Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2016, Educational Studies

The purpose of this study was to examine older adults' wellness and resilience, identify whether these constructs were related to perceptions about older adulthood, and juxtapose a wellness and resilience paradigm of aging against models that focus on the biomedical aspects of aging. The study used descriptive and multivariate analyses to examine data collected from a sample of individuals ages 56 to 97 who were residing in age-restricted, independent living housing communities across Franklin County (N = 200). The analyses revealed numerous statistically significant relationships among the study variables. Group differences revealed that older members of the sample had higher levels of wellness (p = .01) and resilience (p = .001), and those who indicated self-rated depression symptoms had lower levels of wellness, resilience, and positive age perception, along with higher levels of internalized ageism (p < .01). Regression analyses revealed that resilience (p < .01) and physical wellness (diet and exercise) (p < .01) were predictors of total age perception; resilience (p = .01) and total wellness (p < .001) were significant predictors of positive self-perceptions of aging; and physical wellness (diet and exercise) (p < .01) and age (p < .01) were significant predictors of internalized ageism. Additional analysis revealed that the effect for age was conditional upon resilience level, in which individuals 75 years and older with low levels of resilience were far more likely to experience internalized ageism. Additionally, a discriminatory analysis revealed that the ability to cope and resilience had the strongest association with whether or not individuals rated themselves as suffering from depression symptoms. Exploratory analyses also revealed that wellness explained a far greater share of variance in happiness, life satisfaction, and self-rated physical health than whether individuals met the traditional biomedical criteria for successful aging. The res (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Darcy Haag Granello (Advisor); Paul Granello (Committee Member); Virginia Richardson (Committee Member) Subjects: Counseling Education; Gerontology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2004, Psychology

Hardiness, Dispositional Optimism, Religious Well Being, Existential Well Being and Frequency of Attendance at Religious activities were evaluated as predictors of Aging Well in a sample of 188 older adults 60-101 years of age. The results support the significant contribution of Hardiness to all of the wellness measures, Physical Functioning, Physical Role Performance, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning and overall Mental Health. Once Hardiness was taken into account, the relation between Optimism and all of the outcome variables decreased. Support was found for Hardiness as a mediator of the relationship between Optimism and Vitality as well as Social Functioning. Hardiness appears to be a partial mediator of the relationship between Optimism and Mental Health where Optimism continued to make a significant although reduced contribution to Mental Health. Optimism did predict those individuals who despite low physical functioning were able to maintain high levels of Mental Health. A strong personal relationship with God and Frequency of Attendance at Religious Activities were not significant predictors of any of the outcome variables. However, Existential Meaning, a sense of meaning and purpose in one's life, made significant contributions to Vitality, Social Functioning and Mental Health. Evidence was found that with increasing age, Optimism can compensate for low levels of Hardiness to maintain optimal levels of Social Functioning. Similarly, with advancing age, Existential Meaning can compensate for low levels of Hardiness to maintain optimal levels of Mental Health.

Committee: Pamela Highlen (Advisor) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2009, Gerontology

This project examines the convergence of demographic and ideological changes associated with the emergence of the third age, and how access to this life phase varies between social groups. This analysis provides a basis for understanding the changing role older adults play in society and how this is moderated by social structural boundaries. Specific research questions include: How did ideological and demographic forces interact to mark the emergence of the third age in the United States? and How does the amount of time spent in the third age vary by social location?The first part of this study uses a trend analysis methodology to understand ideological and demographic forces at play in the emergence of the third age in the United States. Using published secondary data, convergences of demographic trends are mapped and analyzed to identify key shifts relevant to the availability of time and physical and financial capability to engage in society in later life. To examine ideological changes, significant gerontological literature identified by key informants and the underlying assumptions associated with major federal social policies that purport to increase older adults' available time and capability to remain active in later life were examined. Results suggest that the third age emerged between the mid-1970s and the mid-1980s in the United States. These findings suggest that opportunities, roles and expectations, and the timing of life events are shaped by the ongoing interaction between demographic and ideological forces and are structured and reinforced by social policies. The second part of the study conceptualizes and calculates a measure of the average length of life spent in the third age, by gender, age, and race. This new measure, “third age life expectancy” (TALE), utilizes nationally representative panel data (2005 National Health Interview Survey) and age, race, and gender specific life expectancy data to determine the amount of time spent in the third ag (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Suzanne Kunkel PhD (Committee Chair); Robert Applebaum PhD (Committee Member); Stephen Lippmann PhD (Committee Member); J. Scott Brown PhD (Committee Member); Jon Hendricks PhD (Committee Member); Sheila Croucher PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Gerontology; Social Research; Social Structure; Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2013, Geography

