A long tradition links social integration, the form of social support and involvement in multiple roles, with health and well-being. This knowledge base has clear implications for understanding and fostering effective pathways through the later years of life. The proposed Cornell Center for Research on Applied Gerontology will be organized around the theme of social integration as an essential avenue to improve the quality of life for other persons. The Center will draw on existing research findings, new data collected through survey research and intervention field studies, and a life course approach to understand and improve the social networks, social support, and social roles of individuals in late midlife and beyond, and to relate these forms of social integration to health and well-being outcomes. Center research projects will address significant practical issues related to the retirement transition and post-retirement productivity, isolation resulting from unsupportive neighborhoods or lack of formal services, and network deficits among family caregivers. The Center will be organized around the following objectives: 1. To foster productive collaboration on applied issues related to aging and social integration among a number of Cornell social scientists. 2. To link the researchers affiliated with the Center to practitioners and policymakers in order to insure that beneficial practical outcomes result from the Center's activities. 3. To conduct applied research to lay the groundwork for interventions related to social integration in later life. This research will provide valuable life history data on the patterning of social roles and social isolation, with special emphasis on gender, life course trajectories and transitions, and geographical context (rural versus urban). 4. To develop, implement, and evaluate interventions that promote social integration among older persons. 5. To disseminate knowledge about social integration to practice and provider groups, policymakers, and older individuals.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Specialized Center (P50)
Project #
5P50AG011711-02
Application #
2052919
Study Section
Biological and Clinical Aging Review Committee (BCA)
Project Start
1993-08-15
Project End
1998-07-31
Budget Start
1994-09-10
Budget End
1995-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Cornell University
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
City
Ithaca
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14850
Suitor, J Jill; Gilligan, Megan; Johnson, Kaitlin et al. (2014) Caregiving, perceptions of maternal favoritism, and tension among siblings. Gerontologist 54:580-8
Suitor, J Jill; Gilligan, Megan; Johnson, Kaitlin et al. (2014) How widowhood shapes adult children's responses to mothers' preferences for care. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 69:95-102
Crampton, Alexandra (2013) Elder mediation in theory and practice: study results from a national caregiver mediation demonstration project. J Gerontol Soc Work 56:423-37
Suitor, J Jill; Gilligan, Megan; Pillemer, Karl et al. (2013) The role of violated caregiver preferences in psychological well-being when older mothers need assistance. Gerontologist 53:388-96
Gilligan, Megan; Suitor, J Jill; Kim, Seoyoun et al. (2013) Differential effects of perceptions of mothers' and fathers' favoritism on sibling tension in adulthood. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 68:593-8
Boerner, Kathrin; Mock, Steven E (2012) Impact of patient suffering on caregiver well-being: the case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and their caregivers. Psychol Health Med 17:457-66
Pillemer, Karl; Meador, Rhoda H; Teresi, Jeanne A et al. (2012) Effects of electronic health information technology implementation on nursing home resident outcomes. J Aging Health 24:92-112
Suitor, J Jill; Gilligan, Megan; Pillemer, Karl (2011) Conceptualizing and measuring intergenerational ambivalence in later life. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 66:769-81
Rosen, Tony; Lachs, Mark S; Pillemer, Karl (2010) Sexual aggression between residents in nursing homes: literature synthesis of an underrecognized problem. J Am Geriatr Soc 58:1970-9
Rosen, Tony; Lachs, Mark S; Bharucha, Ashok J et al. (2008) Resident-to-resident aggression in long-term care facilities: insights from focus groups of nursing home residents and staff. J Am Geriatr Soc 56:1398-408

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