Fostering Development in Midlife and Older Age

Dr. Irina Catrinel Crăciun is an associate professor of developmental psychology, positive psychology, and qualitative research methods at Freie Universität Berlin, where she has also been guest professor of health and gender.  Additionally, she works as a researcher and practitioner in the fields of health promotion and positive development. She received her PhD in health psychology at the Freie Universität Berlin and subsequently held a post-doctoral research grant on resources for positive aging, sponsored by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Project findings were published as a book called “Positive Aging and Precarity. Theory, Policy, and Social Reality within a Comparative German Context” (published in 2019 by Springer) as well as in several prestigious journals such as The Gerontologist, Journal of Aging Studies,  Journal of Health Psychology and Journal of Women and Aging. Her research interests include a wide range of topics from fostering development across the lifespan to health communication and exploring ageing, gender, and psychosocial health determinants. Her recent studies focus mainly on ageing, development and health perceptions in vulnerable populations, prevention of gender and social inequalities in health, and representations of ageing on social media.

• Chapter 1: Introduction: Applying Positive Psychology Principles to Foster Development in Midlife and Older Age.- Chapter 2: A Change in Paradigm: From Disengagement Theory to Positive Ageing Models.- Chapter 3: Thinking about Development: Defining Criteria, Exploring Processes, and Evaluating Change.- Chapter 4: Interventions at the Crossroad: From Preventing Decline to Fostering Growth.- Chapter 5: Physical Development in Midlife and Older Age: Promoting Health as an Individual Asset.- Chapter 6: Cognitive Development in Midlife and Older Age: From Neuroplasticity to Self-efficacy and Positive Views on Ageing.- Chapter 7: Social Development in Midlife and Older Age: How Social Roles and Relations Shape Personal Growth.- Chapter 8: Emotional Development in Midlife and Older Age: Are We Happier with Age?.- Chapter 9: Personality Development in Midlife and Older Age: Mission Impossible or a Necessary Goal for Positive Ageing?.- Chapter 10: Addressing Ageism and Development in Midlife and Old Age.- Chapter 11: Love Knows no Age: Fostering Romantic Relationships in Midlife and Older Age.- Chapter 12: Sexuality and Development: Towards a Fulfilling Sexuality in Midlife and Older Age.- Chapter 13: The Quest for Happiness: Applying Positive Psychology Principles to Foster Happiness in Midlife and Older Age.- Chapter 14: Addressing Loneliness in Midlife and Older Age: Increasing Social Skills and Connectedness.- Chapter 15: Grandparent Roles: Potentials and Pitfalls for Development.- Chapter 16: Coping with Pain: Potential for Development in Midlife and Older Age.- Chapter 17: Anxiety Disorders in Older Age: Prevention and Intervention from a Positive Psychology Perspective.- Chapter 18: Depression in Old Age: Prevention and Intervention from a Positive Psychology Perspective.- Chapter 19: Suicide Prevention in Older Age: A Positive Psychology Viewpoint.- Chapter 20: Designing Positive Psychology Interventions for Death Preparation and Bereavement Among Older Adults.- Chapter 21: Conclusion: Ageing and Development from a Positive Psychology Perspective.