Main description:

This book brings together a diversity of perspectives on the psychology of ageing. Exploring theoretical, conceptual, empirical and practical viewpoints on the topic, the authors offer insight into a range of contemporary issues. Dedicated chapters discuss themes within social and critical psychology such as ageing identities, sexuality and empathy in palliative care. The second part of the book analyses cognitive and biological aspects of ageing, including stress and health in ageing, dementia and lifestyle, and resilience in frailty in old age. The authors conclude by offering perspectives on community and political psychology, examining home and community supports for older people. Written in an accessible style suitable for students as well as researchers in psychology and the social sciences interested in ageing, this book showcases key theoretical, empirical, and practical issues in later life.

Contents:

Foreword - A personal perspective on psychologies of ageing: Christine Bryden

Chapter 1 - Introduction: Psychologies of Ageing : Michael Murray, Carol Holland and Elizabeth Peel

Part I - Social and Critical Psychology

Chapter 2 - Ageing identities in the twenty first century: Ageing well or ageing badly?: Christine Stephens and Mary Breheny

Chapter 3 - Critical psychology, intersectionality and older adults as sexually agentic: Sharron Hinchliff

Chapter 4 - Empathy as a way of acknowledging patients' personhood in palliative care interactions: Joe Ford and Charles Antaki

Part II - Cognitive and Biological Psychology

Chapter 5 - Stress and healthy ageing: Anna Phillips

Chapter 6 - Healthy lifestyle to reduce dementia: Eef Hogervorst

Chapter 7 - Neurocognitive intra-individual variability as an early marker of falls, gait impairment and cognitive decline in old age: Sarah Bauermeister, Becky I Haynes, Jack Graveson & David Bunce

Part III - Community and Political Psychology

Chapter 8 - Home and community supports for older people : Judith Sixsmith

Chapter 9 - Community connections and independence in later life: Charles Musselwhite

Chapter 10 - Social representations, narratives and ageing: Molly Andrews and Michael Murray