Social Integration in the 2nd Half of Life

by Pillemer, Karl; Moen, Phyllis; Wethington, Elaine; Glasgow, Nina

• ISBN13: 9780801864537
• ISBN10: 0801864534
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-12-01
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins Univ Pr

Summary

Social scientists use the term social integration to refer to individuals' connections with others in their environments. The concept and its consequences have been the subject of considerable study. Many researchers have asserted that meaningful and enduring ties to other persons serve as a buffer against stress, and thereby promote physical and mental health. The results are especially pronounced for older persons. Social Integration in the Second Half of Life presents integrative reviews of theory and research on this topic. The editors and contributors, all currently or previously affiliated with the Cornell Gerontology Research Institute, also present new empirical findings of research done at their center. The first section of the book discusses basic theory and principles of social integration in later life and its implications for health. The second, largest section examines specific issues: retirement, driving, family support, housing, neighbors. The third section addresses interventions to promote social integration: transportation, volunteering, and peer support for dementia caregivers. Throughout, the authors focus on the diverging influences of social integration and its converse, social isolation, in later life.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Contributors	xi
Introduction	1	(18)
PART ONE Overview of Major Issues and Approaches
Social Integration and Aging: Background and Trends	19	(29)
Karl Pillemer
Nina Glasgow
Multiple Roles, Social Integration, and Health	48	(27)
Elaine Wethington
Phyllis Moen
Nina Glasgow
Karl Pillemer
PART TWO Social Integration in Major Domains of Later Life
A Life-Course Approach to Retirement and Social Integration	75	(33)
Phyllis Moen
Vivian Fields
Heather E. Quick
Heather Hofmeister
Transportation Transitions and Social Integration of Nonmetropolitan Older Persons	108	(24)
Nina Glasgow
Social Integration and Family Support: Caregivers to Persons with Alzheimer's Disease	132	(26)
Karl Pillemer
J. Jill Suitor
Future Housing Expectations in Late Midlife: The Role of Retirement, Gender, and Social Integration	158	(32)
Julie T. Robison
Phyllis Moen
Neighboring as a Form of Social Integration and Support	190	(21)
Elaine Wethington
Allison Kavey
Social Integration and the Move to a Continuing Care Retirement Community	211	(20)
Mary Ann Erickson
Donna Dempster-McClain
Carol Whitlow
Phyllis Moen
PART THREE Interventions to Promote Social Integration in Later Life
An Intervention to Improve Transportation Arrangements	231	(16)
Nina Glasgow
Fostering Integration: A Case Study of the Cornell Retirees Volunteering in Service (CRVIS) Program	247	(18)
Phyllis Moen
Vivian Fields
Rhoda Meador
Helene Rosenblatt
Peer Support for Alzheimer's Caregivers: Lessons from an Intervention Study	265	(22)
Karl Pillemer
J. Jill Suitor
L. Todd Landreneau
Charles R. Henderson, Jr.
Sharon Brangman
Closing Thoughts and Future Directions	287	(18)
Phyllis Moen
Karl Pillemer
Elaine Wethington
Nina Glasgow
Galyn Vesey
Author Index	305	(8)
Subject Index	313