title: [Structural lag and room for possibilities in old age exemplified by central transitions. Initial results of a novel discipline trialogue between diaconal studies, psychology and theology].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the need for interdisciplinary research is generally accepted in gerontology, such interdisciplinary communication is often limited to various combinations of psychological, sociological and biomedical scientific approaches. We argue that gerontology requires a continuous examination of novel disciplinary constellations to obtain a better understanding of aging in its complexity and to further develop this scientific field in its entirety.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study introduced and tested for the first time an innovative disciplinary trialogue, i.e. the combination of psychology, theology and diaconal studies. In particular, it is assumed that this combination can contribute to a more profound interpretation of the prominent concept of structural lag which is underresearched in gerontology.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analysis of structural lag with another overarching concept, "room for possibilities", can provide a synergy-rich interpretation category for a range of challenges connected with old age. In this respect, three major transitions were selected to shed light on these concepts and examined by means of three focus group interviews: transition to retirement, need for long-term care in the private home context and transition to nursing home life. The data were evaluated using qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The interdisciplinary-oriented evaluation of the interviews and the qualitative data analysis revealed the relevance of different perceptions of time in all three transitions. In addition, different dynamics in terms of the interplay of gains and losses as well as participation were found to be important for a better understanding of the three transitions. In particular, the subjective interpretation of the time remaining for living and the predetermined or self-selected time structuring of the daily routine were important factors for the perception of one's own potential. The results also underline a range of unused room for possibilities and the existence of structural lag for each transition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By the cooperation of the participating disciplines aspects of aging and their interdependence became visible. At the same time this pilot-like disciplinary trialogue revealed the challenges in combining interdisciplinary perspectives by the combination of empirical and hermeneutical methods.
authors.affiliation: Diakoniewissenschaftliches Institut Universität Heidelberg, Karlstr. 16, 69117, Heidelberg, Deutschland. stefanie.wiloth@dwi.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiloth
authors.affiliation: Psychologisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Siebert
authors.affiliation: Ökumenisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bachmann
authors.affiliation: Psychologisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: H-W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Wahl
authors.affiliation: Ökumenisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nüssel
authors.affiliation: Diakoniewissenschaftliches Institut Universität Heidelberg, Karlstr. 16, 69117, Heidelberg, Deutschland. johannes.eurich@dwi.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eurich
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005858:Germany; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011584:Psychology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration*; D028725:Theology
keywords: Aging; Gains and losses; Interdisciplinary communication; Participation; Time perception