The History of Psychogerontology in Russian Science

Abstract

The separation, in the 1960s, of gerontology in the USSR into psychogerontology, social gerontology, and gerontohygiene was the result of long development of various aspects of study of the problem of old age and longevity in domestic science. Analysis of publications in the scientific literature, beginning with the 19th century in Russia, shows that psychological problems of gerontology have been reflected in many Russian philosophical, general biological, and medical studies. It is obvious mat psychogerontology has become a domain of knowledge in its own right at the interface among gerontology, psychology, and mental health, which in turn have developed within the framework of various sciences—philosophy, psychology, psychiatry, and others. Hence, it is necessary to trace the interdisciplinary connections in the genesis of psychological knowledge of old age in Russia.