Widowhood may pose a threat to the adjustment and life satisfaction of older women. In order to examine the relationship between life satisfaction of elderly widowed black women and their involvement in formal and informal support systems, 65 women ranging in age from 64 to 92, were asked 326 questions by trained black interviewers. Interviewers…

Examined racial differences in well-being among older persons using services at nutrition sites funded by the Older Americans Act. Findings demonstrated the disadvantaged status of Black service consumers compared with White in economic security, health and functional status, social integration, and knowledge about and access to services.…

Explored types of support black churches and families provide and how support relates to the well-being of elderly blacks (n=98). Findings indicated that family networks were perceived as more supportive than the church network but that church support contributed to feelings of well-being. (ABL)

The effects of stress on the psychosocial well-being of older persons have been well documented. Research on stress among the aged has generally considered recent life events as salient stressors in late life and has focussed on older persons without regard to racial differences. Interviews were conducted with 400 elderly black and white residents…

Examines age differences between 1979-80 and 1992 in the quality of life of African Americans using data from the National Survey of Black Americans and the role of hope in accounting for variance in general well being. Across waves in all age cohorts, family satisfaction and contact with friends were most important in contributing to life…

Investigates prevalence, correlates, and self-reported difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep for a sample of 998 black elderly subjects. The majority (68.3%) of the sample had no trouble falling asleep. Over 14.5% of men and 23.6% of women reported sleep latencies exceeding 30 minutes. Almost 13% reported less than 4 hours of sleep a…

Compared the life satisfaction of elderly Whites and Blacks. Showed that most factors influencing life satisfaction of elderly people have similar effects among Blacks and Whites. Although greater numbers of physical impairments lead to lower life satisfaction for both races, the negative effect is considerably stronger among Blacks. (Author/JAC)

Elderly black farm women are neglected segment of elderly population. Their self-reliance, mutual support, and rurality have helped keep them isolated and underserved. Ten such women recalled their productive lifestyles in oral-history interviews and described problems faced because of their advancing age, poor health, caregiving responsibilities,…

Explored participation in and impact of social roles on psychological and physical health of middle-aged and older Black women. Found that few such women participated in the three roles of parent, spouse, and employee simultaneously. Of these three roles, only employment showed a significant relationship to well-being, having a positive impact on…

Study compared black and white female retirees' (n=618) life satisfaction and determinants of life satisfaction. Survey results found differences between the groups in life satisfaction. Perceived health and leisure repertoire planning directly affected both groups' life satisfaction. Leisure activity directly affected whites. Leisure repertoire…

This report on the status of the black elderly in the United States is based on six issue forums that the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc., conducted throughout the United States in 1986; and on three House Select Committee on Aging hearings on this subject. Statistics pertaining to the following issues affecting older blacks are…

Addresses the following questions: (1) what is the effect of the stereotyped characterization of old black women on their well-being; (2) what are the major issues surrounding the social, economic, and health conditions of subgroups of aging black women; and (3) what should be the substantive content of advocatory efforts on their behalf? (BJV)