title: Thriving: a life span theory.
abstract: There is a need for aging theories to become holistic and multidisciplinary with a life span focus. A theory is the construction of explicit explanations in accounting for empirical findings. A good gerontological theory integrates knowledge, tells how and why phenomena are related, leads to prediction, and provides process and understanding. In addition, a good theory must be holistic and take into account all that impacts on a person throughout a lifetime of aging. Based on these criteria, the authors created the Theory of Thriving, with a holistic life span perspective for studying people in their environments as they age. This article proposes a theory for studying people over time in a holistic, encompassing manner.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, Charleston 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Haight
authors.forename: Beth E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Barba
authors.forename: Anita S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Tesh
authors.forename: Nancy F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Courts
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004779:Environment Design; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008962:Models, Theoretical