Clinical Thanatology and Geriatric Behavioral Science

Approaching aging and death from a scientific view

Research Topics
■ Geriatric Behavioral Science: social participation and adaptation in old age, aging-related cognitive changes and disorders, the oldest-old/centenarian, care, local community, and social support.
■ Clinical Thanatology: end-of-life medicine and care
The research track in Clinical Thanatology and Geriatric Behavioral Science carries out research that focuses on psychological development and growth in the processes of “aging” and “death,” the unavoidably important questions of life. This research track particularly emphasizes the improvement of “Quality of Life” (QOL). In our basic research, we attempt to uncover the mechanisms of psychological development and growth and develop evaluation techniques, while our applied research employs intervention techniques. Though these topics can be approached from a variety of methodologies and academic disciplines, the research activities of this track are grounded in the scientific methodologies employed in psychology and the behavioral sciences. This track is also characterized by the use of an interdisciplinary approach, as we use these methodologies as the base to actively work with researchers and practitioners in related disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, and social welfare studies.
The past and on-going research keywords include: “successful aging,” “situational desires in social and sandplay therapy for old people,” “psychological well-being in old people,” “psychological development in old age,” “cognitive functions of old people,” “effects of life context on aging,” “elderly care,” “local community and elderly support,” “isolation and solitude in the elderly,” “the oldest-old and centenarians,” “application of technology,” “views on life and death,” “psychological adaptation to the end-of-life period,” “QOL in the end-of-life period,” “bereavement,” “grief,” and so on.

Staff

• Professor
  Gondou Yasuyuki
• Professor (S/A)
  
• Assistant Professor
  Kasuga Ayaka