Question 1

When older adults with anxiety disorders are subjected to stress, their levels of _____ rise, and it takes a good deal of time for them to subside.

Accepted Answer

Cortisol is known as the stress hormone and is released in response to stress. Older adults with anxiety disorders have been shown to have higher levels of cortisol in response to stress compared to those without anxiety disorders. These high levels can take longer to subside, contributing to the negative impact of stress on both physical and mental health. Progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone are not directly associated with the stress response.

Question 2

_____ addresses the development of older adults' social networks.

Accepted Answer

The Socioemotional selectivity theory addresses the development of older adults' social networks. This theory suggests that as individuals age, they become more selective in their social contacts and prioritize relationships that are emotionally meaningful to them.

Question 3

Which of the following statements is true of the social contexts of aging?

Accepted Answer

According to the statement, older Americans prefer to stay in their homes as long as they can. Option A is incorrect as it suggests that older adults are more likely to be victimized by crime, which is not supported by the context given. Option B is incorrect as the statement does not give any indication of the preferences of affluent individuals with large amounts of home equity. Option C is also incorrect as the statement suggests that older adults are less willing to enter nursing homes when they feel physically or mentally unwell.

Question 4

Which of the following types of medicines is commonly used to quell anxiety among older adults?

Accepted Answer

Mild tranquilizers such as benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed to older adults to manage symptoms of anxiety. Immunosuppressants, NSAIDs, and antipyretics are not typically used for anxiety.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the term body esteem?

Accepted Answer

Body esteem refers to how individuals perceive and value their physical selves, including their appearance and functioning. It is related to feelings of pride and confidence in the body, rather than an unwillingness to accept its shortcomings (D), and is not related to beliefs about life span or emotional decline (A and C).

Question 6

Research on the life-span development of self-esteem suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that males generally report higher self-esteem than females, a trend observed across various age groups. This difference is attributed to societal, cultural, and possibly biological factors that influence self-perceptions and self-worth.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is true of depression in late adulthood?

Accepted Answer

Depression in late adulthood can be connected with possible structural changes in the brain, such as shrinkage of the hippocampus. While sadness and bereavement can be symptoms of depression, they do not solely indicate or characterize it. While depression may be more common among older adults compared to younger adults, it is not accurate to say it is more common without providing a specific age range. Finally, depression can be linked to genetic factors, although environmental factors also play a role.

Question 8

Identify a reason for older adults to need to consider residing somewhere other than their homes.

Accepted Answer

Increases in property taxes can make it difficult for older adults on a fixed income to continue to afford their homes. Plentiful financial resources, grown-up children residing nearby, and strong ties with the community may be factors that allow older adults to remain in their homes.

Question 9

Inability to bounce back from a state of sadness is a symptom of _____.

Accepted Answer

Inability to bounce back from a state of sadness is a symptom of depression.

Question 10

The socioemotional selectivity theory states that:

Accepted Answer

The socioemotional selectivity theory posits that as people age, they become more selective with their social interactions and prioritize emotional experiences over information-gathering ones. This means that they place increasing emphasis on emotional experience as they age, which is reflected in their social choices.

Question 11

Who among the following suffers from a phobic disorder?

Accepted Answer

Nia's persistent fear of pointed objects for no particular reason is indicative of a phobic disorder. None of the other answer choices describe symptoms of a phobic disorder.

Question 12

Which of the following statements is best supported by activity theory?

Accepted Answer

Activity theory suggests that continued engagement in physical and social activities is important for maintaining life satisfaction and well-being in late adulthood. Research has shown that physical activity is associated with a lower mortality rate in this stage of life. Therefore, option D is the best supported by activity theory. The other options are not supported by this theory and contradict the idea that individuals should remain active and engaged in society as they age.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is true of generalized anxiety disorder?

Accepted Answer

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worry and anxiety about a variety of events and activities. It is often associated with the perception of lacking control over one's life, leading to a persistent state of worry and apprehension. It is not characterized by an irrational, exaggerated fear of a specific object or situation (which is more characteristic of a phobia) or synonymous with panic disorder (which is characterized by recurrent panic attacks). It can occur at any age, but is more common in adulthood.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is accurate about depression in older adults?

Accepted Answer

Suicide due to untreated depression is more frequent among older adults than among younger adults. While depression is not more common in older adults, it is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, leading to higher rates of suicide in this population. The other options are not entirely accurate or are overly broad.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is true of activity theory?

Accepted Answer

Activity theory suggests that continued engagement in physical and social activities is important for successful aging, and that many of the barriers to such activities for older adults are due to social attitudes and structural factors rather than the natural aging process itself. Options A, B, and C are all incorrect as they contradict the central tenets of activity theory.

Question 16

_____ is the fear of open, crowded places.

Accepted Answer

Agoraphobia is the fear of open, crowded places, and is characterized by an avoidance of situations in which escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of a panic attack or other anxiety symptoms. Acarophobia is the fear of small insects or mites, Acerophobia is the fear of sourness, and Agraphobia is the fear of sexual abuse.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is true of anxiety disorders?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety disorders can have negative effects on physical health, particularly in older adults who may have preexisting health conditions that are exacerbated by anxiety symptoms. It is important for healthcare providers to screen for and address anxiety disorders in older adults to promote overall health and well-being. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect statements.

Question 18

Liz is a 70-year-old woman who has developed an irrational fear of open, crowded places and avoids leaving her home. This fear began after Liz lost her husband. In this scenario, Liz suffers from _____.

Accepted Answer

Agoraphobia is a fear of open or crowded spaces, which often leads to avoidance of those situations. Liz's fear developed after losing her husband, and she avoids leaving her home, which are both common features of agoraphobia. Ergophobia is a fear of work, chionophobia is a fear of snow, and algophobia is a fear of pain, none of which are relevant to Liz's situation.

Question 19

Which of the following options is a reason that older adults limit their social networks to a few family members and friends?

Accepted Answer

Older adults tend to be more risk-averse and may be hesitant to invest time and energy building new friendships. They may prefer to focus on maintaining existing relationships with family members and a few close friends who they trust and feel comfortable around.

Question 20

Which of the following statements is true of psychological problems in late adulthood?

Accepted Answer

Older women are approximately twice as likely to be affected by anxiety disorders than older men, reflecting gender differences in the prevalence of anxiety disorders.

Quiz 18: Late Adulthood: Social and Emotional Development