Behavioral Sciences

Research

20 pages, 1454 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Subjective Perception Types of Older Adults Living Alone as Farmers in Korea: A Q Methodology Study

by Oh Sun Ha and Song Yi Lee

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14121150 - 1 Dec 2024

Viewed by 652

This study explores the psychological characteristics of older adults living alone as farmers in South Korea, categorising their subjective experiences. Using Q methodology, interviews were conducted with participants from Seosan, Chungcheong Province, South Korea, on 19 and 22 June 2023. A total of [...] Read more.

This study explores the psychological characteristics of older adults living alone as farmers in South Korea, categorising their subjective experiences. Using Q methodology, interviews were conducted with participants from Seosan, Chungcheong Province, South Korea, on 19 and 22 June 2023. A total of 25 participants conducted Q sorting with 33 finalized Q sample items in three locations: Chungju, Chungcheong Province, on 14 July 2023; Ildong, Gyeonggi Province, on 28 July 2023; and Seosan, Chungcheong Province, on 14 August 2023. The Q sorting results were analysed using the QUANAL program and categorised into four types. Type 1, Balanced Life Pursuit, reflects satisfaction across various aspects of life, such as relationships, health, economy, and psychological wellbeing. Type 2, Independent Life and Improvement-Seeking, pursues independence but experiences loneliness due to the absence of a spouse, while still seeking to improve their life. Type 3, Relationship and Care Needed, highlights a need for relationships and care. Finally, Type 4, Family and Work-Focused, prioritises family and farming work. These findings provide a foundation for developing customised support programs to address the specific needs of different types of older adults living alone as farmers in South Korea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Interactions and Aging)

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11 pages, 529 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Death Anxiety and Resilience in Older Adults: The Moderating Role of Attachment Patterns

by Yoav S. Bergman

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1031; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14111031 - 4 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1093

Abstract

The unique human awareness of the fact that life is finite, and that death is unavoidable has been shown to elicit negative psychological consequences across the life cycle. However, research has demonstrated that the ability to seek, maintain, and gain comfort from close [...] Read more.

The unique human awareness of the fact that life is finite, and that death is unavoidable has been shown to elicit negative psychological consequences across the life cycle. However, research has demonstrated that the ability to seek, maintain, and gain comfort from close relationships mitigates the adverse psychological effects of death awareness/anxiety. Moreover, relatively little is known about how death anxiety and social relationships in old age are associated with resilience, an important personal protective factor for dealing with general and age-related difficulties. Accordingly, the current work examined the links between death anxiety and resilience in older adults and explored the potential moderating role of attachment patterns for this link. Data were collected from 369 older Israeli adults (Mage = 73.15, SD = 6.31, range = 60–94), who completed scales examining death anxiety, attachment patterns, and resilience, as well as sociodemographic scales. The results demonstrated that death anxiety, attachment anxiety, and attachment avoidance were associated with reduced resilience. Moreover, the death anxiety-resilience link was not significant for individuals reporting high or low levels of both attachment anxiety and avoidance. The findings are discussed through the prism of Terror Management Theory, and practical implications are suggested. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Interactions and Aging)

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16 pages, 803 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Perceived Accessibility to Living Infrastructure on Positive Feelings Among Older Adults

by Sohee Kim

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1025; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14111025 - 1 Nov 2024

Viewed by 695

Abstract

Social participation among older adults is a critical aspect that facilitates the improvement of their overall well-being. A critical factor influencing the social participation of older adults to achieve optimal aging is perceived accessibility to living infrastructure. The study aims to provide a [...] Read more.

Social participation among older adults is a critical aspect that facilitates the improvement of their overall well-being. A critical factor influencing the social participation of older adults to achieve optimal aging is perceived accessibility to living infrastructure. The study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of how perceived accessibility to transportation systems, public service facilities, and digital services influences life satisfaction and happiness among older adults. Survey data were collected from 200 households in South Korea and the research paper utilized the Partial Least Squares (PLSs) bootstrapping methodology with 5000 subsample iterations for analysis. The study shows that perceived accessibility to transportation systems, public service facilities, and digital services significantly influenced satisfaction among older adults. Satisfaction, in turn, had a positive effect on happiness. The implications for theory and practical implications were provided for officials and social service professionals concerning the geriatric population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Interactions and Aging)

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11 pages, 627 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Age Modifies the Interactive Effect of Loneliness and Social Support on Financial Exploitation Vulnerability in Older Adults

by Gali H. Weissberger

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 830; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14090830 - 17 Sep 2024

Viewed by 706

Abstract

Social support and loneliness have been identified as important correlates of financial exploitation vulnerability (FEV) in older adults. However, the potential combined effect of these social factors on FEV remains unclear. Moreover, given that social support and loneliness may become more important as [...] Read more.

