Using data compiled from longitudinal studies of World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans, contributors to this groundbreaking book examine the effects of military service across the lifespan.  The US spends over 100 billion dollars annually on healthcare for more than 30 million active military and veterans. The prevalence of negative trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military veterans is well-known.  But other more subtle effects of military service—particularly on health and well-being in later life—are less well-understood, among researchers as well as medical and mental health professionals who care for veterans. Chapters in this book give us crucial insights into the impact of military service, including the surprising finding that service can serve as a protective factor in some contexts, throughout the aging process.  Topic areas include the effects of combat and stress on longevity and brain functioning; the use of memory, cognition, and ego development at various points in life; the relationship between experiences of discrimination and the later development of PTSD; marriage longevity; employment; and the way notions of patriotism and nationalism among service personnel and their families may change over time.

Uniquely bridging a gap in the gerontology literature between the biological and psychosocial aspects of aging, the second edition of this interdisciplinary text provides key updates on an abundance of cutting edge research, expands information on diversity issues in aging, and examines in greater depth the physiology of aging, theories of biological aging, and methodological issues. Instructors will also welcome the addition of an Instructor's Manual and PowerPoint slides. Written for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, and invigorated by the addition of new coauthors, the text integrates findings in biology, psychology, and the social sciences to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary coverage of the aging process. Included is key information on age-related changes and disease-related processes, the demography of the aging population worldwide, aging theories, and how to promote optimal aging. From a psychosocial perspective, the book examines mental health, stress and coping, spirituality, and caregiving in later years. Also included is crucial information on longitudinal design and statistics as they relate to aging research, promising new trends in gerotechnology, Green Houses, and information on health promotion programs. Real life examples throughout the text help students to understand practical applications of the material. New to the Third Edition: Abundant new cutting-edge research Expands information on diversity issues Updated theories of biological aging: microRNA, proteasomes, and gut microsomes Psychology of aging: how variability in responses to stress affect health and mortality, Blue Zones Aging and public policy: How the recent recession has affected poverty rates resulting in increases in mortality among poor, middle-aged whites Gerontechnology: The "internet of things," assistive devices, and the potential of robots Includes the research of new authors Instructor's Manual and PowerPoint slides Key Features: Integrates cutting-edge information on biological and psychosocial aspects of aging Examines age-related changes, disease-related processes, aging theories, and how to promote optimal aging Encompasses mental health, stress and coping, spirituality, and caregiving in later years Provides information on aging-related longitudinal design and statistics Covers promising new trends such as gerontechnology and Green Houses

FROM THE FOREWORD by James Birren:

In Health, Illness, and Optimal Aging: Biological and Psychosocial Perspectives, Carolyn M. Aldwin and Diane F. Gilmer undertake the challenging task of assembling an objective and holistic picture of human aging. The authors provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary coverage of the physical aspects of aging, including age-related changes and disease-related processes, the demography of the aging population, theories of aging, and the promotion of optimal aging. In addition, the book covers the psychosocial aspects of aging, including mental health, stress and coping, spirituality, and care giving in later years.

• Integrated. Discusses both the biological aspects and psychosocial factors of aging, thus providing integrated coverage of information from the fields of biology, psychology, and the social sciences.
• Comprehensive. Covers every part of the aging process including the physical effect on the different systems of the human body, quality of life, social support, and health promotion programs.
• Pedagogical. Examples in each chapter enhance students' understanding of real-life situations, and methodological issues help students become more critical consumers of research and data.

Health, Illness and Optimal Aging is recommended for researchers seeking an overview of health psychology and aging, as well as undergraduate and graduate students taking classes in the social, behavioral, and health sciences. This text is also valuable for practitioners working with the elderly in fields such as nursing, social work, occupational and physical therapy, day-care and nursing home administration, psychology, and rehabilitation.

Widely regarded as the definitive reference, this volume comprehensively examines the psychological processes associated with religion and spirituality. Leading scholars from multiple psychological subdisciplines present developmental, cognitive, social psychological, cultural, and clinical perspectives on this core aspect of human experience. The forms and functions of religious practices and rituals, conversion experiences, and spiritual struggles are explored. Other key topics include religion as a meaning system, religious influences on prosocial and antisocial behavior, and connections to health, coping, and psychotherapy. New to This Edition *Two chapters on cross-cultural issues. *Chapters on spiritual goals, emotional values, and mindfulness. *Reflects significant theoretical and empirical developments in the field. *Many new authors and extensively revised chapters. *Robust index amplifies the volume's usefulness as a reference tool. A Choice Outstanding Academic Title

Now in a thoroughly revised and significantly expanded second edition, this volume comprehensively examines the nature of psychosocial stress, the strategies individuals use to cope with it, and the implications for adaptation and health across the lifespan. Carolyn M. Aldwin synthesizes a vast body of knowledge within a conceptual framework that emphasizes the transactions between mind and body and between persons and environments. She also provides a methodological primer for stress and coping research, critically reviewing available measures and the latest data analysis techniques. The second edition has been updated throughout with new concepts, tools, and data, and offers two new chapters addressing physiology and physical health. Other new features include expanded coverage of sociocultural and religious aspects of coping, cutting-edge perspectives on emotion regulation and stress-related growth, and expanded coverage of childhood, young adulthood, and mid-life.