Purpose: There is much evidence suggesting that older adults are often negatively affected by aging stereotypes; however, no method to identify individual differences in vulnerability to these effects has yet been developed. The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and valid questionnaire to measure individual differences in the…

Interviewed urban, Black respondents (N=122), aged 51 to 90, about their religious practices and beliefs. Results were analyzed using a multidimensional scale. Religiosity did not appear to vary with age but church membership did. Women had higher scores than men. Religiosity was positively related to life satisfaction. (Author)

Used individual modernity as measure of modernization and decision-making power to assess status of aged at micro level. Examined how modernity, family environment, and demographic characteristics affect status of aged in extended family. Data were analyzed from 252 Korean elderly living with married child. Found that individual modernity was…

Conducted a retrospective study of 102 Swiss seniors to determine nonmedical factors affecting substantial care days required prior to death. Protected senior housing and an independent and helpful personality seemed to contribute significantly to compression of morbidity and to reduced need for long-term institutional care. (JAC)

Examined the use of informal and formal support networks and factors associated with their use among older rural adults from different socioeconomic groups. For each group, three patterns of network use were identified. Formal service use among the poor group was limited to situations of extreme need. (Author/BL)

Examined attention given in 185 studies to individual differences and empirical patterns of variability reported in studies presenting measures of dispersion (43 percent of gerontological studies reviewed and 24 percent of developmental studies reviewed). Most gerontological studies presenting data reported increases in variability with increasing…

Examined the hypothesis that the variability between adults increases with the age of the population. Conducted two reviews to ascertain the status of the empirical support for this hypothesis. Neither literature search provided any convincing confirmation of this hypothesis. Cites implications of this finding for professionals in gerontology.…

Studied participation in Elderhostel, an innovative on-campus educational experience for older adults. Investigated the motivations for initial and returning participation among a statewide survey sample of 496 elderhostelers. Results indicated that opportunities for acquiring new knowledge, traveling to new places, and trying new experiences were…

Describes the development of a taxonomy of social and psychological well-being for 900 elderly small town residents. Compares the four largest groups (partially engaged, fully engaged, disengaged, and frail) in terms of mental and physical health, contact with others, and activity. (JAC)

Investigated changes in subjective age in 323 older Mexican Americans and Anglo Americans. Results showed those whose subjective age increased from young or middle-aged to old were generally less educated, older, and in poorer health. No significant differences were found between those whose subjective ages decreased or remained old. (JAC)

Studied predictors of longevity among 252 panelists in a 25-year longitudinal study of aging. The strongest independent predictors for men were health self-rating, work satisfaction, and performance intelligence; for women they were health satisfaction, and physical function rating. (Author)

Contends persistent heterogenity observed among older adults indicates aging processes are the synergistic products of biological, psychosocial, and cultural factors. Asserts evidence of modifiability promotes consideration of alternative policies regarding the construction of alternative futures for older adults and aging societies. (Author/ABL)

Offers survey-derived demographic, disability characteristic, living setting, and health and social service receipt and need information on 7,823 developmentally disabled persons age 53 and older. Additional information is presented by age groups and residential settings. Both similarities and dissimilarities were noted between elders in general…

Presented utilization profiles for community services and activities for psychologically vulnerable (N=59) and well (N=643) elderly residents of small towns. The vulnerable group walked and rode with others more often. Few significant differences were found on frequency of service use, but the well group participated in activities more often.…