Publications
Journey Through the Author’s Written World: A Comprehensive Collection of Publications
Aging Angry
A book
Available at Amazon
Title – Aging Angry
Subtitle – Making Peace with Rage
Author – Amanda Barusch
Genre – Aging, Gerontology, Schools & Teaching, Education, Developmental Psychology
Type – Book
Publication Date – January 19, 2024
Publisher – Oxford University Press
Medium – Ebook, Hardback, Paperback
Available at:
Synopsis – Fear of anger can ultimately be as destructive as expressed rage, fomenting social isolation, injustice, and misunderstanding. In rich and insightful prose, Aging Angry draws upon the experiences of hundreds of older adults and a wealth of literary and academic sources to empower readers with a new understanding of anger’s sources, dynamics, and possibilities. The book unearths the deeper meaning in these angry times and urges readers to take anger seriously; to harness its energy and wisdom for personal and social change.
Endorsements:
“In Aging Angry, distinguished gerontologist, Amanda Barusch, confronts her own justified fury at having been pushed into unwanted university retirement by diving into original research on gray rage, while also providing a sobering survey of anger across history, philosophy and culture. She argues that the smoldering anger associated with late life, rather than an unsightly negative emotion to be reproached, often stems from legitimate causes. By leaning into one’s consternation, she contends, we may harness our ire with productive purposes, from resolving family estrangement to protesting injustice, like the Raging Grannies. Barusch inverts the old cliché of Boston politics, as if she’d counsel, “Don’t get even, get mad!” And make worthwhile change.”
—Paul Kleyman, National Coordinator, Journalists Network on Generations
“Jump-started by her own unexpected and shocking experience of ageism in academe, Amanda Barusch's Aging Angry is eminently reasonable for a book about anger, the righteous, intelligent kind that surfaces as we grow older and are likely to encounter and observe more injustice—especially toward older adults, women, people with disabilities or low incomes, and later-life activists who fight the power. Barusch's fascinating interviews with "grumpy, cantankerous, and obstreperous elders" deepen our interest in using this primary emotion effectively to heal our nations of the common curse of ageism and improve the world.”
—Margaret Morganroth Gullette, author of Ending Ageism, or How Not to Shoot Old People
“Superbly researched with stories interwoven to amplify our understanding of anger through multiple lenses: historical, cultural, psychological, and philosophical. Additionally, Barusch provides a highly personal perspective, as her experience of being pushed out of academia provided the impetus to explore anger with a gerontological twist. This work fills a gap in knowledge about … anger and its various manifestations. It’s a clear and compelling read.”
—Constance Corley, Emeritus Professor, Cal State Los Angeles Source
“Drawing upon the great philosophers, religion, psychology, and her interviews with older adults and experts, Barusch comprehensively analyzes anger—an emotion often stigmatized, especially among older women, and relatively invisible in the field of gerontology. Her own personal experience with anger upon her retirement fueled her interest in the paradox faced by older adults of living forward while looking backward, which often underlies their anger. When older adults realize that love and anger can coexist and turn their anger into activism, they experience personal growth and oftentimes become activists for social change.”
—Nancy Hooyman, Dean Emeritus, University of Washington School of Social Work
“With wisdom, wit, and style, Amanda Barusch affirms anger as an emotion to be embraced constructively as we age into later adulthood. From surveying world history and mythology to psychology and neuroscience, Dr. Barusch describes the nuanced nature of anger’s relationship with the human experience. She draws on lessons learned through interviews to provide a roadmap for older adults to activate their anger to live fuller lives and improve the social good. In doing so, Dr. Barusch’s book arrives as a fresh and necessary tome to challenge and inspire all of us to reconsider the positive role and utility of anger in our lives.”
—Mitch Rosenwald, Professor of Social Work, Director of Doctoral Studies, Barry University School of Social Work
Love Stories of Later Life
A book
Available at Amazon
Title – Love Stories of Later Life
Subtitle – A Narrative Approach to Understanding Romance
Author – Amanda Smith Barusch
Genre – Love & Romance, Marriage & Adult Relationships, Sexuality, Gerontology, Social Work, Psychology
Type – Book
Publication Date – March 13, 2008
Publisher – Oxford University Press
Medium – Ebook, Hardcover
Available at – Amazon
Link – https://a.co/d/bVfdryf
Synopsis – Even with baby boomers retiring and greater media and research attention being lavished on older people, most gerontologists have studiously avoided examining romance among the elderly. Love Stories of Later Life is an appealing and eye-opening remedy to this neglect, as leading gerontologist Amanda Smith Barusch presents original research into what love and romance mean in seniors' lives. The result is a glimpse into a world many people didn't know existed - that of romantic love in later life.
