Positive Psychology: Does having a younger spouse help you age successfully - Research Paper Example

Psychology Positive Psychology: Does having a younger spouse help you age successfully? Several studies have been done to find out the concepts of successful and creative ageing. However, there is very little information about the effect of having a younger spouse in successful ageing. In this context, this study will try to study the concept of successful ageing and its relevance to having a younger spouse. Purpose of the study is to research on significant studies that could shed light on this belief and to guide policy makers in formulating plans and programs for the graying citizens. The results of the study will help to inform policy makers about the factors that contribute to longevity and quality of life. Methods of research. This will be an exploratory research that will use peer reviewed reports, published literatures, studies and articles on data based studies of adults over age 60 and an operational definition of successful definition of successful ageing. Literature review This review of research collects data on studies done about successful ageing in order to find if age is one of the correlates to successful ageing. Likewise, definitions of several authorities on the subject of successful ageing have been reviewed to find factors that contribute to successful ageing. What factors contribute to ageing successfully? They arrived at a point of view that people hold their own future, and the choices we make, at any age in life, can affect the quality and length of our lives. Successful ageing has been the subject of interests of many gerontologists. This has been discussed by Dr Rowe and Dr. Kahn in their book “Successful Aging”. To them, successful aging is multidimensional that consists of avoiding of disease and disability, maintenance of high physical and cognitive function, and sustained engagement in social and productive activities (Rowe & Kahn, 1966 October 30) “Psychology and Aging” , a study prepared for Australian Psychological Society, defined successful ageing as a process that involves the maintenance of mental, physical and social health and is closely linked to the quality of life(Working Group of the Directorate for Social Issues, 2000 May) With this, the definition states physical fitness refers to bodily strength, resilience and ability, while intellectual fitness is associated with keeping the mind engaged and active; and social fitness involves having significant personal relationships. Lim (2005) cited Dr.Dilip Jeste, the Director for Research and Aging, who stated that there is no consistent definition of the term. Dr. Jeste believes that there are certain elements that constitute successful aging. Among these are higher level of cognitive function, adaptation to changes associated with aging, socialization (some kind of social activity and or social contacts) and life satisfaction. Tate, Lah & Cuddy, 2003 interviewed 3,983 WW II Canadian Air Force personnel and found successful ageing is related to health and disease, physical, mental, social activity, interest, having goals, family or diet. The collection of definitions of Bearon (1996) bears to the interest of many authors on the subject that has started as early as 1960s. All cited in her work, following definitions are quoted: Havighurst (1961) defined it as "adding life to the years" and "getting satisfaction from life". Rowe and Kahn (1987) defined it in terms of multiple physiological and psychosocial variables. The MacArthur studies looked at outcomes pertaining to physical performance and other indicators of functional status. Ryff (1982), a psychologist, defined successful aging as positive or ideal functioning related to developmental work over the life course. Fisher (1992) interviewed 19 senior center participants age 62-85 and found that they tended to define successful aging in term of strategies for coping. Gibson (1995) stated that successful aging "refers to reaching one's potential and arriving at a level of physical, social, and psychological well-being in old age that is pleasing to both self and others." (p. 279). In the Encyclopedia of Aging, Palmore (1995) says that a comprehensive definition of successful aging "would combine survival (longevity), health (lack of disability), and life satisfaction (happiness)." (p. 914). Additionally, some gerontologists have discussed similar issues using different terms such as "adjustment" or "adaptation" to aging. (Bearon, 1996) In the studies reviewed, a pattern of findings are concentrated on age, education, physical activity and health. Studies of Ng, et al (2009, May 17), Weir,Meisner & Baker (2010, July 15) showed that successful aging is associated with several factors. Ng, et al points to age, genders, education, better housing, religious or spiritual beliefs, physical activity and low or no nutrition. Weir and co- authors said that age is a predictor of disease related disability and impairment functioning, but age had little impact on “engagement”. Baker, et al (2009, April 15) examined the relationship of physical activity with successful aging in Canadian older adults. Findings of the study showed that physically active respondents were more than twice as likely to be rated as aging successfully. An obvious forgotten factor which has been brought to a study is the factor of positive spirituality as an intervention to successful ageing. According to Crowther, et al (2001, Sept. 5) there is an evidence based on their study that “the addition of spirituality to interventions focused on health promotion” has been received positively by older adults. Findings and discussion After conducting a literature review, the research goes on to investigate results of surveys conducted along the field of ageing to find relative factor of young age spouse to successful aging. Following are brief summaries of each survey and study. 