Introduction
The SOC model is a concept developed by Baltes. The model outlines a framework important for understanding change(s) and resilience across the lifespan of aged people. It is a tool that is used by care givers and the aged for the attainment of successful outcomes whilst overcoming any uneventful events. The model is based on the assumption that through the individual lifespan, there are often disposing factors that one encounters, positive and negative, and finding a way towards conquering these events is a rewarded success based on three components; selection, optimization and compensation (Opitz, Gross & Urry, 2012). With the progression of age, 65- 92 years, the components that are associated with SOC are increasing taking on a special profile. As people grow older opportunities diminish and exposure to physical, social, biological, psychological elements are also reducing overall affecting positive aging. Selection, optimization and compensation are perceived to advance gains while minimizing losses often associated with aging hence promoting positive aging.
Selection refers to an individual focusing on fewer goals that are important. This component takes away all the aspects that may be deemed to be attainable as the process of attaining these goals are risky and can reduce the quality of life overall impact positive and successful aging. Selection should be based on the decline in resources and opportunities providing a medium where the aging individual need to focus on fewer goals. Optimization involves the capacity of the individual to engage themselves in goal oriented actions and leaving away those actions that are not rewarding in any means (Opitz, Gross & Urry, 2012). This refers to the allocation of resources, internal and external, projected towards the attainment of the goals. This resources will be essential towards ensuring that aging will be successful as such eliminating all the negative energy. Compensation is due to maintaining the function at a certain level when there are loss and decline of goal relevant means. Carefully put into consideration loss-based selection is used when the goals result to losses thus the need to find alternative approaches.
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Selection
Inherent to the human population is the limitation of resources that are available on the planet. These resources include matters such as time and energy. With the progression of time, selection of goals should be based on the fact that all goals are not attainable hence the need to ensure that the selected goals are attainable (Muller et al. 2013). There are two sub process of selection; elective selection and loss based selection. Elective selection refers to a regulative process involved in selection from a pool of development pathways while the loss based selection is a response towards the decline of inherent resources leading to reconstructions of goals or search alternative goals to attain.
While planning for a successful and positive aging age related differences is a matter that needs to be looked at a comprehensive glance. This is because there are goals that may be attainable while there are others that may not be attainable and if they are they will constraint an individual due to a loss in their functionality. According to Antje, Zacher & Frese (2012), self-acceptance is one parameter that one must recognize before selecting any goal. Accepting that aging is a process, and there are other inherent factors on the way is a step towards successful positive living in aging. Thus, selection needs to match the available resources and personal needs. For example, if in case an individual used to participate in a sport, aging can result to loss of functionality of the body strength thus the need to find an alternative sport that will not put constraint an individual.
Optimization
Goal relevant means are fundamental in the acquisition of desired outcomes after selection. Thus, goal relevant means need to be acquired, applied and redefined. The means of achieving these goals vary according to the selected domains for age, gender, support systems among many. Time and energy are the two important factors in optimization goal related means. Thus, to apply this into practice, it is important that the two factors be looked at varying lengths for positive aging. According to Zeche & Frese (2011), optimization in old age is important because it provides a channel for successful development since one engages in growth related goals. Future anticipation such as retirement or losing a job are fundamental to look at as time is of essence and as such there will be no avenues to do all the things that one will have to do as opposed to the younger age.
Optimization calls for biological factors that one is predisposed to for example age related issues, physical conditions for example high blood pressure, diabetes and amongst other diseases that one may succumb to. As ageing progresses, it is important that optimization fulfills self-efficacy leading to positive emotions and wellbeing (Zeche & Frese, 2011). This is because if one desires and subject himself or herself to goals that are very hard to achieve then the resultant effect will be unwanted turnout where the goals will ‘consume’ or drain the aging individual. Aging people succumb to other conditions that come as a result of a decline in the body’s ability to counter the unresponsiveness thus if the person’s venture is not rewarding they will suffer greatly reducing their rewards and the expected successful life expectation and satisfaction. While in the event of losses accrued, it is important to shift focus on growth related goals as this will promote the well-being of the individual instead of focusing on the losses. According to a study by Ouwehand, older people who engage in optimization processes reported developing emotions that are positive and showing great satisfaction towards aging at the same (2013).
