Major theories of adult development and learning environment are presented, with criteria for assessing institutional response to adult learners. Two major needs are discussed: an approach to adult learning that is integrated within programs or throughout institutions, and going beyond providing a proper environment to providing skills and…

Interviewed first-time expectant fathers (N=100) regarding factors which contributed or detracted from their emotional readiness for fatherhood. Found factors contributing to readiness for fatherhood included: a sense of stability in the couple's relationship, relative financial security, and a sense of closure to the childless part of the…

Age-related change in manifest dream content was assessed in dreams recalled from REM sleep by (N=58) men aged (27-64), and in dreams recalled from sleep at home. Evidence indicated a small age-related decline in dream distortion and family-related content. (Author)

Focuses on the relationship between social environment and the older individual. By utilizing the Social Breakdown Syndrome a cycle of events is defined by the Geriatric Sexuality Breakdown Syndrome, in which an older individual is initially predisposed to diminished sexual activity to the end point of self-identification as nonsexual. (Author)

Examined the marriage relationship in relation to the personality of the partners and the context within which the relationship exists. Results indicated that both the amount of love expressed and the amount of marriage problems declined from the first stages of marriage to the last. (Author/RC)

Evaluated the psychosocial functioning of recently separated men and women (N=310) ranging in age from 20 to the 70s. Results indicated older respondents exhibited more psychosocial distress than did the younger, whereas sex differences suggested that men and women have different vulnerabilities. (Author/RC)

Developed an instrument to measure levels of identity attainment in mid-life women. Established items for three categories: physical/biological identity, career identity, and interpersonal identity. Includes scales and a t-test. Data suggested an association between identity and various life circumstances. Demonstrates the reliability of the…

The results of this study highlight the cognitive intellectual aspect of the speed of behavior. These findings supplement Hunt's studies of the relationships between speed of cognitive processing and performance of young adults on conventional tests, and emphasize the importance of cognitive speed for subsequent intellectual development. (Author)

Education, not age per se, is related to conservation ability during the adult years. Age differences should not be interpreted as age changes without using the more appropriate designs which separate age and cohort effects. Results emphasize the relationship between education and cognitive abilities among the elderly. (Author)

Explores the relationship between retirement planning and demographic and attitudinal factors. One-third of the sample had planned for retirement. Planning was more common among males and high-status individuals. (Author)

The elderly death rate is somewhat higher than the death rate in general. Numbers of schools with gerontological curricula and frequency of death education courses are positively related to elderly death rates. The contention that elderly deaths have less social impact is not supported. (JAC)

Describes a workshop which addresses itself to the intersection of mid-life changes and faith development, designed for adults engaged in rethinking religious values and for religious leaders responsible for helping adults grow spiritually. (SK)

A suicide potential scale is constructed that fits the Guttman scale criteria. The mean suicide potential scores of various age groups support the cohort model with the exception of individuals 75 and older, where it appears that maturation factors play an important role in explaining suicidal behavior. (Author)

This paper outlines a sequence of age-related developmental stages of the adult years, with a special emphasis on the preretirement period. Age-related life stages are discussed in the context of organizational behavior, the person-organization relationship, and the disengagement processes of retirement. (Author)

Discusses adult individuality and the need to recognize and consider individual differences in adult education. States that the effects of differences experienced over time determine adult value systems. Presents data from author's dissertation study to show one group's value ranges and how no one person can represent the composite data. (MF)