A comparative study of older adult learning in Korea and Japan: Focusing on learning after 70 years old

This study compares older adult learning in Korean and Japanese sample populations, paying special attention to learning after age 70. Surveys with nearly identical questionnaires were conducted in the Bundang Senior Welfare Center in Korea (N = 549, mean age 73.6 years) and at Osaka Prefecture Senior College in Japan (N = 1,491, 787, mean age = 67.4, 69.5 years). The main results are as follows: (a) in terms of learning needs, selected ratios of topics of “life review” and “communication with other seniors” increased as respondents increased in age from their 60s to 70s in both countries; (b) attitudes toward learning and social activities changed from “Novelty” to “Continuity” to “Disengagement” as respondents increased in age in both countries; and (c) the threshold age to old age was identified at around 75 years, not 70 years, particularly in Korean data. These results suggest that old age is a diverse period, and that creating ways to facilitate learning after age 70 is an urgent issue in the field of educational gerontology.     

Centenarians’ experience of (non-)loneliness—life lessons

This article presents the results of qualitative research carried out among Polish centenarians who have not experienced loneliness. Objectives: An attempt to find factors protecting against loneliness. A total of 17 cases were included in the research. Method: A collective case study (Stake, 2009) with in-depth interview was applied to the research carried out by the authors. The results show that activity together with personal characteristics (lifelong optimism) allows the building of positive social relationships and contribute to protection against loneliness among the oldest old. Discussion and Implications: The centenarians interviewed experienced many traumatic events in their lives and still they did not know the feeling of loneliness. The cases researched were diverse with respect to social and economic status, health condition, and family status but the common aspect was their lifetime activity and their high level of optimism. The lifelong activity of the respondents allowed them to build social relationships and establish new acquaintanceships, both intra- and intergenerationally. Promoting examples of “positive long-livers” may play preventive role and contribute to the quality of life in late old age, and as societies are ageing, the results are also important for public health.     

Education level explains participation in work and education later in life

A prolonged working life is crucial for sustaining social welfare and fiscal stability for countries facing ageing populations. The group of older adults is not homogeneous; however, differences within the group may affect the propensity to continue working and to participate in continuing education. The aim of this paper is to explore how participation in work and education vary with gender, age, and education level in a sample of older adults. The study was performed in Sweden, a context characterized by high female labour-market-participation rates and a high average retirement age. The participants were 232 members of four of the major senior citizens’ organizations. We found no differences in participation in work and education based on gender. People older than 75 years were found to be as active as people 65–75 years old in education, but the older group worked less. There were positive associations between education level and participation in both work and education. Hence, this study implies that socio-economic inequalities along these dimensions are widened later in life. This highlights the importance of engaging workers with lower education levels in educational efforts throughout life. It also emphasizes the need for true lifelong learning in society.     

Gender differences in academic self-efficacy: a meta-analysis

A meta-analysis of 187 studies containing 247 independent studies (N?=?68,429) on gender differences in academic self-efficacy identified an overall effect size of 0.08, with a small difference favoring males. Moderator analysis demonstrated that content domain was a significant moderator in explaining effect size variation. Females displayed higher language arts self-efficacy than males. Meanwhile, males exhibited higher mathematics, computer, and social sciences self-efficacy than females. Gender differences in academic self-efficacy also varied with age. The largest effect size occurred for respondents aged over 23 years old. For mathematics self-efficacy, the significant gender differences emerged in late adolescence. Future research should longitudinally examine gender differences in academic self-efficacy to determine the prevalence of gender differences during different life stages.     

建设和谐社区与积极老龄化的思考

社区是以一定地域为基础的社会生活共同体,建设和谐社区对构建社会主义和谐社会发挥着基础性的作用。要坚持以人为本,树立和落实科学发展观,创新社区管理理念,完善基层服务和管理网络,把社区建设成为管理有序、服务完善、文明祥和的社会生活共同体。通过创建和谐社区,大力发展老龄事业,开展多种形式:的社区老龄服务,鼓励和支持老年参与社会发展,提高老年人的生活质量和生命质量,促进积极老龄化和"老有所养、老有所医、老有所为、老有所教、老有所学、老有所乐"目标的实现。     

Educational Identities of Adult University Graduates

The age structure of university students has changed dramatically in Finland. Now one third of all university students and one quarter of undergraduate students in Finnish universities are aged 30 years or over. The focus of this article is the changing educational identities of students who start and complete their university studies as adults. For the study, 21 adult university graduates were interviewed using the life‐history approach. The concept of educational identity is applied in the analysis, first to capture the changes that have taken place in the way the interviewees think about themselves as learners and as individuals with high educational levels. Secondly, the analysis clarifies how adult university graduates see themselves to be treated by other people after graduation. The results suggest that it is possible for adults to form new educational identities and reform the old ones on both individual and social levels.     

