Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences

by Binstock, Robert H.; George, Linda K.; Marshall, Victor W.; O'Rand, Angela M.; Schultz, James H.; Binstock, Robert H.

• ISBN13: 9780120991945
• ISBN10: 0120991942
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-07-01
• Publisher: Academic Pr

Summary

The Fifth Editionof the Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciencesreflects the growth of ideas, information, and research literature in the social aspects of aging. Building upon the first four editions, the Handbookis substantially expanded with eleven new topics, including the demography of aging, the social psychology of health, social support, chronic care, and role transitions in aging. Fourteen additional chapters on the main avenues of research in social science and aging round out the volume. Intended for use by researchers, professional practitioners, and students in the field of aging, the Handbookis divided into four sections, covering theory and research methodology, aging and social structure, social factors and social institutions associated with aging, and social interventions. Suitable as both a textbook and a reference tool, the Handbookis a comprehensive source for information on aging and the social sciences.

Table of Contents

Contributors and Editors	xiii
Foreword	xvi
Preface	xviii
About the Editors	xxi
Part One Theory and Methods
Concepts and Theories of Aging: Beyond Microfication in Social Science Approaches
Gunhild O. Hagestad
Dale Dannefer
Aging and the Social Sciences: Theoretical Challenges	3	(3)
Understanding Age, Aging, and the Old: The Promises and Problems of a Life-Course Perspective	6	(9)
Concluding Remarks	15	(7)
References	16	(6)
Quantitative Approaches: Longitudinal Methods in the Study of Human Development and Aging
Duane F. Alwin
Richard T. Campbell
Introduction	22	(2)
Elements of Longitudinal Research Design	24	(7)
Aging, Development, and Time Dependence	31	(5)
Cohort Differences and Historical Time	36	(1)
Spatiality and Context	37	(1)
Conclusions	38	(6)
References	39	(5)
Person-Centered Methods for Understanding Aging: The Integration of Numbers and Narratives
Burton Singer
Carol D. Ryff
Introduction	44	(2)
Case Example 1: Gender Differences in Scientific Productivity	46	(3)
Case Example 2: Narratives as Part of an Analytical Strategy	49	(6)
Case Example 3: Identifying Subpopulations for In-Depth Study	55	(4)
Implications	59	(11)
References	63	(7)
Part Two Aging and Social Structure
Demography of Aging: A Century of Global Change, 1950-2050
Mark D. Hayward
Zhenmei Zhang
Population Aging: An International Demographic Phenomenon	70	(2)
Fertility and Mortality Data for United Nations Estimates and Projections	72	(2)
Population Age Structures around the World	74	(2)
Fertility and Mortality Changes Driving Changes in Age Structure	76	(5)
Implications of the Demographic Revolution for Population Health	81	(1)
Summary	82	(4)
References	84	(2)
Economic and Social Implications of Demographic Patterns
William J. Serow
Introduction	86	(1)
Demographic Determinants of Population Aging	86	(7)
The Critical Variable: Age Structure	93	(4)
Some Economic Questions and Current Answers	97	(2)
Summary and Conclusions: How the Free-Market Economy Will Respond to Population Aging	99	(4)
References	100	(3)
Geographical Distribution and Migration
Charles F. Longino, Jr.
Introduction	103	(1)
Geographical Distribution	104	(2)
Migration	106	(13)
Future Research Priorities	119	(6)
References	120	(5)
Age, Aging, and Anthropology
Charlotte Ikels
Cynthia M. Beall
Retrospective and Prospective	125	(2)
Reshaping the Field	127	(4)
The New Anthropology of Age and Aging	131	(5)
The Future Anthropology of Age and Aging	136	(5)
References	137	(4)
Historical Perspectives on Aging and Family Relations
Tamara K. Hareven
The Life-Course Perspective	141	(6)
Generational Supports over the Life Course	147	(4)
The Role of Extended Kin and Nonkin	151	(1)
The Impact of Social Change	152	(8)
References	155	(5)
Race, Ethnicity, and Aging
David R. Williams
Colwick M. Wilson
Growth of the Minority Elderly	160	(1)
Heterogeneity of the Minority Elderly	161	(1)
The Socioeconomic Circumstances of Minority Elders	162	(3)
Health and Well-Being of Minority Elderly	165	(6)
Social Resources of the Minority Elderly: Family, Religious, and Informal Support	171	(2)
Future Trends and Research Needs	173	(6)
References	174	(5)
The Gendered Life Course
Phyllis Moen
Introduction	179	(1)
Gendered Processes: Life-Course Patterns	180	(4)
Retirement as a Gendered Life-Course Process	184	(3)
Health and Psychological Well-Being	187	(1)
Conclusions	188	(9)
References	190	(7)
Stratification and the Life Course: The Forms of Life-Course Capital and Their Interrelationships
Angela M. O'Rand
Introduction	197	(1)
Capital over the Life Course: Evolutionary and Social Bases	198	(2)
The Heuristic Value of the Concept of ``Capital'' for Life-Course Research	200	(2)
