Aging, Meaning, and Well-Being: Musings of a Cultural Historian

1984 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Cole
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Social Values ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Meaning ◽  
Spiritual Journey ◽  
Old People ◽  
The Social ◽  
Last Stage ◽  
Cultural Historian ◽  
Cultural Dominance

The social integration and well-being of old people depends in part on a culturally viable ideal of old age. Growing out of widely shared images and social values, an ideal old age legitimates norms and roles appropriate to the last stage of life. This article discusses the “late Calvinist” and “civilized” models of old age that flourished in Protestant, middle-class America between 1800 and 1920. It argues that the growing cultural dominance of science and the accelerating pace of capitalist productivity undercut the essential vision underlying these models: the view of life as a spiritual journey. The result has been a serious weakening of social meaning in aging and old age.

scholarly journals Afrontamiento de problemas de salud en personas muy mayores

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 1008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana B. Navarro ◽  
Belén Bueno
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Old People ◽  
Very Old ◽  
Degree Of Satisfaction ◽  
The One ◽  
Performance Results

<p>This paper assesses the strategies for coping with health problems in advanced old age and their contribution in terms of several performance results. 159 people aged 75 or over and living at home identified their most recent health problem, the strategies used to deal with it, their perception of self-efficacy in handling the problem and their degree of satisfaction with life. The results confirm the use of a range of strategies, with the active-behavioural approach to solving the problem being the one most widely used. In addition, together with active coping strategies of both a cognitive and behavioural nature, correlational analyses indicate that very old people resort to passive and avoidance coping methods. Furthermore, multiple regression analyses highlight the fact that the use of direct and rational actions for solving health problems predicts self-efficacy in dealing with the problem and protects satisfaction with life at this stage. These results confirm that very old people retain the ability to deal effectively with their health problems and, at the same time, uphold their well-being, providing evidence of the adaptive role of coping in very old age.</p>

scholarly journals CURRENT CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE PROCESS OF AGEING AND OLD AGE

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 722-727
Author(s):  
Vanina Mihaylova ◽  
Dimitar Shopov ◽  
Iliya Bivolarski ◽  
Adolf Alakidi ◽  
Kristina Kilova
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Old People ◽  
Active Approach ◽  
Quality Life ◽  
Long Life ◽  
Elderly And Old People

: Ageing should be considered not only as an increase in the number of elderly and old people in their absolute and relative numbers, but also as a unity of the transformations of the lifecycle, with an emphasis on: later retirement, prolonged period of good‑quality life, an active approach towards the process of retirement and differentiation of the category of “fourth age”. The general preparation for old age has earned a new appeal in the contemporary societies. Motivation of the old people for activity – both physical and intellectual – is of great importance for the better survival of the old age and long life in good health, supported by realized well-being and feeling of joy from life. In this aspect the study of both risk and protective factors for human health (in a salutogenetic perspective) becomes increasingly fundamental. The issue of population at an advanced age has definitely been considered as an independent subject since the beginning of the 21st century. Moreover, the society perceives it as an essential basis for further progress and flourishing of the mankind. In this sense the demographic strategies treating the problem need to address it in a new positive way, with different and positive attitude, accepting the population-related failures and anxiety and turning them into challenges and advantages.

Being old, being healthy: the dimension of health in the social representations of old age

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Gabriela Silveira de Paula ◽  
Patrícia Do Socorro Magalhães Franco Espírito-Santo
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Key Words Aging ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Social

