Feliciano Villar

Successful ageing and development: the contribution of generativity in older age

ABSTRACT This paper examines the contributions that generativity in older age may make to the concept of successful ageing. To this end, two perspectives on successful ageing are described: successful ageing as a set of clinical criteria, and successful ageing as the application of adaptive processes aimed at achieving efficient functioning. After showing the limitations of the first perspective, particularly from a developmental point of view, the paper argues that the adaptive version of successful ageing helps to put ageing into a developmental frame, but needs to be complemented by identifying specific content and goals that guide these adaptive processes and establish new feasible gains for older people. Generativity in older age could play that role and provides a conceptual framework that enriches the concept of successful ageing, both by emphasising the social context in which people age and by highlighting a personal growth component.This paper examines the contributions that generativity in older age may make to the concept of successful ageing. To this end, two perspectives on successful ageing are described: successful ageing as a set of clinical criteria, and successful ageing as the application of adaptive processes aimed at achieving efficient functioning. After showing the limitations of the first perspective, particularly from a developmental point of view, the paper argues that the adaptive version of successful ageing helps to putageingintoadevelopmentalframe,butneedstobecomplementedbyidentifying specific content and goals that guide these adaptive processes and establish new feasible gains for older people. Generativity in older age could play that role and providesaconceptual frameworkthatenrichestheconceptofsuccessfulageing,both by emphasising the social contextin which people age and by highlighting a personal growth component.

Grandmothers offering regular auxiliary care for their grandchildren: an expression of generativity in later life?

The study explores the meaning that grandmothers who offer regular childcare attach to that experience and the extent to which the notion of generativity might explain the meaning of the experience of caring for a grandchild. Twenty-four Spanish grandmothers aged 60 and over who provided at least 12 hours a week of childcare were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and qualitatively analyzed. The results suggest that grandmothers regard their childcare input as being part of their parental duty of helping in times of need. A range of consequences of caregiving were mentioned, generally positive and satisfactory. Our participants apparently began their caregiving task as an expression of parental generativity, although rewards associated with childcare are linked to grandparental generativity.

Construct validity of Ryff's Scale of Psychological Well-being in Spanish older adults.

The purpose of this study was to investigate factorial and content validity of the 9-item per dimension Ryffs Scale of Psychological Well-being in a sample of older Spanish adults. The scale is made up of six subscales: Self-acceptance, Environmental mastery, Positive relations with others, Autonomy, Personal growth, and Purpose in life. After translating the scale, it was administered to 422 retired people ages 65 and older. The internal consistency coefficients of the subscales were modest to low, but similar to the ones reported in previous studies. Although correlation profiles of the subscales replicated previous findings and are consistent with a distinction between two types of well-being (eudaimonic and hedonic), results from a second-order principal factor analysis including alternative well-being measures are rather ambiguous. As for the proposed 6-factor structure of the scale, neither exploratory principal component analysis nor confirmatory factor analysis supported clearly this factor structure, with or without second-order latent constructs.

The Meaning of Grandparenthood

Abstract This work aims at studying the meaning of the grandparent role both from the grandparents and the grandchilds point of view, and at assessing the effects of gender and age in this meaning. To do so, data were collected from a sample of 154 grandparent-grandchild dyads, who filled in a questionnaire with the same items adapted to their respective perspectives. The answers were submitted to a principal component analysis. Results seem to point at the perception of the grandparent role being similar from both points of view. In general, our results suggest that grandparents and grandchildren get on well together and enjoy their relationship, but the degree of mutual understanding and intimacy is not very high. Finally, some implications of this study with regards to future research in this field are described.

