Older adults recall memories of life challenges: the role of sense of purpose in the life story

Sharma, Shubam; Bluck, Susan

doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03439-7

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The sense of purpose in life was further reinforced when nearly all older adults stated that they understood the worth of their parental obligations and the joy and satisfaction that came with it. This was consistent with the results of an investigation conducted by Sharma and Bluck [29], which explored the sense of purpose in older adults, how they developed it, and what aided them in maintaining it. This study underlined that one of the elements that helped seniors achieve their life goals was cultivating relationships.…”

Section: Discussion On Themessupporting

confidence: 89%

A Qualitative Study to Explore the Life Experiences of Older Adults in Oman

Al-Ghafri,

Eltayib,

Al-Ghusaini

et al. 2023

EJIHPE

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Background: Reminiscence studies and life reviews have a number of proven advantages. Future generations gain by learning from elders’ life experiences, as do older adults themselves who share their memories. Despite Oman’s sizable geriatric population, research on older individuals’ life experiences is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the life experiences of older Omani individuals across their many life stages, from childhood to the present. Methods: This was a qualitative study design. Convenience sampling was employed and conducted from December 2021 to October 2022. A total of 13 Omani older adults (9 females and 4 males), with an average age of 68 years, were recruited for this study (response rate = 34%). Socio-demographic and life review information was gathered according to a set of semi-structured guiding questions. The responses were then captured on audio recordings, which underwent transcription and translation. Thematic analysis techniques were applied to the extracted data. Results: Three main themes were evident in this study’s findings: childhood memories, friendships, and relationships, as well as the elders’ past. Additionally, older adults passed on a number of gems of wisdom to be shared with the younger generations. Conclusions: This study aided in revealing the resiliency, social connections, and life reflections of Omani older adults. These themes can guide the creation of age-inclusive laws, social support initiatives, and healthcare services specifically designed to satisfy the special requirements and ambitions of the elderly population. Based on these themes, this study recommended that the local community or society build a more sympathetic and compassionate atmosphere that honors and respects the accomplishments of this essential group by recognizing and comprehending the complex experiences of older adults. In addition, future studies could explore particular aspects of these older experiences and pinpoint solutions to improve their quality of life and wellbeing.

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Section: Discussion On Themessupporting

confidence: 89%

A Qualitative Study to Explore the Life Experiences of Older Adults in Oman

Al-Ghafri,

Eltayib,

Al-Ghusaini

et al. 2023

EJIHPE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…First, socioemotional selectivity theory points to how individuals may winnow their social networks to focus on social ties of greatest personal meaning (Carstensen, 1992; Carstensen et al, 1999); individuals may make these choices based on which social connections best scaffold their pursuit of purpose-driven aims. Second, qualitative studies with middle and older adult samples suggest that social relations and support are critical to how people think about living a purposeful life (e.g., Lewis et al, 2022; Sharma & Bluck, in press). These studies find that, when asked what it means to have a purpose, individuals often discuss connections to others and working toward prosocial aims, that make a difference.…”

Section: Purpose and Social Development In Adulthoodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do associations between sense of purpose, social support, and loneliness differ across the adult lifespan?

Hill¹,

Olaru²,

Allemand³

2023

Psychology and Aging

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Past research has suggested that the path to purpose involves connections with people along the way. In support, sense of purpose appears higher amongst those adults with more positive social relationships and interactions. However, research has yet to consider whether associations between sense of purpose and social relationship variables differ across adulthood. The present study examined this claim using a sample of Swiss adults, who completed measures for sense of purpose, loneliness, received support, and provided support. A large, nationally representative sample of 2,312 Swiss adults (52.34 years old; SD = 17.35) completed these measures, as part of a larger survey. Local structural equation modeling was employed to estimate the means and associations of these constructs across adulthood. Sense of purpose was negatively associated with loneliness, but positively associated overall with both support variables. No evidence was found for age moderation for the association between sense of purpose and loneliness. However, moderation was evidenced insofar that sense of purpose was less associated with both support variables with age. Sense of purpose again appears related to more positive social well-being and relationships, and consistently linked to lower loneliness. The age moderation effects for purpose-support associations are discussed with respect to theories of adult development. Public Significance StatementThe present study helps advance our understanding of how closely social support and loneliness are tied to feeling purposeful and goal-directed across the adult years. Given the importance of sense of purpose for healthy aging, this work provides further insight into when social roles and interactions are more central to a sense of direction in life.

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