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the social representations of the elderly on aging and experiences related to health involved in this process. Methodology: the qualitative methodology was applied; data collection was carried out through participant observation, semi-structured interviews and field journal. The interviews were recorded, and a signed a free and clear consent form was obtained, with seven elderly volunteers in Franca – São Paulo, Brazil. The study was approved by Uni-FACEF´s Research Ethics Committee (035/2009). Results: from the analyses of the interviews, three social representations were found among which health constituted the center of discussion: (1) Life silencing: a stigmatized old age where health is determined by declining physical and mental capacities; (2) New identity: an active old age where health is what provides freedom and independence; (3) A natural process: old age is an expected stage and health is spiritual well-being. Conclusions: these results show that social representations of old age are associated to the current redefinition of health; to a positive concept of health; and to the individual’s responsibility for health, that is associated with the aging reprivatization. Key words: Aging; health; social representations; contemporaneity. RESUMO Objetivo: compreender as representações sociais do idoso acerca do envelhecer e das vivências relativas à saúde implicadas neste processo. Metodologia: utilizou-se a metodologia qualitativa, a coleta de dados foi realizada por meio da observação participante, entrevistas semi-estruturadas, e diário de campo. Após a assinatura dos termos de consentimento livre e esclarecido, as entrevistas foram gravadas com sete idosos voluntários na cidade de Franca – SP. Para preservar a identidade dos participantes, todos os nomes utilizados neste artigo são fictícios. O projeto de pesquisa foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Centro Universitário de Franca (protocolo 035/2009). Resultados: a partir das análises das entrevistas, emergiram três RS acerca da velhice, nas quais a saúde constituiu-se em eixo de discussão: (1) A vida silenciando: uma velhice estigmatizada, em que a saúde é marcada por declínios nas capacidades físicas e mentais; (2) A Nova identidade: uma velhice ativa em que a saúde é aquilo que dá liberdade e independência; (3) Um Processo natural: a velhice é uma etapa esperada, e a saúde é o bem-estar espiritual. Conclusões: tais resultados demonstram que as RS da velhice estão associadas à atual ressignificação da saúde; a um conceito positivo de saúde; e à responsabilização individual pela saúde, a qual se associa à reprivatização do envelhecimento. Descritores: envelhecimento; saúde; representações sociais; contemporaneidade. RESUMEN Objetivo: comprender las representaciones sociales de las personas mayores sobre el envejecimiento y las experiencias relacionadas con la salud implicada en este proceso. Metodología: se utilizó una metodología cualitativa, la recolección de datos fue realizada por medio de la observación participante, entrevistas semi-estructuradas y diario de campo. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas, firmados los términos del consentimiento libre e informado, con siete voluntarios de la ciudad de Franca – São Paulo, Brasil. El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación de la Uni-FACEF. Resultados: a partir del análisis de las entrevistas, reveló tres representaciones sociales sobre la vejez, donde la salud se constituyó en un eje de discusión: (1) La vida silenciando: una vejez estigmatizada, donde la salud se caracteriza por la disminución de la capacidad física y mental, (2) La nueva identidad: una vejez activa, donde la salud es lo que concede libertad e independencia, (3) Un proceso natural: el envejecimiento es un paso esperado y la salud es el bienestar espiritual.  Conclusiones: Estos resultados demuestran que las representaciones sociales de la edad están asociadas con la actual resignificación de la salud; con un concepto positivo de la salud, que se asocia con la reprivatización del envejecimiento. Descriptores: Envejecimiento; salud; representaciones sociales; contemporaneidad.

scholarly journals Old age in primary school readers: a journey through the end of the 19th century to the start of the 21st century in Argentina

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-40
Author(s):  
María Julieta Oddone
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Old Age ◽  
19Th Century ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Social Values ◽  
The Social ◽  
Reading Materials ◽  
The 19Th Century ◽  
Generational Group ◽  
Historical Periods

This article presents the content (discourse) analysis of messages transmitted by primary school readers in the period between 1880 to 2012. This study allowed us to explore the image of old age and aging that society has and passes on to new generations as well as the role assigned to this generational group. The historical periods that provide the context for the data were defined according to the continuity of or the turning points in the social values transmitted in the reading materials. The role assigned to elderly people and the image of old age that the Argentine society passed on and continues to pass on to younger generations demonstrate that each period described has its own model of aging.

scholarly journals Conclusions

2021 ◽  
pp. 151-158
Author(s):  
Daniela Bandelli
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
Social Values ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Single Issue ◽  
Same Sex Couples ◽  
Adult Participation ◽  
The Social ◽  
Legal Risks ◽  
Health And Well Being

