Thomas D. Lonner

Bio: Thomas D. Lonner is an academic researcher from University of Rhode Island. The author has contributed to research in topics: Life course approach. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 45 citations.

Career set: a resource through transitions and crises.

Abstract: Following Foote the life histories of twenty-seven white, middle-aged, middle class, American mothers were analyzed for career-like components [4]. Motherhood dominates the lives of these women but is only one of several careers which ebb and flow throughout their lives. Treating careers as developmental subdivisions in the life course, we understand how women can progress through life transitions and crises. Properties of careers, such as the emergent symbols of success, the clockwork which sets the time limits for career objectives, and the bargaining which these women undertake to work out career conflicts, all contribute to the understanding of how career is placed beside career to create each woman's career set. The career set acts as a social and personal resource, providing consistent and continuous meaning throughout major periods of time even in the face of major career stress or loss.

The Anatomy of Bereavement: A Handbook for the Caring Professions

Abstract: Preface Human Bonds and Death: The Background to Bereavement The Experience of Bereavement: Separation and Mourning The Bereaved Child The Adolescent's Grief and Mourning Loss in Adult Life: The Death of a Spouse Loss in Adult Life: The Death of a Child The Griefs of Growing Old Death and Disaster Caring for the Bereaved Living with Loss: Passion, Compassion, and Defense

Effects of Empty Nest Transition on Self-Report of Psychological and Physical Well-Being*

Abstract: This study addresses three major limitations of previous research: empty nest is considered a transitional rather than an enduring state; subjective definitions are considered as well as high school graduation by the youngest child; and target groups of women at high risk for crises are explored. Results indicate that: (1) empty nest effects on well-being are slight and have largely disappeared two years following the event; (2) there is no effect of the transition on physical well-being and a positive effect on psychological well-being; and (3) being off-schedule with respect to the expected timing of the transition appears to have adverse effects.

Empty nest or revolving door? A prospective study of women's quality of life in midlife during the phase of children leaving and re-entering the home.

Abstract: Background. This study documents changes in household composition and effects on women's quality of life of children leaving and returning home. Methods. A 9-year annual prospective study of a population-based sample of mid-aged Australian-born women who were premenopausal at baseline ( N = 438) was conducted. Documentation was made of household composition and change, well-being, bothersome symptoms, daily hassles, feelings for partner and frequency of sexual activities. Results. There was an increase in the number of women living alone, and a reduction in number of households in which there were children or parents. Each year >25% of women reported a change in household composition. In the first year after the last child departed ( N = 155), there was an improvement in women's positive mood and total well-being and a reduction in negative mood and the number of daily hassles. This improvement in mood was confined to those women who at baseline were not worried about children leaving home. In the first year after children return home there was a trend towards reduced frequency of sexual activities but no mood changes. Conclusions. For the majority of women, the departure of the last child from the household leads to positive changes in women's mood state and a reduced number of daily hassles. Return of offspring may have an adverse effect on sexual relating of the parents.

Psychological Hardiness and Adjustment to Life Events in Adulthood

Abstract: Data were collected from 88 persons who had lost their jobs and 227 persons whose youngest child had left home to explore the impact of psychological hardiness on personal distress, adjustment, and coping strategies. Analyses controlling for numerous sociodemographic factors as well as NEO Neuroticism and Extroversion suggested that the interaction between overall hardiness and the experience of differential life events influenced the use of planful problem solving and positive reappraisal as coping mechanisms, as well as influencing levels of positive affect. In addition, a main effect for overall hardiness on several coping strategies, positive affect, and life satisfaction was obtained. Findings also suggested that job loss was a more stressful experience for adults in this study than was the empty nest. These data indicate that hardiness may mediate responses to life events that differ in terms of their predictability and anticipatory nature.

Struggles with Time: The careers of parents with adult sons and daughters with learning disabilities

Abstract: The experiences of parents with adult offspring with learning disability and the meanings their parental careers have for them, has been the subject of very little empirical research. In this paper we describe and examine some of the features that gave shape and meaning to the day to day lives of parents of 33 co-resident adults with learning disabilities. Their accounts of their situations revealed that 'time' was a factor of some importance. Participants suggested that socialisation into the parental role was one that continued over the life course. In addition, they also felt that the services they received were based upon an inadequate and too narrow an understanding of how they experienced 'time'. The data reveal that both 'over time' and 'in time', parents struggled to maintain a set of aspirations for a typical life. The data show that for many parents there was a slow accommodation to the constraints of service provision and, as a result, their needs for service support became less extensive.