Social ability or social frailty? The balance between autonomy and connectedness in the lives of older people

Machielse, Anja; Hortulanus, Roelof

doi:10.51952/9781447300915.ch007

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In that study, a large group of socially isolated community-dwelling older adults is followed over time to identify changes in their daily life situations and their need for help and support (Machielse, 2015;Duyndam, 2020, 2021). The longitudinal study aims to gain insights that will contribute to the quality of the assistance provided to this target group (Machielse and Hortulanus, 2013). In this study, a qualitative research methodology with a strong exploratory character is followed, to provide insight into the subjective experiences of the socially isolated older adults themselves.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘I'm a fighter and I do not give up’ – Socially isolated older adults' experiences with meaning in life

Machielse

2024

Ageing and Society

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Positively experienced relationships with family, partners and friends are the most important source of meaning in life for older persons. At the same time, Western countries are confronted with a growing number of socially isolated older adults who lack those relationships. This study aims to explore whether and how older adults who live in social isolation experience meaning in life. Data were collected via in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 24 socially isolated older adults, ranging in age from 62 to 94, all living in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The criterion-based sampling of participants took place in close consultation with social workers of a mentoring project for socially isolated older adults. Follow-up interviews with 22 participants improved the credibility of findings and contributed to the breadth and depth of the researched casuistry. Data were analysed using an analytical framework based on seven needs of meaning identified by Baumeister (purpose, values, efficacy, self-worth) and Derkx (coherence, excitement, connectedness). The study demonstrates that isolated older adults may find anchors for meaning in life, although not all needs for meaning are satisfied, and there can also be tension between different needs. The needs-based model provides concrete distinctions for enabling care-givers to recognise elements of meaning.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘I'm a fighter and I do not give up’ – Socially isolated older adults' experiences with meaning in life

Machielse

2024

Ageing and Society

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Social ability or social frailty? The balance between autonomy and connectedness in the lives of older people

Cited by 1 publication

References 0 publications

‘I'm a fighter and I do not give up’ – Socially isolated older adults' experiences with meaning in life

‘I'm a fighter and I do not give up’ – Socially isolated older adults' experiences with meaning in life

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About