Synopses & Reviews
Margret Baltes, a major researcher in gerontology, challenges the view that dependence is a negative and unnecessary consequence of aging. In this important volume, she presents her theory of learned dependency based on twenty years of research, which holds that dependency plays an important role in successful aging and is a resourceful adaptation to aging losses. This book attempts to correct the bias toward the virtues of independence over the vicissitudes of dependence, a predominantly North American view. It stresses that dependencies are not always dysfunctions, representing loss. Baltes also incorporates European, Japanese and feminist ideas about juxtaposing individuality and connectedness in the mature adult.
Synopsis
Margret Baltes presents her theory of learned dependency, which holds that dependency plays an important role in successful aging, and is a resourceful adaptation to aging losses.The Many Faces of Dependency in Old Age provides new insights into the social foundation of dependency. Its theoretical foundation and its broad empirical base distinguish it from others in its field. This book stresses that dependencies are not always dysfunctional, representing only loss. Baltes also incorporates a wide range of perspectives on juxtaposing individuality and connectedness in the mature adult.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction; 2. What is dependency; 3. Behavioral dependency in old age; 4. Empirical research program on behavioral dependency: summary of theoretical and methodological framework; 5. Observational research in institutional settings; 6. Generalization of interaction patterns; 7. Expectations and attributions; 8. Behavioral dependency and successful aging; 9. Conclusions and implications.