Theories of Aging

Prepared by C.V. San Diego

 Purpose Of Nursing Theory
• Defines our practice
• In gerontological nursing they must be comprehensive yet
consider individual differences

• A good GERONTOLOGICAL THEORY:

– Integrates knowledge,
– Tells how and why phenomena are related,
– Leads to prediction, and
– Provides process and understanding
– In addition, it must be holistic & take into account all
that impacts on a person throughout a lifetime of aging
 Types of Theories
I. Psychosocial: Attempt to
explain aging in terms of
behavior, personality, and
attitude change
• Encompass psychological
and sociological theories
 1.Sociological Theories
a. Activity Theory
b. Disengagement Theory
c. Subculture Theory
d. Continuity Theory
 Personality Types
o Integrated
o Armored defended
o Passive dependent
o unintegrated
 Cont.of Sociological Theories
e. Age stratification theory
f. Person-environment fit theory
2. PSYCHOLOGICAL Theories of AGING
• Various coping or adaptive strategies
must occur for a person to age
successfully
• Triggers for coping/adaptive responses
– Physical changes of aging
– Issues of retirement
– Dealing with the death of spouse or friend
– Declining health
2. PSYCHOLOGICAL Theories of AGING
a. Human Needs – (Maslow)
b. Individualism Theory
c. Stages of personality development
(Jung)
d. Stages of personality development
(Erickson)
e. Life-course/ lifespan development
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs
Theory
 II. Biological Theories
1. Stochastic Theories
a. Free-Radical theories
b. Orgel / error Theory
c. Wear and Tear theory
d. Connective-tissue Theory/ cross link
theory
 2. Non- Stochastic Theories
a. Programmed Theory
b. Gene/ Biological Clock Theory
c. Neuroendocrine Theory
d. Immunologic/ Autoimmune Theory
 Types of Theories Cont’d.
• Sociological: How changing roles,
relationships, and status within a
culture or society impact the older
adult’s ability to adapt
–Activity theory – central theme that
remaining active in old age is
desirable
–Disengagement theory –
characterized by gradual withdrawal
from society and relationships