Commentary and Analysis
Since aging is a highly complex process that occurs under the influence of many factors, it is essential to explore multiple dimensions to understand its subtleties. Bengston and Settersten (2016), in part VI of their Handbook of Theories of Aging, highlight the importance of advancing aging theories through an interdisciplinary approach. This section emphasizes the diversity of determinants that shape aging outcomes and developments in building aging theories within multiple disciplines. Gerontology is a fully formed and mature science ripe to broaden its knowledge across various and relatively non-obvious perspectives. Chapters in this part reveal a call for going beyond traditional biological, social and psychological theories while researching aging.
Diversity of factors shaping the aging process requires applying compound explorations and advanced research. In their chapter, Spini et al. (2016) suggest a new perspective on the theory development in aging inspired by an increased number of longitudinal studies on the topic. Their perspective is based on the complexity of the process of aging and the need to account for aging multiplicity. It implies paying attention to multiple time frames, directions, dimensions, and level influences. Spini et al. consider that research in the field should be done across and within disciplines and specific time frames. The chapter of Gavrilov and Gavrilova (2016) also emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach by describing the biodemography of aging. The science of biodemography integrates biological and social (demographic) methods, and the authors discuss its theories of aging to address the questions of ‘why’ and ‘how’ people age.
This section also explores accepted and spread concepts in aging, such as the successful aging model and environmental gerontology. In their chapter, Rowe and Cosco (2016) describe the building of the concept of successful aging. This successful concept focuses on disease avoidance, productivity, and replacing usual activities with more appropriate ones. Nonetheless, the successful aging model is criticized, and the authors address three of those criticisms in the chapter. Those criticisms are the lack of attention to social and environmental determinants, overly objectiveness, and ignoring disadvantaged populations or people with disabilities. On the contrary, Wahl and Oswald (2016) emphasize the importance of diverse environmental factors affecting the aging process. In their chapter about environmental gerontology, Wahl and Oswald (2016) provide a number of integrative theories and perspectives regarding place, ecology, interindividual variability, and social factors. They highlight a research strategy oriented on human-environmental interactions to define how they shape aging.
Several chapters in this section focus on relatively spatial and spiritual determinants of older adults’ well-being and aging outcomes. Coleman et al. (2016) discuss spirituality and religion’s influence on aging, intergenerational and social relationships, and health. The authors link spirituality and religiosity with well-being, health benefits, fruitful social interaction, and better influence on younger generations (Coleman et al., 2016). In their chapter, Ardelt and Oh (2016) focus on interpretations of wisdom, explicit and implicit wisdom theories, and the relation between wisdom and culture, religion, as well as well-being in old age. The authors explain factors promoting wisdom and its correlation with aging outcomes (Ardelt & Oh, 2016). Aldwin and Igrashi (2016) discuss coping and the theory from its roots to current works and explain why coping is central to aging. The authors offer a theory of coping and resilience, framed as dealing with stress that promotes growth (Aldwin & Igrashi, 2016). Despite being related to the successful aging model, coping is more complicated and individualized. The ability to deal with stress and get beneficial stress-related outcomes promotes high motivation, positive development, and a sense of purpose in life.
Assumption
Exploration and tying spirituality to aging appear exciting yet confusing. Coleman et al. (2016) focus on religion’s influence on older people’s lives and highlight several positive correlations. The authors state that spirituality and religiosity lead to health benefits, better social interactions, and relationships with younger generations (Coleman et al., 2016). However, the assumption is to strengthen evidence of spirituality’s impact on later life by comparison with similar activities. Other doubts about the findings in this chapter relate to the limited samples of mainly Western countries and Christians, as well as the disregard of people without religious views.
The authors assume that attending religious service and religious participation results in health benefits, including reduced physical functioning limitations, psychological well-being, lower depression, and increased quality of life. Nonetheless, those outcomes seem to be linked with attending a physical place and being a part of a social group. Comparative studies are highly recommended to ensure that health benefits are related to spiritual and religious activity without denying the influence of religion.
Currently, it appears that older people need to stay an active part of society, and attending divine service is a common way to fulfill that necessity. The authors use social network theory and social identity theory to justify that religious association is a source of support. Still, these theories imply that people are connected on the basis of something shared and identify themselves with a somewhat group. The suggestion is that older people lack places to attend to feel a connection with society. Other places can also serve as a source of support, such as hobby groups, literary gatherings, a chorus for the elderly, or other options. Thus, to argue that religion and spirituality may shape the aging process and the lives of older adults, it may be helpful to conduct comparative researches between groups with interests separate from religion and unbelieving populations.
References
Aldwin, C. M., & Igarashi, H. (2016). Coping, optimal aging, and resilience in a sociocultural context. In V. L. Bengston & R. A. Settersten (Eds.), Handbook of theories of aging (3rd ed., pp. 551-576). Springer.
Ardelt, M., & Oh, H. (2016). Theories of wisdom and aging. In V. L. Bengston & R. A. Settersten (Eds.), Handbook of theories of aging (3rd ed., pp. 599-620). Springer.
Bengston, V. L., & Settersten, R. A. (Eds.). (2016). Handbook of theories of aging (3rd ed.). Springer.
Coleman, P. G., Schröder-Butterfill, E., & Spreadbury, J. H. (2016). Religion, spirituality, and aging. In V. L. Bengston & R. A. Settersten (Eds.), Handbook of theories of aging (3rd ed., pp. 577-598). Springer.
Gavrilov, L. A., & Gavrilova, N. S. (2016). Theoretical perspectives on biodemography of aging and longevity. In V. L. Bengston & R. A. Settersten (Eds.), Handbook of theories of aging (3rd ed., pp. 643-668). Springer.
Rowe, J. W., & Cosco, T. D. (2016). Successful aging. In V. L. Bengston & R. A. Settersten (Eds.), Handbook of theories of aging (3rd ed., pp. 539-550). Springer.
Spini, D., Jopp, D. S., Pin, S., & Stringhini, S. (2016). The multiplicity of aging: Lessons for theory and conceptual development from longitudinal studies. In V. L. Bengston & R. A. Settersten (Eds.), Handbook of theories of aging (3rd ed., pp. 669-692). Springer.
Wahl, H. W., & Oswald, F. (2016). Theories of environmental gerontology: Old and new avenues for person-environmental views of aging. In V. L. Bengston & R. A. Settersten (Eds.), Handbook of theories of aging (3rd ed., pp. 621-642). Springer.