Abstract
Chapter 2 describes the scope and limitations of theoretical and empirical research dedicated to the origins and nature of literature concerning adjustment to aging. These entail a body of theories, concepts, underlying relationships and research methods that can be very useful as we attempt to comprehend the development of the present and forthcoming cohorts of older adults in old age. The consideration of theoretical models in this chapter contributes to the understanding of current discussions about adjustment to aging. Additionally, the findings present no consensus in the literature to date concerning the role of this construct, and support the view that gerontology needs solid groundwork for the concept of adjustment to aging.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Achenbaum, W. A., & Bengtson, V. L. (1994). Re-engaging the disengagement theory of aging: On the history and assessment of theory development in gerontology. The Gerontologist, 34, 756–763. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/34.6.756.
Alwin, D. F., & Hofer, S. M. (2011). Health and cognition in aging research. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B, 66B(s1), 9–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbr051.
American Psychological Association. (2003). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct, from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code2002.html#8_02.
Arbuckle, N. W., & de Vries, B. (1995). The long-term effects of later life spousal and parental bereavement on personal functioning. The Gerontologist, 35(5), 637–647. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/35.5.637.
Atchley, R. C. (1972). The social forces in later life: An introduction to social gerontology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Atchley, R. C. (1989). A continuity theory of normal aging. The Gerontologist, 29, 183–190. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/29.2.183.
Atchley, R. C. (1998). Activity adaptations to the development of functional limitations and results of subjective well-being: A qualitative analysis of longitudinal panel data over a 16-year period. Journal of Aging Studies, 11, 19–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0890-4065(98)90018-4.
Atchley, R. C. (1999). Continuity theory and adaptation to aging. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press.
Baltes, P. (1987). Theoretical propositions of life-span developmental psychology: On the dynamics between growth and decline. Developmental Psychology, 23(5), 611–626. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0012-1649.23.5.611.
Baltes, P. B. (2003). On the incomplete architecture of human ontogeny: Selection, optimization, and compensation as foundation of developmental theory. In U. M. Staudinger & U. Linderberger (Eds.), Understanding human development: Dialogues with lifespan psychology (pp. 17–44). New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0357-6_2.
Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1990). Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation. In P. B. Baltes & M. M. Baltes (Eds.), Successful aging: Perspectives from the behavioral sciences (pp. 1–34). New York: Cambridge University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511665684.003.
Baltes, M. M., & Carstensen, L. L. (1996). The process of successful ageing. Ageing and Society, 16, 397–422. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X00003603.
Baltes, P. B., & Smith, J. (2003). New frontiers in the future of aging: From successful aging of the young old to the dilemmas of the fourth age. Gerontology, 49, 123–135. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000067946.
Bauer, J. J., & McAdams, D. P. (2004). Growth goals, maturity, and well-being. Developmental Psychology, 40(1), 114–127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.40.1.114.
Birren, J. E., & Schaie, K. W. (2006). Handbook of the psychology of aging (6th ed.). San Diego, CA: Elsevier Academic Press.
Brandtstädter, J., & Greve, W. (1994). The aging self: Stabilizing and protective processes. Developmental Review, 14, 52–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/drev.1994.1003.
Brandtstädter, J., & Rothermund, K. (1994). Self-percepts of control in middle and later adulthood: Buffering losses by rescaling goals. Psychology and Aging, 9, 265–273. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0882-7974.9.2.265.
Brandtstädter, J., & Rothermund, K. (2002). The life-course dynamics of goal pursuit and goal adjustment: A two-process framework. Developmental Review, 22, 117–150. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/drev.2001.0539.
Bryman, A., & Cramer, D. (1990). Quantitative data analysis for social scientists. London: Routledge.
Carp, F. M. (1968). Differences among older workers, volunteers and persons who are neither. Journal of Gerontology, 23, 497–501. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronj/23.4.497.
Carstensen, L. L. (1991). Selectivity theory: Social activity in life-span context. In M. P. Lawton (Series Ed.) & K. W. Schaie (Vol. Ed.), Annual review of gerontology and geriatrics (Vol. 11, pp. 195–214). New York: Springer.
Carstensen, L. L., & Cone, J. D. (1983). Social desirability and the measurement of psychological well-being in elderly persons. Journal of Gerontology, 38, 713–715. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronj/38.6.713.
Carstensen, L. L., Fung, H., & Charles, S. (2003). Socioemotional selectivity theory and the regulation of emotion in the second half of life. Motivation and Emotion, 27, 103–123.
Carstensen, L. L., Isaacowitz, D. M., & Charles, S. T. (1999). Taking time seriously: A theory of socioemotional selectivity. American Psychologist, 54, 165–181. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.54.3.165.
