To investigate the impact of helplessness-induction on cognitive performance in the aged, 66 community-residing elderly persons (X=72.5 years) were administered a word association task, disguised as a test of onterpersonal empathy, under a) response independent (RI), b) response dependent (RD) reinforcement, o c) control conditions. The subjects were categorized as either depressed or non-depressed. Three (treatments) by two (levels of depression) by two measurements (pre- vs. post-treatment) ANOVA's were performed on scores from both short term memory and intelligence measures. These suggested that the more depressed elderly demonstrated greater helplessness-induced short term memory deficits, and to a lesser extent, fluid intellectual deficits.

No description available.

The aim of this study was to explore women's perceptions of ageing in order to shed light on how individual women feel about getting older. The qualitative interpretive research paradigm was chosen for the purposes of this study. In-depth interviews were held with three women who gave their accounts of their perceptions of ageing. The data was analysed using hermeneutic thematic analysis. The accounts of the participants were reconstructed in terms of themes which emerged. Recurring themes in the accounts of all three participants were linked with the literature. This study provided rich descriptions of women's perceptions of ageing and helped to create new insights and meanings both for the participants and the readers. The information gained could serve as guidelines for clinical practice and future research. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This study explored the healthy aging process by: (a) examining the selected demographics of older adults in South Florida; (b) examining technology use of older adults in South Florida; (c) examining the health literacy levels of older adults in South Florida; (d) determining whether a relationship exists between older adults living in South Florida use of technology and their health literacy levels; and (e) evaluating the effects of health literacy as it relates to technology use in older adults in South Florida. Variables explored included health literacy, education, ethnicity, and technology use. The sample study included 102 older adults (age > 60) living in South Florida that had completed profiles on the South Florida Quality Aging Registry, a part of the Healthy Aging Research Initiative (HARI). The sample size represented 22.3% of the total South Florida Quality Aging Registry population. The ethnicities of the participants among the South Florida Quality Aging Registry were African American (17%); Afro Caribbean (7.8%); Hispanic (10.7%); and European American (63.7%). The education mean was 15, indicating that the majority of participants had an education level equivalent to completing high school. The mean health literacy score was 3.88, demonstrating that the majority of the participants had moderate levels of health literacy. The mean technology use score was 7.5 on a scale of one through ten, indicating that the majority of the participants had a moderate level of technology use. Analysis of variance, correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis was used to explore the variables that may influence health literacy. There was a statistically significant difference among Afro Caribbean and African American, Afro Caribbean and European American, European American and Hispanic ethnicities related to their health literacy skill level (p < .01). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference among Afro Caribbean American and European American ethnicities and technology use (p. < .01). / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

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 predicted flatter cortisol diurnal rhythms, B = .09, p < .001, as did age, B = .01, p < .001, while those higher in neuroticism on the emotional stability/neuroticism measure showed steeper slopes for cortisol diurnal rhythms, B = -.04, p < .001. These results indicate that age and emotional stability/neuroticism levels explain some of the variance in individual differences in stress reactivity and provide a basis for future research focused on the effects of psychosocial variables on physiological outcomes. / Graduation date: 2013

People aged ≥65 years (older people) have a higher chance of falling than other age groups. However, based on qualitative research, older people do not believe that falls prevention information and strategies have personal relevance. This suggests that older people believe that falls are more likely to happen to other older people than themselves, that is, they might be comparatively optimistic about their chance of falling. It is important to understand comparative optimism about falling as it is a consistent reason given by older people for not participating in falls prevention activity. This thesis used a mixed methods design with a sequential strategy to investigate community-dwelling older people's comparative optimism about falling. Three studies were undertaken, using semi-structured interviews, cognitive interviews and telephone interviews to collect data. The semi-structured interview study, guided by the tenets of grounded theory, aimed to develop an explanation of why older people might be comparatively optimistic. A sampling frame (age, sex and direct and indirect history of falling) was used to guide recruiting respondents. Older people (N = 9) were interviewed about their chance and other older people's chance of falling. Interviews were analysed using the constant comparison method. The cognitive interview study investigated potential problems in survey items in order to refine them for the telephone interview study. Items were developed to measure older people's comparative optimism about falling. Older people (N = 13) were cognitively interviewed, and interviews were content analysed. The telephone interview study aimed to determine whether older people were comparatively optimistic about falling, and whether the direct and indirect experience of falling was associated with comparative optimism. A random sample of older people (N = 389) living in South Australia were telephone interviewed (response rate = 75%). The semi-structured interview study identified that it was a 'threat to identity' for respondents to say they had a chance of falling because of intrinsic risk factors. Respondents used strategies to maintain or protect their identity when discussing their chance of falling in the future or their reasons for falling in the past. In the cognitive interview study, respondents reported difficulty in rating their chance of falling, as they believed falls were unexpected and unpredictable. They reported difficulty in rating other people's chance of falling, as they believed they did not know other people their age, did not have enough information and/or did not know the answer. In the telephone interview study, most respondents believed they had the same chance (42%), or a lower chance (48%) of falling in the next 12 months, than other older people. Having fallen in the last 12 months was significantly associated with a lowered comparative optimism, but knowing other older people who had fallen was not associated with comparative optimism. This is the first quantitative study to report that the majority of a representative sample of community-dwelling older people were comparatively optimistic about their chance of falling. Self-presentation concerns about having a chance of falling support the core category to emerge from the semi-structured interview study. Messages such as 'you can reduce your risk of falls' may be ignored by older people. Alternative messages should promote identities that are relevant to older people, such as being independent, mobile and active, but these messages should be tested in further research. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1374964 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Psychology and School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2009