The use of ICT devices by older people with a special focus on their type and respondents’ age: A Czech case study

The recent demographic trends show a rapid increase of aging population, especially in developed countries. Therefore, there is an urgent need to look for the opportunities of maintaining the quality of life of this aging population. One of the solutions seems to be the use of information and communication technology (ICT) devices, which can promote autonomy of older people by facilitating the execution of many routine activities such as shopping or communication. The purpose of this study is to explore the use of ICT devices among older people in the Czech Republic with respect to their type and respondents’ age. The methods include a questionnaire survey, as well as statistical processing of data collection. The results indicate that present seniors are becoming more digitally literate, especially in the use of mobile phones. However, the use of the technological devices then dramatically drops at the age of 75 years. In addition, the results indicate that future research should focus on the use of mobile phones, respectively smartphones, and its effectiveness on the improvement of quality of life of older generation groups.     

离退休老年人的心理问题及调适

离退休老年人因其社会角色、经济地位、人际环境急剧变化，致使其心理冲突加剧，心理问题较其他老年人更为复杂多样。如任不良情绪和恶劣心境长期积累，势必影响身体健康、家庭生活和社会稳定。政府和社会要关心他们的生活和健康，离退休本人也要采取积极的调适方法，愉快地度过晚年。     

The needs of students with intersex variations

To date, people with intersex variations have been mainly studied via small-scale clinical research, with only a small amount of reflective commentary contributed by sociocultural scholars. This paper reports on findings from a 2015 online Australian survey of 272 people with intersex variations, which aimed to redress the gap in research on this groups’ experiences and perspectives concerning education. Participants ranged in age from 16 to 87 years, and represented all Australian states and territories. Most had experienced two medical treatment interventions related to their intersex variation: commonly reported interventions included hormonal treatment and genital surgery delivered to participants when they were aged under 18 years of age. Participants reported various physical and psychological impacts from these treatments. Well-being risks were high; most of the group had engaged in suicidal ideation, particularly when individuals first found out about their variation. This impacted on their schooling – almost one-fifth of survey respondents had received no high school certification due to their early dropout and the overwhelming majority did not attend schools with inclusive puberty/sex education provision or counselling. Most survey participants had not disclosed their intersex variation to staff, although more than half had done so to their classmates. Many had experienced bullying. Only one-quarter of participants rated their overall education experiences positively. Participants suggested improvements to schools’ information provision and support features.     

Life experience and longevity

Factors associated with education, social status, health, and psychological makeup are indicators of life experience and are also associated with quality of life in old age. Do these factors also contribute to a longer life? Data from the Berlin Aging Study (BASE; see Baltes/Mayer 1999), a locally representative sample of men and women aged 70 to 100+, are examined to determine whether status on these dimensions of life experience 1) differs between individuals in the early phase of old age (young old) and individuals who have survived beyond the average life expectancy of this birthcohort (age 85 plus, the so-called Fourth Age), and 2) predicts survival during old age. After controls for age and gender, health, occupational status and psychological functioning predicted survival. In general, long-lived individuals in present cohorts of the Fourth Age compared with those in the Third Age have lower education, lower occupational status at retirement, poorer health status, and lower levels of psychological functioning. Future studies should address the effects of various dimensions of life experience in different phases of the life course to determine the paths through which experience influences individual differences in the rate of aging and age at death in old age.     

Aging,exercise and motivating engagement

Some older people describe learning to stay fit and healthy and exercise as a regular part of their lives. There is evidence that exercise is beneficial in terms of physical, psychological and social functioning in older adults. This paper is unique in that it is an analysis of the spontaneous discussion of exercise by older people as a priority in their lives. It also provides information about the kinds of exercise they choose. An online written data forum in Australia with responses from 103 people aged 50 to 92 years (F52, M 51) was analysed for all mention of exercise. The respondents were prompted to comment on sustainable lifestyles as they aged. Thirty per cent mentioned exercise as a priority in their lives. Activities included irregular exercise (11%) routine organised exercise such as golf or tennis (8%) and purposeful exercise such as regular gym attendance (11%), where the respondents explained why they needed to exercise. A few (7%) talked about the need to stay healthy without explaining how. Some (2%) described barriers and conditions that made exercise difficult. These figures for engaging in exercise are similar to those identified in 2018 by the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare. As evidenced by the literature in the area, lack of awareness of the specific benefits of exercise and barriers to exercise for older adults are not new problems. However, given the increase in the percentage of older people in the population and the demonstrated beneficial effects of exercise, it is worthwhile to document the motivation for exercise and engagement in older adults and to suggest strategies to increase their activity.     