Cattell, R. B. (1950). Personality. New York: McGraw-Hill. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/10773-002.
Cottrell, L. S. J. (1942). The adjustment of the individual to his age and sex roles. American Sociological Review, 7, 817–620. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2085687.
Covey, H. C. (1981). A reconceptualization of continuity theory: Some preliminary thoughts. The Gerontologist, 21(6), 628–633. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/21.6.628.
Cumming, E., & Henry, W. E. (1961). Growing old: The process of disengagement. New York: Basic Books.
Daatland, S. O. (2002). Time to pay back? Is there something for psychology and sociology in gerontology? In L. Andersson (Ed.), Cultural gerontology (pp. 1–12). Westport, CT: Auburn House.
Darwin, C. (1859). The origin of species. London: J. Murray. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511694295.
Depp, C. A., & Jeste, D. V. (2006). Definitions and predictors of successful aging: A comprehensive review of larger quantitative studies. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14, 6–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.JGP.0000192501.03069.bc.
Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95, 542–575. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0033-2909.95.3.542.
Diener, E., & Suh, M. E. (1997). Subjective well-being and age: An international analysis. Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 17, 304–324.
Efklides, A., Kalaitzidou, M., & Chankin, G. (2003). Subjective quality of life in old age in Greece: The effect of demographic factors, emotional state and adaptation to aging. European Psychologist, 8(3), 178–191. http://dx.doi.org/10.1027//1016-9040.8.3.178.
Erikson, E. H. (1963). Childhood and society. New York: Macmillan.
Erikson, E. H., Erikson, J. M., & KIvnik, H. Q. (1986). Vital involvement in old age. New York: Norton.
Fernández-Ballesteros, R. (2007). GeroPsychology. European perspectives for an aging world. Washington, DC: Hogrefe & Huber Publishers.
Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (1999). Selection, optimization, and compensation as strategies of life management: Correction to Freund and Baltes (1998). Psychology and Aging, 14, 700–702.
Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2000). The orchestration of selection, optimization, and compensation: An action-theoretical conceptualization of a theory of developmental regulation. In W. J. Perrig & A. Grob (Eds.), Control of human behavior, mental processes, and consciousness: Essays in honor of the 60th birthday of August Flammer (pp. 35–58). London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.
Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2002). Life-management strategies of selection, optimization, and compensation: Measurement by self-report and construct validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82, 642–662. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.82.4.642.
Freund, A. M., Li, K. Z. H., & Baltes, P. B. (1999). Successful development and aging: The role of selection, optimization, and compensation. In J. Brandtstädter & R. M. Lerner (Eds.), Action and self-development: Theory and research through the life span (pp. 401–434). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781452204802.n14.
George, L. K. (1980). Role transitions in later life. Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole.
George, L. K. (1987). Adaptation. In G. L. Maddox, R. C. Atchley, L. W. Poon, G. S. Roth, I. C. Siegler, & R. M. Steinberg (Eds.), Encyclopedia of aging (pp. 5–7). New York: Springer.
Graney, M. J., & Graney, E. E. (1973). Scaling adjustment in older people. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 4, 351–359. http://dx.doi.org/10.2190/E9B1-F2XM-2KE2-D9RA.
Hatch, L. R. (2000). Beyond gender differences. Adaptation to aging in the life course perspective. Amityville, NY: Baywood Publishing Company.
Havighurst, R. J. (1948). Developmental tasks and education. New York: Longmans, Green, and Company.
Havighurst, R. J. (1961). Successful aging. Gerontologist, 1, 8–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/1.1.8.
Havighurst, R. J. (1968). A social-psychological perspective on aging. Gerontologist, 8, 67–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/8.2.67.
Havighurst, R. J., & Albrecht, R. (1953). Older people. New York: Longmans, Green.
Horley, J. (1984). Life satisfaction, happiness and morale: Two problems with the use of subjective well-being indicators. The Gerontologist, 24(2), 124–127.
Ipsen, D. (1978). Das konstrukt zufriedenheit [The construct of happiness]. Soziale Welt, 29(1), 44–53.
Johnson, C. L., & Barer, B. M. (1992). Patterns of disengagement among the oldest old. Journal of Aging Studies, 6, 351–364. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0890-4065(92)90017-Z.
Jopp, D., & Rott, C. (2006). Adaptation in very old age: Exploring the role of resources, beliefs, and attitudes for centenarians’ happiness. Psychology and Aging, 21(2), 266–280. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.21.2.266.
Kahn, R. L. (2003). Successful aging: Intended and unintended consequences of a concept. In L. W. Poon, S. H. Gueldner, & B. M. Sprouse (Eds.), Successful aging and adaptation with chronic diseases (pp. 55–69). New York: Springer.