People aged ≥65 years (older people) have a higher chance of falling than other age groups. However, based on qualitative research, older people do not believe that falls prevention information and strategies have personal relevance. This suggests that older people believe that falls are more likely to happen to other older people than themselves, that is, they might be comparatively optimistic about their chance of falling. It is important to understand comparative optimism about falling as it is a consistent reason given by older people for not participating in falls prevention activity. This thesis used a mixed methods design with a sequential strategy to investigate community-dwelling older people's comparative optimism about falling. Three studies were undertaken, using semi-structured interviews, cognitive interviews and telephone interviews to collect data. The semi-structured interview study, guided by the tenets of grounded theory, aimed to develop an explanation of why older people might be comparatively optimistic. A sampling frame (age, sex and direct and indirect history of falling) was used to guide recruiting respondents. Older people (N = 9) were interviewed about their chance and other older people's chance of falling. Interviews were analysed using the constant comparison method. The cognitive interview study investigated potential problems in survey items in order to refine them for the telephone interview study. Items were developed to measure older people's comparative optimism about falling. Older people (N = 13) were cognitively interviewed, and interviews were content analysed. The telephone interview study aimed to determine whether older people were comparatively optimistic about falling, and whether the direct and indirect experience of falling was associated with comparative optimism. A random sample of older people (N = 389) living in South Australia were telephone interviewed (response rate = 75%). The semi-structured interview study identified that it was a 'threat to identity' for respondents to say they had a chance of falling because of intrinsic risk factors. Respondents used strategies to maintain or protect their identity when discussing their chance of falling in the future or their reasons for falling in the past. In the cognitive interview study, respondents reported difficulty in rating their chance of falling, as they believed falls were unexpected and unpredictable. They reported difficulty in rating other people's chance of falling, as they believed they did not know other people their age, did not have enough information and/or did not know the answer. In the telephone interview study, most respondents believed they had the same chance (42%), or a lower chance (48%) of falling in the next 12 months, than other older people. Having fallen in the last 12 months was significantly associated with a lowered comparative optimism, but knowing other older people who had fallen was not associated with comparative optimism. This is the first quantitative study to report that the majority of a representative sample of community-dwelling older people were comparatively optimistic about their chance of falling. Self-presentation concerns about having a chance of falling support the core category to emerge from the semi-structured interview study. Messages such as 'you can reduce your risk of falls' may be ignored by older people. Alternative messages should promote identities that are relevant to older people, such as being independent, mobile and active, but these messages should be tested in further research. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1374964 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Psychology and School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2009

The aim of this study was to explore women's perceptions of ageing in order to shed light on how individual women feel about getting older. The qualitative interpretive research paradigm was chosen for the purposes of this study. In-depth interviews were held with three women who gave their accounts of their perceptions of ageing. The data was analysed using hermeneutic thematic analysis. The accounts of the participants were reconstructed in terms of themes which emerged. Recurring themes in the accounts of all three participants were linked with the literature. This study provided rich descriptions of women's perceptions of ageing and helped to create new insights and meanings both for the participants and the readers. The information gained could serve as guidelines for clinical practice and future research. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar as transformações do envelhecimento que se dão pelas narrativas produzidas pelas lembranças. Busca destacar a especificidade do papel da memória no processo de envelhecimento e a sua força de transformação e resistência. A pertinência do tema está ligada a marcada expressão que o contingente de pessoas idosas adquiriu nos anos recentes ao ganhar visibilidade cada vez maior, impondo-se como um grupo com demandas e características próprias. No estudo, articulam-se os conceitos de sujeito, de memória e de narratividade. Na primeira parte, desenvolve-se a noção de sujeito, desde um eu central, fundamento de uma unidade de expressão, até a fragmentação desse eu, que se torna múltitiplo e expressão crítica do homem moderno. Na segunda parte, o estudo da memória, acompanhamos a passagem de uma memória definida como permanente e reprodutora para uma descrição de memória como uma habilidade criativa, capaz de retrospectivamente produzir novas narrativas. Na terceira parte, estudamos o conceito de narratividade, explorando diversos aspectos para além do campo literário. Finalmente, com a rede conceitual sujeito - memória - narrativa estabelecida, reconhecemos na obra de Pedro Nava o surgimento de múltiplos narradores, que, frente a velhice, em vez de se defender e negar a vida, aceitam o desafio de um confronto e se afirmam, forjados em suas diferenças. / This work aims to investigate the changes of aging that occur through the narratives produced by the memories. Aims to emphasize the specificity of the role of memory in the aging process and its transformation strength and endurance. The relevance of the topic is linked to marked expression that the number of older persons has acquired in recent years by gaining greater visibility, imposing itself as a group with demands and characteristics. In the study, articulate the concepts of subject, memory and narrative. The first part develops the notion of the subject from a central self, foundation of a unit of expression, until the fragmentation of that self, which becomes múltitiplo and critical expression of modern man. In the second part, the study of memory, follow the passage of a memory defined as permanent and breeding for a description of memory as a creative skill, able to retrospectively produce new narratives. In the third part, we study the concept of narrative, exploring many aspects beyond the literary field. Finally, conceptual network with the subject - Memory - narrative established, we recognize the work of Pedro Nava the emergence of multiple narrators, who, with old age, rather than defend and deny life, accept the challenge of a confrontation and claim , forged their differences.

