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published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Sciences

The following is a qualitative study designed to collect and study elderly (>65) perceptions of in home lifestyle monitoring technology. Data were collected through three focus groups, organized and analyzed for results. The focus groups were run in a semi-structured manner with the co-moderators presenting questions from an original valid instrument. The study suggests that nearly all of the participants are comfortable with current technologies and around 50% of the sample group would be interested in using the new proposed technologies. The study also suggests that the participants have a high level of current wellness and are generally comfortable in their current residence. / Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology

The main objective of this study was to describe the restaurant dining patterns of a representative random sample of adults 65 years of age and older and to evaluate the impact that their health concerns and special diets have on their restaurant dining patterns. In addition, the specific features of food service products and services that are important to aged individuals when selecting a restaurant were examined. The phrase '<i>dining patterns</i>' refers to both <i>food intake</i> (the specific foods consumed) and individual <i>consumption patterns</i> (time, frequency, location of meals, and dining companions). Four different measures were used to quantify <i>food intake</i>: (1) entree items most often selected; (2) preferred method of preparation; (3) frequency of dessert purchases; and (4) type of dessert most often selected. <i>Consumption patterns</i> were quantified as: (1) type of restaurant patronized for each meal period; (2) frequency of restaurant visits per meal period; (3) dollar value of purchases per meal period; and (4) restaurant dining companions. A mail survey of 1000 adults age 65 and older, was conducted in order to obtain information about the restaurant menu selections and consumption patterns of aged individuals living in the Commonwealth of Virginia. / Master of Science

The purpose of this Heideggerian hermeneutical study was to explore and uncover the hidden meaning of quality of life as experienced by a population of individuals 65 years of age and beyond. Five participants were interviewed and asked to describe quality of life as these individuals experienced it. Consistent with the method, purposive sampling was used in order to gain an understanding from subjects who have experienced the phenomenon and could articulate experiences. A group of retirees who meet monthly at a church were asked to participate. Interviews were audiotaped and the data was transcribed by this researcher. Audio tapes were destroyed when the study was completed. Transcribed data was shared with other researchers who are familiar with Heideggerian hermeneutics for the purpose of gaining insight into interpretation. When data was shared, names of participants and other identifying information was removed. Sharing of data for the purpose of interpretation is inherent in the Heideggerian method as described by Diekelmann, Allen and Tanner (1989). Participants were guaranteed confidentiality and were free to withdraw from the study without prejudice at any time. Data was analyzed in seven stages as described by Diekelmann, Allen and Tanner (1989). Findings included a constitutive pattern of quality of life and integrity as one experience. These two ways of being allowed the elderly to experience a sense of unity and completeness as well as a sense of fulfilling one's own destiny. The main theme supporting the constitutive patter was a strong belief and connectedness to a higher power. This faith allowed the elderly to connect to family, friends, church groups and memories. Anticipation of loss and change was a daily experience of being elderly, yet it allowed them to appreciate each day as it was lived without fear or loss of hope. Health promotion was significant because the elderly knew maintaining health was a way to maintain connectedness to that which was valued. The study was significant in contributing an understanding to the experience of quality of life in the elderly population. / School of Nursing

Older adults' attitudes toward mental health services have received little research attention. Overall, older adults are thought to hold relatively negative attitudes. In this study, Analysis 1 investigated historical shifts in attitudes toward mental health services among three independent samples of older adults, separated by 14-year and 9-year intervals (1977 sample, N = 90; 1991 sample, N = 101; 2000 sample, N = 99). Analysis 2 compared two samples of older and younger adults, each separated by a 9-year interval (Older Adults: 1991 sample, N = 93; 2000 sample, N = 91 and Younger Adults: 1991 sample, N = 131; 2000 sample, N = 147). Participants completed a questionnaire containing five, internally consistent scales assessing multiple dimensions of mental health attitudes (Openness, Biases, Range of Knowledge, Breadth, Help Seeking Attitudes). Analyses suggested that the 1991 and 2000 samples of older adults had more positive attitudes than did the 1977 sample. However, a sustained trend for more positive attitudes beyond 1991 was not seen. In fact, no differences existed between 1991 and 2000 samples with exception of two. Older and younger adults together had lower Biases and Breadth scores in 2000 than in 1991. Age effects, gender effects, and interactions were also examined. Possible historical influences were discussed along with implications for the delivery of mental health care to future cohorts of older adults.

Older adults have the lowest mental health utilization of any age cohort. This study compared baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964 versus older adults born in 1944 or earlier, on attitudes and intentions to utilize mental health services. Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior and its related constructs of attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and intentions were used as a theoretical model. The Inventory of Attitudes toward Seeking Mental Health Services (IASMHS) and Beliefs About Psychological Services (BAPS) were used for measuring the constructs in the theory of planned behavior. Gender and previous mental health service utilization were also measured. Participants (n = 401) included current and retired faculty and staff from a mid-sized Midwestern University. Statistical analysis, using MANOVA, found main effects for previous mental health experience and age cohort, but not for gender. Those with previous mental health service experience expressed more positive attitudes, intentions, and perceived behavioral control over receiving mental health services. Contrary to the primary hypothesis, the older adult cohort expressed more positive attitudes, greater intentions, was less affected by the subjective norm, and had more perceived behavioral control than baby boomers. Regression analyses, using gender, previous mental health service use, attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control accounted for 55.7% of the variance in intentions for the older adult cohort and 58.2% for baby boomers. For both cohorts, attitudes accounted for the greatest amount of variance. Promoting positive attitudes through reducing environmental and economic barriers and increasing education regarding mental health services is likely to increase mental health service utilization in baby boomers and older adults. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Women, as feminist and as familist, have been in many varied ways the subjects of study. They have been studied as black women, middle-aged women, sexual women, women in poverty, women in prison, women raped, executives, celebrities, lesbians and homemakers. The classifications and combinations approached infinity. Now older women are becoming a more popular research topic, as their numbers increase with medical attainments. With the increasing participation of older “sisters” in such organizations as the National Organization for Women, and the advent of groups such as the gray panthers, it has become apparent that there are no age barriers to feminism. A series of questions led us to our topic. What will our attitudes on the issues now personally significant be in 40 years, when we have passed “retirement age?” What were women who have reached this age like when they were our age and younger? Is there a connection between their younger years and the attitudes they now possess? In pursing this final question we chose to define the “younger years” as before 25, when socialization influences one’s search of identity, development of autonomy, and development of internal criteria for self-esteem. The age chosen for our population was after the 65 the birthday, when most women are no longer working outside of the home for wages. It has been said that women who have achieved and have been rewarded for their achievements cannot accept traditional roles. Such roles do not gratify their non-nurturant, non-supportive, non-dependent, non-passive aspects of their selves. Our hypotheses were made in accordance: that a woman’s “feminism,” as measured by our scale, would be directly related to her achievement in school and work, her leadership or participation in religious activities, politics, and sports. In addition to the above objectives, we wanted to seek a relationship between the woman’s feminism scores and other aspects of her family background, her inter-relationships with boys, and her opportunities to travel. We approached these issues without hypotheses, but with great receptivity and interest.