Psychotherapy with Older Men

by Vacha-haase; Tammi

• ISBN13: 9780415998635
• ISBN10: 0415998638
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2010-08-10
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Society imposes a strict masculinity construct on boys and men, dictating how they are expected to behave as a "real man," including the idea that they should not display weakness through mental and emotional issues. As men age, however, it becomes increasingly difficult and even impossible for them to fulfill this role due to the limitations that aging imposes; thus, elderly men may feel ashamed of their seeming inability to cope with these changes while maintaining their traditional male identities, especially regarding physical and mental illness. This book intends to highlight the resulting social stigma older men experience by exploring the context of their lives, the challenges they face, and the clinical process of helping them in counseling and psychotherapy.Vacha-Haase, Wester, and Christianson present the newest research findings for the clinical treatment of older men. They begin with a discussion to help the reader understand the older man in the context of society, gender, and aging. The next part of the book focuses on the psychological issues that are common areas of difficulty for older men, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, with a specific focus on symptoms, conception, and best-practice interventions for specific clinical challenges. Each chapter begins with a case example, providing a description and personal context for the reader, and includes a description of the disorder, common symptoms, assessment techniques, and treatment approaches. Finally, future directions for the treatment of the older male population are discussed. With the population of men above the age of 65 rapidly increasing, this is a timely book that is sure to be a highly useful resource for the mental health practitioner.

Author Biography

Tammi Vacha-Haase, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Colorado State University. Stephen R. Wester, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Heidi Powell Christianson, PhD, is an instructor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword	p. xiii
Preface	p. xvii
Acknowledgments	p. xxiii
Life as an Older Man	p. 1
Masculine Scripts	p. 2
Disengagement Theory	p. 5
Social Stereotypes: Ageism and Devaluation	p. 5
Cohort Phenomenon	p. 7
Developmental Aspects of Aging	p. 9
Conclusion	p. 13
Gender and Aging	p. 15
Masculinity and Later Life	p. 16
Theories of Masculinity	p. 18
Theories of Aging	p. 23
Aging and Gender	p. 28
Conclusion	p. 30
Therapeutic Considerations in Working With Older Men	p. 33
Reluctance to Seek Help Through Psychotherapy	p. 35
Begin With a Strong Foundation of Basic Clinical Skills	p. 36
Multicultural Masculinity	p. 41
Dealing With Difference	p. 47
The Psychotherapeutic Process	p. 49
Conclusion	p. 56
Transitions and Life Adjustments	p. 59
Retirement: Changes in Identity, Finances, Leisure, and Relationships	p. 60
Options for Living Arrangements	p. 67
End-of-Life Issues	p. 68
Conclusion	p. 75
Depression	p. 77
Older Men and Depression	p. 80
Description of the Disorder	p. 81
Effective Screening and Assessment	p. 83
Psychotherapy and Treatment Approaches	p. 86
Conclusion	p. 89
Anxiety	p. 91
Men and Late-Life Anxiety	p. 92
Description of the Disorder	p. 94
Effective Screening and Assessment	p. 95
Psychotherapy and Additional Treatment Options	p. 98
Conclusion	p. 102
Health, Chronic Physical Illness, and Disability	p. 103
Defining Health and Illness	p. 104
Disability, Chronic Illness, and Pain	p. 105
Effective Screening and Assessment	p. 108
Psychotherapy and Additional Treatment Options	p. 110
Conclusion	p. 115
Management of Substance Use and Abuse	p. 117
Alcohol Use	p. 118
Prescription, Over-the-Counter, and Illicit Drugs	p. 119
Description of the Disorder	p. 120
Effective Screening and Assessment Techniques	p. 122
Psychotherapy and Additional Treatment Approaches	p. 126
Conclusion	p. 131
Cognitive Impairment	p. 233
Cognitive Functioning	p. 134
Dementia, Caregiving, and Gender	p. 142
Addressing Masculinity and Potential Loss of Role Functioning Due to Cognitive Impairment	p. 144
Capacity Assessment and Gender Role Socialization	p. 146
Conclusion	p. 148
Concluding Thoughts on Psychotherapy With Older Men	p. 149
Competence in Working With Older Adults	p. 150
Future Directions	p. 151
Appendix: Recommended Resources	p. 153
References	p. 155
Index	p. 179
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