This study is based on original research that explored family reaction to the death of an elderly husband and father. We interviewed 34 families (a family included a widow and two adult biological children) approximately 6 to 10 months after the death. In one-on-one interviews, we discussed family members' initial reaction to the death, how the…

The coping styles of four ethnic groups of older adults in response to negative life events were analyzed in a population-based study of 1118 residents of Brooklyn, New York. Using a molecular approach, data regarding the context of events and the corresponding coping responses was obtained. Open-ended semi-structured interviews allowed…

The study aimed at making a theory-driven inventory of end-of-life preferences. Participants were asked about a variety of preferences representing all eight motivational states described in Apter's Metamotivational Theory (AMT; Apter, 2001). Data from a convenience sample of 965 community participants and a convenience sample of 81 persons…

The present study examined what older people regret, and the relationships between regret, health and life satisfaction. The study also explored the role of secondary interpretive control beliefs in relation to regret. Participants (N = 228; 79-98 years old) were asked to report on the content and frequency of their regret, secondary interpretive…

The present research examined the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic goal attainment on older adults' ego-integrity, psychological well-being, and death attitudes. Hypotheses were derived from Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000; Vansteenkiste, Ryan, & Deci, in press). Study 1 (N = 202, Mean age = 68.2 years) indicated that, after…

The study reports on factors predicting the longevity of 328 people over the age of 65 drawn from an English city and followed over 20 years. Both the reported activities score and the individual's comparative evaluation of their own level of activity independently reduced the risk of death, even when health and cognitive status were taken into…

Although many elderly people live for years in nursing homes, death certificates routinely obliterate nursing home residence. Data from records of 1 proprietary nursing home showed that of 128 residents, from 45 percent to 66 percent could be classified as permanent residents, depending on definition. Death certificates for those 128 residents…

Examined two issues of pet ownership in mail questionnaire and interview survey of 1,595 older adults over age 60, 377 of whom had a pet. Found evidence that pets were important determinant of housing choice. Many elderly pet owners had made no arrangements for pet if they predecease it or become unable to care for it. (Author/NB)

Explored relationship between elderly women's (N=145) death anxiety, purposefulness, and personal experience of time. Results indicated high death anxiety was associated with less purposefulness, sense of harrassment and pressure by time, discontinuity and lack of direction in lives, inclination to procrastinate, and disposition towards being…

Examined survival rates after retirement in a large corporation. A regression analysis was performed to control for age, sex, job status, and type of work differences that may influence longevity. Short-term suvivors seemed to undergo a different adjustment process than long-term survivors. (Author/ABL)

Interviewed older adults before and after three types of bereavement/loss: attachment bereavement (child, spouse, parent), nonattachment bereavement (sibling, grandchild, friend), and other losses (nonbereavement). Five measures of health were used. Results suggest that older adult sample handled bereavements and other losses with minimal…

Compared residualized Kendrick Battery scores, measures of affect, and measures of organicity among 53 elderly persons to determine measures' ability to differentiate elderly persons who survived and those who did not. Results suggest that Kendrick Battery subtests, measures of depression and organicity, in combination with length of…

Examined effects of age on distribution of life events experienced during past year by adults (N=3,798). Percentage of respondents reporting each of 19 events ranged from 0.5 percent for death of spouse to 19.1 percent for death of loved one. Age was important predictor in controlled analysis for 13 life events examined. (Author/NB)

Examined Rotter's Internal-External locus of control concept in relation to life satisfaction and death anxiety in aged population (N=122). Found strong gender and locus of control effect for life satisfaction. For death anxiety, found strong gender effect and significant interaction between locus of control and age. Suggests need for life span…

Examined the perception that men, specifically aging men, are more emotionally distressed than aging women by their spouse's death. Presents data from a random probability community mental health survey (N=163). Findings do not support the perception that aging widowers experience more emotional problems during bereavement than do aging widows.…