Research on older adults at the United Kingdom's Open University over 25 years showed that the proportion of undergraduates over 50 is 14%, over 60 is 5%; that their course choices, motivation, and study preferences differ from those of younger students; and that their achievement compares favorably with that of younger students. (SK)

Assessed demographic characteristics, attitudes toward lifelong education, and class format preferences of older adult students enrolled in credit classes. More respondents were employed, home owning, and younger than auditing and nonparticipant elders, with 16 percent having fewer than 12 years of education, and 4.8 percent no previous experience…

Compared 106 middle-aged student (outwardly oriented) and nonstudent (home oriented) women on attitudes toward age, perceived happiness and satisfaction, perceived physical health, number and severity of depressing symptoms, self-esteem, and autonomy. The student group reported better health, fewer and less severe depressive symptoms, and higher…