Aging, technology, and psychology: Models of assistive device use viewed from an action-theoretical perspective on lifespan development

in European Psychologist (2020), 25(3), 211-228

Many older people suffer from functional declines and activity limitations, which reduce their autonomy and quality of life. Assistive technologies (ATs) could dampen such effects. However, many older ... [more ▼]

Many older people suffer from functional declines and activity limitations, which reduce their autonomy and quality of life. Assistive technologies (ATs) could dampen such effects. However, many older people do not use ATs and it is important to understand, why they give away their benefits. In this article, we look at older peoples´ use of ATs from an action perspective on human development elaborated by Brandtstädter and colleagues. We review from this viewpoint models of AT use created mostly in information systems technology, business administration, and management sciences. The major focus is on the extent to which these models consider the relevant internal (mental) and external context of AT use, possible action alternatives, and autonomous, vicarious, and joint modes of decision-making about ATs use. Systematic literature searches in PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar led us to 23 models. None of them contained as central variables any perceived discrepancies between the actual and desired developmental situation or any goals to reduce these discrepancies. No model included action alternatives to AT use beyond non-use such as trying harder on oneself, making environmental adaptations or using personal support. All models conceive of AT use as an act of the individual user, but neglected decision making about AT use by other persons on his or her behalf or a joint decision making of a potential user together with other persons (e.g., relatives). We discuss the background of these gaps, possibilities of a more comprehensive modeling of AT use, and practical implications (e.g., developmental counseling). [less ▲]

Editorial - Psychology and Aging: European Perspectives

in European Psychologist (2020), 25(3), 159-161

What does it mean to get older and eventually become an older citizen when residing in Europe? How do individuals deal with the challenges that result from health-related issues, novel cognitive demands ... [more ▼]

What does it mean to get older and eventually become an older citizen when residing in Europe? How do individuals deal with the challenges that result from health-related issues, novel cognitive demands, developmental tasks, and societal changes? How can societies offer the context for a good life to individuals, who have lived beyond their sixth decade of life, and may still have more than four decades to go? Research on aging does not point to just one other field of psychological science that one may consider as topical. In all, the five contributions to this special issue provide a rich and instructive compilation of articles that point to the potentials of aging research in basic and applied psychology. The diversity of these articles may also give an idea of the contributions and insights that can be gained from geropsychological work in psychology. This special issue has been a joint initiative of a longstanding network on geropsychology that has been established on the premises of EFPA. [less ▲]

Intergenerational family relations in Luxembourg: Family values and intergenerational solidarity in Portuguese immigrant and Luxembourgish families

in European Psychologist (2013), 18(1), 59-69

According to the intergenerational solidarity model, family members who share similar values about family obligations should have a closer relationship and support each other more than families with a ... [more ▼]

According to the intergenerational solidarity model, family members who share similar values about family obligations should have a closer relationship and support each other more than families with a lower value consensus. The present study first describes similarities and differences between two family generations (mothers and daughters) with respect to their adherence to family values and, second, examines patterns of relations between intergenerational consensus on family values, affectual solidarity, and functional solidarity in a sample of 51 mother-daughter dyads comprising N = 102 participants from Luxembourgish and Portuguese immigrant families living in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Results showed a small generation gap in values of hierarchical gender roles, but an acculturation gap was found in Portuguese mother-daughter dyads regarding obligations toward the family. A higher mother-daughter value consensus was related to higher affectual solidarity of daughters toward their mothers but not vice versa. Whereas affection and value consensus both predicted support provided by daughters to their mothers, affection mediated the relationship between consensual solidarity and received maternal support. With regard to mothers, only affection predicted provided support for daughters, whereas mothers’ perception of received support from their daughters was predicted by value consensus and, in the case of Luxembourgish mothers, by affection toward daughters. [less ▲]