Deck 6: Personality and Mental Health in Old Age

Question 1

The following treatment has been found to reduce symptoms in up to 80 percent of older adults with chronic depression:

A) counseling.
B) antidepressants.
C) counseling and antidepressants.
D) none of the above.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Rowe and Kahn's model of successful aging includes all of the following dimensions except:

A) avoidance of disease.
B) physical and functional health.
C) active involvement with society.
D) being married.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

According to Erik Erikson, the stage of ego integrity refers to:

A) the stage in young adulthood characterized by falling in love.
B) accepting one's self and one's life as complete and meaningful.
C) a feeling of well-being from having a satisfied relationship with one's partner.
D) none of the above.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Resilience takes into account:

A) background characteristics.
B) community capacities.
C) interpersonal relationships.
D) all of the above.

Question 5

DSM IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria for major depressive episode include, over a two week period or more, all of the following except:

A) sleep disturbance.
B) low energy level every day.
C) guilt and worthlessness.
D) anger toward friends and family.

Question 6

Studies of self-esteem and the aging process show that:

A) self-esteem in older people is not affected by stressful life events.
B) accepting the aging process and its limitations will not help older persons.
C) life review can help maintain self-esteem.
D) self-esteem declines with aging.

Question 7

Jung's theory suggests that as people get older:

A) men exaggerate their masculine characteristics to compensate for their rising age.
B) women develop somewhat more masculine characteristics.
C) both men and women become more masculine.
D) they achieve ego integrity.

Question 8

The Grant Study of Harvard University Graduates:

A) is a longitudinal study that supports stage theories.
B) is a cross-sectional study that supports stage theories.
C) showed that the most emotionally stable 50 and 60 year olds followed gender stereotypes.
D) included men and women who established professional identity in their 20s and 30s.

Question 9

The ability to look back objectively on one's life can be achieved through:

A) life review.
B) identity assimilation.
C) role confusion.
D) emotional regulation.

Question 10

Research evidence suggests that life events:

A) are generally negative.
B) can be viewed as "on time" or "off time" events.
C) are not affected by the process of cognitive appraisal.
D) widowhood is an example of an internally created event.

Question 11

All of the following are personality factors important for maintaining self-esteem except:

A) acceptance of the aging process.
B) reinterpretation of the meaning of self.
C) achieving one's goals.
D) life review.

Question 12

DSM IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria for major depressive episode include, over a two week period or more,:

A) compulsive behaviors.
B) psychologically induced leg or arm tremor.
C) low energy level or fatigue.
D) blaming others for personal problems.

Question 13

One's cognitive image of the self is:

A) self image.
B) self esteem.
C) self identity.
D) self concept.

Question 14

Rowe and Kahn's model of successful aging includes the following dimension(s):

A) high cognitive functioning.
B) a significant number of lucky breaks in life.
C) acceptance of social isolation.
D) both A and B.

Question 15

Which is not one of the 5 primary dimensions of personality, according to the Baltimore Longitudinal Studies?

A) extraversion
B) neuroticism
C) agreeableness
D) wisdom

Question 16

Erikson's concept of generativity may take the form of all of the following except:

A) achieving a professional promotion.
B) mentoring.
C) conducting a life review.
D) focusing on one's legacy.

Question 17

Valliant's studies about personality and coping styles that result in positive aging found:

A) childhood social class has a significant impact on outcomes during old age.
B) self-confidence evolves with age.
C) parental problems during childhood play a major role in old age self-confidence.
D) coping strategies in youth have little to do with strategies employed in old age.

Question 18

Causes of reversible dementia (delirium) in old age include:

A) drugs or medication.
B) Korsakoff syndrome.
C) Huntington's.
D) Alzheimer's disease.

Question 19

According to the MacArthur studies, the best predictor of continued high levels of cognitive ability is:

A) educational level.
B) physical activity.
C) leisure time.
D) positive attitude.

Question 20

Which of the following is true regarding Alzheimer's disease?

A) It is estimated to affect 14% of all Americans aged 65 and older.
B) Ginkgo biloba can help in advanced dementia.
C) There are currently a variety of treatments that can cure Alzheimer's disease.
D) Behavioral therapy is effective for moderate dementia.

Question 21

Seventy-eight percent of suicides among older men were completed with:

A) a firearm.
B) a knife.
C) poison.
D) medications.

Question 22

Older women who are widowed, over age 85, and experiencing chronic pain and depression are the group at greatest risk of suicide.

Question 23

Unfortunately, nothing can be done to help patients with Alzheimer's disease or their family caregivers.

Question 24

In stages 6 and 7 (advanced dementia) of Alzheimer's Disease what should caregivers do?

A) Visit alternative long-term care facilities that fit the P-E needs of the particular patient.
B) Set-up an orientation area in the home.
C) Watch for signs of driving problems.
D) Encourage increased physical and social activities.

Question 25

Depression treatment is effective for about 25% of chronically depressed older adults.

Question 26

Years ago, families and health care providers referred to marked deterioration in memory as "hardening of the arteries." This remains a correct diagnosis today.

Question 27

Middle-aged and older adults who are characterized by generativity spend considerable time in reflection about themselves.

Question 28

A majority of those with Alzheimer's disease are cared for in long-term care settings, such as nursing homes.

Question 29

An irreversible dementia may occur among older adults who are using multiple medications.

Question 30

Risk factors for depression in older adults include:

A) co-morbidity.
B) married.
C) male gender.
D) financial stability and comfort.

Question 31

Self-esteem is affected by role losses with age.

Question 32

One form of therapy for older adults which allows them to process grief and loss is known as:

A) reminiscence therapy.
B) group therapy.
C) cognitive-behavioral therapy.
D) life review.

Question 33

An older person who tries to hide or mask their depression may be misdiagnosed as having dementia.

Question 34

The dialectical approach to personality development is congruent with the person-environment model presented throughout this text.

Question 35

Anxiety disorders are not diagnosed as frequently in the young as they are in the older population.

Question 36

Predictors of positive aging include all of the following except:

A) passive acceptance when faced with a crisis.
B) a supportive marriage or a long term partnership.
C) continued involvement with life.
D) mature defense mechanism and active coping mechanisms.

Question 37

Successful aging is used to describe older adults who have a good income and who live with a family member.

Question 38

Most people do not experience major personality shifts as they age.

Question 39

Erikson's stages of ego development and Levinson's concept of "life structures" have similar meanings.

Question 40

When older adults experience signs of mental disorders, they turn first to their family physician rather than a mental health professional.

Question 41

________ is defined as a combination of physical and functional health, high cognitive functioning, and active involvement with society.

Question 42

Discuss the three components of the Model of Successful Aging.

Question 43

Contrast the indicators of Alzheimer's Disease with normal changes in memory.

Question 44

Discuss the difference between delirium and dementia.

Question 45

The last stage of Erikson's stages of development is ________.

Question 46

The most common therapeutic intervention with depressed older individuals is ________.

Question 47

Describe the reason it is challenging to describe the prevalence of mental disorders of older people.

Question 48

The underlying characteristics of a person's life at a particular period of time are known as ________.

Question 49

White men aged 85 and older are at greatest risk for ________.

Question 50

Thoroughly discuss Erikson's stage model of development and pay particular attention to the later life stages.