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Towards understanding successful ageing: patterned change in resources and goals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 1998

NARDI STEVERINK
Affiliation:
Department of Psycho-Gerontology, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands
SIEGWART LINDENBERG
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology/ICS, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
JOHAN ORMEL
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, The Netherlands

Abstract

In this paper it is argued that the problem of formulating a comprehensive theory of successful ageing – and thereby of finding good criteria for success – may be attributed to the lack of a suitable multidisciplinary framework that meets at least three basic theoretical requirements. These requirements are explicated, and some existing theories and approaches of successful ageing are discussed in the light of these requirements. An alternative theoretical framework is presented which can accommodate a number of existing insights, and which is used as the basis of a new theory of successful ageing, including theory-guided criteria for success.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1998 Cambridge University Press

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