Reasons for living across the lifespan

This study examined gender and age-related differences in reasons for living, using a sample of 50 young adults (M = 20.2), 53 middle-aged adults (M = 49.3), and 55 older adults ( M = 78.5). Participants completed a combined version of the Reasons for Living Inventory, the Reasons for Living Inventory for Younger Adults, and the Reasons for Living Inventory for Older Adults. Although no gender differences emerged in reasons for living, younger adults placed more importance on fear of social disapproval, moral objections, survival and coping skills, peer acceptance, survival and coping beliefs, fear of suicide, and future optimism than did middle-aged adults and more importance on future optimism, survival and coping beliefs, peer acceptance, and future optimism than older adults. Older adults rated fear of social disapproval, moral objections, and peer acceptance as more important than middle-aged adults. Implications of these findings in the areas of suicide prevention, assessment, and treatment are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

MA

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2001

Author dc:creator

• Koven, Lesley P.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Barry Edelstein.
• Julie Hicks Patrick
• Stanley Cohen

• Clinical psychology
• Developmental psychology

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/868

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-1871