1. Project called UCSD Successful Aging Evaluation Study done by Dr. Jeste and other group of researchers. They conducted a survey of people from San Diego County living in retirement communities, those attending an extension course at University of California, San Diego and the Women’s Health Initiative, which comprised of about 6000 respondents. They were asked to rate from 1 to 10 factors like physical illnesses, disabilities, health behaviors (smoking, drinking, etc), physical activities such as exercises and mental activities like use of computers as being related to successful ageing. Other questions such as resiliency on how they adapt to the changes of aging, and how they feel about control of their lives were also asked. Results of survey showed that a large portion of the older people surveyed said they are aging successfully. Results showed a self perception that aging successfully is not related to type of physical illness or degree of disability. On this review, people can have diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, even cancer, heart disease or stroke but still age successfully. What matters for the respondents is one’s brain, wisdom and the functional ability. (Lim, P. 2011 Feb. 11) 2. While other authors continue to refer to the above cited factors, a group of scientists (Hughes, et al. 2006) pointed to genes as one of the factors for successful ageing particularly of older people who reached 90 years of age without decline in mental capacity. Study showed nine genetic regions associated with successful ageing, and that these genes influences capacity to reach old age but differs with sex. The study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh surveyed 100 people, all with ages 90 years and older who had preserved cognition, half female and half male. Using a genome survey method, scientists compared the DNA sample of the study group with that of 100 young adults aged 18-25. Particularly, the research attempted to identify genetic sequences present in older individuals that may be linked to reaching older ages with preserved cognitive abilities and those of specific genetic sequences present in younger individuals. Factors such as lifestyle are also considered in the study. Findings of study showed that genetics, lifestyle decision making and their interaction influences the ability to reach old age with preserved cognition. Study recommends further research on such genetic and behavioral factors for better understanding the aging process. (Hughes, et al.2006) 3. Corollary to the genetics findings shown above, Christiansen K. and Vaupel JW (1996 Dec. 2) presented evidence of a genetically determined lifespan of around 85 years. .Authors theorized that the influence of both genetic and environmental factors can be potentially modified by medical treatment, behavioral changes and environmental improvements.. 4. Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (2010, May 12) reports on breakthrough of research that reported downside of marriage for women that says “marriage is more beneficial for men than for women – at least for those who want a long a long life”. This study had shown that the greater the age differences of the wife from her husband, the lower the wife’s life expectancy. According to this article, published May 12 in the journal Demography, “women marrying a partner seven to nine years younger increase their mortality risk by 20 percent, and conversely, a man dies earlier when he is younger than his spouse”. Fig. 1, shows the relative risk of dying with respect to age gap to spouse. Relatively, when a woman is younger than the male, in marriage, the risk of dying gets higher as the age gap gets higher. For instance, when the age gap is between to 15 to 17, the risk goes beyond 1.3 percent. Conversely, the risk of dying younger is much lower for male as age gap increases (Max-Planck-Gesellschaft 2010, May 12) 5. University of Columbia (2011, May 04) in their research said that physical fitness and emotional health of older couples are linked to successful ageing. The research was conducted by the University of British Columbia and Pennsylvania State University to more than 1,700 older couples over a 15-year period, using data from a major U.S. survey. Participants ranged in age from 76 to 90 and many had been married for more than 40 years. Findings concludes a strong relationship between “depressive symptom” (unhappiness, loneliness and restlessness) and “functional limitation” such as the physical inability to perform basic tasks. In addition, study shows how marital relationships can be important in determining old age health. 6. Laughlin, et al (2008, Nov. 05), discussed successful aging in the United States: the prevalence estimates from a national sample of older adults. Findings of study noted an 11.9% of older adults ageing “successfully” in any year in the U.S. However, this figure is a representative of a successful aging decline by 25% after accounting for demographic changes in older population between 1998 to 2004. According to the study, the indicators of successful aging showed relation to the level of education, that the higher education one has, the more likely he is going to have a successful education. In the same vein, there is also a marked difference of those with income and wealth in gradients of successful aging indicators, and at this point, men have been found to have lower rate of successful aging than women. Racial-ethinic differences were also found in the study as one of the reasons of aging successfully. Evidences of the study showed that it is roughly one half to two thirds lower for non-whites than their white counterparts. However, reasons were not explained in the study. 