Theorizing about Aging Well: Constructing a Narrative

2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry Ann Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Life Meaning ◽  
Conceptual Frameworks ◽  
Multiple Selves ◽  
Underlying Assumption ◽  
Recent Interest ◽  
Aging Well

ABSTRACTAging well is new, again. The recent interest is part of a 50-year period of research. Contradictory conceptualizations of aging well create an opportunity to consider assumptions that underlie the concept. In this paper, through the construction of an aging-well, theorizing narrative, an underlying assumption is identified in past aging-well conceptual frameworks: to age well is to achieve self-integration in relation to particular sets of resources or forms of engagement. The narrative relates how more recent aging-well theorizing is being shaped by a growing interest in later-life meaning-making. Evidence is presented of a contemporary shift toward describing aging well as the negotiation of the co-construction and reconstruction of multiple selves in an ongoing, open-ended process of meaning-making amid later-life events and transitions. The paper concludes with implications for future research.

scholarly journals Forgotten Variables and Incarcerated Males

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 593-594
Author(s):  
George Randall ◽  
Alex Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Religious Attendance ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Childhood Difficulties ◽  
Self Report Data ◽  
Male Inmates ◽  
Incarcerated Males

Abstract Religiosity tends to mitigate mental health challenges for incarcerated males. Further, negative life events experienced during childhood tend to exacerbate young adult challenges, resulting in incarceration. The current study, based on Koenig (2015) and the Developmental Adaptation Model (DAM; Martin & Martin, 2002), used self-report data from 261 older male inmates, ages 45-82 (M=57.59; SD =8.41) to test a path analytic model regressing religiosity (public religious attendance and private activities) on to known correlates and antecedents. Nested model testing found that the association between self-reported life events experienced as a child and later life religiosity was mediated by forgiveness of self and social provisions, controlling for age, race, and education (IE = -.014; p=.03, one-tail). Distal and proximal assessments influenced religiosity in this sample. Future research will want to explore assessing religiosity and possible therapeutic interventions relative to childhood difficulties and forgiveness of self for incarcerated males.

scholarly journals Social Dimensions of Personal Growth following Widowhood: A Three-Wave Study

Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 344-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Recksiedler ◽  
Katharina Loter ◽  
Hannah S. Klaas ◽  
Betina Hollstein ◽  
Pasqualina Perrig-Chiello
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Social Embeddedness ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Support Seeking ◽  
Support Seeking ◽  
Time Varying Covariates

Background: Losing one’s spouse is one of the most stressful life events in old age, yet research on positive consequences of overcoming critical life events describes experiences of personal growth for survivors. Objective: Because prior studies conceptualized personal growth as a stable accomplishment of an individual, our study challenges this assumption by examining trajectories of personal growth and its links to two aspects of social support. We assume that personal growth is boosted by heightened levels of loss-related social support seeking during early years of widowhood. However, toward the later stages in the bereavement process, we expect personal growth to be fostered by perceived social embeddedness. Data and Method: Data stem from a survey on relationships in later life conducted in 2012, 2014, and 2016 in Switzerland. The final analytical sample consisted of 508 individuals aged 50+ years, who were on average 73 years old and widowed for about 3 years at baseline. Longitudinal explorative factor analyses yielded a 3-factorial solution for personal growth. Random-effects group-specific growth curves were used to examine the trajectories of personal growth and its subdimensions, by different levels of loss-related social support seeking and embeddedness in a supportive network, over the first 8 years of widowhood. Our analyses included time-invariant and time-varying covariates. Results: On average, our findings point to a stable trajectory of personal growth after having become widowed in later life. Group-specific analyses, however, showed different courses in the trajectories for specific subdimensions of personal growth – particularly for spiritual change and appreciation of life. Average marginal effects also yielded group differences by loss-related support seeking in the level of personal growth over time, which highlight the importance of social support seeking, rather than social embeddedness, at all stages of the bereavement process. Conclusion: Findings underline the importance of a longitudinal and linked-lives perspective on personal growth and point to different pathways regarding its various subdimensions. Future research should further examine the validity of personal growth scales for other populations and consider the possibility to experience personal growth already during the anticipation of a traumatic event (e.g., in the case of long-term caretaking).

