"December 2003" / Bibliography: leaves 221-230. / vi, 230 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Public Health, 2004

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 networks in later life. In other words, individuals who perceive the limitation on time left for their future are likely to decrease the quantitative social support and compensate for this decrease by improving qualitative social support with emotionally meaningful social partners. The theory also postulates that age is the primary proxy for perceived limitation of individuals' lives (Carstensen, Fung, & Charles, 2003). Further, self-reported health and functional status are factors that affect older adults' perception of limitation of time left in their lives (Carstensen, 2006). In contrast, DIT is a neo-Piagetian theory that emphasizes the presence of individual differences in quantitative and qualitative social support in later life depending on individuals' levels of cognitive resources that are associated with educational levels (Labouvie-Vief & Diehl, 2000). Despite these different arguments on the trajectories of quantitative and qualitative social support in later life, SST and DIT have not been tested within a same study. The current study examined the trajectories of frequency of social contact (quantitative social support) and reliance on family members and close friends (qualitative social support) in later life. Participants were drawn from the Normative Aging Study (NAS; N = 1,067, M[subscript age] = 60.83, SD = 8.08) who completed social support surveys three times from 1985 to 1991. Using unconditional and unconditional analyses (Raudenbush & Bryk, 1986), growth models of frequency of social contact with and reliance on family members and close friends were tested. Within subject analyses found that the trajectory of frequency of social contact was a U-shaped curve with the age of 54 years at a peak, while the trajectory of reliance on family and friends were stable and linear. Random effects of age for the intercept and slope were significant in both models of frequency of contact and reliance on family and friends, although the random effect for the latter were small in both models. Between subjects analyses were conducted to examine whether cognitive resources, marital status, health status, and functional status predicted variance in the intercept and slope of both types of support. As SST hypothesized, having better self-reported physical health predicted higher levels of frequency of contact over age. Being married was associated with higher quantity of social support. However, contrary to our hypothesis based on SST, having poorer functional status predicted more frequent social contact over age. The random effect of intercept was still significant after controlling for these psychosocial predictors. The evidence to test the DIT hypotheses was examined in the model of the qualitative social support. Having memory problems predicted decreasing reliance on social partners. However, marital status and education did not significantly predict change in qualitative social relationships. Contrary to the hypothesis based on SST that posited poor self-reported health was associated with higher qualitative social support, it was better self-reported health that predicted higher qualitative social support. The random effects for the intercept and slope were still significant after controlling for these psychosocial factors. Taken together, the findings of the current study suggest that SST and DIT can be used as theoretical frameworks that are complementary rather than contradictory in their predictions of socioemotional development in later life. SST is useful to illustrate the overall trajectory of quantitative social support in a normative development in late life. DIT's stance better explains the individual differences in qualitative social support in non-normative contexts. The findings also suggest that having memory problems and poor self-reported health as non-normative developmental outcomes may be risk factors of older adults' ability to seek for social support. / Graduation date: 2012

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities / Department of Government and Public Administration

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 be particularly effective at regulating their social environments under these circumstances to maximize satisfaction, but some are more successful than others. Older adults manage their social environments through processes of relationship regulation, where individuals actively work towards social goals to customize their social environments and close relationships to meet developmental and emotional needs. Importantly, relationship regulation is embedded in older adults’ social environments, which are not only an outcome, but also the context that inspires, motivates, and hinders efforts to change the social environment. Within the proximal social environment older adults may experience support, hindrance, and satisfying contact with close social partners. Although supportive social environments are related to health and well-being in old age, and evidence suggests that older adults regulate their relationships, little is known about how these goals are worked towards and achieved on a daily basis and within the context of older adults' daily lives. The current study had two distinct aims: (a) to understand the intraindividual processes of regulating social goals within daily context of the social environment; and (b) to examine how interindividual differences predict between-person differences in social regulatory processes. Specifically, this study investigated the degree to which older adults depend on daily support and contact with a close social partner to make progress towards a meaningful social goal, and also the extent to which perceptions of social hindrance impede goal progress. On an interindividual level, this study examined how differences in the proximal social environment and goal orientation are linked to differences in social regulatory processes. Data from the Personal Understanding of Life and Social Experiences (PULSE) project, a 100-day, internet-based microlongitudinal study of 100 Oregon residents age 52 to 88 (M = 63.13, SD = 7.8), were used to explore processes of relationship regulation. At the beginning of the study, participants created a meaningful social goal, and mapped their social convoy. Participants then tracked their daily goal progress and feelings of social support, hindrance and satisfaction over a 100-day time period. Analysis was conducted using multilevel random coefficient models, and was structured to examine within person processes. Daily experiences of goal progress were positively related to social support and contact satisfaction, and negatively related with social hindrance. Importantly, these associations varied greatly between participants, in part as a function of convoy composition and goal orientations. The results from this study suggest that relationship regulation is (a) embedded in the social context of daily life; (b) differs based on the structure of the proximal social environment; (c) contingent on regulatory strategies selected by older adults to work towards their goals; and (d) differentiated by mean tendencies. The linkages between support, hindrance and contact satisfaction with daily goal progress found in this study suggest that the process of working towards a social goal is dependent on older adults' daily social contexts. This has implications for populations with varying access to social support and exposure to social hindrance. Further, individual differences in social regulatory processes were only partially explained by convoy structure and goal orientation. Future research is needed to search for the mechanisms that drive these between person differences in social regulatory processes. / Graduation date: 2012

