Research
Ethical, social and behavioural research at the Institute of Gerontology covers a wide variety of topics and issues. The following topics, which are also central to the areas of study and teaching, are just a few examples:
- The potential of old age in business and society
- Images of old age
- Themes of existence, shaping the self and the world
- Vulnerability and potential of old age
- Shared responsibility, care, commitment and participation in old age
- Mental trauma in the context of biographical development
- Quality of life with physical and mental illnesses
- Rehabilitation potential and activating care
- Dying, death and palliative care
- Designing care systems and age-friendly environments
- Support services for family carers
Research history
The Institute of Gerontology has contributed to the development and evaluation of thalidomide legislation and the thalidomide foundation through several empirical studies with people with thalidomide damage. Participation in the interdisciplinary MHG study on sexual abuse by priests, deacons and male members of religious orders in the area of the German Bishops' Conference stimulated and enriched discourse on guilt and responsibility, possible causes and preventive measures, as did numerous subsequent studies on sexual abuse of minors. The same applies to the extensive research on the late effects of persecution and life review among Jewish emigrants, extermination camp prisoners and forced labourers under National Socialism. The many years of research on quality of life in dementia have influenced the assessment of those affected as well as concepts for individual support and community care. A list of project reports can be found under ‘Completed research projects’.
