Norella M. Putney

The Increasing Use of Theory in Social Gerontology: 1990–2004

OBJECTIVES To determine how often theory is used in published research in social gerontology, compare theory use over a 10-year period (1990-1994 to 2000-2004), and identify the theories most frequently used in social gerontology research. METHODS Systematic review of articles published in eight leading journals from 2000 to 2004 (N = 1,046) and comparison with a review conducted 10 years earlier. RESULTS Theory was mentioned in 39% of articles published from 2000 to 2004, representing a 12% increase in the use of theory over 10 years. This increase was driven by theories outside the core sociology of aging theories identified by Bengtson, V. L., Burgess, E. O., and Parrott, T. M. (1997). Theory, explanation, and a third generation of theoretical development in social gerontology. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 52B, S72-S88. The five most frequently used theories included the life course perspective, life-span developmental theories, role theory, exchange theory, and person-environment theory/ecological theories of aging. Commonly used models included stress process/stress and coping models, successful aging models, the Andersen behavioral model of health services use, models of control/self-efficacy/mastery, and disablement process models. DISCUSSION Theory use in social gerontology increased between 1990 and 2004, with a shift toward theories that cross disciplines. However, the majority of research in social gerontology continues to be atheoretical. Models are widely used as a supplement to or substitute for theory. Many of these models are currently being debated and elaborated, and over time, they may emerge as important theoretical contributions to social gerontology.

Intergenerational Relations in Changing Times

Families have changed remarkably over the last century—in age structure and generational composition, in their diversity of forms and functions, in family members’ expectations of one another and ways of relating. One consequence of the dramatic increase in longevity has been the growing prevalence of three-, four-, and five-generation families, lengthening the time spent in family roles, such as grandparenthood. At the same time, increases in divorce and remarriage, single-parenthood, and cohabitation have greatly increased the complexity of family configurations and relationships.

Family relations in changing times: a longitudinal study of five cohorts of women

A major aim of contemporary research on multigenerational families is to investigate changes in intergenerational dynamics within the context of changing historical times. We highlight ways in which recent historical trends such as population aging, changing patterns of family formation and dissolution, changing life cycle boundaries and women’s increased laborforce participation have altered family structures, functions, and role expectations, especially those of women. Illustrating the usefulness of the life course perspective in family research, results from a longitudinal study of five cohorts of women are presented. Findings show that in midlife Baby Boom women are significantly more depressed and have lower self‐esteem than older cohorts of women, despite their earlier advantages. Work/family stress contributed to higher depression. Baby Boom women dissatisfied with their marriages were significantly more depressed in midlife than Silent Generation women, at comparable levels of dissatisfaction, suggesting the meaning of marriage may have shifted. Biographical and historical timing appeared to matter for the psychological functioning of Baby Boom women in midlife. Silent Generation women did not have to juggle work and family in the same way as Baby Boom women. Having started their child bearing at a later age, Baby Boomers were then confronted by a changing economy, the intensified demands of work and family and the growing contingency of marriage and employment.