Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University. Dept of Developmental Studies and Counseling. / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / The purpose ofthis study was: (1) to examine the perceived levels of mutuality and social support in the lives of a sample of Caucasian American women and African American women 65 and older; (2) to compare their perceived levels of mutuality with already measured perceived levels of mutuality ofyounger and middle aged women; (3) to learn ifwomen 65 and older whose primary sustained commitment is to vocation, community and spiritual development experience a relational dimension; ( 4) to learn if women 65 and older who have contact with their emotionally close network of family and friends report an increase in perceived social support; and ( 5) to inform health care providers and educators of the stated needs of these women 65 and older regarding their health care. The data sources included: a demographic information form; two valid and reliable instruments, The Mutual Psychological Development Questionnaire (MPDQ) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS); and semi structured interviews. The quantitative and qualitative data show evidence of self-perceived psychological growth in relation with others (as suggested in previous research with younger and middle age women) as well as self- perceptions of social support. Women's heterogeneity, including their specific differences in health, education and economic status, established the necessity of focusing on the contexts of their lives. Treatment of the data included a cohort analysis because their life changes depend to a degree upon their historical circumstances and their location in the social structure. The quantitative data analysis revealed statistically significant findings: (1) The scores of the MPDQ of women 65 and older reflecting the mutuality they report experiencing with family member and friend are positively correlated with the MSPSS. (2) The women 65 and older were found to have a higher score on mutuality in the same sex dyads than do the younger and middle age women in the Genero et al. study (1992). The qualitative component ofthe study corroborated the fmdings that themes of mutuality and social support were consistently present in this population of women 65 and older. / 2999-01-01

As the population of the United States continues to expand, the ratio of elderly individuals will also escalate. Because the incidence of breast cancer increases with age, it can be expected there will be a proliferation in the number of older women with breast cancer in the future. The purpose of this study was to conduct a secondary analysis of a qualitative data set of elderly women newly diagnosed with breast cancer for the purposes of exploring the experiences of having breast cancer in later life. A qualitative phenomenological design was used. A prior data set was used consisting of interviews with 16 women aged 65 and older newly diagnosed with breast cancer and in their first week of treatment. Giorgi's stepwise approach to data analysis served as the method for data analysis. Major themes identified included: (a) participants had knowledge deficits of breast cancer risks and treatments, (b) some participants utilized routine mammography for breast cancer screening, (c) most breast cancer was diagnosed by mammography, (d) all participants experienced overwhelming emotional reactions to the diagnosis of breast cancer, and ( e) outlook for the future included both immediate and future plans. In conclusion, it is important for health care providers to understand the meaning of having breast cancer in later life, to educate older women about this disease, and to conduct future research including this population.

Thesis (PhD) -- University of Western Sydney, Nepean, 1998. / Bibliography : p. 175-186.

Thesis (M.G.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Sociology and Gerontology, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-80).

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-56). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1992.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Decker School of Nursing, Rural Nursing, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / "31 December 1993". Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.N.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-97). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-56).