Analysis of religious activities and attitudes in a longitudinal panel of 272 community residents showed there were several significant and substantial correlations between religion and happiness, feelings of usefulness, and adjustment; these correlations also tended to be stronger for older persons and tended to increase over time. (Author)

Discusses life satisfaction, happiness, and morale, three indicators of subjective well-being that have been of particular interest to psychosocial gerontologists. Two problems in the use of such indicators--usage variance and inappropriate assessment level--are examined. Potential solutions to these problems are suggested and discussed briefly.…

Compared the interpersonal involvement and morale of elderly persons residing in the community (N=154) and senior citizen housing (N=78). The senior housing residents had slightly larger and more supportive interpersonal networks but less contact with their closest friends. No differences were found in the two housing groups' life satisfaction.…

Assesses the relationship between informal activity with friends and morale among a sample of Black and White elderly. Results indicated that informal activity with friends has a significant relationship with morale among White elderly, but not among Blacks. (Author)

This study involved 530 nursing staff working in 25 for-profit and nonprofit nursing homes, 2 of which failed to meet residential care standards. Nursing home climate in failed homes was perceived as being significantly lower in human relations and higher in laissez-faire and status orientation dimensions that the climate in the successful homes.…

Studied the effects of relocation on the psychosocial status of institutionalized patients. Found that among certain subgroups of patients, relocation resulted in significant decreases in depression, alienation and distress, and in an improvement in self-concept for all patients regardless of age, sex, or race. (Author/NRB)

This study indicates satisfaction with life in general and with housing in particular is not a short-term result of moving into better housing. At the end of eight years, older people in good housing continued to be happier and better satisfied with life than were similar people elsewhere in the community. (Author/EJT)

Tabular analysis of responses from 595 elderly parents showed their filial responsibility expectations to be inversely associated with morale. Although the low income sample restricts generalizability, the findings suggest that in modern, urban settings high FR expectancies are inconsistent with high levels of morale. Implications for social…

Administered questionnaires on religion and well-being to 836 older adults. Found moderately strong correlations between morale and three religious measures (organizational religious activity, nonorganizational religious activity, intrinsic religiosity). For women and subjects aged 75 and older, religious behaviors and attitudes were particularly…

The view is presented that the kinds of dependent behavior elicited in an institutional setting can be avoided by modifying architectural concepts. Among the findings, which may influence institutional architecture, services, and programs, it was ascertained that the configuration of residence corridors is critical. (Author)

Seeks to determine whether elderly persons in need of long-term care services experience similar alterations in morale as they progressed along a path toward institutionalization. Major hypothesis asserts differential over-time morale response should be observed, and such responses will be related to the adjudged needs of the sample members for…

These interviews, edited from tapes made in the field, convey, albeit optimistically, the harsh realities of poverty and withal, the resilience and strength that some elderly can clearly muster. (Author)

Purpose: We examine the psychometric properties of the Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale (PGMS) in an elderly Chinese population in Hong Kong. Design and Methods: The study consisted of two cohorts: (a) 759 participants aged 70 years and older living in the community who were recruited as part of a territory-wide health survey and interviewed in…

To determine the extent to which multiservice centers serve the varied needs of the senior population, this study examined users of a Senior Center and three groups of nonusers: persons only attending a nutrition site, former center participants, and persons who never participated. Differences were found in life styles. (Author)

Examined effects of short-term, family-oriented supportive therapy program for older veterans with anxiety, depression, or impaired coping mechanisms. Improvement in coping and social skills was noted for program participants, but morale scores improved only for those with normal initial scores, suggesting program is useful only as adjunctive…