Emotional Changes in aging Adults appears to be an experience that will be part of all adults and certainly one that should be handled with as much ease as the process of life. When a person becomes depressed and begins to withdraw from friends and family and has no one to turn to or feels lost, what are some ways this person can comfortably gain direction? When a person feels they lost a sense of self who do they talk to for a better understanding, and to bring back a sense of balance? It is important for most individuals to enter their twilight years with as much grace and confidence as any younger person would. To role model to generations of tomorrow what to expect, and to be proud that they will leave behind an abundance of wisdom.

The aspects included in this area are social change for adults, behavioral factors in the aging process and a person’s self-worth.

Emotional Changes in Adults is an area of life I find interesting and often wonder how doctors determine what’s normal and what’s clinically managed with medications and therapy? What type of tools do they determine are most effective? Do they make these decisions alone or discuss with a team or colleague to arrive at the best treatment of care? When do they revisit the issues? How does the individual manage self-worth?

How does an older adult cope as they age and face society changes?

In researching the Capella Library, I found 2 resource searches to acquire information to support and provide evidence to answer many questions.

EBSCO host which allowed me to enter information about the area of interest, and the Wiley Online Library which allowed me to obtain journals to explore evidence-based information. And in addition, The Adult Development and Aging text for an in-depth look at emotions with adults.

This research shows behavioral determinants of healthy aging involves emotions such as the ability to forgive, feel grateful and to experience joy. Vaillant (2002). In addition, a study done by Sidney, Shepherd, and Harrison (1977) a group of individuals were monitored for one year and the conclusion revealed with regular exercise of as little as 15 minutes a day would have a positive impact on their emotions (Joens-Matre& Ekalaka’s, 2002; Strawbridge, Delegner,Roberts, & Kaplan, 2002).

In Addition, another research article determined self-worth affects the state of self-esteem, affect, and a person’s behavior. (Crocker&Knight;2005, Crocker, Luhtanen, & Sommers, 2004; Crocker & Wolfe, 2001). The study concluded that self-worth contingencies are more malleable than previously thought (e.g. Crocker & Wolfe, 2001). And lastly the two are linked in that level of self-esteem moderate’s changes in self-worth and that the research would help people to improve their self-perceptions by changing their contingencies such as appearance and approval of others.

The idea of taking medication to treat irregular emotions is reflected in research done by Cavanaugh. & Blanchard fields, (2011) and is described as a way to treat a disease and can be identified as problem-focused coping (pp. 122) and emotion -focused coping involves dealing with one’s feelings about a stressful event. (pp.122).

Although my research was limited on medical findings, I believe many of the questions related to health, emotion, and aging can be further studied in additional and extensive peer reviews.

References

Sidney, K.H., Shepherd, R. J. & Harrison, J. (1997). Endurance training the body composition of the elderly. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 30; 326-333.

Strawbridge, W.J., Delegar, S., Roberts, R.E. & Kaplan, G.A. (2002) Physical activity reduces the risk of subsequent depression for older adults. American Journal of Epidemiology, 156, 328-334.

Vaillant, G.E., & Mukamal, K. (2001). Successful aging. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 839-847.

Crocker, J., & Knight, K. M. (2005). Contingencies of self-worth: Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(4),200-203.

Crocker, J., Luhtanen, R.K., & Sommers, S. (2004). Contingencies of self-worth; Progress and reports. European review of Social Psychology, 15, 133-181.

Crocker, J., & Wolf, C. T. )2001). Contingencies of self-worth. Psychological Review, 108(3),593-623.

Cavanaugh. & Blanchard-Fields. (2011) Adult Development and Aging (6th ED.), Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing/Cen gage learning, pp122.