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Biomedical subjects

K W Back

Publications and source records attributed to K W Back.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

The perceptual presence of the life course.

Despite the recent popularity of the term, the degree to which the "life course" as such is experienced in everyday life is not clear. Explorations of this question have not been very satisfying because they tend to either eliminate biographical time (as in survey research) or assume its presence (as with clinical, biographical, and life historical research) through the methods used. Our exploratory research used the meanings of personal possessions as an indirect measure of the temporal framing of experiences among forty women who had moved into facilities for elderly persons. We found considerable variation in the relative frequency and importance of biographical references in descriptions of those possessions, which challenges the concepts that have been used to relate experiences of temporality to the self and the methods that have been used to explore these experiences.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Lineage identity and generational continuity: family history and family reunions.

A long tradition of sociological thought asserts that contemporary American culture is providing fewer opportunities to develop a sense of family identity and intergenerational continuity. It is possible, however, to view the modern family as stressed, but successfully adapting to the demands of modernization. One such adaptation is the widespread and growing involvement in lineage identity, manifested by an interest in preserving genealogy and family history and the holding of periodic family reunions. A 73-item questionnaire given to 130 respondents revealed strong lineage conscious attitudes and behavior, particularly on the part of women, blacks, and older people. There may be distinct benefits to be derived by individuals and families strong in lineage identity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Life graphs and life events.

The present study investigates changes in personal satisfaction over the whole life course by means of life graphs and their determinants. The life graphs were administered within a 4-year interval to 371 individuals (age 45-70). A modified version of the Holmes and Rahe life events scale, administered in the second interview, was used to ascertain the occurrence of four kinds of events: (1) children leaving home, (2) ill health, (3) death of family or friends, and (4) changes in work. Differences in height between the peak of the graph and the height at the current age is the measurement technique used with the life graphs. Events are found to play a different role at different stages of life and seem to be measured against an implicit schedule according to which the events are seen as traumatic or acceptable. Thus, the same event has different effects on perception of emotional state according to age.

Age Factors↗