Semester
Fall
Date of Graduation
2001
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Committee Chair
Barry Edelstein.
Committee Co-Chair
Julie Hicks Patrick
Committee Member
Stanley Cohen
Abstract
This study examined gender and age-related differences in reasons for living, using a sample of 50 young adults (M = 20.2), 53 middle-aged adults (M = 49.3), and 55 older adults ( M = 78.5). Participants completed a combined version of the Reasons for Living Inventory, the Reasons for Living Inventory for Younger Adults, and the Reasons for Living Inventory for Older Adults. Although no gender differences emerged in reasons for living, younger adults placed more importance on fear of social disapproval, moral objections, survival and coping skills, peer acceptance, survival and coping beliefs, fear of suicide, and future optimism than did middle-aged adults and more importance on future optimism, survival and coping beliefs, peer acceptance, and future optimism than older adults. Older adults rated fear of social disapproval, moral objections, and peer acceptance as more important than middle-aged adults. Implications of these findings in the areas of suicide prevention, assessment, and treatment are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Koven, Lesley P., "Reasons for living across the lifespan" (2001). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 868.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/868