a comparison (similarities and differences) of the health issues of women who are not nuns, with those health issues of women who are nuns. Describe the two most important psychological differences between each group.

Older Women I

Aging happens to everyone. Externally, the skin wrinkles and hair turns gray and eventually white. Internally, aging affects the organs and slows down digestion and mental processing. One question that has recently been addressed in the psychological literature is how the nutrition, activities, and lifestyle from younger adult years affect women’s bodies in the elderly years. This week you explore the results from Snowdon’s (2002) Nun Study, in which he examined the unique health characteristics of nuns who lived in a controlled convent environment, eating the same food, having the same access to health care, and having a similar lifestyle for most of their lives. Consider the psychological differences between these women and women who have lived more mainstream lives, and how these differences affect health outcomes for each group.

With these thoughts in mind:

Discussion Question

 a comparison (similarities and differences) of the health issues of women who are not nuns, with those health issues of women who are nuns. Describe the two most important psychological differences between each group. Then explain how each difference may have affected the physical health outcomes of each respective group. Explain your answers. Use the Learning Resources and other current literature to support your response. Cite your references using APA format.

Readings

· Snowdon, D. (2001). Aging with grace: What the nun study teaches us about leading longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives (pp. 1–119).  New York, NY: Bantam.

· Torrez, D. J. (2001). The health of older women: A diverse experience. In J.M. Coyle (Ed.), Handbook on women and aging (pp.131–148). Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.

· Harkins, S. W., Elliott, T. R., & Wan, T. T. (2006). Emotional distress and urinary incontinence among older women. Rehabilitation Psychology, 51(4), 346–355.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

· Malatesta, V. J. (2007). Sexual problems, women and aging: An overview.  Journal of Women & Aging, 19(1/2), 139–154.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

· Phelan, C. H., Love, G. D., Ryff, C. D., Brown, R. L., & Heidrich, S. M. (2010). Psychosocial predictors of changing sleep patterns in aging women: A multiple pathway approach. Psychology and Aging, 25(4), 858–866.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.