Women and Positive Aging (eBook)

Front Cover 1
Women and Positive Aging 4
Copyright Page 5
Contents 8
Authors 14
Preface 16
Acknowledgments 18
I. The Psychology of Women’s Aging 20
1 Older Women and Their Mental Health Needs 22
Women and Harmonious Aging 23
Aging Women’s Resources and Mental Health 24
Women’s Later-Life Role Transitions 25
Social Power, Empowerment, and Coping of Older Women 26
“Mind-Body” Connection in Aging Women’s Mental Health 27
Factors Determining Aging Women’s Mental Health Outcomes 29
Role of Culture in Aging Women’s Positive Mental Health 31
Societal “Messages” of Women’s Positive Aging 32
Summary 34
Discussion Questions 34
Supplemental Book Readings 35
Supplemental Aging Videos 38
Additional Information Links 40
References 40
2 Women’s Resiliency and Psychological Adaptation to Aging 46
Aging Women’s Social Roles and Resiliency 47
The Ecology of Women’s Positive Aging 50
Generativity and Personal Growth 52
Positive Resilience as a Learning Process within a Cultural Context 54
Positive Cultural Attitudes and Influences 56
Gerotranscendance and Spirituality 57
Educating about Personal Resiliency Strategies 58
Summary 59
Discussion Questions 59
Supplemental Book Readings 60
Supplemental Aging Videos 62
Additional Information Links 63
References 63
3 Aging Self-Acceptance for Women 70
Cultural Roles and Aging Self-Acceptance 70
Physical Aging Self-Acceptance 71
Societal Feedback about Women’s Aging 72
Personal Adjustment, Self-Forgiveness, and Self-Acceptance 73
Life Role Transitions 75
Positive Psychosocial Adjustment and Self-Actualization 77
Realistic Aging and Sense of Self 79
Summary 82
Discussion Questions 82
Supplemental Book Readings 83
Supplemental Aging Videos 85
Additional Information Links 85
References 86
4 Aging Women and Mental Aerobics 90
Older Women and Mental Aerobics 90
Self-Regulation Theory and Older Women’s Cognitive Engagement 92
Mental Aerobic Interventions with Older Women 93
Mental Aerobics as a Preventative or Rehabilitative Factor for Aging Women 93
Later-Life Health Correlates with Mental Engagement Activities for Women 94
Summary 96
Discussion Questions 96
Supplemental Book Readings 97
Supplemental Aging Videos 98
Additional Information Links 99
References 100
II. Physical Health in Women’s Aging 104
5 Physical Changes and Self-Perceptions in Women’s Aging 106
Aging Women and Their Body Image 106
Psychological Mechanisms and Cognitive Biases That Influence Self-Perceptions 108
The “Culture” of Youth 110
Summary 112
Discussion Questions 113
Supplemental Book Readings 114
Supplemental Aging Videos 115
Additional Information Links 115
References 116
6 Aging Women and Health Longevity 120
Income 121
Social Support 123
Education 125
Healthy Choices: Smoking and Physical Activity 126
Physical Activity 126
Smoking Behavior 127
Interventions 128
Summary 130
Discussion Questions 130
Supplemental Book Readings 131
Supplemental Aging Videos 133
Additional Information Links 134
References 134
7 Importance of Daily Physical Activity for Older Women 140
Being Active Is a Quality-of-Life Issue 140
The Influence of Physical Activity on the Brain 142
The Influence of Physical Activity on the Body 143
Factors That Support Physical Activity 144
Sense of Community 144
Motivation 146
Barriers to Working Out 147
Recommendations/Interventions 149
Summary 151
Discussion Questions 151
Supplemental Book Readings 153
Supplemental Aging Videos 153
Additional Information Links 154
References 154
III. Women’s Diverse Aging Experiences 160
8 Diversity among Older Women 162
Diversity and Quality-of-Life Perceptions 165
Women’s Race, Culture, and Ethnicity Factors in Getting Older 167
Generational Experiences Shaping Women’s Aging 168
Societal Status for Older Women 168
