Social Psychological Aspects of Communication and Aging

Abstract

Language plays an important role in defining identities in older adulthood. Both self-perception and others' perceptions of older adults are reflected through language used by older and younger adults (see recent texts: de Bot & Makoni, 2005; Harwood, 2007; Hummert & Nussbaum, 2001; Nussbaum & Coupland, 2004). In this review, we outline key theoretical perspectives on the study of communication with older adults and provide evidence supporting these perspectives within the context of age stereotypes, intergenerational communication, cross-cultural communication, and health care encounters. Given that communication is an interactive process, we discuss how older adults use language and communication to respond to age stereotypes and adaptively cope with age-related losses. We also discuss communication interventions aimed at improving interactions between care providers and older adults, and opportunities that technology brings to enhance communication within and across generations.

Mobility, Disability, and Social Engagement in Older Adults

“…It is unclear how technology-assisted engagement might differ from face-to-face engagement, though there is some suggestion that computer-mediated communication may not function as effectively as face-to-face communications in enhancing quality of life (Paul, Louis, Venhwei, Chengyu, & Tingjun, 2011) or buffering stressful life events (Lewandowski, Rosenberg, Jordan Parks, & Siegel, 2011). In contrast, online communities may provide opportunities to share in comfortably anonymous ways with people who share similar interests or life stressors (Savundranayagam & Ryan, 2008). Currently, little is known about how Internet use relates to mobility and disability.…”

Developments in Health Communication in the 21st Century

“…In turn, negative self-stereotypes can affect physical and cognitive functioning negatively in older people (with positive self-stereotyping having positive affects). Savundranayagam and Ryan (2008) outlined more specifically the ongoing negative representations of elderly people in the media, which contributed to negative stereotyping of older people by both the young and old.…”

“…CAT emphasizes the importance of interlocutors accommodating to the communication needs of their conversational partner. For example, Savundranayagam and Ryan (2008) argued the importance of health professionals adapting their communication to reflect the heterogeneity of older adults. There has been some research examining the role of the health professional in adapting his/her communication with patients, an approach Savundranayagam, Ryan, and Hummert (2007) labelled "enabling environments".…”

“…CAT emphasizes the importance of interlocutors accommodating to the communication needs of their conversational partner. For example, Savundranayagam and Ryan (2008) argued the importance of health professionals adapting their communication to reflect the heterogeneity of older adults. There has been some research examining the role of the health professional in adapting his/her communication with patients, an approach Savundranayagam, Ryan, and Hummert (2007) labeled “enabling environments.” Williams (2006) demonstrated the effectiveness of a training program designed to reduce “elderspeak,” although some of the effects found postintervention had disappeared 2 months later, highlighting the challenge of maintenance experienced by many training programs.…”

An interactional perspective on sound prolongation in multilingual encounters in residential care

“…Speech adaptations toward older people is often referred to as elderspeak (Caporael, Lukaszewski, & Culbertson, 1983;Hummert & Ryan, 1996;Mackie, 2018;Samuelsson, Adolfsson, & Persson, 2013;Savundranayagam & Ryan, 2008;Williams, Boyle, Herman, Coleman, & Hummert, 2012;Williams & Herman, 2011;Williams, Kemper, & Hummert, 2003). On the basis of previous research in the field, Samuelsson et al (2013) provide an overview of five domains of elderspeak.…”