基本养老保险重点"扩面"对象分析

社会基本养老保险体系建设的完善和发展直接关系的稳定和经济的发展，扩大基本养老保险覆盖面是近年来各级人民政府所属劳动保障部门工作的重点和难点。城镇小集体企业职工、临时工、个体工商户及私营企业从业人员是扩大基本养老保险覆盖面的重点对象。分析研究这些人员的具体情况并采取相应的对策，对扩大基本养老保险覆盖面工作具有很大的理论和实践意义。     

Men in limbo: former students with special educational needs caught between economic independence and social security dependence

Individuals in their mid-thirties are expected to be employed and economically independent. However, people with disabilities and health problems – for example, former students with special educational needs (SEN) – may have problems in this domain of adult life. In Norway, individuals with SEN frequently rely on social security and support measures from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). This article is based on the narrative analysis of life course trajectories of seven young adult males over a period of 17 years – from their enrolment in upper secondary school with special needs teaching whilst in their teens to their participation in various NAV programmes whilst in their mid-thirties. The life course approach, with an emphasis on transitions and trajectories, has been used as the theoretical framework for analysing the presented data. The hope is that, taken together, these seven stories provide a deeper insight than one individual story could offer. We find that both social structures and the earlier life course affect one’s opportunities for joining the labour market.     

Lifelong Education,Quality of Life and Self-Efficacy of Chinese Older Adults

This study aimed to identify the relationships between lifelong learning, quality of life, and self-efficacy of older adults. One thousand and three participants of a lifelong educational program participated; the mean age was 50.6 (SD = 7.8, range: 18–78). Findings revealed that the patterns of study established a positive association with quality of life, but a negative correlation with their psychosomatic complaints. It also found that the more respondents enrolled in courses, the more somatic complaints they suffered. Multiple regression analysis models indicate that the determinants of good quality of life in older adult learners aged 60 and over were good self-efficacy and the continuation of study after graduation.     

The International Platform of Sexuality & Relationship Education

This study was an investigation of the additional risk conferred by the experience of psychogenic amnesia for memories of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on the likelihood of becoming a victim of sexual assault in later life. A total of 210 community respondents completed a retrospective web-based trauma survey. The majority of respondents were female (74.3%) and their ages ranged from 16 to 65 years, with a mean age of 33 years. Chi-squared analysis revealed that survivors of CSA demonstrated significantly greater risk (58%, χ^2 = 44.461, p = 0.0005) of experiencing sexual assault in adolescence in comparison with their non-abused counterparts (13%). Furthermore, survivors who reported having been amnesic for their abuse-related memories demonstrated a higher rate of adolescent revictimisation (86%) than survivors who had retained continuous memories of their victimisation (48%, χ^2 = 8.626, p = 0.003). Overall, once-amnesic survivors of CSA demonstrated 6.6 times the risk of sexual assault and an eight-fold risk for rape during adolescence in comparison with their non-abused counterparts. It is proposed that the elevated risk conferred by amnesia for CSA might be mediated by two distinct pathways, both of which are associated with the use of dissociation as a defence mechanism.     

People’s views on preserving thinking skills in old age

Changes in thinking skills are commonly experienced by older adults, though large variation exists. Such changes are one of the top concerns of people as they get older. Public perceptions of those changes could be used to effectively communicate with them about ways to improve their thinking skills. This study explored people’s views about maintaining and improving thinking skills with age in a UK-wide survey completed by respondents aged 40 and over. Respondents answered an open-ended question “What would be one piece of advice you would give to someone to maintain or improve their thinking skills with age?”. Responses from 3,165 individuals (95% of the survey sample) were analyzed using content analysis. Three main themes emerged: keeping fit and healthy in mind and body; staying engaged with the world around you; and attitudes to prevent decline. Respondents thought that keeping physically and mentally active, being sociable, having a purpose in life and positive attitude, and preventative strategies could help maintain thinking skills. Adults aged 40 and over in the UK thought there are things that can help preserve thinking skills with age. The survey findings support previous research, extending the findings to adults in the UK. Understanding people’s beliefs can inform better communication with them about what can benefit thinking skills. Effective communication should provide resources and advice in the same way other public health messaging is carried out (such as that regarding heart health).     

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.     

EDUCATIONAL ASPIRATIONS TRAJECTORIES IN ENGLAND

This study used latent class analysis to examine the trajectories followed by young people’s educational aspirations in England over the age range from 13 to 16 years and their relationship to educational achievement. The results suggested that young people’s aspirations followed six trajectories. Four trajectories showed overall patterns of aspirations which did not vary over time, while in the two remaining trajectories, aspirations either moved upwards or downwards. The trajectories were stratified according to young people’s family background and individual characteristics with those trajectories with high aspirations having higher proportions of young people from better-off family backgrounds and a higher proportion of girls and respondents from ethnic minority backgrounds. Respondents with high aspirations made more progress in achievement and had a higher likelihood of admission to university than those with low aspirations. Differences in aspirations did not completely explain differences in educational achievement by family background, however.