Social Relations Across the Life Span: Scientific Advances, Emerging Issues, and Future Challenges

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 313-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni C. Antonucci ◽  
Kristine J. Ajrouch ◽  
Noah J. Webster ◽  
Laura B. Zahodne
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Domains Of Life ◽  
Emerging Issues ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Health And Well Being

Accumulating evidence demonstrates the importance of social relations at all stages of life (infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age) and in diverse domains of life (including health and well-being). To illustrate the newest advancements in the scientific study of social relations over the life course, we address five emerging areas of importance: societal and demographic changes in family structure; effects of new technologies on social relations; the fundamental influence of context on social relations, illustrated with the sample case of health; the role of social relations in the unfortunate but pressing crisis of trauma among the increasing number of refugees worldwide; and, finally, effects of social relations on cognitive functioning in late life. Each of these areas highlights critical key concepts and methodological approaches, illustrating that the study of social relations is demanding but holds great promise for meeting the urgent needs of developmental science specifically and society generally.

scholarly journals Social Relations and Technology: Continuity, Context, and Change

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni C Antonucci ◽  
Kristine J Ajrouch ◽  
Jasmine A Manalel
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Information Acquisition ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Continuity And Change ◽  
Basic Characteristics ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Social relations, although basic to human nature, health and well-being, have become increasingly complicated as a result of changing population demography and technology. In this essay, we provide a historical overview of social relations, especially as they affect older people. We briefly review the evolution of theory and measurement surrounding social relations as well as early empirical evidence. We consider how social relations have changed over time as well as continuity and change regarding basic characteristics of social relations. Of special interest is the emerging influence of technology on how people maintain contact, especially the changing ways people can use technology to increase, decrease, maintain, or avoid social relations. We consider both negative and positive aspects of these new technologies and their influence on health and well-being. Finally, we conclude that new and emerging technologies hold great promise for the future by overcoming traditional barriers to maintaining social contact, support exchange, and information acquisition. Nevertheless, we caution that these new technologies can have the dehumanizing effect of distance thus creating the potential for insensitivity and increased negativity. In sum, we are cautiously optimistic about the promise of technology to expand, but not replace, traditional forms of social contact.

scholarly journals Midlife as a pivotal period in the life course

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margie E. Lachman ◽  
Salom Teshale ◽  
Stefan Agrigoroaei
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Health And Well Being

We provide evidence for multidirectionality, variability, and plasticity in the nature and direction of change in physical health, cognitive functioning, and well-being during the middle years of the life course. The picture of well-being in midlife based on longitudinal data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study is a more positive one than portrayed in previous cross-sectional studies. We present middle age as a pivotal period in the life course in terms of balancing growth and decline, linking earlier and later periods of life, and bridging younger and older generations. We highlight the role of protective factors and multisystem resilience in mitigating declines. Those in middle age play a central role in the lives of those who are younger and older at home, in the workplace, and in society at large. Thus, a focus on promoting health and well-being in middle age can have a far-reaching impact.

The Role of Psychology in Addressing Worldwide Challenges of Poverty and Gender Inequality

2019 ◽  
Vol 227 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni C. Antonucci ◽  
Martha Bial ◽  
Carole Cox ◽  
Ruth Finkelstein ◽  
Laura Marchado
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Poverty And Inequality ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract. The United Nations has identified 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) designed to improve the health and well-being of the world’s most vulnerable populations. The authors illustrate the potential role of psychology – in particular, illustrative theories and research – in achieving two SDGs: SDG 1 (reduce poverty) and SDG 5 (achieve gender equality and empowerment). We selectively consider life span (individual) developmental and life course (environmental structure) theories as useful for explaining how poverty and inequality influence the individual and community at individual points in time and over time. Further, we use both the theoretical approach outlined in the convoy model of social relations as well as multinational empirical evidence to illustrate how naturally occurring resources can be garnered to better explain, understand, identify, and create successful intervention programs. We emphasize that psychology is fundamental to achieving SDGs and that we should focus on how to change the behavior and expectations of individuals and societies to achieve sustainable development that contributes to a world that celebrates optimal and sustainable development for all.