AbstractThis conclusive chapter offers a few proposals to contribute to the necessary overcoming of the current polarization in the debate: adult-centric arguments could be renovated by focusing on the child as the protagonist of reproduction and representative of tomorrow’s humanity; adult participation in surrogacy could be understood as the result of decision-making influenced by social values of self-determination, with any support or condemnation of surrogacy being grounded on considerations about the social impact of surrogacy and child’s protection and not on the immediate personal benefits that it gives to the adults; the ideal goal of eliminating surrogacy can coexist with pragmatic restrictive regulatory initiatives; monitoring both the surrogates and children’s health and well-being, along with the quantification of surrogacy births are priority objectives to be achieved regardless of prohibitionist or regulatory orientations; inform women who are targets of recruitment about medical and legal risks and individual as well as social implications of surrogacy for their life and for children; single issue campaigns focused on the child and woman’s health can offer platforms of dialogue and mobilization for social movements which on other themes (e.g. abortion, same-sex couples parenting, and women empowerment) have different and even opposing views.

scholarly journals SOCIAL SUPPORT: Old people from “UMA” in a vulnerable situation in time of Covid-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. a1en
Author(s):  
Lêda Santana Noleto ◽  
Alessandra de Oliveira Vilela ◽  
Alan Gomes dos Anjos ◽  
Neila Barbosa Osório ◽  
Luiz Sinésio Silva Neto
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Old People ◽  
Master's Students ◽  
Social Nature ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Social ◽  
Nursing Courses ◽  
The University

The present study illustrates an experience report on the “social support” axis, with a view to social assistance and information, developed through the “UMAnizando in times of Coronavirus” project, created by the University of Maturity (UMA) - Extension Program of the Federal University of Tocantins (UFT). The primary objective is to ensure the well-being of academics in this phase of isolation, due to Covid-19, considering that old people are the main risk group in the global pandemic scenario. The project brings together professionals from different areas, such as gerontologists, social workers, pedagogues, physical educators, master's students and academics from the Medicine, Nutrition and Nursing courses, who assist and inform with the social nature, the old people of “UMA”, in vulnerable situation.

scholarly journals Understanding Human–Nature Connections Through Landscape Socialization

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (20) ◽  
pp. 7593
Author(s):  
Li-Pei Peng
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Social Values ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Land Use Policies ◽  
Analytical Tools

Understanding the landscape socialization underpinning the human–nature relationship is essential because it can contribute to assisting us to reconnect with nature. Reconnecting to nature is increasingly recognized as positively contributing to health and well-being. This study aimed to understand people’s connections with nature through landscape socialization under different land use policies. The study assumed that social values, as perceived by residents, facilitates their landscape socialization. Using a questionnaire measuring sense of community and the Social Values for Ecosystem Services application as analytical tools, the study assessed how residents with varying educational attainment, sense of community, and grounded occupation differ in identifying with conservation- and recreation-oriented policy interventions. The results demonstrated the role of landscape socialization in how people connect with nature, and the landscape socialization as a result of long-term policy interventions may exert substantial effects on residents’ social values across various spatial scales. The results deepen the general understanding of system leverage points for creating inner connections to nature which can aid sustainability transformation.

The social meaning of snitching in Chinese drug detention centers

2020 ◽  
pp. 146247452094981
Author(s):  
Vincent S Cheng ◽  
Florence K Lapto
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Chinese Drug ◽  
Social Meaning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Detention Centers ◽  
Collective Control ◽  
The Social ◽  
Research Gap ◽  
Merit System ◽  
Inmate Culture

Snitching is the act of providing information to the authorities in exchange for rewards. Although snitching is, strictly speaking, a taboo among street offenders and prison inmates worldwide, offenders regard some types of snitching as relatively more acceptable than others. Studies regarding the social meaning of snitching have mostly been conducted with reference to American and European contexts, while the situation in the Asian or Chinese context has not been thoroughly explored. This paper helps to fill a research gap by examining the characteristics of the social meaning of snitching in a severely under-researched context—the inmate culture within Chinese drug detention centers. Our discussion is based on data collected from semi-structured interviews with 28 former inmates of drug detention centers, and it endeavors to explore how offenders conceptualize snitching and why they perceive snitching in the way they do. Our findings show that, while inmates in Chinese drug detention centers generally despise snitching, they see some specific forms of snitching as normal or even necessary. We analyze how inmates rationalize snitching behavior in these specific cases, and argue that this process is shaped by the collective control system implemented in the detention centers: (1) the collective merit system that connects each person’s well-being to the collective well-being, and (2) the informant mechanism that divides inmates into competing factions. Finally, theoretical implications are provided.

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