7. Strawbridge, Cohen and Walhagen (2002, March 6) contested the criteria of Rowe and Kahn that successful aging should be based on absence of disease, disability, and risk factors; maintaining physical and mental functioning; and active engagement with life and verified the definition as against self-rating of individual. Authors conducted a study among 867 Alameda County participants aged 65-99 years that used associations with well-being for each definition. Study results showed the percentage of those rating themselves as aging successfully was 50.3% compared with 18.8% classified according to Rowe and Kahn’s criteria. Findings also showed that many participants with chronic conditions and functional difficulties still rated themselves aging successfully. Conclusion From the studies reviewed, a conclusion could be derived at to answer the question that “the age of a younger spouse helps one age successfully” It came out that authors at this point have not arrived at a definite resolution of giving a universal meaning to successful ageing. Most of them have been guided by the criteria of Rowe and Kahn of absence of disease, disability and risk factors, maintaining physical and mental functioning and active engagement with life. It is noted that age is not included in the criteria mentioned. However, there are also other research studies that suggest other criteria to be included among the satisfiers for successful aging. Based on the studies, we can now draw a picture of the pattern of criteria for successful aging. Criteria for successful aging Authors Absence of disease, disability and risk factors, maintaining physical and mental functioning and active engagement with life Level of education, income-wealth & racial-ethnic differences Rowe and Kahn Level of education, income-wealth, racial-ethnic differences Laughlin, et al. Depression symptom and marital relationship University of Columbia Genetics and environment Christian, K & Vaupel, JW Genetics and lifestyle Hughes, et al. Brain, wisdom and functional ability Medscape Spirituality Crowther, et al. One study referred to the downside of marriage that concluded that women who marry a younger partner die young with a mortality risk of 20 percent, and conversely, a man dies earlier when he is younger than his spouse. But the study is not conclusive because reasons were not given to support assertions. However, age has been found to be a predictor of disease when one gets old and age has little impact on successful aging. Conclusively, based on surveys and theories presented, there is no validity that marrying a younger spouse helps one age successfully. Rather, successful aging is based on various factors that depend on how one looks at it and live with it. These factors taken altogether work on having successful aging that does not depend on marriage and age alone. Further, sickness is not a deterrent for successful aging, but rather, the state of mind; physical activity, relationships and environment are found to be controlling factors for one’s own happiness in aging. Further research is recommended on areas like defining why age gap is risk factor on mortality risk of marriage. References Baker, J. Meisner BA, Logan AJ, Kung AM, Weir P. 1996 Dec, 04. Physical activity and successful aging in Canadian older adults. School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada. Pub Med.gov. U.S.National library of medicine http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19451670 Bearon, Lucille. 1996. Successful aging: What does the “good life” look like? Concepts in Gerontology. FFCI. The Forum for Family and Consumer Issues. NC State University. Retrieved 07 July 2011 from http://www.ncsu.edu/ffci/publications/1996/v1-n3-1996-summer/successful-aging.php Christiansen K, and Vaupel JW. Determinants of longevity: genetic, environmental and medical factors. Odense University Medical School, Denmark http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9010380 Crowther, Martha R., Parker, Michael W., Achenbaum, W. A., Larimore, Walter L, and Koeig, Harold G., 2001, Sept. 5. Rowe and Kahn's Model of Successful Aging Revisited: Positive Spirituality—The Forgotten Factor . Retrieved 07 July 2011 from http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org/content/42/5/613.abstract Hughes, Hughes B. Zubenko, Wendy, and Maher, Brion . June, 2006, New research examines genetics of successful aging. Retrieved 07 July 2011 from http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-08/uopm-nre080806.php Lim, Philip. 2011 Feb. 2. With Wisdom comes successful aging. USC University of Southern California. Etrieved 07 July 2011 from http://uscnews.usc.edu/health/with_wisdom_comes_successful_aging.html MacLaughlin, Sara J., Connell, Cathleen M, Heeringa, Steven G, Li, Lydia W, and Roberts, Scott J. 2010, March 6. Successful Aging in the United States: Prevalence Estimates From a National Sample of Older Adults . Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. Retrieved 08 July 2010 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2981444/ Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (2010, May 12). Downside of marriage for women: The greater a wife’s age gap from her husband, the lower her life expectancy. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2010/05/100512062631.htm Ng TP, Broekman BF, Niti M, Gwee X, Kua EH. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2009 April 17 Determinants of successful aging using a multidimensional definition among Chinese elderly in Singapore. (5):407-16. Pub med.com. US National Library of Medicine. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19390298 “Psychology and Ageing”. (2000, May). Working Group of the Directorate of Social Issues. A position paper prepared for the Australian Psychological Society. Retrieved 07 July 2011 from http://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/Position- Paper-Ageing.pdf Rowe, John and Kahn, Robert Kahn L. Successful Aging. 1996 October 30 The Gerontologist. Oxford Journals Retrieved 07 July 2011 from http://www.oxfordjournals.org/our_journals/geront/call_for_papers.html Saenger, Elizabeth, 2005. Secrets of successful aging: an expert interview with Dillip Jeste, MD. Medscape Today. News. Retrieved 07 July 2011 fromhttp://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/511194 Strawbridge, William J, Wallhagen, Margaret I, and Cohen, Richard D. Successful Aging and Well-Being, Self-Rated Compared With Rowe and Kahn. 2002, March 6 http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org/content/42/6/727.abstract Tate, Robert B, Lah, Leedine and Cuddy, Edward T. 2002. Definition of Successful Aging by Elderly Canadian Males: The Manitoba Follow-Up Study . Retrieved 07 July 2011 from http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org/content/43/5/735.abstract University of British Columbia (2011, May 4). Physical and emotional health of older couples linked for better or worse, study finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2011/05/110504091838.htm Read More