Home > Employees > Westerhof, Dr. G.J. (Gerben)

Westerhof, Dr. G.J. (Gerben)

Expertise

·	Psychogerontology: The psychology of aging and the social and emotional functioning of older adults

·	Stereotypes about the elderly: Research on images of older people in the media and their consequences

·	Positive mental health, well-being and meaning in life: Mental health comprises not only the absence of mental disorders, but also the presence of emotional well-being and optimal psychological and social functioning

·	Identity: the development of identity across the life course with a specific focus on age identity and the personal meaning of aging

·	Life stories: How people construct stories about their life and how these stories relate to identity development and mental health

Researchprojects

Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness: The two-continua model in the Dutch population

(cooperation with dr E. Bohlmeijer, University Twente, and prof. dr C. L. M. Keyes, Department of Sociology, Emory University Atlanta; data collection in LISS-panel – Longitudinal Internetstudy in the Social Sciences – by CentERdata, Tilburg)

Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness. A positive definition of mental health, or flourishing, comprises the presence of emotional well-being as well as optimal psychological and social functioning.This study in a representative sample of the Dutch adult population follows the trajectories of mental health and illness across one year in time.

Life stories and reminiscence in later life

(cooperation with dr E. Bohlmeijer, University Twente, and prof. dr J. D. Webster, Langara College, Vancouver, Canada)

In these studies, we provide a literature review of reminiscence, i.e., the recollection of personal memories, and its relation to mental health. Furthermore, we study the effects of interventions using reminiscence and life review on the mental health and well-being in older adults.

The first year in a somatic nursing home: a longitudinal and observational study on self-determination, adaptation, and well-being

(dissertation supervisor; cooperation with A. Custers, prof. dr J. M. A. Riksen-Walraven and dr. Y. Kuin, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, financed by Behavioural Science Institute)

This study assesses how social interactions between caregivers and residents of somatic nursing homes contribute to the fulfilment and adaptation of the psychological needs of relatedness, competence, and autonomy and thereby to the well-being and mental health of residents.

Stereotypes about the elderly in the media

(cooperation with dr M. van Selm, Department of Social Science Research Methodology, Radboud University Nijmegen)

This project studies images of older people in the media, in particular in commercials broadcasted on public channels. The perception of these images by younger and older adults as well as the effects of these images on the functioning of older adults are studied as well.

Friendship and the promotion of autonomy and well-being in later life (dissertation supervisor; cooperation with C. Martina and prof. dr .N. L. Stevens, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, financed by ZonMW)

This project studies the effect of a friendship course for older women on self-management of personal relations, loneliness, and well-being.

Functions

·	Member of the board of the Dutch Society for Gerontology (www.nvgerontologie.nl)

·	Member Editorial Board ‘Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie’ (Dutch Journal for Gerontology and Geriatrics; www.tgg.bsl.nl)

·	Member Editorial board ‘Geron: Tijdschrift over ouder worden en maatschappij’ (Geron: Journal for ageing and society; www.tijdschriftgeron.nl)

Publications

·	Bohlmeijer, E. T., Westerhof, G. J. & Emmerik-de Jong, M.(2008). The effects of integrative reminiscence on meaning in life: Results of a quasi- experimental study. Aging & Mental Health, 12, 639-646.

·	Bond, J., Peace, S., Dittmann-Kohli, F., & Westerhof, G. J. (Eds.). (2007). Ageing in society: European perspectives on gerontology (3rd Ed.). London: Sage.

·	Stevens, N. L., Martina, C. M. S., & Westerhof, G. J. (2006). Meeting the need to belong: Predicting effects of participation in a Friendship Enrichment Program for older women. Gerontologist, 46, 495-502.

·	Westerhof, G. J., & Keyes, C. L. M. (2006). After the fall of the Berlin wall: Perceptions and consequences of stability and change among middle aged and older East- and West-Germans. Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 61B, S240-S247.

·	Westerhof, G. J., & Barrett, A. E. (2005). Age identity and subjective well-being: A comparison of the United States and Germany. Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 60B, S129-S136.