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Cited by 1,846Aging and Gerontology ResearchAging, Health, and DisabilityRetirement, Disability, and Employment

A Continuity Theory of Normal Aging

Atchley, R. C.·1989·The Gerontologist
DOI 10.1093/geront/29.2.183
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Abstract

Continuity Theory holds that, in making adaptive choices, middle-aged and older adults attempt to preserve and maintain existing internal and external structures; and they prefer to accomplish this objective by using strategies tied to their past experiences of themselves and their social world. Change is linked to the person's perceived past, producing continuity in inner psychological characteristics as well as in social behavior and in social circumstances. Continuity is thus a grand adaptive strategy that is promoted by both individual preference and social approval.

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  • Role continuity or role replacement through appropriate activity participation and with familiar, supportive others may contribute to the individual's sense of meaning or purpose and to maintenance of a sense of identity.

    “On an individual level, role continuity or role replacement through appropriate activity participation and with familiar, supportive others may contribute to the individual's sense of meaning or purpose and to maintenance of a sense of identity (Atchley 1989 ;Lemon, Bengtson and Peterson 1972).”

    From A critical review of the literature on social and leisure activity and wellbeing in later life (2011) · cites this paper as Atchley 1989

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Authors
Atchley, R. C.
Affiliations
Miami University (US)
Corresponding author
Atchley, R. C.
Venue
The Gerontologist
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
1989-04-01
Volume
29
Issue
2
Pages
183-190
ISSN
  • 0016-9013 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-5341
DOI
10.1093/geront/29.2.183
OpenAlex
W2106722749
Cited by
1,846
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 112 · 2025: 118 · 2024: 74 · 2023: 79 · 2022: 86 · 2021: 93 · 2020: 82 · 2019: 88 · 2018: 77 · 2017: 83 · 2016: 80 · 2015: 83 · 2014: 85 · 2013: 69 · 2012: 64
FWCI
20.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Gerontologist (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Retirement, Disability, and Employment
Keywords
continuity theory, normal aging, middle-aged adults, older adults, adaptation strategies, psychological continuity, social continuity, prior experience, social approval
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Aging, Humans, Psychological Theory, Social Adjustment

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