disengagement theory

The perspective held by some experts on the process of aging that says that as some older people slow down they gradually become more self-preoccupied, lessen emotional ties with others, have less interest in world affairs, and slowly withdraw from society. The theory also holds that society disengages from the older individual. The resulting mutual disengagement results in a decrease in life satisfaction. This theory is controversial, and some researchers point out that many older people maintain very active lives in late adulthood and show no decrease in life satisfaction.