A statewide sample of 234 individuals, 70 years of age or older, was employed to assess the nature and prominence of intimate friendships in the social world of aged men and women. There was little sexual differentiation in the characteristics of intimate friendships in late life. (Author)

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)

Examined the differential effect of kinship and friendship relationships on the life satisfaction of older people. The data indicated the relatively greater importance of friends over grandchildren for maintaining morale in old age. (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)

This study investigated the feelings and concerns of 64 elderly persons, as revealed by a projective instrument, in relation to number and sex of siblings. The number and proportion of female siblings were found to have a greater influence than male siblings on the elderly's feelings and concerns. (Author)

This exploratory study examines relative effects of individual, client, and organizational characteristics on stereotypes of the aged held by nursing home administrators. Data from 45 administrators suggest client characteristics may be more important than personal or organizational dimensions in explaining variation in perceptions of the aged.…

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)

The social world of the aged SRO tenant is described and analyzed. Characteristic features include an impoverishment of social roles and relationships which result in a "world of strangers." Dominant norms of SRO life which preclude the establishment of intimacy are examined; these include prescriptive norms of privacy, freedom, and…

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…