Feeling "Useless"

Abstract

The purpose of this research is twofold: (1) to investigate a dimension of the self-concept which appears to be shared by both young and old adults, and (2) to develop a causal model analyzing both determinants and consequences of this identity. Using data from a national probability sample of 1,500 adults, the Burke-Tully (1977) procedure for measuring self-in-role (identity) indicates that on one dimension "old" persons have identities which, while different from middle-aged persons, are similar to young adults: they see themselves as less useful and less powerful than middle-age individuals. Independent variables in the causal analysis include age, education income, health, and marital and occupational statuses. In addition to showing that uselessness was experienced by both old and young, the results indicate that the sense of the self as useless is caused by feelings of loneliness for older people and by lack of labor force participation for younger persons. Poor health is also associated with the sense of self for older persons. These results are integrated with earlier work on age identity.