Ageing: a case study of autobiographical narration to promote meaning-making, legacy and psychological well-being among a sample of South African older adults.
Loading...
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Successful ageing is a multi-faceted concept. Older people experience a vast number
difficulties across almost all domains of life that impede their journey towards ageing well.
During this phase of life, seniors must also face certain developmental challenges such as
establishing a legacy and making meaning from life, which may help them to age well and
contribute to psychological well-being. This area of research appears to be understudied,
particularly in South African research. The purpose of this study is to explore how older adults
make sense of their lives and how they understand and articulate legacy.
Methods
This study used a case study approach to explore the life stories of five, Caucasian
participants living in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Three females and two males each
participated in two semi-structured interviews.
Results
Across the board, religious beliefs and theological views predominated participants’
meaning-making structures, and seemed to influence how they make sense of their lives,
articulated legacy and psychological well-being.
Conclusion
The current study attempted to make a contribution to the body of knowledge on the
psychological well-being of older adults, how they articulate legacy and the ways in which
religion and spirituality may contribute to how they make sense of experience. Theology
seemed to be a strong underlying factor.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.