Gender Equity and the SDGs

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Dettori ◽  
Geeta Rao Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equity ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Resources ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Global Partnership ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Health And Well Being

This chapter identifies some of the most stubborn gender-based risks and vulnerabilities girls face as a cohort from preadolescence through late adolescence across the domains of personal capabilities, security, safety, economic resources, and opportunities. It reviews progress made during the Millennium Development Goal era in improving girls’ health and well-being and looks to the role of adolescent girls in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. The chapter concludes by recommending an approach for global partnership that is linked to national and local actions and that is centered on priority interventions that can catalyze change, at scale, for adolescent girls.

scholarly journals A Global Review on Short Peptides: Frontiers and Perspectives

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 430
Author(s):  
Vasso Apostolopoulos ◽  
Joanna Bojarska ◽  
Tsun-Thai Chai ◽  
Sherif Elnagdy ◽  
Krzysztof Kaczmarek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Short Peptides ◽  
Altered Peptide Ligands ◽  
Short Peptide ◽  
Domains Of Life

Peptides are fragments of proteins that carry out biological functions. They act as signaling entities via all domains of life and interfere with protein-protein interactions, which are indispensable in bio-processes. Short peptides include fundamental molecular information for a prelude to the symphony of life. They have aroused considerable interest due to their unique features and great promise in innovative bio-therapies. This work focusing on the current state-of-the-art short peptide-based therapeutical developments is the first global review written by researchers from all continents, as a celebration of 100 years of peptide therapeutics since the commencement of insulin therapy in the 1920s. Peptide “drugs” initially played only the role of hormone analogs to balance disorders. Nowadays, they achieve numerous biomedical tasks, can cross membranes, or reach intracellular targets. The role of peptides in bio-processes can hardly be mimicked by other chemical substances. The article is divided into independent sections, which are related to either the progress in short peptide-based theranostics or the problems posing challenge to bio-medicine. In particular, the SWOT analysis of short peptides, their relevance in therapies of diverse diseases, improvements in (bio)synthesis platforms, advanced nano-supramolecular technologies, aptamers, altered peptide ligands and in silico methodologies to overcome peptide limitations, modern smart bio-functional materials, vaccines, and drug/gene-targeted delivery systems are discussed.

Pateicības izpausmes folklorā psiholoģiskā kontekstā

2021 ◽  
pp. 42-53
Author(s):  
Ieva Ančevska
Keyword(s):  
Family Relationships ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Neuroscience Research ◽  
Health And Well Being

The article examines the depiction of gratitude and related events in Latvian folklore through comparative evaluation. Gratitude is considered in a psychological context, comparing the attitude expressed in folklore with the findings of modern scientific research. Gratitude is a concept that is usually associated with a relationship or a benefit, it is most often aimed outwards, dedicated to someone else, but at the same time, it creates a pleasant feeling within the person. In modern psychology, gratitude is receiving more and more attention from researchers because its manifestations stimulate the formation of positive emotions and contribute to the improvement of the person’s overall well-being. Research and clinical studies in psychotherapy confirm that gratitude plays an important role in improving mental health and reducing depressive, destructive feelings. In turn, neuroscience research shows the potential of a grateful and positive attitude in strengthening psycho-emotional health and well-being in general. In Latvian folklore, gratitude is depicted as an important part of ritual events, which helps to ensure a positive, balanced connection with the forces of nature, gods, and society. In folklore, the importance of gratitude is emphasised more when building family relationships or accepting various situations and occurrences in life. In both psychological research and the practice of systemic therapy, as well as in folklore, gratitude appears as one of the most important values of interpersonal connection, which promotes the formation of harmonious relationships. Similar to the opinions of psychology, the folk world views emphasise the motivational role of gratitude in improving the quality of human life and health in general.

Vietnamese Weddings

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thuc-Doan T. Nguyen ◽  
Russell Belk
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Social Values ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Changes ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Historical Role ◽  
And Gender

This article examines the historical role of marriage and wedding rituals in Vietnam, and how they have changed during Vietnam’s transition to the market. The authors focus on how changes reflect the society’s increasing dependence on the market, how this dependence impacts consumer well-being, and the resulting implications for public policy. Changes in the meanings, function, and structure of wedding ritual consumption are examined. These changes echo shifts in the national economy, social values, social relations, and gender roles in Vietnamese society during the transition. The major findings show that Vietnamese weddings are reflections of (1) the roles of wedding rituals as both antecedents and outcomes of social changes, (2) the nation’s perception and imagination of its condition relative to “modernity,” and (3) the role of China as a threatening “other” seen as impeding Vietnam’s progress toward “modernization.”

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