Images of Aging in the Psychotherapeutic Context

GeroPsych ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva-Marie Kessler ◽  
Catherine E. Bowen
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Aging Process ◽  
Developmental Psychology ◽  
Mental Representations ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Process ◽  
Images Of Aging ◽  
Client Communication

Both psychotherapists and their clients have mental representations of old age and the aging process. In this conceptual review, we draw on available research from gerontology, social and developmental psychology, and communication science to consider how these “images of aging” may affect the psychotherapeutic process with older clients. On the basis of selected empirical findings we hypothesize that such images may affect the pathways to psychotherapy in later life, therapist-client communication, client performance on diagnostic tests as well as how therapists select and apply a therapeutic method. We posit that interventions to help both older clients and therapists to reflect on their own images of aging may increase the likelihood of successful treatment. We conclude by making suggestions for future research.

Negative Life Events Associated With Deliberate Self-Harm in an African Population in Uganda

Crisis ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Kinyanda ◽  
H. Hjelmeland ◽  
S. Musisi
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Dose Effect ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Suicide Interventions

Abstract. Negative life events associated with deliberate self-harm (DSH) were investigated in an African context in Uganda. Patients admitted at three general hospitals in Kampala, Uganda were interviewed using a Luganda version (predominant language in the study area) of the European Parasuicide Study Interview Schedule I. The results of the life events and histories module are reported in this paper. The categories of negative life events in childhood that were significantly associated with DSH included those related to parents, significant others, personal events, and the total negative life events load in childhood. For the later-life time period, the negative life events load in the partner category and the total negative life events in this time period were associated with DSH. In the last-year time period, the negative life events load related to personal events and the total number of negative life events in this time period were associated with DSH. A statistically significant difference between the cases and controls for the total number of negative life events reported over the entire lifetime of the respondents was also observed, which suggests a dose effect of negative life events on DSH. Gender differences were also observed among the cases. In conclusion, life events appear to be an important factor in DSH in this cultural environment. The implication of these results for treatment and the future development of suicide interventions in this country are discussed.

Functional Capacity in Later Life: Meaning and Measurement

1982 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 364-365
Author(s):  
Linda K. George
Keyword(s):  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Life Meaning

Predicting Post-Trauma Quality of Life: Meaning-Making Trumps Medical Reality

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ed De St. Aubin ◽  
Abbey Valvano ◽  
Terri Deroon-Cassini ◽  
Jim Hastings ◽  
Patricia Horn
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Life Meaning

TOWARDS A SPIRITUALITY OF OPEN DISTANCE LEARNING

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-78
Author(s):  
Ferdinand Jacobus Potgieter
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Student Teacher ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Life Meaning ◽  
Current Technology ◽  
Self Transcendence

This article suggests attention to the paideia of the soul as an educative corrective for preparing open distance learning students for living in the current technology-dependent world. This world is undergirded by a technology-rich knowledge society that privileges new informational epistemologies. In an attempt to suggest a spirituality of open distance learning that is based on the paideia (full-blown completeness) of the soul, use is made of the integrated interpretations of three relevant viewpoints. It is shown that spirituality in open distance learning is neither religion nor ethics; that it is essentially about the meaning in and of life, meaning-making and meaning-decoding, self-transcendence (especially as meaning-making), connection, engagement and a re-interrogation of all the major existentialist questions. It is a journey towards wholeness and compassion (as knowledge of love) of every student teacher.