America is aging. The older share of the U.S. population is expected by 2030 to reach 72 million, almost 20% of the country's total population. What will the experiences of later life be like for this group of people? In order to answer this question, one must consider different perspectives on what it means to age well. One influential definition of aging well is Rowe and Kahn's concept of "successful aging," consisting of three dimensions: avoidance of disease and disability, high physical and cognitive functioning, and active engagement with life. The successful aging paradigm emerged out of a sense of optimism about the new possibilities for older adults today, yet the paradigm also raises fundamental questions about the ability of different actors in society to define standards that can carry important ethical implications and practical consequences. Indeed, empirical research employing Rowe and Kahn's successful aging framework finds that only about 11% of older adults in the US would be considered successful, implying that the vast majority are failures. Similarly, using multilevel modeling for small area estimation and data from the 1999 National Long-Term Care Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, this dissertation's quantitative state-level analysis shows that fewer than 150 older adults in 1,000 would be deemed successful agers in Wisconsin, the state found here to have the highest rate of successful aging. In short, the successful aging paradigm is well-intentioned, but far too exclusive to serve as a normative model for later life. In order to work toward a more inclusive vision for later life, one might alternatively seek out the perspectives of nursing home residents. What does a good life in later life look like from the standpoint of elders facing the challenges of nursing home life and what can such views tell us about a broader notion of aging well? Qualitative analyses, consisting of secondary qualita (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Edward Malecki PhD (Advisor); Virginia Richardson PhD (Committee Member); Nancy Ettlinger PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Aging; Ethics; Geography; Gerontology; Health; Health Care; History; Medical Ethics; Medicine; Philosophy; Philosophy of Science

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2023, Antioch Santa Barbara: Clinical Psychology

The goal of this dissertation is the design of a theoretical model that will serve as a foundational reference in the creation of new programmatic solutions for successful aging. The dissertation addresses issues germane to Erikson's eighth stage of ego integration versus despair, the struggle that characterizes it, and seeks to examine the imperatives that determine its success or failure. Strategic impediments to achieving ego integrity borne of ageism and age discrimination are addressed, such as the societal and institutional prejudices that serve to handicap day to day functioning, self-actualization, and significant participation in the enterprise. It is hypothesized that primary vehicles for self-actualization might be found by examining the unlived life. We drill down for a more granular view to look at the component behaviors and schemas that determine outcomes, and recognize that having identified them, the next step would be to develop psychotherapeutic protocols (informed by the theories outlined) that will help seniors negotiate that stage and that struggle. The incorporation of Antonovsky's Salutogenesis Theory and Sense of Coherence (SOC) construct to determine the client's evolving goodness-of-fit towards Erikson's optimized state of ego integration, provides a pivotal capacity for evidenced-based testing and quantization in any practical implementation based on this theoretical model. This dissertation will be made available in open access at AURA, https://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu.

Committee: Brett Kia-Keating Ed.D (Advisor); Stephen Southern Ed.D. (Committee Member); Gary Linker Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Gerontology; Mental Health; Psychobiology; Psychological Tests; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Therapy

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2021, Counselor Education (Education)

As the older adult community increases, there will be a higher demand for counselor professionals who are prepared to serve the needs of the population. Within that cohort, the population of older adult Black women is rapidly increasing. In efforts to serve the unique cultural needs of the population, it will be imperative that counselor professionals are able to provide treatment and support that acknowledges the dense cultural history that shapes their identity. By exploring the cultural framework through the lens of Black feminist theory, counselor educators and professionals can glean greater awareness of how to accommodate older adult Black women in ways that promote mental health, wellness, and healthy aging within the population. This interpretative phenomenological analysis study will explore ways older adult Black women who identify with the Strong Black Woman schema make sense of the aging process while promoting their mental health and wellbeing.

Committee: Mona Robinson (Committee Chair); Christine Bhat (Committee Co-Chair); Theda Gibbs-Grey (Committee Member); Adah Ward-Randolph (Committee Member); Adrienne Erby (Committee Member) Subjects: Counseling Education

Master of Gerontological Studies, Miami University, 2019, Gerontology

The framers of successful aging envisioned long lives that were relatively disease free. This model has been criticized, particularly in its applicability to individuals with disabilities, many of whom have lived with disabilities throughout their lives. Although there have been recent efforts to include a disability framework in the successful aging model, these adaptations do not specifically address how individuals with invisible disability expect to age. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate how the six elements of the successful aging with a disability framework are associated with feeling prepared to age among individuals with dysautonomia—a chronic, invisible, and disabling condition. Data come from a cross-sectional, pilot survey regarding experiences of living with dysautonomia conducted in 2018. Logistic regression assessed the associations between the six elements and preparedness to age with dysautonomia. It was also used to assess if availability, accessibility, and appropriateness of medical care were individually associated with preparedness to age. Two of the six elements, autonomy and choice and effective compensation, were significantly associated with preparedness to age, while availability, accessibility, and appropriateness of medical care were not significantly associated. Findings suggest that self-efficacy and chronic disease management may be important to this population.

