen Late Adulthood: Psychosocial Development 1 Overview Chapter 15:Late Adulthood (Social World) Theories of Late Adulthood – Self – Stratification Activities Relationships The Frail Elderly 2 Late Adulthood The...

chapter fifteen Late Adulthood: Psychosocial Development 1 Overview Chapter 15:Late Adulthood (Social World) Theories of Late Adulthood – Self – Stratification Activities Relationships The Frail Elderly 2 Late Adulthood The experience of Late Adulthood varies greatly from person to person! Some run marathons and lead nations. Some are no longer able to move or think (Frail Elderly). 3 1  Theories of Aging During Late Adulthood Self Theories Stratification Theory Self Theory Gender Erikson Ethnicity Socio-emotional Selection Income Age 4 Theories of Late Adulthood Self Theories During our adolescence and adulthood years our self- concept tends to solidify. We get a good understanding of: Our abilities Who we are (identities) Our relationships But by the time we reach late adulthood all of these things change! 5 Theories of Late Adulthood: Erikson Psychosocial Development Similar to the mid-adulthood years (25-65), during late adulthood (65+) people continue experience Erikson’s stages: Intimacy vs Isolation (stage 6) Generativity vs stagnation (stage 7) But now they also start to have feelings associated with: Integrity versus despair (stage 8) 6 2  Theories of Late Adulthood Integrity versus despair (8th stage, ages 65+) Final stage of Erik Erikson's developmental sequence Associated with feelings of completeness or wholeness People at this stage: – Review their life – Attempt to resolve regrets – Developing an acceptance of death 7 Theories of Late Adulthood Socio-emotional selectivity theory As people get older, they seek out activities and people that make them feel good. These relationships and activities satisfy generativity and relationship needs. Results in a positivity effect 8 Theories of Late Adulthood Stratification theories Emphasize social forces, particularly those related to a person's social categories, as having a profound effect on how a person ages. Social categories like – gender – ethnicity or race – income 9 3  Theories of Late Adulthood Stratification by gender Women are socialized into being less independent – Widowed mothers are more likely to have children insist they live with them. – Less independence leads to faster senescence Men socialized to repress problems, seek medical attention less. – Results in lower lifespans! 10 Theories of Late Adulthood Stratification by ethnicity & race A person’s ethnicity or race can impact their experiences with the aging processes. Stress related to racial and ethnic discrimination affects senescence. Examples: – Less likely to seek medical care – Higher health care costs – Less likely to own home 11 Theories of Late Adulthood Stratification by income Direct link between poverty levels and life expectancy. 12 4  Activities in Late Adulthood Staying socially active during late adulthood helps to: Slow down senescence Satisfy the urges we feel during Erikson’s 6th and 7th stages. Common activities include: 1. Working 2. Home life 3. Religious Involvement 4. Political Involvement 13 Activities in Late Adulthood Working Attitudes regarding work during this time period varies greatly! Work has psychological benefits. – Happier – Social support – Increases self-esteem – Helps one feel productive – Promotes relationships 14 Activities in Late Adulthood Home Life One of the favorite activities of many retirees is caring for their own homes and gardening. Provides exercise and cognitive stimulation Helps promote feelings of productivity (generativity) Provides the opportunity to age in place. 15 5  Activities in Late Adulthood Religious involvement Older adults are less likely to attend religious services than are the middle-aged, but faith and praying increase. Religious institutions fulfill many needs. – Encourage good habits. – Promote caring relationships. – Beliefs give meaning to life and death and reduce stress. 16 Activities in Late Adulthood Political activity Elderly are much more likely to vote, especially during midterm elections. Helps to fulfill generativity needs. 17 Relationships during Late Adulthood Relationships are still important during our late adulthood years. Provide an important source of support Satisfying our intimacy needs Common types of important relationships during these years 1. Long-term partnerships 2. Friendships 3. Family (Grandparent-role) 18 6  Friends and Relatives Long-term partnerships Married people tend to live longer Married older adults are healthier, wealthier, and happier than unmarried people their age. Spouses are a key part of our social convoy 19 Friends and Relatives Family relationships The adult children of elderly parents often express filial responsibility Can interfere with independence 20 Friends and Relatives Grandparents Most (85%) elders over age 65 are grandparents. Roles of grandparents: –Companionate grandparents –Involved grandparents –Surrogate grandparents –Remote grandparents 21 7  The Frail Elderly Many during their late adulthood years will be able to remain active and relatively healthy - showing few major age-related deficits. A minority of people during this time will be considered Frail Elderly (oldest-old) About one-third of older people will become frail before they die. 22 The Frail Elderly – continued When is someone considered frail? Typically when they struggle to complete Activities of daily life (ADLs). Actions that are important to independent living: – Eating – Bathing – Toileting – Dressing – Transferring from a bed to a chair 23 Preventing Frailty One big cause of frailty revolves around mobility issues. Mobility – getting around (walking, moving, traveling) Becomes harder as we age in part because of: – Sarcopenia – weakening of muscles – Osteoporosis – weakening of bones Can be improved with physical therapy and devices such as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. 24 8