Motivation to Learn Among Older Adults in Taiwan

This study analyzed the survey on adults administered by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan in 2008, and logistic regression analysis showed a close relationship between learning motivations of older adults. The finding revealed that the higher age or the lower education attainment of older adults, the lower their learning motivation. The investigation of environmental factors showed that developing a comprehensive learning model boosts the participation of older adults. The study considered both individual and environmental factors, and it found being relatively young, female, and lonely had higher learning motivation. Also, the learning styles involving group activities and online learning stimulated the learning motivation of older adults.     

Health Literacy,Social Support,and Health Status Among Older Adults

The study examines whether social support interacts with health literacy in affecting the health status of older adults. Health literacy is assessed using the short version of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Social support is measured with the Medical Outcome Study social support scale. Results show, unexpectedly, that rather than buffering the negative effect of low health literacy, social support has a more positive impact on physical health in older adults with high health literacy. Implications for improving the health status of older adults through health literacy and social support are discussed.     

Education,Functional Limitations,and Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults in South Korea

This study examined the associations of educational level with functioning and life satisfaction among community-dwelling older adults in South Korea (n = 4,152). The sample was drawn from Wave I of the Korean Longitudinal Study on Aging. To examine educational disparities, separate analyses were run to note predictors in less educated (below the 6th grade) and better educated (above the 6th grade) respondents. Educational disparities were found in major predictors of health and well-being. Older age and lower cognition were strong predictors of functional limitations, while being married, receiving public assistance, and better psychological functioning were associated with greater life satisfaction. The health and well-being of less educated respondents were influenced by demographic factors, while social engagement and psychological functioning were more prominent predictors for better educated respondents. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing cognitive functioning and function among older adults in Korea to promote their health and well-being.     

Reviewing and Critiquing Computer Learning and Usage Among Older Adults

By searching the keywords of “older adult” and “computer” in ERIC, Academic Search Premier, and PsycINFO, this study reviewed 70 studies published after 1990 that address older adults' computer learning and usage. This study revealed 5 prominent themes among reviewed literature: (a) motivations and barriers of older adults' usage of computers, (b) age-related differences in computer learning and usage, (c) instructional tips and design, (d) changes in attitudes and benefits, and (e) Internet usage. The limitations of the studies are reviewed and suggestions for future research are discussed.     

The Capacity to Consent to Research Among Older Adults

The aim of this study was to develop and validate an assessment tool for research consent competence in older participants. A four-item instrument was developed to assess the capacity of the older adults to consent to research. Data were obtained from 203 nursing home residents from two facilities and 201 community-dwelling older adults in a metropolitan city in South Korea. The results revealed that the four-item instrument for assessing the capacity of older adults to consent to research had good internal consistency, convergent and concurrent validity, an acceptable model fit, and good sensitivity and specificity. The short form can be used for gerontological researchers to encourage their older participants to have the capacity to consent to research in informed consent process.     

Cultural Diversity Among Older Adults: Addressing Health Education

ABSTRACT

The diversity of the older adult population is increasing, and health professionals need to learn new knowledge and skills to improve the adherence of older ethnic clients to their health recommendations. Much of the existing research literature on diversity in gerontology concludes that ethnic older adults are at a health disadvantage. Few if any of these studies, however, offer practical applications for health promoters. This article reports on a paradox: there is a surprising amount of diversity within each group of ethnic elders, but it may be the similarities across these groups that lead to practical applications of use to health-promoters. The article ends with health-promotion questions of relevance to older adults, regardless of ethnicity.     

Internet Use and Social Networking Among Middle Aged and Older Adults

In this study, the associations between Internet use and the social networks of adults over 50 years of age were examined. A sample (n = 2284) from the 2004 wave of the Health and Retirement Survey was used. In regression models considering a number of control variables, frequency of contact with friends, frequency of contact with family, and attendance at organizational meetings (not including religious services) were found to have a significant positive association with Internet use for adults over 50. Results add to the body of research that suggests Internet use can strengthen social networks, looking specifically at adults over 50.     

