The Fifth Edition of the Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences reflects the growth of ideas, information, and research literature in the social aspects of aging. Building upon the first four editions, the Handbook is substantially expanded with eleven new topics, including the demography of aging, the social psychology of health, social support, chronic care, and role transitions in aging. Fourteen additional chapters on the main avenues of research in social science and aging round out the volume. Intended for use by researchers, professional practitioners, and students in the field of aging, the Handbook is divided into four sections, covering theory and research methodology, aging and social structure, social factors and social institutions associated with aging, and social interventions. Suitable as both a textbook and a reference tool, the Handbook is a comprehensive source for information on aging and the social sciences.
Review quote:
"...this reference text is highly recommended for senior scholars, researchers, and practitioners."
--CHOICE (March 2002)
Praise for the previous edition:
"This collection is a Fourth Edition of a series that provides broad and thorough coverage of research on aging in the social sciences. Although a Fourth Edition, much of the material is new... This volume provides extensive and detailed summaries of critical social science subject areas, primarily in sociology, epidemiology and demography, history, economics, and political science and social policy. This will likely be an indispensable book for psychologists who need extended yet concise treatment of the research on social influences on aging. It is recommended as a useful addition to personal collections of gerontological literature. Supplemented by other material (new topics areas supplement but do not replace thematic contents in previous editions), this handbook could serve as a cornerstone for advanced-level study."
--CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY
"Intended for use by researchers, professional practitioners, and students in the field of aging, the Handbook series serves its purpose well... The chapters are uniformly well written and densely packed with information. While the chapter titles have not changed substantially from the earlier editions, the approach to many of the topics is new, thanks to the outreach of the editors to first-time contributors... The result is a fresh outlook on many areas that have become stale in our discussions. All of the contributors, of course, are distinguished scholars and recognizable experts in their fields... I found the infusion of the life-course perspective throughout the volume to give it a certain integrity and connectedness. They are written with a strong theory base and an acknowledgement of the research frontiers that remain to be explored. The Fourth Edition to the Handbook on Aging and the Social Sciences has much to recommend it... It presents not only a critical review of research to date, but a discussion of areas for further research. The chapters provide rich topical reviews that can update ones knowledge in a variety of areas. It will serve, as its predecessors have, as a valuable reference text for researchers, professionals, and students interested in social gerontology."
--Elizabeth A. Kutza, Portland State University, in GERONTOLOGIST
"A comprehensive text/reference for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of aging. The volume is divided into four sections covering: theory and research methodology, aging and social structure, social factors and social institutions associated with aging, and social interventions. This updated edition is substantially expanded with 25 new contributors and some dozen new topics."
Table of contents:
G. O. Hagestad and D. Dannefer, Concepts and Theories of Aging: Beyond Microfication in Social Science Approaches.
D. F. Alwin and R. T. Campbell, Quantitative Approaches: Longitudinal Methods in the Study of Human Development and Aging.
B. Singer and C. Ryff, Person-Centered Methods for Understanding Aging:The Integration of Numbers and Narratives.
M. Hayward and Z. Zhang, Demography of Aging: A Century of Global Change, 1950-2050
W. Serow, Economic and Social Implications of Demographic Patterns.
C. Longino, Geographical Distribution and Migration.
C. Ikels and C. Beall, Age, Aging, and Anthropology.
T. Hareven, Historical Perspectives on Aging and Family Relations.
D. Williams and C. Wilson, Race, Ethnicity, and Aging.
P. Moen, The Gendered Life Course.
A. O'Rand, Stratification and the Life Course: The Forms of Life Course Capital and Their Interrelationships.
L. George, The Social Psychology of Health.
L. L. Pearlin, A. E. McLaughlin and M. F. Pioli, Caregiving by Adult Children: Involvement, Role Disruption, and Health.
J. Henretta, Work and Retirement.
N. Krause, Social Support.
R. Giarrusso, V. L. Bengtson and J. B. Mabry, The Aging Self in Social Contexts.
K. F. Ferraro, Aging and Role Transitions.
R. H. Binstock and J. Quadagno, Aging and Politics.
W. Crown, Economic Status of Older Persons.
E. Kingson and J. Williamson, Economic Security Policies.
J. Feder, H. Komisar and M. Niefeld, The Financing and Organization of Health Care.
R. L. Kane and R. A. Kane, Emerging Issues in Chronic Care.
G. Maddox, Housing and Living Arrangements: A Transactional Perspective.
A. Wilkinson and J. Lynn, The End of Life.
S. Cutler and J. Hendricks, Emerging Social Trends.
Review quote:
"...this reference text is highly recommended for senior scholars, researchers, and practitioners."
