Aspectos psicológicos do envelhecimento

• Autor(a) principal: Barreto, João
• Data de Publicação: 1988
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v6i2.796
• topic: -

Passing in review the main intelectual and affective changes associated with age, the author stresses that psychologic aging is subject to great inter-individual variability. Longitudinal research has not given support to the old notion that cognitive efficiency undergoes a global and progressive decline after maturity. Many abilities remain unchanged, and a few can even increase in middle age; others, conversely, become impaired at an early age, by effect of such limitating factors as the slowing of mental functions and the difficulty in the processing of information. But recent findings seem to explain age effects on cognitive functioning also in terms of previous education and current activity. This sort of «plasticity» underlines the importance of stimulation for maintaining mental efficiency in old age. The same kind of inter-individual variability can be observed in personality development along middle and advanced age. Sequential research has shown that some well documented general changes, such as rigidity or cautiousness, are less important than the specific features of the evolution of each individual. On the other hand, personal goals and adaptative processes turn out to be relatively constant through adult life, and not very dependent on age factors. So, one may say that personality becomes more rich and differentiated as age processes; any disease or extreme deprivation can impoverish and equalized. Thus, as the patterns of behavior brought about by internal and external changes in old age are so different and specific, general theories of life satisfaction do not seem to be valid, as long as they are rigid and normative. Multidisciplinary studies suggest that activity theory and, in a lesser degree, disengagement theory, both have come part of truth. A temporary or selective disengagement of peripheral roles may possess good adaptative value, and is frequently followed by a re-engagement in fresh family or social roles. For the majority of elderly individuals, therefore, a good adaptation seems to be dependent on maintaining a fair level of activity and social interchange. Such activity, that must be perceived as useful, is stimulating for the intellect and potentially rewarding. It strongly contributes to self-confidence and self-esteem, which are most important for life satisfaction to be preserved.