Changing Living Situations with Aging 169
Sexuality and Gender Identity in Later Life 170
Education Access 170
Quality-of-Life Factors 171
Summary 175
Discussion Questions 176
Supplemental Book Readings 177
Supplemental Aging Videos 179
Additional Information Links 179
References 179
9 Expansion of Women’s Roles in Later Life 188
Expanded Role Duration 189
Multiple Social Roles in “Balance” 191
Within-Role Task Expansion 194
Summary 196
Discussion Questions 196
Supplemental Book Readings 197
Supplemental Aging Videos 198
Additional Information Links 199
References 199
10 The Role of Social Relationships for Aging Women 204
The Importance of a Strong Social Support System 204
Theories about Social Relationships in Aging Adults 205
The Quality and Function of Social Support 207
The Importance of Social Support on Physical and Mental/Cognitive Health 208
Social Network Interventions 211
Summary 212
Discussion Questions 212
Supplemental Book Readings 213
Supplemental Aging Videos 215
Additional Information Links 215
References 216
11 Women’s Sexuality in Later Life 220
Older Women and Sexual Engagement 220
Barriers to Older Women’s sexual activity 222
Biology of Women’s Later-Life Sexual Desire 224
Positive Supports for Older Women’s Sexuality 227
Summary 229
Discussion Questions 229
Supplemental Book Readings 230
Supplemental Aging Videos 231
Additional Information Links 231
References 232
IV. Aging Women’s Roles in Society 236
12 Women’s Economic Health and Work/Retirement in Later Life 238
Issues Related to Retirement 238
The Psychological Function of Work 239
Positively Aging at the Workplace 241
Advantages of a Mature Worker 241
Stereotypes of the Mature Worker 242
On-the-Job Factors that Influence the Aging Worker 244
Extending Career Work Life Expectancy 244
Factors to Consider 245
Remaining Updated 247
Summary 248
Discussion Questions 249
Supplemental Book Readings 250
Supplemental Aging Videos 251
Additional Information Links 252
References 252
13 Breaking Stereotypes of Aging Women 256
Stereotypes Impacting Positive Aging 256
Why Are Stereotypes Harmful? 260
What Can We Do to Combat These Stereotypes? 262
Summary 263
Discussion Questions 264
Supplemental Book Readings 265
Supplemental Aging Videos 266
Additional Information Links 266
References 267
14 Civic Engagement and the Power of Older Women 270
Benefits of Older Women’s Civic Engagement to Aging Women 271
Benefit of Intergenerational Learning and Mentoring 271
Benefit of Extended Social Support Resources 272
Benefit of Active Social Participation 273
Benefit of Having a “Voice” in Politics and Community Activities 274
Benefit of Positive “Role Models” of Aging 274
Benefit of Mentoring from Experienced Older Adults 274
Empowerment of Older Women 279
Summary 279
Discussion Questions 280
Supplemental Book Readings 281
Supplemental Aging Videos 282
Additional Information Links 282
References 283
15 Public Policies and the Next Steps in the Evolution of Women’s Aging 288
Changing Definition of “Quality-of-Life” Standards for Older Women Across the World 289
Evolving Definition of “Later Adulthood” as a Public Policy Concept 289
Shifting Social Image of an “Older Woman” in Different Cultures 290
Specific Issues of Public Policy Supports 291
Financial Protections and Resources 292
Housing and Transportation 292
Health Care Coverage 294
Eldercare Resources and Caregiver Supports 295
Future Workplace Changes, Training, and Job Security 296
Summary 298
Discussion Questions 298
Supplemental Book Readings 299
Aging Videos 301
Additional Information Links 302
References 302
Appendix A: Aging Knowledge and Attitude Surveys 308
Appendix B: List of National and International Support Resources by Topic 320
Index 346
Back Cover 353