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Biomedical subjects

L Tornstam

Publications and source records attributed to L Tornstam.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Caring for the elderly. Introducing the theory of gerotranscendence as a supplementary frame of reference for caring for the elderly.

In the present article an endeavour is made to present an introduction to a new theoretical framework for caring for the elderly. The theory of gerotranscendence holds that old age is a stage with its own specific quality of life. The venture included two main phases--the introductory phase and the impact evaluation phase. During the introductory phase, ways of understanding and caring for the elderly (the new theory) were presented and discussed among 90 nurses and aids constituting almost the entire staff working with the elderly in institutional settings in a small Swedish municipality. Six months after the end of the introductory phase, the impact evaluation was carried out using a mail survey. The impact evaluation revealed that almost half of the staff came to a new understanding of specific care recipients and that a third of the staff also changed their attitude towards caring for specific care recipients. The introduction of the new theory also reduced staff members' feelings of guilt about inadequacy at work.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The quo vadis of gerontology: on the scientific paradigm of gerontology.

A critical examination of fundamental assumptions of gerontological research reveals problematic sources of concept and theory development. For example, the misery and resource perspectives on aging and the aged are viewed as "overflow" from ideals of Western society. When empirical findings conflict with researchers' theories, the latter must be reexamined and revised. We should look to the aged themselves for new hypotheses, and focus on such concepts as creativity, wisdom, and play.

Aging↗
PubMed1990

Dimensions of loneliness.

Experiences of loneliness have been studied in 2795 Swedish inhabitants aged 15-80. Three different kinds of feelings of loneliness have been identified: intensity/quantity of loneliness, inner loneliness and positive loneliness. Contrary to common belief, the analysis shows that the intensity/quantity of loneliness is higher among young subjects whereas the degree of inner loneliness is slightly higher among older subjects. Both developmental experiences during childhood/adolescence and social conditions at present are correlated with the experience of loneliness in old people.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Gero-transcendence: a reformulation of the disengagement theory.

This article offers a meta-theoretical reformulation of the disengagement theory. It is argued that what social gerontologists describe in negative terms and label "disengagement" is in reality often a positive development towards gero-transcendence. This latter can be described as a shift in meta-perspective from a materialistic and rational view to a more cosmic and transcendent one, normally followed by an increase in life satisfaction. To understand the nature of gero-transcendence gerontologists have to make a meta-theoretical shift from a traditional positivist view to a view where disengagement is phenomenologically comprehended. As the article includes some criticism of interactionist-based social gerontology, it should be mentioned that the author himself has been and is working within this theoretical tradition. The article is as much self-criticism as anything else.

Aged↗