Progress 06/01/02 to 05/31/07
Outputs
The major purpose of this research project was to construct an ecological theory that explains the relationships of clothing to the self by building on past research conducted by the principal investigator with her graduate students as well as on the research contributed by other behavioral scientists. Another purpose was to confirm the factor structure of the Proximity of Clothing to Self (PCS) Scale with older persons, age 65 and above and examine the relationships between PCS and indicators of successful aging. A 3-factor, 19-item PCS Scale was validated for use with older persons; factors included clothing in relation to a) self as structure-process, b) self-esteem-evaluative and affective processes, and c) body image and body cathexis. An ecological theory was constructed that addresses the role of clothing in meeting human needs through a process of incorporation of clothing in the person's self-system and in the adaptation of individuals who undergo ecological
transitions. The psychological well-being of older persons, one component of successful aging, was directly affected by self-assessed health, age identity, and degree of self-actualization. Overall, self-actualization decreased significantly with chronological age for women; the decline for men in self-actualization from the middle-old group (75-84) to the old-old group (85+) was not significant. Chronological age had a positive direct effect on PCS (psychological closeness of clothing to the self), i.e., the older the person, the higher the PCS. Females also had higher PCS than males. However, older persons with higher PCS were less self-actualized than those with lower PCS. Clothing is used instrumentally by older persons in striving to meet the need for self-actualization, but once achieved is not used to express self-actualization. When self-actualization declines, older persons once again use clothing to bolster self-esteem and improve body image and satisfaction with the body.
Evaluative criteria have been identified that should enable apparel designers to design age-appropriate clothing that will allow older individuals to use clothing both instrumentally and expressively, contribute to physical, psychological and social comfort, and be a positive factor in support of both self-actualization and successful aging.
Impacts
The conceptual and theoretical development contributes to the growing body of theory in the areas of successful aging, human ecology and the social psychological aspects of clothing. Clothing has been found to be an important environment that people use as they strive to meet human needs from those of basic survival through self-actualization. This is accomplished, in part, by incorporating clothing into the self-system of the individual. The research demonstrates the need for design of age-appropriate clothing for the growing number of older persons in society and provides evaluative criteria for apparel designers to begin working toward this goal. Research also demonstrates the need for education of individuals in both the instrumental and expressive functions of clothing so that as a primary resource environment it may function optimally for the benefit of the self. The decline in self-actualization with increasing chronological age among older persons, especially
women, suggests the need for a re-evaluation of the importance and contribution of aged persons in our society and for the provision of resources necessary for older people to be self-fulfilled and to become everything that they are capable of becoming.
Publications
- Lee, Y. 2005. Older Persons Successful Aging: Relationships Among Proximity of Clothing to Self, Age Identity, and Self-actualization. Doctoral dissertation, Michigan State University, East Lansing.
- Lee, Y., & Sontag, M. S. 200_, in press. Clothing as An Environment for Successful Aging: Evaluative Criteria for Clothing Designers. ITAA Proceedings, #62, Alexandria, VA: International Textile and Apparel Association.
- Lee, Y., & Sontag, M. S. 200_, under peer review. Validation of the Proximity of Clothing to Self Scale for Older Persons. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal.
- Lee, Y., & Sontag, M. S. 200_, in progress. Clothing: An environment for successful aging. Journal of Gerontology. Series B.
- Sontag, M. S. 200_, in progress. An ecological theory of clothing and the self. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
The major purpose of this research project is to construct an ecological theory that explains the relationships of clothing to the self by building on past research conducted by the principal investigator with her graduate students as well as on the research contributed by other behavioral scientists in the discipline. Another purpose is to confirm the factor structure of the Proximity of Clothing to Self (PCS) Scale with older persons, age 65 and above and examine the relationships between PCS and various indicators of successful aging. During 2004, a previously developed conceptual model was refined. The UCRIHS, the university review board for human subjects research, approved the proposed research methods for protection of human subjects. A national random sample list of 1700 men and women, aged 65 and over, was purchased from Survey Sample International. Each person on the sampling list was mailed two survey questionnaires in December 2004. The first incorporates
the 40-item PCS Scale, multiple measures of age identity and perceived health, a 13-item Life Satisfaction Index as a measure of psychological well-being, and demographic variables. The second questionnaire included the Personal Orientation Inventory, a 150-item measure of self-actualization purchased from EdiTs.