Ethnic Senior Schools,Religion, and Psychological Well-Being Among Older Korean Immigrants in the United States: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative case study examined the influence of the social support provided by attendance at ethnic senior schools on the psychological well-being of older Korean immigrants with limited skills in English, driving, and the use of public transportation. This study also sought to understand how older Korean immigrants' religion helped them to deal with the psychological stress resulting from living in the United States. Ten older Korean immigrants attending the same ethnic senior school were chosen for the study. Ethnic senior schools provide participants with opportunities to leave the house, to meet friends who can provide emotional support, and to have self-enhancement experiences. The participants' religion enabled them to appreciate their current situations, to feel protected and guided, and to serve others voluntarily. The results highlight the importance of older immigrants' attending senior schools as well as the importance of their religion in dealing with the psychological distress associated with immigration.     

Future Selves and Aging: Older Adults' Memory Fears

ABSTRACT

Thoughts about the self in the future, called possible selves, are an important component of the current identity of individuals. This study specifically focused on possible selves in the domain of memory and cognition. Both older and younger groups spontaneously reported possible selves in the cognitive domain, e.g., “learning a new skill,” but younger adults did not spontaneously mention any memory-related possible selves. In contrast, almost 1/3 of our well-educated older adults reported possible selves related to memory—and nearly half had memory or cognitive concerns. Furthermore, every older adult who spontaneously listed a memory self also selected this as his or her “most dreaded” feared self. These people reported engaging in physical and mental exercise to try to prevent this feared self from materializing. Although fears about cognition and memory are important in the self-concept of well-educated older adults, these individuals also appear to have a proactive approach to dealing with such fears.     

The Development and Validation of the Physical Self-concept Scale for Older Adults

Physical self-concept plays a central role in older adults’ physical health, mental health and psychological well-being; however, little attention has been paid to the underlying dimensions of physical self-concept in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a new measurement for older adults. First, a qualitative study (Study 1) was conducted that included semistructured interviews and a focus group discussion. The second study established an initial instrument. Through item pool generation, content validation assessment, factor analysis, and item analysis (n = 187), the Physical Self-Concept Scale for Older Adults (PSCS-O) was produced containing 18 items and six dimensions. Finally, in the third study (n = 233), the PSCS-O showed adequate factorial stability and the initial certerion validity. The PSCS-O were able to explain 49.2% of the variance in older adults’ well-being. In addition, Ability to Live Independently, which was introduced as a new factor by the PSCS-O, was the strongest predictor of the older adults’ overall subjective well-being. In conclusion, the preliminary results from this study demonstrated that this new instrument, the PSCS-O, has sound psychometric properties. The PSCS-O may be a suitable and useful instrument in the study of physical self-concept in older adults in the future.     

Comprehensively Assessing Cognitive and Behavioral Risks for HIV Infection Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

A comprehensive survey of HIV/AIDS with middle-aged and older adults should include six domains (e.g., factual knowledge regarding the acquisition and transmission of HIV, traditionally-accepted behavioral risks for HIV infection). A sample of 23 women (54.8%) and 19 men (45.2%), ranging in age from 51 to 85 were surveyed across such domains. Although the majority of participants (92.2%) reported a good understanding of factual knowledge, strongly agreed with both their intention to engage in nonrisky sexual behaviors and their sense of internal self-control behaviors, they also reported high-risk behaviors (e.g., sexual intercourse without condoms).     

The Development of a University for Older Adults in Taiwan: An Interpretive Perspective

ABSTRACT

Education for older adults is increasingly becoming a global phenomenon. Taiwan, a small island in the western Pacific Ocean, has responded to the educational needs of its aging population with the development of its version of the University of the Third Age (U3A). However, the title of U3A has never been used in Taiwan. Taiwanese people call their U3A the University for Older Adults (UOA). This paper traces the creation of UOAs in Taiwan and explains why UOAs are as they are. Hence, there are 3 main sections in this paper. First, the researcher briefly explores the context of Taiwan, in terms of historical, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds in relation to this study. Second, this paper aims to trace the historical development of UOAs in Taiwan in order to reveal their developmental processes. Finally, the researcher explains UOAs are as they are in the historical, socioeconomic, and educational context of Taiwan.     

