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Given the 2006 GREAT GERONTOLOGY AWARD for outstanding contribution to gerontological research by the Swedish Gerontological Society Received a VALUE GROUND AWARD from the journal Aldreomsorg (Old Age Care) Expanding upon his earlier writings, Dr. Tornstam's latest book explores the need for new theories in gerontology and sets the stage for the development of his theory of gerotranscendence. This theory was developed to address what the author sees as a perpetual mismatch between present theories in social gerontology and existing empirical data. The development towards gerotranscendence can involve some overlooked developmental changes that are related to increased life satisfaction, as self-described by individuals. The gerotranscendent individual typically experiences a redefinition of the Self and of relationships to others and a new understanding of fundamental existential questions:
Gerotranscendence does NOT imply any state of withdrawal or disengagement, as sometimes erroneously believed. It is not the old disengagement theory in new disguise. Rather, it is a theory that describes a developmental pattern beyond the old dualism of activity and disengagement. The author supports his theory with insightful qualitative in-depth interviews with older persons and quantitative studies. In addition, Tornstam illustrates the practical implications of the theory of gerotranscendence for professionals working with older adults in care settings. A useful Appendix contains suggestions of how to facilitate personal development toward gerotranscendence. For Further Information, Please Click Here! |
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| Table of Contents | |||||||||
| Introduction The Need for New Theories in Social Gerontology The Root of the Misery Perspective Myths Within Gerontology The Retirement Trauma The Scientific Paradigm of Gerontology The Absolute Order of Things The Function of Myths Within Science Bursting the Borders Origin of the Theory and First Outline The Paradigmatic Context of the Disengagement Theory and Its Counter Theories Experimental Thinking with an Alternative Meta-Theoretical Paradigm Obstructions in the Process Towards Gerotranscendence Conclusion The Qualitative Content of Gerotranscendence Gerotranscendence and Its Opposite The Cosmic Dimension of Gerotranscendence The Self Dimension of Gerotranscendence The Social and Personal Relationships Dimension of Gerotranscendence Obstacles and Shortcuts on the Path to Gerotranscendence The Signs of Gerotranscendence A Development Beyond Both Disengagement and Ego Integrity Quantitative Empirical Elucidations Gerotranscendence Development in Retrospect Gerotranscendence in a Cross Sectional Perspective Focusing the 65+ Life Crises and Gerotranscendence The Functions of Reminiscence on Gerotranscendence Gerotranscendence in Practice Nursing Staffs Interpretations of Gerotranscendence Related Behavior The Impact of the Theory on Nursing Staff Practical Guide Lines for Staff Members Introducing Guidelines in a Nursing Home Environment Conclusive Summary Acknowledgements References Appendix: Suggested Exercises for Personal Development | |||||||||
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| Reviews | |||||||||
"Lars Tornstam's Gerotranscendence demands that we look more deeply at those admirable qualities of character found among those who have lived the whole course of life, people who have attained a level of freedom and spiritual fulfillment that can be a goal for us all...He has set a standard that will inspire both scientific investigation as well as practice in the professions. More questions will undoubtedly be asked as others are inspired by Tornstam's gound-breaking work." The book therefore provides a record of how a pioneer conceived executed, and defended theory building on the micro to intermediate level in a scientific field of inquiry that James Birren characterised as data-rich and theory-poor.... Gerotranscendence is an important book, a testimony to the continuing need for theory-building that widens our field of vision conceptually and practically. "--Aging and Society "Every baby boomer looking for an alternative paradigm to activity theory's 'energetic aging' in later life and its projected treadmill of trips to the personal trainer and plastic surgeon, sky diving lessons, and updates from the stockbroker, should read this book...Tornstam's book is chock full of fresh insight and substantial evidence, supporting his convincing argument that gerontologists have, for too long, circled their wagons around one theory of aging (activity theory) with too little attention to the 'subjects' of their enquiries-older people themselves-in all their diversity and abundance of unique personal experiences of growing older...Tornstam provides an alternative way to see the world-'a theoretical tool that makes certain parts of reality comprehensible'." | |||||||||
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| Author Biographies | |||||||||
Lars Tornstam, PhD, is a pioneer of Swedish social gerontology, who wrote the first Swedish doctoral thesis within the field of gerontological sociology back in 1973. At Uppsala University he launched the first Swedish academic courses in gerontology and did the same in Denmark during a five year stay as adjunct professor of social gerontology at the University of Copenhagen. He has also been one of the leaders of a Swedish nation-wide, cross faculty, research program Elderly in society Past, present and in the future, where he himself focused his research on empirical studies of what today is labeled ageism. | |||||||||
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