Understanding Gerotranscendence in Older Adults: A New Perspective for Counselors

The author describes gerotranscendence as a process that occurs when older adults shift from a rational focus on the present‐day, material world to a more universal and transcendent perspective. Accompanying this shift is a desire to move toward the end of life with a sense of integrity and acceptance of one's choices. By gaining an understanding of gerotranscendence, counselors can better meet the needs of their aging clients. Using existing gerotranscendence literature as a guideline, suggestions are made for appropriate counseling interventions.     

Gerotrancscendence Through Jewish Eyes

The Swedish sociologist Tornstam perceives old age as the peak of human maturation whose favorable culmination is gerotranscendence. The latter is characterized by breaking out of one's finite existence and uniting with a greater world with respect to past, present, and future. Tornstam relates to gerotranscendent roots in Eastern cultures; this study will examine how gerotranscendence finds expression in Jewish sources. Varied Jewish texts speak to how the wisdom that accrues from life experience enables one to rise above physical decline and enrich relationships via self, fellow man, and cosmos. Three major biblical exemplars of gerotranscendors are depicted: Abraham, focusing on limitless giving to fellow man; Isaac, overcoming psychological barriers of past paternal disappointments; and Jacob uniting with his children and grandchildren through the blessing that becomes a legacy for perpetuating the future of the nation. Practical applications of the study for more meaningful aging are discussed.     

Plato's Theory of Aging

Plato's writings express a positive attitude toward elderly people. But do his writings also show a serious theoretical interest in issues of aging? We approach this question by comparing what Plato says about aging to major theoretical issues in gerontology. We argue that many of Plato's subtler observations of the behavior of elderly people and many of his ideas about aging anticipate specific research and theoretical advances in contemporary gerontology. We compare passages in Plato's works to the debate between activity and disengagement theories, the concepts of continuity and gerotranscendence, Robert Butler's discovery of “the life review,” and recent theories of old age wisdom. Plato's anticipation of these ideas and issues related to them suggests that his writings may contain still other major insights into aging which are not yet articulated in gerontology. We suggest three possibilities.     

Reflections on Spiritual Maturity and Gerotranscendence: Dialogues with Two Sufis

ABSTRACT

Late life development-from the perspectives of spiritual development and gerotranscendence-has been studied using the Life History Approach followed up by thematic semi-structured interviews with Iranian Sufis residing in Sweden. On the basis of this study and proceeding from the theory of gerotranscendence, this article illustrates the distinct role of aging in the development toward wisdom and maturity when mystical ideas are already integrated into individuals' ways of thinking. This is achieved by contrasting, in terms of certain gero-transcendent dimensions, an aged Sufi's view of her/his Self and the surrounding world with that of a middle-aged Sufi.     

Gerotranscendence and the Functions of Reminiscence

In the present investigation, different functions of reminiscence have been empirically studied in relation to the developmental changes described in the theory of gerotranscendence, a theory dealing with human development towards maturity and wisdom. The phenomenon of gerotranscendence and the functions of reminiscence are, according to our analyses, intertwined. Since gerotranscendence is largely about the change and reconstruction of identity and personal frames of reference, this also means that the common continuity-oriented theoretical perspective on reminiscence has to be questioned. Reminiscence can have functions other than that of stabilizing an already developed identity. It can just as well play an instrumental role in developmental change and reconstruction of the identity and in our perception of the world.     

Successful aging: Social theory,scripture, church teaching

ABSTRACT

Thanks to medical progress and better overall living conditions, a greater number of people are living well into old age, many more than in previous generations. However, we feel instinctively that there must be more to life than longevity and merely living longer. Religious communities and social scientists are both interested in what makes for “successful aging.” The dialogue between them can be enriched by fostering a mutual appreciation for biblical norms and stories, and a better working knowledge of the models and methods of the social sciences. To that end, I offer a sketch of four models of aging: disengagement, activity, continuity, and Tornstam’s theory of gerotranscendence. This sketch serves as a prelude to a discussion of three biblical stories: (1) the story of Barzillai and King David in 2 Samuel, which shows how the elderly can make a positive contribution to the common good, in spite of their limitations; (2) the intertwined stories of Jacob and Joseph in Genesis, which can help us understand the theological significance of life review, forgiveness, reconciliation, and life review in the aging process; and (3) the third phase of the encounter considers John Paul II’s Letter to the Elderly, and builds on several suggestions he makes concerning the life of Moses and successful aging.     

Unraveling the relationship between organizational career management and the need for external career counseling

This article unravels the relationship between organizational career management and the need for external career counseling. We conducted a path analysis using data of 803 Flemish employees. The results indicate a three-way relationship between organizational career management and external career counseling. First, experiencing organizational career management reduces the need for external career counseling by enhancing career satisfaction. Second, it also reinforces the need for career counseling by encouraging employees to invest in their external employability. Finally, organizational career management and external career counseling are complementary as well. The implications of the results and the directions to be taken in future research are discussed.     

Employment of Gerontological Counseling Graduates: A Follow-Up Study

Twenty-five counselor education departments offering specializations in gerontological counseling were asked to survey their graduates who had completed course work or a specialization in aging. Implications are presented concerning employment opportunities for counseling graduates wanting to work with older people.     

Sexual and Intimacy Issues for Aging Gay Men

The authors focus on the special issues involved in providing counseling to aging gay men regarding sex and intimacy. Although the stresses of aging experienced by gay men are similar to those of heterosexual men, older gay men face issues of a stigmatized sexual orientation, invisibility, negative stereotypes, and discrimination regarding aging.     

