3 page reflection paper on age discrimination on popular social media platforms. APA format.
Negative and Positive Aging
RCEA 435 Lecture 2 continuted.
1
Has much to do with the perceived role in Society
We are wired to feel a need to serve a purpose in society
With advanced age people can feel empowered or not based upon their ability to maintain a feeling of importance
A study in the 1970’s by Langer and Rodin examined nursing homes
One group was given autonomy the other has all choices made for them
The Group with autonomy was found later to have improved mental and physical well being
At 18 months, a follow up study found that the disempowered group was twice as likely to die.
Positive Aging
Acknowledging the aging process and viewing it in a positive light may be one of the critical factors for successful aging
Positive ageing does not reverse biological processes, but may rather influence the psychological state of the person.
Researchers over the years have reported associations between negative attitudes towards aging and frailty.
Frailty often is the start that triggers the eventual development of dementia
TILDA study
“The Irish Longituninal Study on Aging”
Examined 4,135 men
Had 3 key findings:
1) Older adults with more negative attitudes about aging had slower walking speeds and worse cognitive ability 2 years after study onset
2) True even after adjustment for changes in medication, mood and other life circumstances
3) Negative attitude interacted with other negative predictors and suggested faster decline (i.e. frail cognitive decline).
Rates of Successful aging
While the definitions are variable in the research literature a review of several studies suggested that the average was around 35%
(Jeste, D.V., Depp, C.A. and Vahia, I.V. (2010). Successful cognitive and emotional aging. World Pschiatry, 9(2), 78-84.)
Therefore, most adults are not successfully aging.
Determinants of Successful Aging
Take Home Message
Aging is inevitable
There is no such thing as a perpetual motion machine, nor a cell that exist in vivo that is immortal
Owning your aging, and staying connected to the world around are critical to the process of successful aging.
PMC full text: World Psychiatry. 2010 Jun; 9(2): 78–84. Copyright/License ► Request permission to reuse
Table 2
Table 2 Correlates of self-rated successful aging in older women (n=1,979)
Variable Pearson correlation coefficient
Chronological age -0.044**
Level of education 0.081**
Income 0.060**
Attitude toward aging (Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale) 0.302**
Physical activity participation (Godin Leisure Activity Scale) 0.156**
SF-36 Mental Health Composite 0.161**
SF-36 Physical Health Composite 0.266**
Cognitive Ability Screening Test 0.098**
Cognitive Failures Questionnaire -0.149**
Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 0.274**
Optimism (Life Orientation Test) 0.229**
Depressive Symptoms (CES-D) -0.275**
Perceived Stress Scale -0.225**
*p<0.01; ** p<0.001
SF-36 – Short Form 36; CES-D – Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale
PMC full text:World Psychiatry. 2010 Jun; 9(2): 78–84.
Copyright/License ►Request permission to reuse
Table 2
Table 2 Correlates of self-rated successful aging in older women (n=1,979)
Variable Pearson correlation coefficient
Chronological age -0.044**
Level of education 0.081**
Income 0.060**
Attitude toward aging (Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale) 0.302**
Physical activity participation (Godin Leisure Activity Scale) 0.156**
SF-36 Mental Health Composite 0.161**
SF-36 Physical Health Composite 0.266**
Cognitive Ability Screening Test 0.098**
Cognitive Failures Questionnaire -0.149**
Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 0.274**
Optimism (Life Orientation Test) 0.229**
Depressive Symptoms (CES-D) -0.275**
Perceived Stress Scale -0.225**
*p<0.01; ** p<0.001
SF-36 – Short Form 36; CES-D – Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale