Abstract
The process of aging often poses unique challenges to the practice of couple’s counseling. This highlights the importance for mental health professionals working with this population to be aware of these challenges and provide effective interventions in an empathic and well-informed manner. Therefore, this chapter examines how Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (RE&CBT) in addition to the implementation of wellness activities can help couples deal with the physical and psychological changes due to aging, as well as from conditions such as stroke, arthritis, diabetes and other ailments that are more commonly experienced as one ages. Furthermore, the transition to retirement for individuals and couples is addressed, as well as the stress on a couple when one partner has to assume the role of caretaker. Following a review of RE&CBT techniques with older couples, a case study is presented and the chapter authors reflect on various types of interventions to address issues illustrated by this case.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Addis, J., & Bernard, M. E. (2002). Marital adjustment and irrational beliefs. Journal of Rational Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 20, 3–13.
Alegría, M., Chatterji, P., Wells, K., Cao, Z., Chen, C. N., Takeuchi, D., Jackson, J., & Meng, X. L. (2008). Disparity in depression treatment among racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States. Psychiatric Services, 59(11), 1264–1272.
Bartels, S. J., Blow, F., & Van Citters, A. (2005). Substance abuse and mental health among older Americans: The state of the knowledge and future directions. Substance abuse and mental health services administration. Retrieved April 7, 2012 from http://gsa-alcohol.fmhi.usf.edu/Substance%20Abuse%20and%Mental%20Health%20Among%20Older%20Adults-%20The%20State%20%of%20Knowledge%20and%20Future%20Directions.pdf
Bowser, D. M., Utz, S., Glick, D., & Harmon, R. (2010). A systematic review of the relationship of diabetes mellitus, depression, and missed appointments in a low-income uninsured population. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 24(5), 317–329.
DeLamatar, J. D., & Sill, M. (2005). Sexual desire in later life. Journal of Sex Research, 42, 138–149.
de Souto Barreto, P., Ferrandeaz, A. M., & Guihard-Costa, A. M. (2011). Predictors of body satisfaction: Differences between older men and women’s perceptions of their body functioning and appearance. Journal of Aging and Health, 23, 505–528.
Druss, B. G. & Reisinger Walker, E. (2011). Mental disorders and medical comorbidity. Robert Wood John Synthesis report No 21. Princeton, NJ: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Ellis, A. (2003). How to age with style. New York: Albert Ellis Institute.
Ellis, A. (2004). Rational emotive behavior therapy: It works for me—it can work for you. Amherst, NY: Prometheus.
Ellis, A., Shaugnessy, M. F., & Mahan, V. (2002). An interview with Albert Ellis about rational emotive behavior therapy. North American Journal of Psychology, 4, 355–366.
Goldsmith, T. (2009). Theories of biological aging: and implications for public health. www.azinet.com/aging
Harpole, L. H., Williams, J. W., Olsen, M. K., Stechuchak, K. M., Oddone, E., Callahan, C. M., Katon, W. J., Lin, E. H., Grypma, L. M., & Unützer, J. (2005). Improving depression outcomes in older adults with comorbid medical illness. General Hospital Psychiatry, 27(1), 4–12.
Hay, E. L., & Diehl, M. (2011). Emotion complexity and emotion regulation across adulthood. European Journal of Ageing, 8, 157–168.
Hudson, F. M. (1991). The adult years: Mastering the art of self-renewal. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
Insel, T., & Chamey, D. (2003). Research on major depression strategies and priorities. JAMA, 289(23), 3167–3168.
Kastenschmidt, E. K., & Kennedy, G. J. (2011). Depression and anxiety in late life: Diagnostic insights and therapeutic options. The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, 78(4), 527–545.
Kim, J. E., & Moen, P. (2002). Retirement transitions, gender, and psychological well-being: A life-course, ecological model. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 57b, 212–222.
Kuczynski, A. (2004, August 8). The 37 Year Itch. New York Times, Sunday.
Laidlaw, K. (2010). Are attitudes to ageing and wisdom enhancement legitimate targets for CBT for late life depression and anxiety. Nordic Psychology, 62, 27–42.
Laidlaw, K. & Pachana, N. (2011, November). Aging, with grace. Monitor on Psychology, pp. 66–71.
Lawrence-Lightfoot, S. (2009). The third chapter: Passion, risk, and adventure in the 25 years after 50. New York: Sarah Crichton Books.
McDonald-Misczak, L., Wister, A. V., & Gutman, G. M. (2001). Self-care among older adults: An analysis of the objective and subjective illness contexts. Journal of Aging and Health, 13, 120–145.
McKinley, N. M., & Lyon, L. A. (2008). Menopausal attitudes, objectified body consciousness, aging anxiety, and body esteem: European American women’s body experiences in midlife. Body Image, 5, 375–380.
Miniño, A. M., Murphy, S. L., Xu, J., & Kochanek, K. D. (2011). Deaths: Final data for 2008. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 59, no 10. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics.
Neugarten, B. L (obit). (2001). Pioneering U of C gerontologist died Sunday, July 22. New York Times, Editorial Preview, 29.
Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Aldao, A. (2011). Gender and age differences in emotion regulation strategies and their relationship to depressive symptoms. Personality and Individual Differences, 51, 704–708.
Oh, K., & Damhorst, M. L. (2009). Coorientation of body image among older married couples. Body Image, 6, 43–47.
Renn, B. N., Feliciano, L., & Segal, D. L. (2011). The bidirectional relationship of depression and diabetes: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(8), 1239–1246.
Saucier, M. G. (2004). Midlife and beyond: Issues for aging women. Journal of Counseling and Development, 82, 420–425.
Schlossberg, N. K. (2009). Revitalizing retirement: Reshaping your identity, relationships, and purpose. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2008). Positive health. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 57, 3–18.
Speer, D. C., & Schneider, M. G. (2003). Mental health needs of older adults and primary care: Opportunity for interdisciplinary geriatric team practice. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(1), 85–101.
Suzman, R. (2011). Study on aging. Washington, DC: National Institute on Aging.
Swarbrick, M. (2012, March 2). Wellness and aging. Words of wellness, vol 5, Number 9.
Thompson, S. C., Thomas, C., Rickabaugh, C. A., Tantamjarik, P., Otsuki, T., Pan, D., et al. (1998). Primary and secondary control over age-related changes in physical appearance. Journal of Personality, 66, 583–605.
Umstattd, M. R., Wilcox, S., & Dowda, M. (2011). Predictors of change in satisfaction with body appearance and body function in mid-life and older adults: Active for life. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 41, 342–352.
Unützer, J., Bruce, M. L., & NIMH Affective Disorders Workgroup. (2002). The elderly. Mental Health Services Research, 4(4), 245.
Vaillant, G. (2002). Aging well. New York: Little, Brown and Company.
Van Solinge, H., & Henkens, K. (2005). Couples’ adjustment to retirement: A multi-actor panel study. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 60B, 811–820.
Whitbourne, S. K. (2010). The search for fulfillment: Revolutionary new research that reveals the secret of long-term happiness. New York: Ballantine Books.
Williams, P. T., & Wood, P. D. (2006). The effects of changing exercise levels on weight and age-related weight gain. International Journal of Obesity, 30, 543–551.
Wurm, S., Tomasik, M. J., & Tesch-Römer, C. (2008). Serious health events and their impact on changes in subjective health: The role of age and a positive view on aging. European Journal of Ageing, 5, 117–127.
Wu, L. T., & Blazer, D. G. (2011). Illicit and nonmedical drug use among older adult review. Journal of Aging and Health, 23(3), 481–504.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hickey, M., McMahon, J., Swarbrick, M. (2012). Helping Couples Deal with Aging. In: Vernon, A. (eds) Cognitive and Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy with Couples. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5137-2_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5137-2_15
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-5136-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-5137-2
eBook Packages: Behavioral ScienceBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)