Unlike superficial guidebooks that purport to help seniors find a new mate, Love Stories of Later Life integrates theory and the latest research on love and the aging process. Drawing on a wealth of personal narratives collected during a landmark five-year study, the book presents the lived experiences of older adults from all walks of life. It addresses the impact of common age-related changes, both emotional and physical, on romantic relationships and argues that love continues to sculpt our personalities and our lives, even in life's later decades.Professional Reviews:
“The 224 pages of Barusch's narrative provide a deep understanding of romance and love that younger generations can learn from and that older generations can reflect on and relate to in their lives. . . The stories and commentary from study participants that are woven into the text give this book a unique flare.”
—Karon L. Phillips, Trust for America's Health, writing in the Journal of Women & Aging
“The book is delightful, hopeful and inspiring . . .I encourage both academic and public libraries to adopt this fine work.“
—Stephen M. Marson, University of North Caroling, writing in Age and Aging
Gerontological Practice for the 21st Century
A book
Available at Columbia University Press
Title – Gerontological Practice for the 21st Century
Subtitle – A Social Work Perspective
Authors – Virginia E. Richardson and Amanda S. Barusch
Genre – Social Work, Gerontology
Type – Book
Publication Date – December 1, 2005
Publisher – Columbia University Press
Medium – E-book, Hardcover, Paperback
Available at – Columbia University Press
Link – https://cup.columbia.edu/book/gerontological-practice-for-the-twentyfirst-century/9780231107488
Synopsis – Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Century meets the need for state-of-the-art information on practice approaches with older patients that are age-specific and empirically based, blend "micro" and "macro" views, and reflect current themes in the aging and social work fields. The book is designed as a text for students and as a professional resource for practitioners. Clearly written, the book offers an expert and comprehensive review of the current literature and focuses on issues relating to the most vulnerable older people. Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Century also features case illustrations throughout and brief end-of-chapter questions for review.
The book has four parts. Part 1 reviews current and classic theories of aging and proposes an original framework for an integrative approach to practice with older people that incorporates both individual and policy-level interventions. The approach is based on current themes such as a life course perspective, heterogeneity, diversity, and inequality. Part 2 covers such common and important psychological problems among older individuals, as anxiety, depression, suicide, substance abuse, and dementia, and describes appropriate, evidence-based interventions. Part 3 considers the social psychological picture by discussing working with older families, end-of-life care, bereavement, and work and retirement. Part 4 focuses on core sociopolitical issues in the lives of older people: economic policy, poverty, health policy, quality-of-life concerns, and social services.
Current, authoritative, and original, this single-volume gerontology resource will be of valuable use to graduate students and practitioners.
Social Forces and Aging
A book
Available at Amazon
Title – Gerontological Practice for the 21st Century (10th Edition)
Subtitle – An Introduction to Social Gerontology
Authors – Robert C. Atchley and Amanda S. Barusch
Genre – Psychology & Counseling, Aging, Social Sciences, Sociology
Type – Book
Publication Date – July 21, 2003
Publisher – Cengage Learning
Medium – Hardcover
Available at – Amazon
Link – https://a.co/d/fg3HJOa
Synopsis – Atchley and Barusch's interdisciplinary approach has produced a text that provides the concepts, information, insight, and examples students need to achieve a basic understanding of aging as a social process. Covering the physical problems, inner experiences, and instrumental needs of the aging, the text examines aging on both an individual and societal level. It covers major areas of theory, research, social policy, and practice in a clear and organized manner to make social gerontology accessible to students from all backgrounds. This text is the classic book for the course that continually keeps pace with the dramatic changes in the field, including new theories, research, programs, and issues. Atchley and Barusch first examine individual aging-and adaptation to aging in everyday life, then move on to explore the needs and demands that aging, as a phenomenon, presents to society, while also delving into society's response to aging.
Older Women in Poverty
A book
Available at Amazon
Title – Older Women in Poverty
Subtitle – Private Lives and Public Policies
Author – Amanda S. Barusch
Genre – Social Work
Type – Book
Publication Date – January 1, 1994
Publisher – Springer Pub Co
Medium – Hardcover
Available at – Amazon
Link – https://a.co/d/eznew0p
Synopsis – University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Gerontological study of the socioeconomic status of elderly women. Includes a chapter on health and health care. Based on interviews with sixty-two low-income older U.S. women. For gerontologists, public policy officials, or social workers.
Endorsements:
"Excellent illustrations of the impact of poverty on issues such as self-concept, coping skills, caregiving, and cognitive responses of women born or drawn into poverty ... the book extends the research toward an action agenda that is both informed and creative."
—Rosario Torres Raines, Texas A&M, writing for the Journal of Applied Gerontology.