Impacts
The conceptual and theoretical development accomplished to date is contributing to the growing body of theory in the areas of aging, human ecology and the social psychological aspects of clothing.
Publications
- Lee,Y. 2003. Older Person's Successful Aging: Relationship among Proximity of Clothing to Self, Age Identity, and Self-Actualization. Doctoral dissertation proposal, East Lansing, Michigan State University, December.
- Sontag, M. S., Lee, J. 2004. Proximity of Clothing to Self Scale. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, Vol. 22, No. 4, 161-175pp.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The major purpose of this research project is to construct an ecological theory that explains the relationships of clothing to the self by building on past research conducted by the principal investigator with her graduate students as well as on the research contributed by other behavioral scientists in the discipline. Another purpose is to confirm the factor structure of the Proximity of Clothing to Self (PCS) Scale with older persons, age 65 and above and examine the relationships between PCS and various indicators of successful aging. Specific objectives are: a) identify the variables and relationships that explain the importance of the clothing environment to self-identity, self-expression, self-esteem, body image/body cathexis, and human behavior, especially during periods of ecological transition; b) to confirm the number and nature of the dimensions of PCS for older persons, from the young-old to the oldest-old; and c) to further investigate the construct
validity of the PCS Scale by embedding the PCS construct in a system of concepts and propositions culminating in an ecological theory of clothing and the self. The PI has clarified distinctions among constructs such as ecological self, ecology of the self, and ecological identity. A preliminary model relating the self to life transitions, adaptation, age identity, clothing resources, and decision making as they influence quality of life and successful aging has been developed.
Impacts
The conceptual and theoretical development accomplished to date is contributing to the growing body of theory in the areas of aging, human ecology and the social psychological aspects of clothing.
Publications
- Lee, Y. (December) 2003. Am I old? Application of Ecological Concepts: Clothing and Self. Unpublished manuscript. East Lansing, Michigan State University.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The major purpose of this research project is to construct an ecological theory that explains the relationships of clothing to the self by building on past research conducted by the principal investigator with her graduate students as well as on the research contributed by other behavioral scientists in the discipline. Another purpose is to confirm the factor structure of the Proximity of Clothing to Self (PCS) Scale with older persons, age 65 and above and examine the relationships between PCS and various indicators of successful aging. Specific objectives are: a) identify the variables and relationships that explain the importance of the clothing environment to self-identity, self-expression, self-esteem, body image/body cathexis, and human behavior, especially during periods of ecological transition; b) to confirm the number and nature of the dimensions of PCS for older persons, from the young-old to the oldest-old; and c) to further investigate the construct
validity of the PCS Scale by embedding the PCS construct in a system of concepts and propositions culminating in an ecological theory of clothing and the self. Initial work has begun on a qualitative analysis of the clothing and self literature and the human ecological literature related to ecological transitions and adaptation. An outcome of this review will be the identification of central concepts and tentative propositions for the theory.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Sontag, M.S., and Lee, J. 2002. Under revision following peer review. Proximity of Clothing to Self Scale. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal.
- Lee, Y.A., Sontag, M.S., and Slocum, A.C. 2002. Michigan apparel and textile manufacturing industry: Characterization and needs assessment. Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, 2(3), 1-11. [Online] http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/jtatm/volume2issue3/articles/lee_and_sontag_fu ll_document/leeandsontag_full.pdf [Related to previous MAES project 3357]
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