--CHOICE (March 2002)
Praise for the previous edition:
"This collection is a Fourth Edition of a series that provides broad and thorough coverage of research on aging in the social sciences. Although a Fourth Edition, much of the material is new... This volume provides extensive and detailed summaries of critical social science subject areas, primarily in sociology, epidemiology and demography, history, economics, and political science and social policy. This will likely be an indispensable book for psychologists who need extended yet concise treatment of the research on social influences on aging. It is recommended as a useful addition to personal collections of gerontological literature. Supplemented by other material (new topics areas supplement but do not replace thematic contents in previous editions), this handbook could serve as a cornerstone for advanced-level study."
--CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY
"Intended for use by researchers, professional practitioners, and students in the field of aging, the Handbook series serves its purpose well... The chapters are uniformly well written and densely packed with information. While the chapter titles have not changed substantially from the earlier editions, the approach to many of the topics is new, thanks to the outreach of the editors to first-time contributors... The result is a fresh outlook on many areas that have become stale in our discussions. All of the contributors, of course, are distinguished scholars and recognizable experts in their fields... I found the infusion of the life-course perspective throughout the volume to give it a certain integrity and connectedness. They are written with a strong theory base and an acknowledgement of the research frontiers that remain to be explored. The Fourth Edition to the Handbook on Aging and the Social Sciences has much to recommend it... It presents not only a critical review of research to date, but a discussion of areas for further research. The chapters provide rich topical reviews that can update ones knowledge in a variety of areas. It will serve, as its predecessors have, as a valuable reference text for researchers, professionals, and students interested in social gerontology."
--Elizabeth A. Kutza, Portland State University, in GERONTOLOGIST
"A comprehensive text/reference for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of aging. The volume is divided into four sections covering: theory and research methodology, aging and social structure, social factors and social institutions associated with aging, and social interventions. This updated edition is substantially expanded with 25 new contributors and some dozen new topics."
Table of contents:
G. O. Hagestad and D. Dannefer, Concepts and Theories of Aging: Beyond Microfication in Social Science Approaches.
D. F. Alwin and R. T. Campbell, Quantitative Approaches: Longitudinal Methods in the Study of Human Development and Aging.
B. Singer and C. Ryff, Person-Centered Methods for Understanding Aging:The Integration of Numbers and Narratives.
M. Hayward and Z. Zhang, Demography of Aging: A Century of Global Change, 1950-2050
W. Serow, Economic and Social Implications of Demographic Patterns.
C. Longino, Geographical Distribution and Migration.
C. Ikels and C. Beall, Age, Aging, and Anthropology.
T. Hareven, Historical Perspectives on Aging and Family Relations.
D. Williams and C. Wilson, Race, Ethnicity, and Aging.
P. Moen, The Gendered Life Course.
A. O'Rand, Stratification and the Life Course: The Forms of Life Course Capital and Their Interrelationships.
L. George, The Social Psychology of Health.
L. L. Pearlin, A. E. McLaughlin and M. F. Pioli, Caregiving by Adult Children: Involvement, Role Disruption, and Health.
J. Henretta, Work and Retirement.
N. Krause, Social Support.
R. Giarrusso, V. L. Bengtson and J. B. Mabry, The Aging Self in Social Contexts.
K. F. Ferraro, Aging and Role Transitions.
R. H. Binstock and J. Quadagno, Aging and Politics.
W. Crown, Economic Status of Older Persons.
E. Kingson and J. Williamson, Economic Security Policies.
J. Feder, H. Komisar and M. Niefeld, The Financing and Organization of Health Care.
R. L. Kane and R. A. Kane, Emerging Issues in Chronic Care.
G. Maddox, Housing and Living Arrangements: A Transactional Perspective.
A. Wilkinson and J. Lynn, The End of Life.
S. Cutler and J. Hendricks, Emerging Social Trends.