The current study examined factors related to older adults' perceptions of Internet use. Three hundred ninety five older adults participated in the study. The factor analysis revealed four factors perceived by older adults as critical to their Internet use: social connection, self-efficacy, the need to seek financial information, and the need to…

Conflicts between younger and older generations can take on a character that goes beyond personal experience to become a narrative of more general social conditions. In times of change, this phenomenon may play an important role in defining new social realities. This seems to be occurring in Russia today. Available studies of intergenerational…

The aging population has rapidly increased in South Korea. From an economic perspective, older people are too often seen in negative terms. Specifically, older women, who are traditionally at greater risk of poverty, are referred to as a social problem or as passive recipients, and the quality of life of older women in an aging society is often…

This study seeks to gain a holistic understanding of how older Korean-American adults' socio-demographic factors affect their attitudes toward the computer. The research was guided by four main questions: (1) What do participants describe as the consequences of their using the computer? (2) What attitudes toward the computer do participants…

The aging population of the world has dramatically been increasing thereby creating the need to assess and address the emotional feelings of the elderly. The intent of this qualitative study was to capture the essence or the lebenswelt of the Filipino elderly's sense of belongingness. This was accomplished by capitalizing on the power of conscious…

The NCOA-Harris survey suggests new directions for research on the social aspects of aging, that their sample of older persons is representative of the American older population, and that social gerontologists need to pay more attention to the cumulation of knowledge in the field. (Author)

This paper discusses three ideas--the Engagement continuum, the relation between Awareness of Death and Self-Engagement, and practical implications in terms of effecting psycho-social transitions in later life. Empirical observations were made in Canada and the U.S. Paper presented at the 10th International Gerontological Conference, Jerusalem,…

This research assesses the relative importance which adults in various age strata attach to dominant American values. Findings indicate older adults differ most from younger adults in the importance which they attach to personal values, particularly work, leisure, and achievement regardless of their social and economic situation. (Author)

Suggests scientific investigations of the concept of friendship have been hampered by inadequate conceptualizations. By utilizing a social relations perspective and a network analysis methodology, shows how to overcome the limitations of previous conceptualizations and to attain a more developed scientific grasp of friendship. (Author)

This article presents an historical overview of the disengagement theory of social gerontology, first presented by Queen and Gruener. Trends and implications for the future are discussed. (Author/HLM)

Longitudinal analyses were performed on changes in life satisfaction among a sample of 378 community residents, aged 46-70. There were no significant changes in the mean life satisfaction scores for any age-sex cohort and no significant differences between the sexes, although there were some individual changes. (Author)

This study investigated the feelings and concerns of 64 elderly persons, as revealed by a projective instrument, in relation to number and sex of siblings. The number and proportion of female siblings were found to have a greater influence than male siblings on the elderly's feelings and concerns. (Author)

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)

Counselors need to help the elderly satisfy their emotional needs by assisting them with housing, retirement activities, and social activities and relationships. (Author/HLM)

This monograph is written to convey the point that the aged are ill-served by people's negative attitudes and by youth-centered social systems. It is designed for individuals who are aged as well as those who work with aged relatives or friends. It will also be useful as preparation for training programs or discussion groups, as well as for those…