The purpose of this dissertation was to understand how genetics, socioeconomic status (SES), and lifestyle factors influence the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy in an adult population in Dallas County. Two hundred fifty-three older adults participated in this study as the sample. Crosstabulation and binary logistic regression were utilized to analyze the data. Results indicated a disparity among participants' test scores, visual health status, and perceptions of their visual impairment and highlighted the fact that many seniors are not educated about age-related retinal disorders. Furthermore, variables reaching statistical significance were consistent with the literature included race/ethnicity, age, having a family history of both AMD and diabetes, frequency of eye exams, and level of education. The results not consistent with the literature as affecting visual health included health insurance, access to health care, body weight, and smoking status. Recommendations for future study included applied research focusing on determining risk factors, raising awareness, educating, and providing early detection of these diseases among low to middle income Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic older adults.

The underlying assumption of this thesis was that different subgroups of older adults have different motivations for seeking employment.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Cheung Ho Ting Kenniss. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2005-2006, design report." / thesis statement --- p.p1-2 / background studies --- p.p3-6 / research - ideas formation --- p.p7-10 / research - tangible studies --- p.p11-14 / research - conclusion (i) --- p.p15-16 / research - intangible studies --- p.p17-19 / research - ifield trip --- p.p20-21 / research - conclusion (ii) --- p.p22-23 / deisgn concept --- p.p24-25 / site --- p.p26-31 / desighn process --- p.p32-50 / final design --- p.p51-59

Um aspecto marcante das sociedades atuais é o acentuado crescimento previsto para a população idosa em todos os países, sobretudo nos países em desenvolvimento. Para o ano de 2050, indicadores oficiais apontam para 2 bilhões de idosos em todo o mundo, havendo, portanto, a necessidade de estímulo aos estudos sociais acerca da terceira idade, principalmente no contexto do Brasil. As mudanças na estrutura etária poderão causa implicações sociais, econômicas e ambientais, cuja investigação apontará caminhos e propostas de atuação. No Brasil as projeções do instituto oficial apontam para 35 milhões de idosas e idosos no ano de 2050. A idade pode afetar a contribuição ao trabalho, tanto a permanência da pessoa idosa em seu posto, sendo produtiva, quanto a seu retorno após a aposentadoria. A capacidade e o desejo das trabalhadoras e dos trabalhadores idosos em ficarem ativos tanto tempo quanto possível dependem do seu estado de saúde e das suas condições de trabalho propostas a este grupo social. Este estudo quantitativo, apoiado na estatística descritiva, busca analisar a inserção das idosas e dos idosos no mercado de trabalho internacional e brasileiro, identificando as principais naturezas jurídicas e ocupações, e analisa a participação das pessoas idosas no mercado de trabalho formal na cidade de Curitiba em diferentes graus de instrução. Os dados internacionais utilizados são da Organização Internacional do Trabalho (OIT) e os dados brasileiros são do Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego (MTE). Os principais resultados internacionais apontam aproximadamente 85 milhões de idosas e idosos no mercado de trabalho mundial, e quase 1,6 milhão de pessoas idosas desempregadas. Os principais resultados brasileiros indicam que, tanto na cidade de Curitiba quanto no âmbito nacional, os homens idosos predominam em quase todas as áreas analisadas e em quase todas as faixas salariais. As mulheres idosas concentram-se nas faixas de menor remuneração, com até um salário mínimo mensal. / A striking aspecto of modern societies is the sharp growth forecast for the elderly population in all countries, especially in developing countries. For the year 2050, official indicators point to 2 billion older people around the world, and therefore there is a need to stimulate the social studies of the elderly, especially in the contexto of Brazil. Changes in age structure may cause social, economic and environmental implications, whose investigation Will point paths and proposals for action in Brazil the official institute’s projections point to 35 million elderly in 2050. Age can affect the contribution to the work, both the permanence of the Elder in his position, being productive, as your return after retirement. The capacity and willingness of older workers become active as long as possible depend on your health status and working conditions proposed in this social group. This quantitative study, based on the descriptive statistics, seeks to analyze the integration of elderly in the international and Brazilian labor market, identifying the main legal nature and occupations, and analyzes the participation of older people in the formal labor market in the city of Curitiba at different levels of education. The international data are from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Brazilian numbers are from the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MTE). The main international results indicate approximately 85 million elderly in the global labor market, and nearly 1.6 million unemployed older people. The main Brazilian results indicate that, both in the city of Curitiba as nationwide, elderly men predominate in almost all areas analyzed and in almost all salary ranges. Older women are concentrated in lower-paid groups, with up to a monthly minimum wage.

