In Chapter 18 “Emotional and Social Development in Late Adulthood” in the book “Development Through the Lifespan”, Laura E. Berk comprehensively analyzes old age, applying the currently available scientific theories, and analyzing this phenomenon into components classified by causality, periodization, and other aspects. As a striking example, the development of children during the Second World War is given, who survived the separation from their parents, some irrevocably. In this regard, the author proceeds to consider the mechanisms that contribute to a peaceful old age and contrasts them with inevitable individual aspects that negatively affect well-being.
The social component of this issue becomes no less important, and the author, moving from social integration and issues of suicide among the elderly, begins to reveal in more detail the section on the dynamism of society and the corresponding theories. These scientific works allow us to describe the relationship between the elderly in the family. The author describes retirement and leisure as other essential aspects of aging. As a result, having analyzed each component in detail, the author concludes the features of a happy old age: a sense of self-efficacy, selective optimization, adequate strengthening of self-esteem, acceptance of change, emotional understanding, a mature sense of spirituality, personal control of the boundaries of addiction, and high-quality communication that ensures the absence of loneliness and social support.
I cannot yet refute or confirm the author’s points of view with my example; however, the behavior of older adults described by him corresponds to my observations from the outside. It seems to me that to describe the psychological prerequisites for the behavior of any person, an integrated approach is required that considers a large number of external and internal factors.
The classification of positive traits for a happy old age is one of the most complete I have seen, and psychological characteristics, traumas, and deviations in one way or another affect one of the listed aspects. At the same time, the arguments are convincing since the author first relies on valid theories recognized in the scientific community and then moves on to practical aspects that are more understandable to the reader. In addition, long-playing examples of real people go through the book, getting an accurate picture of the phenomena and theories described.