Kaufman, S. R. (1986). The ageless self: Sources of meaning in later life. Madison, WI: University of Wiscosin Press.
Kozma, A., Stones, M. J., & McNeil, J. K. (1991). Psychological well-being in later life. Markham, ON: Butterworths.
Krause, N., & Jay, G. (1991). Stress, social support and negative interaction in later life. Research on Aging, 13(3), 333–363. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0164027591133004.
Krause, N., & Rook, K. S. (2003). Negative interaction in later life: Issues in the stability and generalizability of conflict across relationships. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 58, 88–99.
Kunzman, U., Little, T. D., & Smith, J. (2000). Is age-related stability of subjective well-being a paradox? Cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence from the Berlin aging study. Psychology and Aging, 15, 511–526. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0882-7974.15.3.511.
Lang, F. R., Staudinger, U. M., & Carstensen, L. L. (1998). Perspectives on socioemotional selectivity in later life: How personality and social context do (and do not) make a difference. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 53B, 21–30.
Lazarus, R. S. (1976). Patterns of adjustment. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Lemon, B. W., Bengtson, V. L., & Petersen, J. A. (1972). An exploration of the activity theory of aging: Activity types and life expectation among in-movers to a retirement community. Journal of Gerontology, 27, 511–523.
Levinson, D. J. (1978). Seasons of a man’s life. New York: Knopf.
Levinson, D. J. (1990). A theory of life structure development in adulthood. In C. N. Alexander & E. J. Langer (Eds.), Higher stages of human development: Perspectives on adult growth (pp. 35–53). New York: Oxford University Press.
Lewis, J. (2011). Successful aging through the eyes of Alaska natives. What it means to be an elder in Bristol Bay, AK. The Gerontologist, 51, 540–547. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnr006.
Luborsky, M. R. (1994). The cultural diversity of physical disability. The erosion of full personhood. Journal of Aging Studies, 8, 239–253.
Mallers, M. H., Claver, M., & Lares, M. A. (2013). Perceived control in the lives of older adults: The influence of Langer and Rodin’s work on gerontological theory, policy, and practice. The Gerontologist, 54(1), 67–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnt051.
Mannell, R. C., & Kleiber, D. A. (1997). A social psychology of leisure. State College, PA: Venture Publishing.
Maroco, J. (2011). Análise estatÃstica com o SPSS Statistics [Statistical analysis with SPSS Statistics]. Pero Pinheiro: ReportNumber.
Marshall, V. W. (1994). Sociology, psychology, and the theoretical legacy of the Kansas City Studies. The Gerontologist, 34(6), 768–774. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/34.6.768.
Marsiske, M., Lang, F. R., Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1995). Selective optimization with compensation: Life-span perspectives on successful human development. In R. A. Dixon & L. Bäckman (Eds.), Compensating for psychological deficits and declines: Managing losses and promoting gains (pp. 35–79). New Jersey, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.
McNeil, J. K., Stones, M. J., & Kozma, A. (1985). Subjective well-being in later life: Issues concerning measurement and prediction. Social Indicators Research, 18, 35–70.
Moser, C., Spagnoli, J., & Santos-Eggimann, B. (2011). Self-perception of aging and vulnerability to adverse outcomes at the age of 65–70 years. Journals of Gerontology, Series B, 66, 675–680.
Neugarten, B. L. (1977). Personality and aging. New York: Academic.
Neugarten, B. L., Havighurst, R. J., & Tobin, S. S. (1968). Personality and patterns of aging. In B. L. Neugarten (Ed.), Middle age and aging: A reader in social psychology (pp. 173–177). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Öberg, P., & Tornstam, L. (2001). Youthfulness and fitness – Identity ideals for all ages? Journal of Ageing and Identity, 6(1), 15–29.
Pearlin, L. I., & McKean Skaff, M. (1996). Stress and the life course: A paradigmatic alliance. The Gerontologist, 36, 239–247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/36.2.239.
Pinqüart, M., & Sorensen, S. (2003). Risk factors for loneliness in adulthood and old age-a meta-analysis. In S. P. Shohov (Ed.), Advances in psychological research (Vol. 19, pp. 111–143). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.
Reichard, S., Livson, F., & Petersen, P. G. (1962). Aging and personality: A study of 87 older men. New York: Wiley.
Reker, G. T., Peacock, E. J., & Wong, P. T. P. (1987). Meaning and purpose in life and well-being: A life-span perspective. Journal of Gerontology, 42(1), 44–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronj/42.1.44.
Roos, J. P. (1988). Behind the happiness barrier. Social Indicators Research, 20(2), 141–163. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00302459.