by Kenneth Wing-kin Law. / Publication date from spine. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [325]-371). / Questionnaire in Chinese. / List of Tables --- p.viii / Acknowledgements --- p.x / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Global Trend of Population Aging --- p.2 / Population Aging as a Sort of Social Problem --- p.5 / The Development of Elderly Studies in Hong Kong --- p.13 / Areas of Study --- p.19 / Chapter (1) --- Social exaggeration of the elderly problem --- p.22 / Chapter (2) --- Social construction of the elderly problem --- p.25 / Chapter (3) --- Ethics of applied social research --- p.29 / Organization of the Dissertation --- p.32 / Chapter 2. --- Literature Review --- p.34 / Early Sociological Study on the Elderly (1940-1980) --- p.35 / Chapter (1) --- Role theory --- p.36 / Chapter (2) --- Activity theory --- p.38 / Chapter (3) --- Disengagement theory --- p.39 / Chapter (4) --- Subculture theory --- p.40 / Chapter (5) --- Modernization theory --- p.41 / Contemporary Sociological Study on the Elderly (1980and onwards) --- p.46 / Chapter (1) --- Modernization and the decline of social status of the elderly --- p.48 / Chapter (2) --- Nature of the elderly problem --- p.52 / Chapter (3) --- Myths towards later life --- p.55 / Chapter 3. --- Analytical Framework --- p.59 / Biaes in Elderly Studies --- p.61 / Chapter (1) --- Conceptual bias --- p.62 / Chapter (2) --- Methodological bias --- p.67 / Social Construction of Social Problems --- p.69 / Chapter (1) --- Definition of social problems --- p.70 / Chapter (2) --- The subject matter of the sociology of social problems --- p.77 / Chapter (3) --- Social problems as claims-making activities --- p.81 / Social Exaggeration and Claims-making Activities --- p.88 / Chapter 4. --- Research Design --- p.97 / Social Exaggeration of the Elderly Problem in Hong Kong --- p.98 / Chapter (1) --- The logic and design of the survey --- p.99 / Chapter 1. --- Sample design and data collection --- p.101 / Chapter 2. --- Instrumentation --- p.103 / Chapter (2) --- The logic and design of the content analysis --- p.107 / Chapter 1. --- Sample and data collection --- p.109 / Chapter 2. --- Instrumentation --- p.110 / Social Construction of Elderly Problem --- p.113 / Ethics of Applied Social Research --- p.116 / Chapter 5. --- Population Aging in Hong Kong --- p.120 / The Growth of the Elderly Population --- p.120 / Convergence with Western Aged Societies --- p.123 / Divergence with Western Aged Societies --- p.129 / Explanations: Conventional Wisdom --- p.133 / An Alternative Explanation: Chinese Immigrants from Mainland China --- p.136 / Implications --- p.142 / Concluding Remarks --- p.150 / Chapter 6. --- Social Exaggeration of the Elderly Problemin Hong Kong --- p.153 / Social Perception of the Elderly --- p.155 / Chapter (1) --- Social perception of the social status of the elderly --- p.157 / Chapter (2) --- Social stereotyping of the elderly --- p.165 / Chapter (3) --- Social perception of elderly problems --- p.178 / Social and Economic Life of the Elderly in Hong Kong --- p.181 / Chapter (1) --- Social network and social relationships --- p.181 / Chapter (2) --- Economic sufficiency --- p.186 / Chapter (3) --- Life satisfaction --- p.189 / Chapter (4) --- Physical health condition --- p.197 / Chapter (5) --- Social status --- p.202 / An Alternative Explanation of the Discrepancy --- p.206 / Chapter (1) --- Structural origins of the negative social steretyping of the elderly --- p.206 / Chapter (2) --- Conceptual bias --- p.209 / Chapter (3) --- Methodological bias --- p.215 / Concluding Remarks --- p.222 / Chapter 7. --- Social Construction of the Elderly Problemin Hong Kong --- p.225 / The Process of the Social Construction of the Elderly Problem in Hong Kong --- p.231 / Chapter (1) --- Stage 1: Agitation --- p.240 / Chapter (2) --- Stage 2: Legitimating and co-optation --- p.249 / Politicization of Social Problems and Professionalization of Social Work --- p.254 / Concludidng Remarks --- p.262 / Chapter 8. --- Ethics of Applied Social Research --- p.266 / The Predomination of Applied Social Research in Hong Kong --- p.268 / Value in Applied Social Research --- p.273 / Ethical Issues in Elderly Research in Hong Kong --- p.283 / Chapter (1) --- General quality of researchers --- p.286 / Chapter (2) --- Value in applied social research --- p.291 / Chapter (3) --- Social responsibility of researchers --- p.306 / Concluding Remarks --- p.310 / Chapter 9. --- Conclusion --- p.312 / Bibliography --- p.325 / Appendix 1: Survey Questionnaire --- p.372 / Appendix 2: List of Reviewed Research Reports --- p.394 / Appendix 3: Comparison of the Distribution of Age and Sex between Sample and Population --- p.400