Compensation
How older people manage and maintain positive function in the event of health related constrains, and losses are one intriguing bit that Baltes helped to solve through the SOC model. According to Ouwehand et al. (2013), maintaining a positive functioning in the event of loss is important for successful aging. In the event of loss, there are a lot of factors that come into play since the individual is subject to limited resources than before thus finding an alternative media is the best option. Factors like health-related issues, gender, and societal expectation are varying factors to be considered. Loss-based selection is important to consider as a strategy for maintaining positive functioning. Loss based selection vouches for ‘dumping’ or restricting one’s goals and developing alternative goals. Situations such as divorce can lag an individual to a position that if they do not restructure their goal system, then they will suffer since they lack time and energy to re-participate.
Developing new goals can also be a challenge to other people in the aging gap. For example, it is irrelevant to say that a 92 year should redevelop or restructure their goals to a different project, for example, starting a green house. Some of the projects can be too demanding for the old person leading to negative functioning. For such an instance, it is important towards shifting focus on personal goals (Ouwehand et al., 2013). This will be an important journey for the wellbeing as personal goals are important for the individual and might be hard to lose attention in the event of loss or unexpected turnout.
Myths and Misconceptions Concerning Aging
Exercise is one important solution towards good health and successful aging. It is assumed that if an individual did not maintain an active lifestyle while they were young,20,30 to 40 then it would be a challenge for them to exercise while they grow old, 50 onwards. As explained by Opitz, Gross & Urry (2012), goals are not just determined when one starts to age, but it is a matter of personal choice that on strives to pursue and achieve. This is statement can be referred to as personal goals hence not just inherent in a certain age limit. Although some are attainable, it will be prudent to regard exercising a challenge for old people. This is not true since exercising is not dependent on age but will and determination. As a result, to counter this misconception as part of an aging plan, it will be important to start exercising as early as possible due to the nature of the body decline in potential will at an old age.
Getting older is associated with depression is another myth. As highlighted, most people in the aging phase or while begin to age, succumb to depression is only true if the aging person has no life goals that will ensure positive emotions and successful aging. As read from the study of Muller et al. (2013), people with growth related goals have proved have positive lives and aged healthily. This is because this people have something that they look up to as they age and not just dependent and thinking on uneventful situations. Thus, when nearing the old age, to address this myth, it is important to ensure that growth related goals are well selected and optimized.
Conclusion
The SOC model has been shown as a framework for addressing the challenges that succumb individuals proving to be an essential tool for successful aging. This is because, individuals can now realign their goals with the selection, optimization and compensation plan. Selection is a tool for developing appropriate life line goals concerning internal and external resources while compensation is a contrast to optimization in that it provides a channel for addressing or countering losses. Thus, the positive effect can be seen through applying The SOC Model fundamental for successful aging; emotional wellbeing, life satisfaction and satisfaction with aging.
References
Antje, S., Zacher, H. & Frese, M. (2012) The Buffering Effect of Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Strategy Use on The Relationship Between Problem Solving Demands and Occupational Well-Being: A Daily Diary Study . 17.2. 139-149. DOI: http://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0027054
Muller, A. et al. (2013) The Moderating Effects of Job Control and Selection, Optimization, And Compensation Strategies on the Age- Work Ability Relationship. 34.5. 607-628. DOI: 10.1002/job.1810
Opitz, C.P., Gross, J.J. & Urry, H.L. (2012) Selection, Optimization, And Compensation in the Domain of Emotion Regulation: Applications to Adolescence, Older Age, And Major Depressive Disorder . 6.2. 142-155. DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2011. 00413.x
Ouwehand, C. et al. (2013) A Review of Successful Aging Models : Proposing Proactive Coping as an Important Additional Strategy. 27. 873-884. Retrieved from http://53303223.nl.strato-hosting.eu/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Ouwehand-et-al-Clin- Psyc-Rev-2007.pdf
Zacher, H. & Frese, M. (2011) Maintaining a Focus on Opportunities at Work: The Interplay Between Age, Job Complexity, and the Use of Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Strategies. 32.2. 291-318. DOI: 10.1002/job.683
