Successful aging, coping and learning: a case study of two diverse groups of older adults

Two groups of older adults, retired teachers and low income housing elderly, exhibiting a diverse response to measures of life satisfaction and readiness for self-directed learning, were examined through twelve case studies in order to describe, generally and personally, the constructs of meaning for being old and the dynamics involved in defining and demonstrating successful aging and adaptation to the later years. The studies' findings included: (a) Health and functional status was a core construct that interacted significantly with satisfaction, engagement, coping, identity, and successful aging. (b) Ego integrity was found to be a process that included both developmental and transpersonal dimensions and to be dependent on ongoing coping and adaptation to late life change and loss. As such, it was concluded that successful aging rather than successful living was being described and demonstrated by the study sample. (c) Continuity of personal identity determined much of the subject's self concept and life style until a change in health and functional status forced an acknowledgement and integration of an age identity. (d) Four factors were found to define and demonstrate successful aging in the sample.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Adult and Continuing Education

Department dc:contributor.department

Adult and Continuing Education

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1990

Author dc:creator

• Wacks, V. Quinton

Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair

• Cline, Marvin G.
• Stubblefield, Harold

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• McKeen, Ronald L.
• Robertson-Tchabo, E.A.
• Wiswell, Albert K.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-07102007-142512

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/38743