The current study surveys medical and doctoral psychology students (N = 100) from an urban northeastern university regarding knowledge and attitudes toward elderly sexuality and aging using the Facts on Aging Quiz, the Aging Sexuality Knowledge and Attitudes Scale, and measures of interest in gerontology, academic/clinical exposure to aging and…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between Adult Day Health Center (ADHC) participation and health-related quality of life. Design and Methods: Case-controlled prospective study utilizing the Medical Outcomes Survey Form 36 (SF-36) to compare newly enrolled participants from 16 ADHC programs with comparable…

Scientific investigations have revealed that behaviors about health and illness states are related to socioeconomic status, gender, and cultural factors. Chronic diseases and comorbidity are common in elderly people when compared to the rest of the population. Major problems of the elderly in Turkey are related to health behaviors, financial…

Explored the impact of employment and familial responsibilities on the assistance provided to elderly parents (N=153) by adult children (N=502). Results showed hours of assistance varied with the level of parental impairment, the presence of the older parents' spouse, and competing demands on the helpers' time. (JAC)

Examined seasonal migration in a sample of northeastern older adults (N=1279). Seasonal migrants were more likely married, retired, and reported higher levels of income and education. Most migrated to destinations in the southeast because of better climate and recreational opportunities. (Author/JAC)

Compared social support systems of childless elderly to a larger group of older parents. Results indicated marital status was the major determinant of the quality of the support received and adaptation to childlessness. Childless marrieds were more isolated, while the unmarrieds were more resourceful in using social resources. (Author/JAC)

Examines living arrangements as both an outcome of previous lifestyle, and as an antecedent for other events. Findings indicate that despite their much lower incomes, not-presently-married women live in housing of considerably higher quality than do men in comparable marital statuses and living arrangements. (Author)

Compared 21 older clients of drug treatment facilities, 30 older abusers not in treatment, and 155 elderly nonabusers. Analyses suggested that age and gender affect the likelihood of receiving treatment more than the likelihood of being an abuser. Substance abuse appeared more prevalent among single elderly who lived alone. (JAC)

Higher status was associated with greater life satisfaction, but not all status factors correlated with life satisfaction. Different status factors correlated with life satisfaction depending on the older person's involvement in organizations. The negative effects of status inconsistency were not stronger among those experiencing recent traumatic…

Assessed the relationships between a life satisfaction index and social/demographic/psychological factors in older adults. Results showed marital status, occupational prestige, years of formal education, race, annual income, and a variety of specific satisfaction with life measures were related to successful aging. (Author)

Alienation has been a key concept and major area of empirical studies in sociology and psychology; however, most alienation studies have not dealt with the elderly. In an attempt to explore the effects of the aging process and the major events of later life on the aging person's vulnerability to alienation, older residents (50 years or more) in a…

Examined the role of caregiving daughters' marital status as it relates to their sharing households with disabled elderly parents. Among the results, married daughters fared best in well-being, income, and social support, while never-married women were most likely to have never moved out of the parental home. (RJM)

The influence of marital status on the well-being of older persons has been of interest to social gerontologists. To investigate the well-being of married, widowed, and divorced older persons, 397 older men and women completed eight measures of well-being, including daily living activities, overall financial status, and psychological health.…

The situations and feelings of representative national samples of 50- and 70-year-olds were investigated in order to provide a representative, adequate data base for planning programs and policies that will result in maximum improvement in the quality of life of older Americans at minimum costs to taxpayers. Intensive case studies of 1,000…