Purpose: Studies of certified nursing assistant (CNA) turnover in nursing homes are typically cross-sectional and include full-time and part-time workers. We conducted a longitudinal study to evaluate the job factors and work attitudes associated with just full-time staying or leaving. For those who did not stay, we assessed reasons for leaving…

Purpose: Given age-related health restrictions, the importance of the environment for life satisfaction may increase in later life. This study investigated whether objective and perceived physical and social environmental aspects of the home and of the surrounding neighborhood represent resources for or risks to life satisfaction among young-old…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate (a) whether certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are more committed to nursing home jobs when they perceive their jobs as enhanced (greater autonomy, use of knowledge, teamwork), and (b) whether CNA job commitment affects resident satisfaction. Design and Methods: A qualitative exploration of…

Purpose: We examined the adjustment to societal change following the fall of communism in a group of Soviet war veterans from Russia and the Ukraine. The focus of the study was on the dynamics of identity development, and especially generativity, in a period of intense social upheaval. Design and Methods: We administered measures of self-esteem,…

Examined why some widows were satisfied in retirement communities and some were not. Satisfied widows were more socially active and were the majority in the community. Widows and married differed in social interactions contingent on which group was in majority. Ratio of married to widows in community may lead to different social interaction in the…

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the important factors influencing residents' satisfaction in residential aged care and to provide a better understanding of their interrelationships. Design and Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect the required information, including resident satisfaction, resident dependency…

Investigated the relationship between somatic symptoms, depression, and life events (health status, function, social satisfaction, income) in a population of 1,201 elderly persons living at home. Found depression was the most important factor in the appearance of somatic complaints; however, life events were important cofactors in defining…

Discusses life satisfaction, happiness, and morale, three indicators of subjective well-being that have been of particular interest to psychosocial gerontologists. Two problems in the use of such indicators--usage variance and inappropriate assessment level--are examined. Potential solutions to these problems are suggested and discussed briefly.…

Discusses intimacy as a multidimensional concept with particular attention paid to love and sexuality among older women. Women's life satisfaction and psychological well-being were related to their satisfaction with their intimate relationship. Passionate and companionate love as well as sexual satisfaction were related to contentment with…

Interviewed 30 older and 30 middle-aged women. Although respondents had same average global life satisfaction, 2 groups differed significantly in salient sources of satisfaction/dissatisfaction. Health was more salient for older women; material well-being was future aspiration for younger group. Older women strove to maintain status quo whereas…

Explores age norms for promotional expectations and assesses whether they carry psychological consequences. Collected data from male subjects (n=833) who answered a Quality of Employment Survey (QES). Normativity in promotion expectations was found in work life span, but was not associated with job well-being when other relevant factors were…

Purpose: There is a strong connection between marriage and well-being, with evidence suggesting that the well-being of one spouse is closely correlated with that of the other. However, among older Mexican Americans, there is little information about this phenomenon. To address this, we explore two research questions: Does one spouse's well-being…

Examined whether older adults dissatisfied with the amount of social support they had received were more likely to rate their health as poorer than elderly people satisfied with the support they had received. Found satisfaction with support to be an important determinant of self-perceived health. (Author/ABB)

Used data from 678 adults over age 55 to examine effect of parent status on 3 measures of subjective well-being: avowed happiness, depression, and life satisfaction. Found significant differences in subjective well-being between close and distant parents, and between close parents and childless by circumstance but not childless by choice. Also…

Identifies research issues of interest to life course and aging scholars that would be enriched by increased attention to social-psychological principles and, conversely, identification of social-psychological research topics that would be advanced by increased attention to life course and aging issues. (SNR)