Forgiveness,Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being Among Filipino Adolescents

This study examines the influence of forgiveness and gratitude on life satisfaction and subjective well-being among Filipino adolescents. Two hundred and ten (210) Filipino college students were recruited as respondents for the empirical inquiry. Results indicated that gratitude served as the most robust determinant of well-being after controlling demographic characteristics and forgiveness dimensions. Most importantly, gratitude and forgiveness of self, which is a dimension of forgiveness, predicted subjective well-being beyond the influence of the Big Five personality factors. These findings strengthened the empirical evidence that moral traits would have unique contributions on subjective well-being, even after controlling the impact of Big Five personality factors. Implications of the results are discussed in the context of counseling.     

Leisure Experiences and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Older People: A National Survey in Taiwan

We aimed to explore older people's subjective leisure experiences and to further examine associations of such experiences with their depressive symptoms in Taiwan. Known correlates of depression, such as demographics, physical health, and social support, were taken into account. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data using structured questionnaires from a national representative sample of community older people (N = 1308, aged 65 +). We found that (a) being female, older, single, less educated, and having lower family income were demographic risk factors of depression; (b) worse physical health, lack of independent functioning in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and disability were related to more depressive symptoms; (c) greater social support was related to fewer depressive symptoms; (d) having controlled for effects of demographics, physical health, and social support, positive leisure experiences were independently related to fewer depressive symptoms. The benefits of meaningful leisure pursuits for successful aging are discussed.     

可能自我对行为的作用机制及其理论模型

可能自我对行为的影响力已得到许多研究的证明,可能自我对行为发生作用的机制,具体包括:平衡可能自我对行为的作用;可能自我作为对未来的认知表征对行为的作用;可能自我的动机与目标导向功能对行为的作用;自动调节的可能自我对行为的作用。在此基础上,可以构建可能自我对行为发生作用的理论模型,包含平衡可能自我作用、选择性信息加工与目标选择、目标实施和自动调节的可能自我作用四个模块。     

可能自我：自我概念与个体发展的社会文化制约

可能自我是美国心理学家Markus和Nurius最先提出的概念,即一种涉及到未来自我的概念系统,包括希望成为的自我以及避免成为的自我,在个体经验及社会文化的背景中不断塑造而成。可能自我为激发个体当前行为产生和导向未来行为发展提供内驱力,从而创造人生发展路径并塑造人格形成。深入可能自我与其他变量的交叉动态研究,注重跨文化及特殊群体的表现,借鉴可用于解释可能自我产生机制的技术和原理拓展研究方法,可能是这一领域研究的新取向。     

The Effect of Implicit Stereotypes on the Physical Performance of Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to explore how stereotypes affect physical performance in older adults. During Experiment 1, older adults were primed with objects representing aging stereotypes to determine whether these objects can activate stereotypes of aging. Results from the first part of this study provide evidence that certain material objects have implicit meaning and can activate stereotypes of aging. During Experiment 2, 96 community dwelling older adults were randomly assigned to one of three groups: exposure to positive stereotypes of aging (n = 32), exposure to negative stereotypes of aging (n = 32), or a neutral condition (n = 31). Gait speed, standing balance, and lower extremity muscle performance were tested before and after exposure to the objects. Results revealed no significant differences between those exposed to positive stereotypes, negative stereotypes, or the neutral condition. Physical performance was not affected by exposure to objects related to stereotypes of aging. Compared to lab settings where stereotypes are activated on a subliminal level, there may be multiple factors competing for the control of behavior when stereotypes are presented as objects, which may lessen the effect of stereotype activation on behavior.     

藏、汉大学生职业可能自我分类及重要性权衡初探

通过采用Q分类技术对藏、汉大学生职业可能自我的预期自我与恐惧自我的分类现状进行探讨并对其重要性权衡下的分类结果做出解释,结果发现：（1）基于对职业可能自我内容的重要性权衡的考察,藏族大学生更加重视能力、压力、创新与个人发展方面的内容;汉族大学生更重视能力、经济地位、压力与人际关系方面的内容。（2）藏族大学生职业预期自我包含＂创新—发展＂以及＂能力—压力＂两种取向,恐惧自我的分类项与预期自我相同;汉族大学生职业预期自我包含经济地位、能力、压力以及人际环境四种取向;恐惧自我只存在能力取向。（3）藏族大学生职业可能自我各分类项的发展较为平衡;而汉族大学生只有在能力项分类平衡。