Evaluation data for the past two years indicate that the program strengthens participants knowledge and skills in research, promotes sustained contact with visiting faculty and NIA staff, allows interaction with colleagues from other institutions, and stimulates participants to develop their own programs of aging research. Seven psychologists will serve as this summer's program faculty. Their topics will include research design and analysis, ethnicity in aging, cognitive aging, assessing older people, technology and aging, social psychology and aging, and seeking research support. Participants have expressed interest in coordinating research on topics such as cognition and aging, transition to retirement, social support, compensatory strategies, and ego integrity. Compensatory strategies explain how people are adjusting to the limitations of advanced age.
Ego integrity refers to ways of maintaining one's well being in later life.
Research inspired by the institute will further the quality of life for older Americans in many ways, Jobe believes. Some of the work has focused on underrepresented minorities whose aging needs present specific problems. In rural areas, as an example, health disparities exist. Research is finding out why these particular geographic areas pose worse health outcomes for older people. The grant from the National Institute on Aging provides food, lodging, and travel support for all applicants selected to participant in the institute.