New Directions in the Sociology of Aging

The aging of the population of the United States is occurring at a time of major economic and social changes. These economic changes include consideration of increases in the age of eligibility for Social Security and Medicare and possible changes in benefit levels. Furthermore, changes in the social context in which older individuals and families function may well affect the nature of key social relationships and institutions that define the environment for older persons. Sociology offers a knowledge base, a number of useful analytic approaches and tools, and unique theoretical perspectives that can facilitate understanding of these demographic, economic, and social changes and, to the extent possible, their causes, consequences and implications.New Directions in the Sociology of Aging evaluates the recent contributions of social demography, social epidemiology and sociology to the study of aging and identifies promising new research directions in these sub-fields. Included in this study are nine papers prepared by experts in sociology, demography, social genomics, public health, and other fields, that highlight the broad array of tools and perspectives that can provide the basis for further advancing the understanding of aging processes in ways that can inform policy. This report discusses the role of sociology in what is a wide-ranging and diverse field of study; a proposed three-dimensional conceptual model for studying social processes in aging over the life cycle; a review of existing databases, data needs and opportunities, primarily in the area of measurement of interhousehold and intergenerational transmission of resources, biomarkers and biosocial interactions; and a summary of roadblocks and bridges to transdisciplinary research that will affect the future directions of the field of sociology of aging.Table of ContentsFront MatterPART I: FINAL REPORTSummary1 Introduction and Approach2 A Conceptual Model of Aging for the Next Generation of Research3 Data Needs and Opportunities4 Roadblocks and Bridges to Transdisciplinary ResearchReferencesAppendix: Biographical Sketches of Panel MembersPART II: PAPERS5 Introduction and Overview--Linda J. Waite6 The New Realities of Aging: Social and EconomicContexts--Jacqueline L. Angel and Richard A. Settersten, Jr.7 Research Opportunities in the Demography of Aging--Melissa Hardyand Vegard Skirbekk8 Networks, Neighborhoods, and Institutions: An Integrated"Activity Space" Approach for Research on Aging--Kathleen A.Cagney, Christopher R. Browning, Aubrey L. Jackson, and BrianSoller9 Constrained Choices: The Shifting Institutional Contexts of Agingand the Life Course--Phyllis Moen10 Opportunities and Challenges in the Study of Biosocial Dynamicsin Healthy Aging--Tara L. Gruenewald11 The Loyal Opposition: A Commentary on "Opportunities andChallenges in the Study of Biosocial Dynamics in HealthyAging"--Maxine Weinstein, Dana A. Glei, and Noreen Goldman12 Social Genomics and the Life Course: Opportunities andChallenges for Multilevel Population Research--Michael J. Shanahan13 The Challenge of Social Genomics: A Commentary on "SocialGenomics and the Life Course: Opportunities and Challenges forMultilevel Population Research"--Jason Schnittker14 Interventions to Promote Health and Prevent Disease:Perspectives on Clinical Trials Past, Present, and Future--S.Leonard Syme and Abby C. KingCommittee on Population