Health counseling competencies needed by the minister

The purpose of this study was to characterize current health counseling practices of the Church of Christ minister and to identify areas of needed health counseling competencies which should be addressed during professional preparation of the minister. The subjects who made up the sample for this study came from the population of active local ministers of the Churches of Christ who resided in the states of Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.Specifically, it was found that the Church of Christ minister is most frequently called upon to offer counsel in the health-related areas of marital problems, patient counseling, death education, alcohol problems, drug use or abuse, and aging, respectively. It was also found that the majority of the ministers surveyed felt that their training for the ministry had not adequately prepared them to offer health counsel. The majority of the sample indicated that all health topics listed on the questionnaire should be required during initial preparation for the ministry. Other findings were also noted.     

Application of the Structured Life-Review Technique in Counseling Elders

Reminiscence, termed life review, is a natural phenomenon of aging. This article examines the applications of a structured life-review technique in counseling elderly clients.     

The Mid/Late Life Generation Gap: Adult Children with Aging Parents

Psychosocial and personal needs and concerns can combine to create conflicts between adult children and their aging parents that may be amenable to counseling interventions.     

Counseling in the Later Years: A Growing Need

This article examines some of the major transitions of aging and indicates possible ways counseling services can help older persons cope with the changes.     

Artful Witnessing of the Story: Loss in Aging Adults

The authors examine the concepts of ego integrity, life review, and narrative reconstruction as cornerstones of theory that inform counseling practice with aging adults. Contemporary theories of grief reconciliation are proposed as useful models for understanding and creatively addressing the needs of adults who are 60 years and older.     

Counseling the Aging: Some Practical Considerations

Although counseling older individuals requires the use of basic helping skills, other complementary phases of working with this special population must be addressed. This article outlines the multiple-loss aspect of the aging individual's environment and suggests some specific strategies for assisting these persons to realize their ongoing potential and residual personal strength.     

社会发展过程中城市老年人心理适应的柏林智慧范式研究

基于智慧显义理论,对社会发展过程中我国城市老年人的心理适应进行柏林智慧范式研究。在对上海市社区老年人(n=247)进行社会发展相关典型现实生活问题的随机抽样调查的基础上,遴选三种问题情境,通过结构性晤谈采集老年人(n=65)应对这些问题的认知-行为反应,对晤谈记录进行五个维度的评价,并且考察评价结果与生活满意度的关系。研究结果表明,受访老年人中多数表现出中度的心理适应水平,心理适应较好者具有较高的生活满意度。本研究采用的测评方式具有符合心理测量学要求的信度和效度。本研究对于生活在现代社会的城市老年人的成功老龄化心理适应辅导工作具有重要的指导意义,也有助于进一步开展成功老龄化的跨文化研究。     

BRCA1 Testing: Genetic Counseling Protocol Development and Counseling Issues

This article discusses the genetic counseling protocols which were developed and counseling issues that have arisen in the first 2 years of evaluating a large kindred with a BRCA1 mutation. The rationale for the development of the genetic counseling protocols and specific genetic counseling visual aids are presented and discussed. The protocols and counseling aids can serve as models for other programs offering cancer susceptibility testing. The observations of study counselors about study subject concerns and responses to genetic testing at the time of the pretest and posttest counseling sessions are presented.     

Evaluation of Group Genetic Counseling for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

As demand for genetic counseling regarding hereditary cancer continues to grow, more efficient methods of providing this service must be explored. In this pilot study, group genetic counseling was offered to two different cohorts of women seeking genetic counseling for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer. Seven group sessions, designed to cover all aspects of an individual genetic counseling appointment, were conducted. Although patients were receptive to group genetic counseling, a significant proportion chose individual counseling when given the option. Advantages of group genetic counseling include shared experience and increased efficiency. Disadvantages include increased frustration at not being eligible for genetic testing, group influence on decision-making, privacy concerns, increased need for follow-up, and difficulty booking group appointments. Overall, the level of patient satisfaction with group genetic counseling was similar to that of individual counseling. The results of this pilot study suggest that further research is needed to determine whether group genetic counseling is an acceptable alternative to individual counseling.     

The Quality of Genetic Counseling and Connected Factors as Evaluated by Male BRCA1/2 Mutation Carriers in Finland

There is little written about the quality of genetic counseling for men with the BRCA1/2 mutation. The purpose of this study was to describe the quality of genetic counseling and connected factors according to Finnish male BRCA1/2 mutation carriers’ (n?=?35) perspectives and reasons for seeking genetic counseling. Data were collected from the Departments of Clinical Genetics at five Finnish university hospitals. The exploratory study design was conducted using a 51-item questionnaire based on a previously devised quality of counseling model and analyzed using non-parametric tests and principle content analysis. The satisfaction level with genetic counseling was high, especially with regard to the content of genetic counseling. The benefit of genetic counseling on the quality of life differed significantly (p?<?0.001–0.009) from other factors. In particular, genetic counseling was in some cases associated to reduce the quality of life. Only 49 % of the male carriers felt they received sufficient counseling on social support. Attention to individual psychosocial support was proposed as an improvement to genetic counseling. Primary and secondary reasons for seeking genetic counseling and background information, such as education, affected the perceived quality of genetic counseling. The results of the study could be used to tailor genetic counseling for male BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.