Adversity Interpreted: A Scoping Review of Adversity Appraisal Measurement

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483802098554
Author(s):  
Stephanie Gusler ◽  
Jessy Guler ◽  
Rachel Petrie ◽  
Heather Marshall ◽  
Daryl Cooley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Psychological Adjustment ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Self Blame ◽  
Traumatic Life Events ◽  
The Future

Although evidence suggests that individuals’ appraisals (i.e., subjective interpretations) of adverse or traumatic life events may serve as a mechanism accounting for differences in adversity exposure and psychological adjustment, understanding this mechanism is contingent on our ability to reliably and consistently measure appraisals. However, measures have varied widely between studies, making conclusions about how best to measure appraisal a challenge for the field. To address this issue, the present study reviewed 88 articles from three research databases, assessing adults’ appraisals of adversity. To be included in the scoping review, articles had to meet the following criteria: (1) published no earlier than 1999, (2) available in English, (3) published as a primary source manuscript, and (4) included a measure assessing for adults’ (over the age of 18) subjective primary and/or secondary interpretations of adversity. Each article was thoroughly reviewed and coded based on the following information: study demographics, appraisal measurement tool(s), category of appraisal, appraisal dimensions (e.g., self-blame, impact, and threat), and the tool’s reliability and validity. Further, information was coded according to the type of adversity appraised, the time in which the appraised event occurred, and which outcomes were assessed in relation to appraisal. Results highlight the importance of continued examination of adversity appraisals and reveal which appraisal tools, categories, and dimensions are most commonly assessed for. These results provide guidance to researchers in how to examine adversity appraisals and what gaps among the measurement of adversity appraisal which need to be addressed in the future research.

scholarly journals Meaning Matters: Self-Perceived Meaning in Life, Its Predictors and Psychological Stressors Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Ashley Humphrey ◽  
Olivia Vari
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Coping Resources ◽  
Life Meaning ◽  
Life Orientation ◽  
Psychological Stressors ◽  
The Impact

Past research has found that a perceived meaning in life can act as a protective factor against adverse mental health symptomology, while also providing coping resources to buffer against the impact of negative life events. The current research investigated how the impact of self-perceived meaning in life as well as its predictors interact with stressors and worry related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected survey based data (n = 260) from Australian participants during the pandemic, measuring their meaning in life, orientation to differing life goals and COVID-19 related stressors via the impact of events scale. We found that meaning in life predicted less stress and worry associated with COVID-19. We also found that intrinsic based aspirations related positively to meaning in life within this context whereas extrinsic based goals related negatively to it, although these aspirations were not significant in reducing the stressors associated with COVID-19. These results reinforce past findings that meaning in life can effectively buffer against the impact of negative life events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. They also suggest that intrinsic based aspirations centred on relationships and self-acceptance may be an important mechanism in how people choose to pursue life meaning during uncertain life events.

scholarly journals Perceived Control and Aging: A Mini-Review and Directions for Future Research

Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 435-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie A. Robinson ◽  
Margie E. Lachman
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Health And Well Being

This brief review on perceived control and aging is organized according to 3 perspectives of research involving description, explanation, and modification. An extensive body of literature has utilized cross-sectional and correlational methods to describe the sociodemographic variations and outcomes associated with perceived control. This work has focused on differences in perceived control as a function of age, sex, education, socioeconomic status, and culture and has identified positive associations with many aging-related outcomes involving health and well-being. With growing evidence regarding the health benefits of perceived control in the context of a declining sense of control with aging, there has been an increased effort to uncover the mechanisms involved, with the hopes of developing methods to maintain and/or promote adaptive control beliefs throughout adulthood. Through longitudinal and experimental work, researchers are beginning to clarify the directionality and elucidate the mechanisms to explain the associations. Recent evidence from longitudinal studies shows that control beliefs have an impact on subsequent changes in health. Yet, the findings suggest that it is not a unidirectional relationship. A conceptual model suggesting an ongoing reciprocal relationship between perceived control and health and well-being is discussed. Research examining the mechanisms that link perceived control to aging-related outcomes can help to inform and to develop effective interventions that are tailored to the individual's specific barriers and goals. We consider new directions for research, including more attention to intraindividual variability and reactivity to daily challenges, such as stress, with the goal of advancing our understanding of how perceived control contributes to aging-related outcomes. More work is needed to develop strategies to enhance control beliefs in later life. Although it will not always be possible to modify control beliefs, researchers can take these beliefs into account when developing interventions. A personalized approach is recommended as a way to tailor interventions that are compatible with individuals' beliefs about control to facilitate adaptive behavior change. Conclusions focus on selected issues and considerations for future research.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document