Clinical Thanatology and Geriatric Behavioral Science

Approaching aging and death from a scientific view

Research Topics
■ Geriatric Behavioral Science: well-being in old age (health, psychological well-being, social participation), age-related changes in physical, cognitive, emotional, and social domains, oldest-old adults/centenarians, family relationship and care, community and support
■ Clinical Thanatology: quality of life and adaptation at the end of life, end-of-life care, bereavement, grief

　Our research in Clinical Thanatology and Geriatric Behavioral Science focuses on the psychological development and growth of humans throughout the processes of aging and dying, which are inevitable and important issues in life. In particular, our research highlights the improvement in “well-being” and “quality of life” (QOL). In our basic studies, we aim to unravel the mechanisms of psychological development and growth and to develop assessment tools using observational methods, including longitudinal and qualitative approaches. In our applied research, we adopt interventional methods. The aforementioned research topics can be approached from various methodologies and scientific disciplines; however, our research is grounded in scientific and empirical methodologies, particularly in psychology and behavioral science. Also, our research is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, actively collaborating with researchers and practitioners in neighboring disciplines, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, sociology, and social welfare.
　The keywords in our past and current research projects include: “successful aging,” “social participation of older adults,” “mental health and psychological well-being in old adults,” “psychological development in old age,” “cognitive function of old adults,” “adaptation to age-related disease and disability,” “influences of life contexts on aging,” “influences of historical and cultural contexts on aging,” “care for older adults,” “community and support,” “social isolation and loneliness in older adults,” “oldest-old adults and centenarians,” “application of technology,” “views on life and death,” “adaptation to the end-of-life period,” “QOL at the end of life,” “bereavement,” “grief,” and so on.

Staff

• Professor
  Gondou Yasuyuki
• Associate Professor
  Takeshi Nakagawa