Conceptual and methodological linkages in cross-cultural groups and cross-national aging research

The international growth and the expected size of older populations require effective research strategies in life-course development and aging research across the globe. New conceptual frameworks and empirical research approaches are needed that are sensitive to similarities and differences in aging related processes across national, ethnic, and cultural group boundaries. These models and research approaches should contribute to distinguishing, "aging-in-place-of-origin" froth "aging-out-of-place-of-origin," and the influences of. such factors as nationality, culturally affected behaviors, acculturation and intra-familial processes, on intra- and cross-country comparisons of aging related phenomena. Brief examples of how these new frameworks can be applied in addressing both theoretical and practical service issues are drawn from the aging research foci of the articles in this issue.