The study examined personal growth among new grandfathers (n = 101, age 45-67), 2 to 24 months after the birth of their first grandchild. Specifically, it investigated the contribution of internal resources (self-esteem), perceived characteristics of the situation (grandparenthood distress and cognitive appraisals of threat, challenge, and…

This article examines experiences of chronological age. Using data from the British Household Panel Survey, we analyze both qualitatively and quantitatively verbatim responses from 8177 respondents aged 16 and over concerning the (dis)advantages of their age. Two main questions are tested: (1) Is the cultural narrative of age decline supported by…

Examined how narcissistic intrusion during early childhood may develop into narcissistic difficulties which manifest themselves later in life in feelings of loneliness in elderly women (N=207). Results indicated loneliness in old age was greater among an intruded group in comparison to those whose parental influence was not intrusive. (Author/ABL)

Submits that useful quantitative measure of aging is provided by measures of athletic performance. Describes development of model for top athletic performance and for performance of any person at any age. Explains that model shows that athletic performance undergoes significant changes at certain ages and that these change points break the aging…

Examined whether ego identity status transition pathways and change rates differ significantly across domains of identity development from adolescence through middle adulthood. Interviews with 100 middle-aged adults regarding development of values in vocation, religion, politics, gender roles, and relationships identified 8 subgroups which varied…

Examined attitudes toward retirement in 805 Israeli people on verge of retirement. The results pointed to importance of distinguishing between perceptions of gains and losses in retirement development transition; identification of blue-collar workers with ambivalent attitudes as a high-risk group; and importance of strong sense of coherence in…

Examined personal aspirations of 708 older adults. Found aspirations centered on self-preservation were associated with very old age, functional impairment, lower socioeconomic status and education, and being alone or institutionalized. Aspirations of self-development and interpersonal relationships were associated with younger age, physical…

The impact of early life events that take place under specific historical and societal circumstances on adult development have rarely been investigated in old age. We examined whether having started a family in young adulthood was related to the contents of possible selves generated by women aged 85 to 100+ in the Berlin Aging Study (N = 129; M…

Examined self-perceptions of life-span gender-role variability based upon their expected or past performance in normative age-related developmental tasks in two studies, the first with young adults (n=64), the second with retired adults (n=32). (Author/ABL)