Social support and loneliness have been identified as important correlates of financial exploitation vulnerability (FEV) in older adults. However, the potential combined effect of these social factors on FEV remains unclear. Moreover, given that social support and loneliness may become more important as age increases, age may have a moderating effect on the loneliness-social support interaction. Participants were 342 community-living Israeli older adults aged 60 or over (M age = 73.37, SD = 7.82, 69.1% female) who responded to questionnaires assessing FEV (Financial Exploitation Vulnerability Scale), perceived social support (The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), loneliness (UCLA Three-item Loneliness Scale), and sociodemographic characteristics. Two hierarchical linear regression models covarying for demographic variables examined study hypotheses. In a first model, a significant interaction between social support and loneliness was discovered such that high levels of perceived social support attenuated the positive loneliness–FEV association. In a second model, a significant three-way interaction between social support, loneliness, and age was discovered. Probing the interaction revealed that the attenuating effect of social support on the loneliness–FEV link increased with increasing age. Findings suggest that effects of social factors on FEV may interact with each other and with age to predict FEV, and provide insights into when social support may be most relevant in mitigating FEV. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Interactions and Aging)

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9 pages, 617 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Skill of Positive Solitude Moderates the Relationship between 24 Character Strengths and Flourishing in the Second Half of Life

by Noa Bachman, Yuval Palgi and Ehud Bodner

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 788; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14090788 - 9 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1102

Abstract

Objectives: Aging may challenge life and even affect individuals’ wellbeing and flourishing. This includes the challenges of diminished social connections and the experience of solitude in later life while seeking to leverage personal strengths. The current study examines two important personal resources, i.e., [...] Read more.

Objectives: Aging may challenge life and even affect individuals’ wellbeing and flourishing. This includes the challenges of diminished social connections and the experience of solitude in later life while seeking to leverage personal strengths. The current study examines two important personal resources, i.e., the skill of positive solitude and the 24 character strengths, which may be associated with flourishing in old age. Methods: A convenience sample of 1085 community-dwelling adults (M = 57.20, SD = 6.24, range = 50–87) completed an online survey with demographic measures and scales measuring personal strengths, the skill of positive solitude, and flourishing. Results: As hypothesized, the 24 character strengths and positive solitude were each associated with flourishing, and positive solitude moderated the relationships between the 24 character strengths and flourishing. The relationship between the 24 character strengths and flourishing was stronger among participants with lower levels of positive solitude. Conclusions: These findings highlight the way in which, despite the decrease in social relations which often characterizes old age, the skill of positive solitude serves as a valuable resource for flourishing in the later stages of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Interactions and Aging)

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19 pages, 929 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychological Well-Being and Self-Aging Attitudes Moderate the Association between Subjective Age and Age Discrimination in the Workplace

by Assaf Suberry and Ehud Bodner

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14090742 - 25 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1393

Abstract

Views of aging include peoples’ assessment of their own aging process and their subjective age. Positive views of aging relate to a improved psychological well-being which predicts better physical and mental health. While these relationships were substantially studied, the moderating roles of self-aging [...] Read more.

Views of aging include peoples’ assessment of their own aging process and their subjective age. Positive views of aging relate to a improved psychological well-being which predicts better physical and mental health. While these relationships were substantially studied, the moderating roles of self-aging attitudes and psychological well-being in the subjective age–age discrimination connection have been much less explored. The current study used a convenience sample of 568 participants (mean = 66.21y, SD = 11.95, age range 50–95), 55.8% women, 67.1% employed. In line with the hypotheses, young subjective age and psychological well-being were connected to less age discrimination in the workplace, and higher psychological well-being mitigated the subjective age–age discrimination at work connection. When the perception of old age as a period of loss was added to the model, adults who perceived old age as a period of loss and reported lower levels of psychological well-being demonstrated the strongest relationship between an increase in subjective age and an increase in age-related discrimination at work. The findings emphasize the importance of the psychological well-being of older employees as a resource for improving their attitudes towards their last years at work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Interactions and Aging)