The Dynamic Interdependence of Forms of Capital over the Life Course	202	(2)
Macro-Micro Links of Capital: Community, Institutional, and Moral Capital	204	(5)
Conclusions	209	(8)
References	210	(7)
Part Three Social Factors and Social Institutions
The Social Psychology of Health
Linda K. George
Major Traditions of Social Psychological Theory and Research	217	(3)
Symptom Appraisal and Attribution	220	(2)
Self-Related Health	222	(3)
Self-Care, Lay Consultation, and Help Seeking	225	(4)
The Mediating Role of the Self	229	(3)
Final Thoughts and Future Directions	232	(6)
References	233	(5)
Caregiving by Adult Children: Involvement, Role Disruption, and Health
Leonard I. Pearlin
Mark F. Pioli
Amy E. McLaughlin
Introduction	238	(4)
Background and Sample	242	(1)
Key Concepts and Their Measures	243	(2)
Results	245	(6)
Implications	251	(4)
References	253	(2)
Work and Retirement
John C. Henretta
Introduction	255	(1)
Trends in Labor Force Participation	256	(2)
Individuation of the Life Course and Changing Employment	258	(1)
Changing Pension Types and Uses	259	(2)
Late Career Employment Changes	261	(4)
Will Older Workers Remain in the Labor Force Longer?	265	(1)
Research and Data Issues for the Next Decade	266	(7)
References	267	(6)
Social Support
Neal Krause
What Is Social Support?	273	(1)
How Does Social Support Affect Health and Well-Being	273	(8)
Social Support in Religious Settings	281	(4)
Socioeconomic Status and Social Support	285	(5)
Conclusions	290	(5)
References	290	(5)
The Aging Self in Social Contexts
Roseann Giarrusso
J. Beth Mabry
Vern L. Bengtson
Cross-Fertilization of Life-Course and Social Psychological Perspectives	295	(3)
How Social Contexts Influence Self-Esteem-The Affective Component of the Self	298	(4)
How Social Contexts Influence Self-Descriptions of Who You are-The Cognitive Component of the Self	302	(3)
How Social Contexts Are Influenced by the Self	305	(2)
Directions for Future Research	307	(6)
References	309	(4)
Aging and Role Transitions
Kenneth F. Ferraro
Fifty Years of Research on Role Transitions	313	(3)
The Impact of Role Transitions	316	(6)
Contemporary Models for Role Transitions	322	(3)
Future Research Directions	325	(8)
References	326	(7)
Part Four Aging and Social Intervention
Aging and Politics
Robert H. Binstock
Jill Quadagno
Introduction	333	(1)
Voting Behavior	334	(3)
Organized Political Action	337	(2)
Power and Impact on Policy	339	(2)
The Changing Political Context of Old-Age Policies	341	(4)
Issues for Further Research	345	(7)
References	346	(6)
Economic Status of the Elderly
William Crown
Introduction	352	(1)
Poverty among the Elderly-A Subsistence Adequacy Measure	353	(1)
Trends in Income Levels and Composition	354	(4)
Income Distribution of Families and Persons	358	(1)
Composition of Income by Age Cohort	359	(2)
Effects of Taxes and Transfers on Income	361	(2)
The Savings-Consumption Life Cycle, Wealth, and Retirement Income	363	(1)
Policy Implications and Directions for Future Research	364	(5)
References	365	(4)
Economic Security Policies
Eric R. Kingson
John B. Williamson
Introduction	369	(1)
Why Economic Security for the Old?	369	(2)
Approaches to Old-Age Income Security	371	(2)
The Old-Age Income Security System in the United States	373	(3)
Proposals for Reforming Social Security in the United States	376	(5)
Challenges for Researchers	381	(6)
References	383	(4)
The Financing and Organization of Health Care
Juidth Feder
Harriet L. Komisar
Marlene Niefeld
Introduction	387	(1)
Financing and Organization of Medical and Long-Term Care	388	(6)
Issues for the Future	394	(12)
References	403	(3)
Emerging Issues in Chronic Care
Robert L. Kane
Rosalie A. Kane
Chronic Care Paradigm	406	(3)
Philosophies of Care	409	(1)
Elements of Care	410	(3)
Lessons for Care	413	(6)
Conclusions	419	(7)
References	421	(5)
Housing and Living Arrangements: A Transactional Perspective
George L. Maddox
Introduction	426	(2)
Housing and Living Arrangements: A Census Perspective	428	(2)
Housing and Living Arrangements: A Transactional Perspective	430	(5)
Assisted Living Housing: A Strategic Site for a New Research Agenda	435	(9)
References	441	(3)
The End of Life
Anne M. Wilkinson
Joanne Lynn
Introduction	444	(1)
Changes in the Experience of ``Dying'' in the United States	444	(4)
Patients' and Families' Experience of Life at Its End	448	(4)
The Disjuncture between Current Health-Care Arrangements and the Needs of Elderly Dying Patients	452	(3)
The Direction of Current Reforms	455	(7)
References	457	(5)
Emerging Social Trends
Stephen J. Cutler
Jon Hendricks
Introduction	462	(2)
Aging Baby Boomers Are Worldwide	464	(2)
Technology and the Shifting World of Work	466	(3)
Biomedical Technology	469	(2)
The Information Revolution	471	(2)
Ethnicity and Cultural Participation	473	(2)
Contributions of an Older Population	475	(1)
Policy and the Future	476	(5)
References	478	(3)
Author Index	481	(22)
Subject Index	503