Results of interviews with 173 younger and 163 middle-aged and older couples revealed that life strains were more closely linked to patterns of depressive symptoms in younger couples with strains tending to be greatest for couples in which both spouses reported depressive symptoms. (Author)

This study explored personal reports of problematic experiences with friends and family, agencies, and neighborhoods encountered by 402 older people living in two urban communities. Older people reported relatively few instances of victimization, with neighborhood problems presenting the greatest concern. Socioeconomic factors were the best…

Purpose: Pathological gambling is an increasing public health concern, but very little is known about this disorder in older adults. This study evaluated gambling and psychosocial problems across age groups in treatment-seeking gamblers. Design and Methods: At intake to gambling treatment programs, 343 pathological gamblers completed the Addiction…

Data from a national survey of 375,000 persons show that, when only victims are considered, elderly victims are more likely than victims of other ages to suffer from predatory crimes and to be attacked by unarmed, young black male strangers. (Author)

Social policies and programs for aged are characterized by failure to recognize that females predominate among elderly persons. Masculine bias toward independence and disregard for feminine values of relatedness are considered in relation to studies of interdependence of elderly, their families, and communities. Foundations of this bias are found…

The present bibliography contains selected professional, research, and scholarly references regarding the Spanish-speaking elderly from Latin America, Spain, and the United States for the years 1960 to 1977. (Author)

Describes an ethics case conference, examining its structure and the major topics addressed including, competency, informed consent, placement decisions, right to die issues, ageist biases, hospitalization, quality of life, and entitlement issues. Concludes that the care of older patients, the education of students and trainees interested in aging…

Using a newly developed coding method, the Geriatric Interaction Analysis system, the interactions of doctors with a matched sample of older and younger patients were audiotaped and scored. Patients and doctors raised fewer psychosocial issues in interviews with older patients than with younger patients. Doctors also responded less well to these…

Content analyses of case records and follow-up interviews with former clients of hospital social workers explored: (1) the primary social needs dealt with by the social workers; (2) clients' perceptions of their social needs during the hospitalization; (3) clients' perceptions of the social workers role, and satisfaction with social service.…

Argues that ageism fosters oppressive social relations directed at, and constructed in, images of the aged body. Researchers must sensitize themselves to historical and geographical variations of ageism, should focus on the contested nature of the aged body and associated identities, and must reject attempts at universalizing scholarship. (RJM)