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14 pages, 655 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intergenerational Synchrony and Its Effect on Bonding and Group Closeness among Young and Older Adults

by Assaf Suberry and Ehud Bodner

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14070607 - 17 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1211

Abstract

To examine the effect of synchronous dance movements on social bonding and perceived closeness between generations, 168 young (20–45 years) and older (65–90 years) participants were randomly assigned to six dyad conditions. These included dancing synchronously or asynchronously with an in-age-group or out-age-group [...] Read more.

To examine the effect of synchronous dance movements on social bonding and perceived closeness between generations, 168 young (20–45 years) and older (65–90 years) participants were randomly assigned to six dyad conditions. These included dancing synchronously or asynchronously with an in-age-group or out-age-group unfamiliar partner for 11 min. The participants then completed social bonding and group closeness questionnaires. To assess variation across individuals’ and dyads’ measurements, a generalized estimating equation modeling analysis was conducted. In line with the hypotheses, synchronized dancing increased social bonding, and young adults showed an enhanced perception of closeness between generations. The hypothesis that synchronous dancing with out-age-group members would foster greater perceived closeness compared to in-age-group members was not confirmed. Surprisingly, the results indicated that asynchronous movements with the in-age-group led to a higher degree of closeness between generations than asynchronous movements with the out-age-group. Avenues for future studies on the mechanisms by which intergenerational dance fosters intergenerational bonding and closeness are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Interactions and Aging)

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11 pages, 221 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Way Older Childless Women Value Their Life—A Qualitative Study

by Tom Boker Gonen, Yaacov G. Bachner and Vered Slonim-Nevo

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14050418 - 15 May 2024

Viewed by 1545

Abstract

Older women without children, like all older adults, evaluate their lives and face a conflict between despair and ego integrity as proposed by Erikson’s theory of development. Their uniqueness lies in their deviation from the societal norm of parenthood prevalent in pro-natalist societies [...] Read more.

Older women without children, like all older adults, evaluate their lives and face a conflict between despair and ego integrity as proposed by Erikson’s theory of development. Their uniqueness lies in their deviation from the societal norm of parenthood prevalent in pro-natalist societies such as Israel. This study aims to explore how older childless women evaluate their lives. Using a qualitative approach, 20 semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with women over 60 years of age who do not have children. Three main themes emerged from the participants’ responses: their experiences as women without children in a pro-natalist society, the significance of freedom in their lives, and their life experiences from conflicting perspectives—an internal and external locus of control. The study’s findings demonstrate that older childless women adeptly utilize different perspectives across various aspects of their lives, contributing to ego integrity, contrary to the prevailing societal notion that in the absence of children, women are damaged and lack identity. It is conceivable that other segments of the older adult population, diverging from mainstream societal norms, may similarly leverage these different perspectives to uphold their ego. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Interactions and Aging)

14 pages, 1587 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Links between Couples’ Cynical Hostility and Mental Health: A Dyadic Investigation of Older Couples

by Dikla Segel-Karpas, Roi Estlein and Ashley E. Ermer

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(4), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14040283 - 28 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1177

Abstract

Whereas sharing a life with someone with high cynical hostility can be straining, little is known about how partner’s cynical hostility is associated with one’s mental health. In this paper, we report the findings from a longitudinal dyadic study using two waves of [...] Read more.

Whereas sharing a life with someone with high cynical hostility can be straining, little is known about how partner’s cynical hostility is associated with one’s mental health. In this paper, we report the findings from a longitudinal dyadic study using two waves of a large and representative American sample of older adults and their spouses to examine how one’s own and their spouse’s cynical hostility longitudinally affect anxiety and depressive symptoms. Results from APIM analyses suggest that both husbands’ and wives’ anxiety and depressive symptoms were negatively associated with their own cynical hostility, both within each time point and longitudinally. Partners’ cynical hostility, however, predicted only husbands’ mental health cross-sectionally. Furthermore, a moderating effect was identified, although it was not consistently observed across all analyses. Specifically, when a partner’s cynical hostility was high, the association between one’s own cynical hostility and their mental health was stronger, especially for women. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Interactions and Aging)

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