Diante do aumento do número de idosos, na população mundial e brasileira, tornase importante a realização de estudos e pesquisas na área que apontem formas eficazes de intervenção e que contribuam para nortear os profissionais das ciências humanas e sociais no atendimento e na implantação de serviços e programas voltados para esta população. Este trabalho constitui uma pesquisa realizada na cidade de Paulo Afonso, interior baiano, com seis idosos do sexo masculino participantes do projeto da 3 idade (Universidade Aberta a 3 Idade) e seis idosos da comunidade. O objetivo geral foi investigar sua percepção acerca dos papéis vivenciados ao longo do ciclo vital da família. Foram realizadas entrevistas individuais, as quais foram transcritas e analisadas por temas. O estudo mostra a rigidez dos papéis do homem idoso em nossa cultura, iniciando-se com o papel de filho, tio, irmão, marido, provedor do lar e avô. Esses idosos vieram de famílias tradicionais, onde os papéis eram rígidos e hierarquizados, sem abertura para o diálogo. O filho não tinha voz e o pai era provedor, distante, emocionalmente, e não mantinha um relacionamento de afeto, nem de abertura com os filhos e com a esposa. Essa postura fica clara ao longo dos relatos dos entrevistados. Esses idosos estão reproduzindo em seus relacionamentos a mesma dinâmica familiar de sua família de origem. Em ambos os grupos, a hierarquia ficou clara. A diferença se dá na perspectiva e planos futuros entre os idosos participantes do projeto Reviver e os idosos da comunidade. Enquanto os primeiros se mostraram mais otimistas, os da comunidade demonstraram maior comodismo e falta de perspectiva. Notam-se, também, contradições entre os dois grupos: ambos afirmaram que os idosos antigamente eram mais respeitados e queridos, apesar de haver poucas leis protegendo-os; no entanto, em relação a si mesmos, disseram que os jovens os respeitam e que no relacionamento familiar e social atual não têm do que reclamar. Esperamos que este trabalho possa contribuir para os interessados nas questões da velhice bem como para os que lidam com famílias / The more the number of the elderly people, in Brazil and in the world increase, the more important is the achievement of the study and the research in this field which carry out effective ways of intervention which can contribute to drive the human and socials sciences professionals in the attendancing and the setting of services and programs which have got this population as their main objective. The present work comes down to a research carried out in Paulo Afonso City, Bahia interland, with six male elderly who take part in the Third Age Project (Third Age Open University) as well as the community six elderly. The general purpose was to look over their perception about the roles experienced along the vital cycle of the family. Individual appointments were achieved, which were transcribed and analysed by topics. The study shows the strictness from the old mens role in our culture, which begins with the son, uncle, brother, husband, home supporter and grandfather. These old people came from traditional families in which the roles were strict and hierarchicals, without an opening for dialogues among one another. The son had no active voice in the family while the father was the supporter, emotionally far and without setting any affectionate relationship with wife or children. This behaviour is clearly presented along from the interviewers reports. These old people have been reproducing the same family dynamics in their general relationship, as they use to do with their own family. In both groups, the hierarchy was clearly presented. The difference is set up in the perspective and future plans between the Reviver Project old people and the community one. As the first ones show themselves more optimistcs, the community one show some bigger convenience as well as some lack of perspective. We can also realize some contraditions between the two groups: both groups asserted that beforetime they were more respected and beloved, despite of the few laws protecting them; although, they told that nowadays they have been respected by the young and that they shouldnt cry out against the family and the social relationship as well. We hope that this work may be a contribution to the ones who are interested in the old people affairs as well as to the ones who deal with families affairs