The changing social and economic landscape across European Member States and beyond has had a disproportionate effect on older adults. Nowhere is this more keenly felt than among the "buffer generation" of men caught between the silent, strong, austere masculinity of their forefathers and contemporary society--progressive, open and…

The benefits of lifelong musical participation have been repeatedly demonstrated through research and anecdote, and yet the challenging question of why more people are not engaged in these activities is rarely addressed. This project used interviews with eighteen current and past amateur ensemble members to explore themes of social acceptance,…

A study with n = 55 younger (18-33 years, M = 23.67) and n = 58 older (61-85 years, M = 71.44) adults investigated age-related differences in social approach and avoidance motivation and their consequences for the experience of social interactions. Results confirmed the hypothesis that a predominant habitual approach motivation in younger adults…

Although becoming a grandmother represents an important transition in a woman's life, it has received scant research attention. This study used the model of growth developed by Schaefer and Moos in an attempt to identify personal and environmental resources that may contribute to a first-time maternal grandmother's mental health and her…

A common outcome of entering post-compulsory education as a mature aged learner appears to be development and growth of the self. However, this is often only viewed as an outcome or considered an added benefit, rather than an integral part of the academic process itself. This paper explores the relationship between academic growth and personal…

Examines learning problems encountered when adults return to the university as students, including lack of educational counselling, pressure of outside commitments, outdated mathematical and science skills, and anxiety about study skills. Strategies to assist mature students are described. (JJD)

Discussions by 56 educators from a Canadian school district on their job satisfactions and dissatisfactions, aspirations, and life transitions in tape recorded interviews provided the primary data for this study of adult development among teachers and administrators. Secondary data were obtained from a questionnaire survey of an additional 383…

A study that examined the personality and environmental factors affecting South African female career interest and career commitment at different life phases resulted in development of a model of vocational behavior. Selected for the study sample were 111 graduated white women employed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The…