New Frontiers in Resilient Aging: Life-Strengths and Well-Being in Late Life

New Frontiers in Resilient Aging: Life-Strengths and Well-Being in Late Life
ISBN-10
1139490583
ISBN-13
9781139490580
Category
Psychology
Language
English
Published
2010-07-29
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Authors
Corey L. M. Keyes, Prem S. Fry

Description

A typically pessimistic view of aging is that it leads to a steady decline in physical and mental abilities. In this volume leading gerontologists and geriatric researchers explore the immense potential of older adults to overcome the challenges of old age and pursue active lives with renewed vitality. The contributors believe that resilience capacities diminishing with old age is a misconception and argue that individuals may successfully capitalize on their existing resources, skills and cognitive processes in order to achieve new learning, continuing growth, and enhanced life-satisfaction. By identifying useful psychological resources such as social connectedness, personal engagement and commitment, openness to new experiences, social support and sustained cognitive activity, the authors present a balanced picture of resilient aging. Older adults, while coping with adversity and losses, can be helped to maintain a complementary focus on psychological strengths, positive emotions, and regenerative capacities to achieve continued growth and healthy longevity.

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