ISSN:
0016-9013
Content:
We aimed to identify aspects of late-life resilience and sense of self-identity and locate within a life narrative to provide insights into methods of coping with the challenges of aging. To do this, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 oldest-old adults (aged 88-98 years) recruited from the Australien Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Design, analysis, and interpretation of the study were informed by McAdams' life narrative theory, using concepts of redemption and contamination. Participants discussed their autobiographies and recounted significant life events. Interviews drew in McAdams' approach to elicit positive, negative, vivd, and turning point experiences. Analysis involved coding transcripts of the emergent personal barratives specifically to understand a "resilience story". This included data immersion and review of interviews transcripts. Emergent codes were identified and discussed among researchers. Although no contaminations events were narrated, we identified the following themes: Adapting to aging-related physical challenges; Changing social networks; Continuity in sense of identity to maintain unity and life's purpose; and Redemptive capacity to cope positively with life challenges. This study fills a gap in knowledge in resilience from a personal perspective by the oldest old. Older people may benefit from interventions that harness positive coping strategies and foster social connections and meaningful activities, especially at times of loss and grief.
In:
The gerontologist, Cary, NC : Oxford Univ. Press, 1961, 57(2017), 2 vom: Apr., Seite 282-291, 0016-9013
In:
volume:57
In:
year:2017
In:
number:2
In:
month:04
In:
pages:282-291
Language:
English
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