Robert J. Maiden

Personality Changes in the Old–Old: A Longitudinal Study

Although many studies have examined the issue of personality stability in early and middle adulthood, few have explored the limits of personality stability in the very old, who are often confronted with major changes in their health and life circumstances which can severely impact adaptive behavior. We conducted a longitudinal study of 74 elderly women with a mean age of 80. They were assessed on the personality traits of Neuroticism, Extroversion, and Openness. Although multiple regression analyses revealed moderate stability on all 3 traits, their stability was found to be influenced by negative changes in life circumstances. For example, decreased social support and increased unmet needs were associated with more Neuroticism. Less Extroversion was associated with poorer health and greater psychosocial needs. The trait of Openness was very stable and was the least affected by life events. These contradictory findings are reconciled by considering personality development within an interaction framework.

Workforce Training and Education Gaps in Gerontology and Geriatrics: What We Found in New York State

This article summarizes data from the 2008 Symposium Charting the Future for New York State Workforce Training and Education in Aging: The Stakeholder Perspective and the 2009 report Workforce Training and Education: The Challenge for Academic Institutions. This research is the outcome of a collaborative State Society on Aging of New York and New York State Office for the Aging study on New York States workforce training and education needs. Eight Listening Sessions were held across New York State to obtain input on topics including training, gerontology education, and credentialing and certification. Individual sessions highlighted the needs of urban, rural, and suburban communities. Key themes identified through content analysis included the need for education about aging in agencies serving older adults, education on human development, positive aspects of aging, disabilities, developmental disabilities, and greater opportunities for training and education for service providers. Lack of incentives was identified as a barrier to credentialing or certification. Education about growing older beginning in grade school was recommended. Lack of funding was identified as a barrier that limited support for employee education/training. Disconnects were identified between employers and academic institutions and state government and providers regarding gerontology/geriatric training and education. Consideration to how these themes may be addressed by the Association of Gerontology in Higher Education is offered.

Mental Health Attitudes Among Rural and Urban Older Adults

This study compared samples of rural (n = 107) and urban older adults (n = 126), to explore differences in their attitudes toward mental health and mental health services. The moderating role that personality may play in accounting for rural versus urban differences in these variables was also explored. Each person completed a multidimensional measure of mental health attitudes and a trait measure of personality. Older adults in urban areas expressed more positive attitudes about mental health services than their rural counterparts, even when controlling for the poorer health of rural aged persons. In both groups, older adults who had sought mental health care held more positive views about such help than those who had not. There was an interaction between personality and the rural/urban dichotomy, such that NEO Neuroticism and, to a lesser extent, NEO Openness to Experience impacted mental health attitudes and help-seeking differentially among rural and urban older adults. These findings suggest that public policy makers and mental health providers should consider the interactive roles of culture-environment, personality, and attitudes toward mental health services when designing mental health programs for older adults.

Personality and Politics among Older Americans: A Rural Case Study

This study examines personality factors as predictors of political attitudes and behavior among a sample of rural older Americans. Results indicate that trait variables (extraversion, openness, and neuroticism) and measures of self-concept (locus of control) affect political attitudes and behavior in predictable ways. Suggestions for future research are outlined.

Accreditation in the Profession of Psychology: A Cautionary Tale

This article examines the history of accreditation in psychology and applies the lessons learned to the Association for Gerontology in Higher Educations (AGHE) consideration of forming an organization to accredit programs in gerontology. The authors identify the challenges met and unmet, the successes and failures, and the key issues that emerged from psychologys experience with accreditation. Psychology has been accrediting programs in clinical psychology for more than 65 years, and the process has been marked by several false steps, considerable tension, and some controversy and at times significant dissatisfaction. The accreditation process that has emerged today, which includes counseling, school psychology, graduate practica, and postdoctoral practica sites, is generally well received yet some tensions exist. The authors apply the lessons learned from psychologys evolution to AGHE. The experience of psychology suggests a need for clear minimum standards and consistency across programs in training goals, if not in curricula and practica. However, setting standards for specific curricula and practice content may result in a similar contentiousness that has plagued psychology. Ultimately, the authors conclude that the benefits of accreditation of programs outweigh the deficits.

Relationships Between Grandparents and Their Grandchildren: An Applied Dyadic Perspective

That becoming a grandparent is a common experience for many adults is underscored by the fact that, as life expectancy has increased, the chances of becoming a grandparent have also increased (Hayslip & Page, 2012). Moreover, more children know their grandparents (and great-grandparents) than at any time in history (Dunifron, 2012). Reflecting the near universality of the experience of grandparenting, 75% of those born in 2000 can expect to have at least one grandparent still living when they reach age 30. Nearly 60% of older adults have at least one grandchild, and 80% of middle-aged and older adults are grandparents.