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Psychological Changes of Ageing - Coggle Diagram
Psychological Changes of Ageing
Effects on confidence + self-esteem
Confidence + self-esteem is not fixed: can experience highs and lows during lifespan
May increase due to feeling their life is more settled + have achieved many life goals
Reach a certain level in their job
Own their house
Having raised a family, may have grandchildren
Enjoying a fulfilling retirement
Can mean loss of confidence
Physical effects of ageing make daily tasks difficult or impossible
Feel marginalised by a society that places great emphasis on material possessions + position in life
People who had a high status job may now feel worthless as they no longer have that function
If they have a state pension they may struggle to cope financially
Effects of social change
How roles change
Majority enjoy effective social networks
1 in 5 experience a degree of isolation
Provides more opportunity for contact with grandchildren + other relatives
More likely to vote than any other age group
More interest in politics + community issues
An individuals who view themselves as the 'head of the family', the provider + decision maker, find it difficult to adjust to their children taken over these roles
Death of a partner
Loss, grief + bereavement can changes like anxiety, depression + change of status
Can bring a sense of loss which impacts a person's sense of safety + security
Loss of intimacy = additional sense of deep pain + despair
Loss of long-term relationships particularly difficult as people may have a self-concept as a couple + lost a sense of who they are as individual
Being along will impact negatively on self-image + self-esteem which may result in not wanting to live on alone
Death of friends
Source of grief, stress + losing social support networks can lead to a sense of isolation + not being useful
Sense of one's own mortality which can lead to depression
Increase in leisure time
For many retirement = freedom
May engage in physical leisure activities
Gardening is very popular for people between 50 and 70
Enjoyable social + mental activities e.g. taking college courses
National Statistics Online (2006) 51% of people between 60 and 69 participated in some form of learning
Financial concerns
Some people over 65 own their own homes
May who rent are trying to cope with rising rents and maintaining the property
Financial concerns
Stressful as prices rise
Household bills
Heating
Effects of culture, religion + beliefs
Some maintain a happy + positive outlook on life despite serious physical health problems
Others are depressed or withdrawn despite having relatively good physical health
How people react to change depends on their attitudes + believes which are influenced by social issues like culture + religion
Traditionally family member's look after older people
In contemporary society, care is provided by the welfare sate or private or voluntary organisations
Sheltered housing facilities allow independence which individuals are in care + necessary supervision to keep safe
Britain's most common view on loss is something to be feared
Equality Act 2010 aimed to prevent ageism in society, it is the most common form of discrimination
Negative stereotypes
Negative effect on care + wellbeing of older people
Social disengagement theory
1961: Cumming + Henry proposed older people naturally withdraw from social involvement as they get older.
Concluded: older people naturally withdraw from social involvement as they get older
Restricted opportunities to interact with others
Cumming 1963: older people experience reduced social contract + becoming increasingly 'individual' + less concerned with others' expectations
Concluded: appropriate + healthy behaviour + part of ageing
Disengagement: withdraw from involvement
Bromley (1974): some individuals fight the process al the way, disengagement of some sort is bound to happen - doesn't have the same mental + physical resources as when they were young
Little statistical evidence to support this view
Majority of people remain socially active + involved with family + friends
May spend time with people they are close with rather than seeking new friends
Bromley (1966): needed disengagement but not too far
Encouraged against negative attitudes + fixed habits
Important to remain mentally active, interest in life + enjoy company of others
Theory created in the 1960s were there was no internet, mobile phones or texts to allow people to maintain contact
Activity theory
Robert Havighurst in 1960s
Older people adjust to the ageing process
Social + psychological needs remain the same
Satisfied by joining social groups, charity work + learning a new skill
Many look forward to retirement
Physically + socially active = reduced risk of illness + increasing longevity
Telling their life story, reminiscing + reviewing life = help self -esteem + confidence
Coleman (1994): some types of reminiscence therapy can help people cope with aging
Everyone's needs are different