The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

The social life and attitudes of 80 year olds in Iceland and Sweden - A comparison of two city populations

På svenska

Author

  • Gillis Samuelsson
  • Torbjörn Svensson
  • J E Jónsson

Summary, in English

The 80+ Studies are collecting longitudinal data regarding medical, psychological, and sociological aspects of 80-year-old people in Lund, Sweden and Reykjavik, Iceland. Methods and Samples: The research design and instruments were identical at the two cites. The number of participants was 139 and 151 respectively. Results: The Icelandic sample had a lower level of educational attainment, a higher ratio with working class back-ground, a higher retirement age, a higher level of single living participants, and more often received home health care. They also had fewer close friends, provided a lower level of support to their children, and, to a lower extent, thought their income met their needs. The Swedish participants reported a higher divorce rate, a lower number of children, siblings, and grandchildren, a higher level of satisfaction with family contacts, and a higher level of loneliness. Summary: Many significant differences concerning demographic and social network variables were found between the two samples. Possible macro-social and cultural explanations of the differences are discussed.

Publishing year

2005

Language

English

Pages

1-14

Publication/Series

Hallym International Journal of Aging

Volume

7

Issue

1

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Baywood Publishing Company, Inc.

Topic

  • Occupational Therapy

Keywords

  • cross-national
  • social life
  • social network
  • old old
  • support

Status

Published

Research group

  • Sustainable occupations and health in a life course perspective

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1535-6523