Abstract
This exploratory study had the following objectives (1) to assess the utility of Hochschild's alternative (neo) theory for explaining the aging process among a sub-population of aging adults specifically, winter visitors from the midwest to the Texas Coastal Bend Area; and (2) to develop an understanding of the Texas winter visitor and to compare this winter visitor with non-winter visitors who are also resident in the midwestern United States. Group administered questionnaires were given to non-winter visitor aging adults resident in Illinois and Indiana and to winter visitor aging adults in the Port Aransas and Rockport areas of Texas. Direct discriminant analysis suggested there was a significant difference between winter visitors and non-winter visitors. Winter visitors had a higher income than non-winter visitors, and more winter visitors owned their own business. These two variables, income and ownership of a business might profitably be utilized in developing a linear discriminant function. t-tests also suggested there was a significant difference between winter visitors and non-winter visitors in normative forms of engagement, that is, the emotional value imputed by aging adults to interactions in their leisure, family, and work life spheres. Both winter visitors and non-winter visitors were normatively engaged, but winter visitors felt the value of their leisure, family, and work relationships were most positive, more socially shared, more socially rewarded, and more enjoyable than did non-winter visitors. Winter visitor and non-winter visitor social engagement interactions were not significantly different. Chi-square results suggested that both respondent groups were slightly to moderately socially engaged. Their interactions were characterized by some power and importance of function. They interacted more frequently with age cohorts, and their interactions were characterized by some social bonding. Winter visitors interacted slightly more with social networks while non-winter visitors interacted more with social circles. Before retirement, non-winter visitors interacted significantly more frequently than did winter visitors...
Thomason, Pamuel Sue (1980). An alternative to disengagement theory : its value in explaining the Texas winter visitor phenomenon. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -639452.