English to Greek Other Psychology

Social disengagement theory
This theory proposes that there is a mutual withdrawal of society from the individual (due to compulsory retirement, children growing up and leaving home, and so on) and of the individual from society (reduced social activities and a more ¬solitary life). It is mainly based on a 5-year study of 275 people aged 50–90 in Kansas City (Cumming & Henry 1961). However, the theory attracted criticism because it assumes that withdrawal from society is an inherent part of ageing. A follow-up study, including 55% of the original 275, showed that although increasing age is accompanied by increasing disengagement, the most socially engaged people were the most happy (Havighurst et al 1968).
Disengagement may be ***cohort specific***, that is, it may have been adaptive to withdraw from an ageist society in the 1950s when the original study was carried out but withdrawal may not be necessary now. Many of the social conditions which forced older people into restricted environments in the past have changed so that more active and socially engaged lifestyles are now possible (Turner & Helms 1989).
However, some older people do prefer to disengage and activity can decline without adversely affecting morale. A more leisurely lifestyle with fewer responsibilities can be seen as one of the rewarding aspects of old age.