The passage of time is fundamentally experienced through people's interaction with their social worlds. Life-course scholars acknowledge the multiple aspects of time-based experience but have given little attention to age identity in a dynamic context. Drawing from a stress-process model, we expected that turbulence within people's family…

Examines the applications of a structured life-review technique in counseling elderly clients, illustrated by two case studies. Discusses the usefulness of life-review in role transitions involving self-esteem, intergenerational conflict, and preparation for both life and death. (JAC)

Describes a day-long Aging Awareness workshop in which a group of 12 elderly were involved in a poetry-writing exercise focusing on meaningful life change. Ramifications of this positive experience are discussed in view of the cultural/language barrier and traditional aging awareness issues such as reminiscence. (JAC)

Analyzed predictors of retirement using data from seven longitudinal studies. Results show predictors of retirement vary depending on how retirement is defined. The strongest predictors of objective retirement are structural factors. Predictors of early retirement and of age at retirement include both structural factors and subjective factors.…

Building on interviews with 319 adults, examines cultural age "deadlines" for a series of general transitions related to education and work. Respondents indicated a rough, "normal biography" of general transitions which had flexible guidelines for how those trajectories might unfold. Relates these findings to complementary…

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)

Addresses the counseling needs of older persons and the response of the counseling psychology field. Dicusses gerontological counseling in relation to life transitions; counseling theory; counseling programs; group, individual and family counseling; counseling techniques; senile dementia; and outcome research. (JAC)

The article addresses special problems of aging in persons with mental disabilities, including needs of persons living out their lives in institutions, normalized services for community residents, early preparation for aging, and appropriate residential placement. (DB)

Analyzes the impact of recent economic changes accompanying the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) and ongoing cultural styles on the aged in Nigeria. Compared to younger generations, the relative position of the elderly has not changed significantly, although the latter's position has deteriorated on dimensions such as…

This document consists of the following three papers: (1) "Aging in the People's Republic of China" (Liang), including a 22-item bibliography; (2) "The Reform of China's Social Security System for the Elderly" (Chuanyi); and (3) "Developing Research on Aging in China" (Jihui). The first paper briefly outlines the…

This document contains papers delivered at a conference designed to highlight similarities and differences in the situation of the elderly in Sweden and in the United States. The papers are: (1) "Aging and Work" (Sheppard, Berglind); (2) "Services to the Elderly: An Emphasis on the United States" (Hokenstad); (3) "Notes on…

This document, examining transition to retirement from a sociological perspective, consists of four sections and a 14-item bibliography. The first section traces the evolution of West German retirement from what was considered a new phenomenon into what is now commonly assumed to be a normal or even natural life stage. The second section discusses…