Questionnaires were administered to a sample of adults to assess the extent of social distance between people of different ages. The findings suggest that the greater the age difference (younger or older) between people, the greater the social distance they feel. (Author)

Drawings of one man at four ages, 20, 40, 60, 80 were presented to 180 children (preschool-sixth grade) in a structured interview situation in order to assess knowledge of and attitudes toward age and the elderly. Development of the concept of old follows a cognitive-developmental sequence. (Author)

This paper, presented at the Gerontological Society meeting, October 1975, Louisville, examines the hypothesis that attitudinal differences between age groups will vary by type of community. Comparisons are made of 24 attitude scale scores by 224 young-old persons and 42 old-old persons. More differences were found in the urban groups. (Author)

Responses from 331 elderly mothers and 261 elderly fathers were compared on four indexes of filial responsibility expectations with significant gender differences being found in two of the four measures. The findings indicate that women in this cohort tend to expect more filial support than do their male counterparts. (Author)

Adolescents' attitudes toward aged were positive, regardless of age. Contact with grand-parents and more positive attitudes were found in middle class compared to lower class, and among whites compared to nonwhites. Questionnaires were given to all 9th and 12th grade students in a rural high school (N=413). (Author)

Operant principles were used to design an activity for a group of handicapped, elderly women in a home for the aged; the activity was monitored to study its impact on their levels of participation and social interaction. Results are described. (Author)

Restoration of a major social role to institutionalized aged through a program of social interaction and socialization with adult mentally retarded is described and evaluated. The over-all findings encourage this innovative opportunity for institutionalized aged. (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…

This exploratory investigation tests the applicability of constructs developed in ethnic contact studies to intergenerational contact. The attitudes of young subjects deteriorated significantly after one semester of classroom interaction with elderly fellow students. Factors operant in the deterioration of attitudes as well as limitations in the…

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)

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)

This study explored personal reports of problematic experiences with friends and family, agencies, and neighborhoods encountered by 402 older people living in two urban communities. Older people reported relatively few instances of victimization, with neighborhood problems presenting the greatest concern. Socioeconomic factors were the best…

A senior center activities program was made accessible to nursing home patients through a project called Centercare. Nursing home patients (N=144) from seven different institutions made 4370 senior center visits over a 33-month period. Project results indicate a senior center can successfully provide the institutionalized elderly with social and…