Suggests that the social position and value of old age are normally of little importance in the personal lives of older people, partly because of the limited salience of age within their informal networks. Factors that heighten the salience of being old may reduce well being. (JAC)

Used data from a national survey of adults to study the influence of community access on the life satisfaction of older adults. Results confirmed the importance of community involvement and mobility, especially for older Whites. Racial differences in the results suggest that lifestyles and experiences influence aging. (Author/JAC)

This study investigated the impact of shifts in age identification by older people (N=323) from "middle-aged" to "elderly" within the context of the labeling theory of deviance. Age identification was unrelated to attitudes toward old people and the label "elderly" did not affect self-esteem through any "gate-keeping" process. (Author)

Outlines a complex research agenda for understanding the contributions of informal social support to the quality of later life. Suggests a conceptual model for investigating informal support networks and well-being for the elderly and offers suggestions for operationalizing the model. (NRB)

Evidence concerning the contributions of social networks to the subjective well-being of older persons is inconsistent, reflecting the conceptual complexity of social networks and supports. In order to investigate the relative importance of different types of social ties and supports, the distinction between objective and subjective dimensions of…

Suggests modern age stratification contributes to greater differentiation of old age and lowered status. Proposes discontinuity in the transition to old age makes time a central issue. Concludes the psychological constriction of older people results from failure to facilitate creative personal expression through the life cycle. (Author)