Factors contributing to the quality of life of older adults were investigated. A national survey provided the data which were collected in four-hour interviews from a representative national sample of 800 persons 68 to 72 years old when interviewed. The respondents reported on aspects of their quality of life related to their family, education,…

Leisure is a function of the individual's interaction with the environment, both social and physical. The sense of freedom from obligation (or the "leisure experience"), and the context in which this experience might take place, differ significantly from person to person. These factors depend on each person's individual background and…

The growing body of gerontological research examining the correlates of life satisfaction indicates that physical health is its strongest correlate. Within this framework, the relationship between satisfaction and health among 29 institutionalized subjects was investigated through a longitudinal study. Unlike previous studies, objective measures…

Focusing on vocational education as a facilitator of rural economic development, the author of this paper discusses how to develop a rural community that will attract new jobs. His discussion includes the following key points: the role of local development corporations; concerns about quality of living for employees; encouragement of home-grown…

The well-being of poor older people is a concern for society. Two random samples of people, 65 years old and older, were taken in Cleveland, Ohio--1,300 from the general population and 194 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. Both samples were interviewed in 1975 and 1976, and a well-being status was developed for each person in the…

A systemic, holistic perspective is used in examining three challenges to the educational community today and in positing the idea of a societal organization of education for meeting these challenges. The problems identified--(1) improvement in the quality of education, (2) provision of life-long learning experiences, and (3) improvement in the…

Awakening in young people a sense that the future can be shaped is one of the most constructive contributions any practicing futurist can make. Discussed in this speech, delivered to high school seniors, are future studies issues of importance to students, e.g., how technology will affect people, tomorrow's jobs. (Author/RM)

Changing population demographics, including urbanization and improved services and quality of life for persons with disabilities, have produced changes in the types and numbers of disabilities which educators, service providers and employers are increasingly asked to accommodate. These changes have also resulted in a need for researchers,…

When studies are conducted over a period of time, the sample size typically decreases. In a study of the effects of exercise therapy and education with recovering congestive heart failure (CHF) patients (Brubaker, Witta, & Angelopoulus, 2003), the sample size decreased from over 40 to 9 participants after an 18-month time span. Although the…

Indiana 4-H Youth Programs are being used to enhance the quality of life for troubled adolescents in residential group homes and economically disadvantaged urban areas and to provide summer-school programs for children of migrant farm workers. Four basic types of program delivery modes exist in Indiana: clubs, junior leader program activities,…

This study translated data reflecting life satisfaction from a large national Japanese survey into English. Perceptions of life satisfaction in Japan were compared to those in the United States. Data for U.S. subjects were taken from Gallup Polls in 1979, 1989, and 1990; Japanese data were based on personal interviews taken during the National…

This paper outlines several properties of internal representational models (IRMs) and offers terminology that may help to differentiate the models. Properties of IRMs include focus, memory systems, content, cognitive function, "metastructure," quality of attachment, behavioral strategies, and attitude toward attachment. An IRM focuses on…

The university is a major intervention in the lives of its students as it seeks to socialize them into society's future needs. Organizational climate or culture has a major impact on the motivation of students as it designs their role experiences through it organizational requirements. Stress related problems arise from the individual's life space…

Different occupational groups tend to have different personality types and general value patterns but little empirical evidence is available on work values. This study compared the work values of different groups of preservice teachers with inservice teachers on two work values scales, the Work Values Inventory (WVI) and the Values Scale (VS).…

While some people have difficulty adjusting to retirement, others seem to adjust easily. The search for theory to explain the source of positive retirement may require research methods to develop theory rather than to test theory. Grounded theory methodology was used to determine the characteristics and sources of characteristics of adults who had…