Committee: Robert Applebaum (Committee Chair); Sara McLaughlin (Committee Member); Katherine Abbott (Committee Member) Subjects: Gerontology; Health

Master of Arts in Gerontology, Youngstown State University, 2018, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology

Introduction: Successful aging (SA) is defined as low rates of disease and disability, high cognitive and physical functioning, and active engagement with life. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between normal cognition and dementia. Those with MCI by definition are not successfully aging in the domain of cognitive and physical functioning; however, it is possible for those with MCI to age successfully in the other two domains. Perceived social support (PSS) may be one way to influence the effect of cognitive impairment on SA outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between cognitive status and three domains of SA, and whether these associations depend on PSS. Methods: The sample of participants are from the Monongahela-Youghiogheny Healthy Aging Team (MYHAT) study and are 65+ years old. The dependent variables are measures of the three domains of successful aging, the independent variable is cognitive status defined by the Clinical Dementia Rating score (0 = normal; 0.5 = MCI), and three measures of PSS. Covariates included age, sex, and education level. Normal vs. MCI older adults were compared on measures of SA. Cross-sectional associations between cognitive status, and SA domains were examined using binary logistic or simple linear regressions, and whether these associations depended on PSS was explored. Results: Those with MCI did not age as successfully as normal individuals. Social support did not moderate the negative effects of MCI on SA. Conclusions: This study provides a better understanding of how those with MCI age compared to their normal counterparts. Future research should examine coping mechanisms those with MCI use to compensate for their inability to successfully age.

Committee: Tiffany Hughes PhD (Advisor); Daniel Van Dussen PhD (Committee Member); Mary Ganguli MD (Committee Member) Subjects: Gerontology

Master of Arts in Gerontology, Youngstown State University, 2018, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology

Learning is a lifelong process and is viewed as having positive influences on multiple facets of a person. It is important to understand how a person perceives the benefits of learning on aspects of successful aging. Another important aspect of learning is the future of learning: technology, specifically mobile learning. Purpose: To further explore the relationship between successful aging and older adults that participate in lifelong learning, and to explore perceptions of older adults toward mobile learning. Hypotheses: Participants will have positive attitudes about participation in a lifelong learning program and its influence on successful aging. Also, participants may be open to the idea of lifelong learning, but they will still prefer the “old fashion way” of learning through a live classroom. Participants: The participants typically over the age of 50, were attendees of the Mahoning Valley Lifelong Learning Institute (MVLLI). Procedures: The researcher conducted focus groups with participants who attended lectures and events offered through the MVLLI. The groups were asked questions based on learning and successful aging, learning preferences, and mobile learning. The analyses consisted of drawing out themes that emerged from the focus groups regarding lifelong learning, the MVLLI, successful aging, and mobile learning.

Committee: Tiffany Hughes PhD (Advisor); Daniel Van Dussen PhD (Committee Member); Sharon Stringer PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Gerontology

Master of Education (MEd), Bowling Green State University, 2017, Human Movement, Sport and Leisure Studies /Leisure and Tourism

The proportion of oldest-old in the United States, those 85 and over, is expanding more quickly than both the young-old (65-74) and the old-old (75-84). However, many scholars in the fields of Leisure and Gerontology continue to view old age as an umbrella term, lumping everyone over 65 in to the same category. However, it is the oldest-old who are the most likely to experience significant health problems and reside in long-term care (LTC). Thus, many oldest-old could potentially be facing multiple barriers to continued leisure and social participation. Given that there is ample research to support that there is a strong association between leisure and social involvement and successful aging, the current study examined how well one particular LTC community helps five residents above age 85 and two residents above age 80 remain active in leisure and social activity. This study also shed light on individual coping strategies participants use to maintain resilience during transitional periods in their lives, such as health decline, widowhood, and moving to a LTC community. Working within the framework of the continuity theory of successful aging, life histories were gathered from all seven participants during semi-structured interviews to provide further insight in to the formation and continuity of their hobbies, leisure repertoires, and social relationships. While a couple of participants described barriers to continued leisure and social involvement, all participants were found to have maintained continuity in many of their hobbies and in some ways, became more active in leisure and social involvement since their move to the LTC community. While one participant described being rejected by a grown child and two described fears of being a burden, all three have managed to maintain strong social support networks. Consistency in coping strategies, such as spirituality and self-reliance, was found to buffer the impact of family related stress, health decline, and (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Bob Lee Dr. (Advisor); Becky Liu Dr. (Committee Member); Hysungsuk Choo Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Gerontology

