This longitudinal analysis examines changes in voluntary association participation levels over a four-year period using data from the Duke Adaptation Study (N=374) and over a two and one-half year period using data from Oberlin, Ohio (N=104). The findings showed the extent of participation was high in both samples. (Author)

A survey of 137 older persons from the mailing list of a multipurpose senior center found that participants and nonparticipants in the center's activities did not differ in terms of their life satisfaction. Life satisfaction was predicted by the respondents' activity level, financial status, and health status. (Author)

Patterns of friendship among intellectually intact nursing home patients were studied about relationships with other nursing home residents, staff, volunteers, and friends outside the institution. Findings demonstrated two-thirds of the patient-respondents named residents as friends, two-thirds named staff, and one-half named volunteers. Presented…

The relationship of family variables to locus of control, under the hypothesis that a larger and more cohesive family provides greater reinforcement for the elderly person's actions was investigated. Elderly persons (N=200) aged 60-90 were interviewed at home and given Rotter's I-E scale. In a regression analysis, after removing effects of age and…

Combining behavior analysis and behavioral ecology principles is considered in regard to gerontological research and application. For the behavior analyst, the basic unit of understanding is the person's behavior in its functional context. Issues related to extending this level of analysis are discussed from a behavioral ecological perspective.…

The affective quality of relationships between noninstitutionalized white, elderly (65+) parents and their adult (21+) children was explored through interviews with 54 parent-child pairs. The health and the attitude toward aging indicator were found to be statistically significantly related to the family relationship indicator. (Author)

Family involvement is compared with friendship and neighboring to determine which has a greater impact upon the personal morale of the 409 elderly widows who were surveyed. Contact with family members, does little to elevate morale, while friendship-neighboring is clearly related to less loneliness and worry. (Author)

Young and middle-aged adults contrast with aged adults in their reactions to sudden economic expansion in a small town favored by many as their retirement community. During anthropological research in this community, conflicts between various age strata were noted to be more intense when persons are strangers. (Author)

The social network of elderly blacks was compared with whites in a sample of 241 ambulatory persons interviewed in congregate settings in a planning district of a border Southern state. Questions were asked about monthly patterns of social interaction, such as visiting and phone contacts with children, other kin, neighbors, friends, involvement in…

The interactional aspects of support within social networks of the elderly were investigated with a particular focus on the role which reciprocal exchanges play in defining the nature of the support channeled along the links in the network. The sample consisted of 50 adults, 55-83 years of age, living in an urbanized region of North Carolina.…

Although studies of social contact and mutual aid between the elderly and their children suggest impressive potentials for family supports, much less is known of this potential in a situation of illness and dependency. The family's potential at that stage when the older person's health deteriorates to the point that some external support is…

A study investigated whether the interactive behaviors of elderly individuals were significantly influenced by their environment. The key to the investigation was the notion that human interaction can function to aid elderly individuals as they adapt to aging. Subjects were individuals over 65 years of age living in one of three separate…