Transitions of Aging is a compilation of papers that deals with gerontology, particularly on the rural aged and aging women. This book discusses the aging transition both as social and biological phenomenon; that physical health can be better, as well as the social, spatial, and economic environment surrounding places of aging. This text also focuses on rural aging and the strong bond of an extended family, which can offer lessons to healthy aging. As regards aging in women, the book examines the problems they are confronted with and the programs that have been developed to deal with them. Part I addresses the personal transition of aging such as life satisfaction, physical activity, and competency in older women. Part II discusses family transitions of aging that include intergenerational relationships, widowhood, the clinical psychology of later life, and the economic status of late middle-aged widows. Part III describes the environmental transitions that the aging experiences such as aging and attachment to a certain place (for example, in an Appalachian community) and the older person's reaction as an initiator or a responder when he or she is confronted with environmental changes. This book also discusses studies made on institutionalization of the aged. This text is suitable for psychologists, gerontologists, sociologists, and social workers dealing with the aged, particularly the female senior.

List of ContributorsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart I Personal Transitions of Aging Chapter 1 Adaptive Dimensions of Adult Cognition Dualistic Tensions in Models of Cognitive Aging Intellectual Transitions in Later Life Implications and Reinterpretations Conclusions and Caveats References Chapter 2 Life Satisfaction Research in Aging: Implications for Policy Development Why Examine Life Satisfaction? Findings with Regard to Life Satisfaction Life Satisfaction Research and Policy Conclusion References Chapter 3 Physical Activity as It Relates to the Health of the Aged Declining Involvement in Physical Activity as a Function of Age Attitudes toward Participating in Physical Activity among the Elderly Role of Physical Activity in the Mental Health of the Elderly Summary and Recommendations Reference Notes References Chapter 4 The Competent Older Woman The Concept of Competence The Growth of Competence Competence in Childhood: Women's Interpretations Competence in Adulthood The Competent Older Woman The Varieties of Competence Discussion Conclusion ReferencesPart II Family Transitions of Aging Chapter 5 Intergenerational Relations in Later Life: A Family System Approach Family Systems Rural-Urban Measurement Developmental Effects Summary References Chapter 6 The Widowed Family Member Widowhood as a Neglected Aspect of Family Sociology Widows and Widowers: Similarities and Differences The Influence of Education and Social Class on Widowhood Early Problems of Widowhood The Reconstruction of Social Life Space in Widowhood Remarriage and Other Relations with the Opposite Sex Support Systems Involving Widows Role Changes of People Who Are Widowed Summary and Conclusion References Chapter 7 The Clinical Psychology of Later Life: Developmental Paradigms Men: The Masculine Protesters Threats to the Older Woman References Chapter 8 Economic Status of Late Middle-Aged Widows Methodology Results Summary and ConclusionsPart III Environmental Transitions In Aging Chapter 9 Growing Old "Inside": Aging and Attachment to Place in an Appalachian Community The Appalachian Aging Project References Chapter 10 Environmental Change: The Older Person as Initiator and Responder Environment-Relevant Changes in the Individual Aging-in-Place Aging in a New Place Conclusion References Chapter 11 Institutionalization of the Aged Institutionalization as a Ubiquitous Event A Longitudinal Study A Forward Look ReferencesSubject Index