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2015, Psychology/Developmental

The present study examined age differences in identity processing styles and self-consciousness factors as they relate to one's susceptibility to ageism. Utilizing Whitbourne's Identity Process Theory (IPT), the goal of the proposed work was to: (I) examine age differences in identity processing styles (assimilation, accommodation, and balance) from a lifespan developmental perspective, (II) examine the role that age and identity processing styles play in one's susceptibility to ageism, (III) assess age-related changes in self-consciousness factors (insight, self-reflection, and public self-consciousness) across the adult lifespan, and (IV) determine how self-consciousness factors moderate the relationships between age and identity processing styles. Self-report data were collected in-person and online from 564 adults (69% female) between the ages of 18-89. Results showed full support for the identity process hypotheses demonstrating that identity assimilation increased with age, identity accommodation decreased with age, and identity balance was not age-related. In addition, full support was found for the ageism hypotheses: age and identity processing styles all significantly predicted ageism. Age was negatively associated with ageism. Identity assimilation and identity accommodation were positively related to ageism, while identity balance was negatively associated with ageism. Full support was also found for the self-consciousness hypotheses showing that insight increased with age, self-reflection decreased with age, and public self-consciousness decreased across the adult lifespan. Finally, partial support was found for the moderation hypotheses such that self-reflection had a significant moderation effect on the relationship between age and identity accommodation; older adults were more likely to adopt an accommodative style with higher levels of self-reflection. Findings are discussed with implications for future research in well-being and successful aging.

Committee: Yiwei Chen PhD (Advisor); Mike Zickar PhD (Committee Member); Marie Tisak PhD (Committee Member); Charles Stelle PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Aging; Gerontology; Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2014, Gerontology

The purpose of this study was to explore if intersecting socially constructed identities of race, gender and age influenced how a sample of 18 older African American women, 40 and over, define and experience successful aging. And, if and how do participants deviate from Rowe and Kahn's model. Due to the heterogeneity of ethnic backgrounds for individuals of African descent, my sample included only women who self-identify as African American/black. Because the overall objective was to understand heterogeneity in the aging experiences of African American women, the following primary questions were addressed: 1) How do older African American women who reside in challenging environments and/or lived through challenging experiences define successful aging?; 2) Do older African American women who reside in challenging environments and/or lived through challenging experiences see themselves as having positive marginality? If so, is it relevant to their intersecting identities based on race, gender and age? and 3) If these women experience positive marginality, does this positive marginality help them age successfully based their definition of successful aging? Results show that the intersection of gender and age does directly influence the way participants perceived and defined successful aging. As aging women, participants saw being a woman was significant to partnering, physical attractiveness, and medical issues centered on menopause, in addition to illnesses directly linked to being a woman, such as breast or uterine cancer. Results of this study did not find that race and gender intersect. However, racial discrimination across the life did have an impact on their beliefs about themselves and others as they aged. With race, gender and aging, perceptions depended heavily upon life experiences with social structures and personal struggles with male domination, in addition to abuse and health concerns from participants past, present and future outcomes. Positive (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: C. Lee Harrington PhD (Committee Chair); Kate de Medeiros PhD (Committee Co-Chair); Suzanne Kunkel PhD (Committee Member); Rodney Coates PhD (Committee Member); Gwendolyn Etter-Lewis PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: African Americans; Aging; Gender Studies; Gerontology; Sociology

Master of Arts in Psychology, Cleveland State University, 2008, College of Science

There has been an increasing amount of elderly individuals who have avoided the crippling health and physical problems that appear to vex so much of the older adult population. These successful agers have also learned to cope more effectively with both the normative and traumatic stressors they encounter over time. Successful aging has been defined in numerous ways and studied in a variety of contexts. This study set to define successful aging in terms of anxiety, depression, and subjective well-being, while also examining the relationship of successful aging with religiosity. The fundamental goal of this study was to examine the extent of the relationship between religiosity and successful aging, with special attention paid to the actual role played by religiosity in the experience of both normative and traumatic stressors in community-residing older adults, age 65 years and older.

Committee: Boaz Kahana PhD (Committee Chair); Katherine Judge PhD (Committee Member); Kimberly Neuendorf PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology; Religion