“My Grandparent Has Dementia” How Adolescents Perceive Their Relationship With Grandparents With a Cognitive Impairment

The study examined the grandparent–grandchild relationship when the grandparent has dementia. Grandchildren living in Barcelona, Spain, participated in the study (n = 145). These participants completed a questionnaire that included questions on: (a) the frequency of 15 emotions they may have experienced in this relationship, (b) their current relationship with a grandparent who has dementia (frequency of contact, emotional closeness, and satisfaction with the relationship), and (c) perception of changes in the relationship. Results showed that the dementia process has a negative impact on the relationship between grandparent and grandchildren. However, in some cases, there was also potential for positive changes, which are mainly related to the ability to keep emotional contact and express positive emotions. Findings suggested the need to take into account grandchildren when planning training programs for families caring for relatives with dementia, such as providing information about the disease and improving their coping strategies.

Volunteering Among Older Spanish Adults: Does the Type of Organization Matter?

This study in Spain explored three aspects of older adult volunteering (motivations, satisfaction, and perceptions of benefits and drawbacks) and examines to what extent these aspects are influenced by the type of organization and other factors (sociodemographic variables and level of volunteering). The sample consisted of 88 older adults volunteering in 3 different organizations: management, cultural actions, and social care. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire. Results show that volunteering is a satisfying activity for older adults. Participants perceived more benefits than drawbacks and had diverse motivations for volunteering. Volunteering in a management organization predicted less satisfaction and perception of benefits, as well as greater drawbacks.

Generativity in Older Age: A Challenge for Universities of the Third Age (U3A)

This paper discusses the ways in which university programs for older people should change to cater to the interests and concerns of generative older people. We describe university programs offered at present, underlining their emphasis on personal growth and on learning for the sake of learning. We argue that these programs are not entirely suitable for generative older people, who are eager to contribute to the social contexts in which they participate. The paper suggests that more instrumental, intergenerational, practical, and academically challenging programs are required to satisfy the training needs of generative older people.

Reasons for Older Adult Participation in University Programs in Spain

This study examined the reasons expressed by older adults for attending a university program in Barcelona (Spain). Results were based on the responses of 36 elders to questions from a semistructured interview. These were (a) reasons for joining a university course and (b) factors that prevent enrolling in that course. Participants mentioned more expressive than instrumental reasons for participating in a university program. Most mentioned barriers to entering university that were lack of interest, lack of self-confidence, health problems, and limited information. These results are discussed in the context of new strategies to improve university courses aimed at the elderly.

What Happens in Their Bedrooms Stays in Their Bedrooms: Staff and Residents' Reactions Toward Male–Female Sexual Intercourse in Residential Aged Care Facilities

This study aimed to investigate and compare the reactions of staff and residents of residential aged care facilities (RACFs) toward male–female sexual intercourse taking place in a private space within the facility. A total of 53 professionals and 47 residents from five RACFs located in Catalonia, Spain, were asked to reflect upon what they would think and do if they entered the bedroom of a resident and found him or her having sex with another resident of the opposite gender. The results suggest that male–female partnered sexual activity would generally be considered acceptable and would be respected, although some respondents called into question the appropriateness of such behavior and stated that they would react in a restrictive way. Overall, professionals appeared to be more accepting and permissive than were residents. Although our findings are broadly optimistic, they also suggest that male–female sexual intercourse may be considered an unwelcome sexual practice by some residents and professionals even if it occurs in a private space within the RACF. The fact that both staff and residents may also react in a negative way to the event could constitute a barrier to sexual expression among institutionalized older people.

Personas mayores y ordenadores: valoración de una experiencia de formación

The present study describes a computer training experience in elderly individuals and aims to determine its effects on participants in terms of their attitudes to computers, independent computer skills, and satisfaction with the training experience. To determine attitudes, a questionnaire was designed and administered to 53 individuals before and after the course. Pre-course attitudes to computers were favorable and were more so after the course. Learning was evaluated in 32 participants, based on measurement of their performance of four basic tasks. Nearly 40% were able to perform all the tasks independently. Satisfaction with the course was evaluated in 182 participants and was extremely high. The positive evaluation given to affective aspects of the experience, such as the atmosphere of the course and relationships with classmates, was noteworthy. Finally, some of the study’s limitations and its implications as an indicator of the multiple benefits of training among the elderly are discussed.