Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences

Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences, Ninth Edition, provides a comprehensive synthesis of the latest research findings in the science of aging. The complexities of population dynamics, cohort succession and policy changes modify the world and its inhabitants in ways that must be vigilantly monitored. Completely revised, this edition not only includes the foundational, classic themes of aging research, but also a rich array of emerging topics and perspectives that advance the field in exciting ways. New topics include families, immigration, social factors and cognition, caregiving, neighborhoods and built environments, natural disasters, religion and health, and sexual behavior, among others. This book will serve as a useful resource and an inspiration to those searching for ways to contribute to the aging enterprise.

Section I: Scientific Approaches and Methods 1. Frontiers of Social Science Research on Aging Kenneth F. Ferraro 2. Ethnographic Methods for Research on Aging: Making Use of a Fundamental Toolkit for Understanding Everyday Life Corey M. Abramson 3. Measuring Life Course Events and Life Histories Jacqui Smith, Mengyao Hu and Haena Lee 4. Genomic Data Measures and Methods: A Primer for Social Scientists Erin B. Ware and Jessica D. Faul Section II: Structural Constraints and Adaptation 5. Growing Old in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Asia Jinkook Lee, Urvashi Jain, Dipti Govil, T. V. Sekher and Alyssa Lubet 6. Educational Attainment and Adult Health Jennifer Karas Montez and Jennifer D. Brooks 7. Social Exclusion and Social Isolation in Later Life Martijn Huisman and Theo G. Van Tilburg 8. The Role of the Built Environment for Healthy Aging: Barriers and Enablers Philippa Clarke and Erica Twardzik 9. Early Origins of Racial Health Disparities: Human Capital Policy is Health Policy Rucker C. Johnson 10. Sexuality in Later Life Linda J. Waite and James Iveniuk 11. The Interplay of Age, Period, and Cohort Effects on Obesity and Metabolic Diseases in Later Life Jessica A. Kelley and Roland J. Thorpe Jr. Section III: Social Institutions 12. The Role of the Military in Women's Lives Janet M. Wilmoth and Andrew S. London 13. Intergenerational Transfers of Time and Money over the Life Course Emily E. Wiemers and Sung S. Park 14. Family Caregiving Sara Honn Qualls 15. Bereavement in Later Life Deborah Carr and Heather Mooney 16. Religion and Aging in the Global Context of Secularization: Patterns, Processes, Consequences Ellen Idler 17. The Changing World of Work and Retirement Kene Henkens and Hanna Van Solinge 18. Aging and Politics: Age Differences in Political Behavior in Comparative Perspective Kaat Smets Section IV: Aging and Social Intervention 19. Volunteering and Health in Later Life Jeffrey A. Burr, Jan E. Mutchler and Sae Hwang Han 20. Housing Older Americans: The Challenges of Accessibility, Affordability, and Quality Judith G. Gonyea 21. Innovations for Aging in Place Sarah E. LaFave, Sarah L. Szanton and Laura N. Gitlin 22. Trends in Aging and Long-Term Care Molly M. Perkins 23. Technologies and Aging: Understanding Use, Impacts, and Future Needs Shelia R. Cotten 24. End-of-Life Medical Expenses Eric French, John Bailey Jones, Elaine Kelly and Jeremy McCauley