Rosow, I. (1967). Social integration of the aged. New York: Free Press.
Rothermund, K., & Brandtstädter, J. (2003a). Coping with deficits and losses in later life: From compensatory action to accommodation. Psychology and Aging, 18, 896–905.
Rothermund, K., & Brandtstädter, J. (2003b). Depression in later life: Cross-sequential patterns and possible determinants. Psychology and Aging, 18, 80–90.
Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1987). Human aging: Usual and successful. Science, 237, 143–149. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.3299702.
Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997). Successful aging. The Gerontologist, 37, 433–440. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/37.4.433.
Schaffer, L. F. (1936). The psychology of adjustment. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin.
Schroots, J. J. F. (1996). Theoretical developments in the psychology of aging. The Gerontologist, 36, 742–748. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/36.6.742.
Seligman, M. E., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology. An introduction. American Psychology, 55(1), 5–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.55.1.5.
Siedlecki, K. L., Tucker-Drob, E. M., Oishi, S., & Salthouse, T. A. (2008). Life satisfaction across adulthood: Different determinants at different ages? The Journal of Positive Psychology, 3, 153–164. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760701834602.
Sneed, J. R., & Whitbourne, S. K. (2003). Identity processing and self-consciousness in middle and later adulthood. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B, 58(6), 313–319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/58.6.P313.
Staab, A. S., & Hodges, L. C. (1996). Essentials of gerontological nursing. Adaptation to the aging process. Philadelphia: Lippincott Co.
Staudinger, U. M., & Kunzmann, U. (2005). Positive adult personality development: Adjustment and/or growth? European Psychologist, 10(4), 320–329. http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040.10.4.320.
Stroebe, M. S., Hansson, R. O., & Stroebe, W. (1993). Contemporary themes and controversies in bereavement research. In M. S. Stroebe, W. Stroebe, & R. O. Hansson (Eds.), Handbook of bereavement: Theory, research and intervention (pp. 457–475). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511664076.030.
Thomae, T. (1992). Contributions of longitudinal research to a cognitive theory of adjustment to aging. European Journal of Personality, 6(2), 157–175. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/per.2410060207.
Tobin, S. S., & Neugarten, B. L. (1961). Life satisfaction and social interaction in the aging. Journal of Gerontology, 16, 344–346.
Tornstam, L. (1994). Gero-transcendence: A theoretical and empirical exploration. In W. E. Thomas & S. A. Eisenhandler (Eds.), Aging and the religious dimension (pp. 203–229). Westport, CT: Auburn House.
Tréanton, J.-R. (1966). The concept of adjustment in old age. In R. H. Williams, C. Tibbitts, & W. Donahue (Eds.), Processes of aging volume I (pp. 292–298). New York: Atherton Press.
Turner, B. F. (1982). Sex-related differences in aging. In B. B. Wolman (Ed.), Handbook of developmental psychology (pp. 912–942). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
von Humboldt, S., Leal Pimenta, F., & Niculescu, G. (2012). Adjustment to aging, subjective age and age representation: Assessing a nationally-diverse population of older adults. Psychology, Community and Health, 1(3), 285–299. http://dx.doi.org/10.5964/pch.v1i3.50.
Westerhof, G. J., Barrett, A. E., & Steverink, N. (2003). Forever young? A comparison of age identities in the United States and Germany. Research on Aging, 25(4), 366–383. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0164027503025004002.
Whitbourne, S. K. (1985). The aging body. Physiological changes and psychological consequences. New York: Springer.
Whitbourne, S. K. (2008). Adult development and aging. Biopsychosocial perspectives. Danvers, MA: Wiley.
White, R. W. (1959). Motivation reconsidered. The concept of competence. Psychological Review, 66, 297–334. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0040934.
Williams, R. H., & Wirths, C. (1965). Lives through the years. New York: Atherton.
Wortman, C. B., Silver, R. C., & Kessler, R. C. (1993). The meaning of loss and adjustment to bereavement. In M. S. Stroebe, W. Stroebe, & R. O. Hansson (Eds.), Handbook of bereavement: Theory, research and intervention (pp. 349–366). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511664076.024.
Wrosch, C., Scheier, M. F., Carver, S. C., & Schulz, R. (2003). The importance of goal disengagement in adaptive self-regulation: When giving up is beneficial. Self and Identity, 2, 1–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15298860309021.
Young, K. (1940). Personality and problems of adjustment. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
von Humboldt, S. (2016). The Adjustment to the Process of Aging: Origins and Nature. In: Conceptual and Methodological Issues on the Adjustment to Aging. International Perspectives on Aging, vol 15. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7576-2_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7576-2_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-017-7574-8
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-7576-2
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)