Themes of Gerotranscendence in Narrative Identity Within Structured Life Review

Abstract

Abstract. Narrative identity is a person’s internalized and evolving life story. It provides a person with some degree of unity and purpose over the life course. It is shaped by the themes, plots, and images available within an individual’s culture. Research in narrative gerontology finds that positive themes within narrative identity in late life are sparse because of a pervading “narrative of decline,” which may contribute to prevalence of late life depression. Structured Life Review (SLR) is an effective intervention to manage depressive symptoms in older adults. It relies on clinician-guided storytelling and themes drawn from Erikson’s developmental stages to foster positive narrative identity. In this theoretical review, the authors explore gerotranscendence-related themes to inform narrative identity through SLR, the goal being to advance the argument that gerotranscendence can adaptively navigate negative narrative themes. It should be considered within clinical narrative practice to improve psychological well-being for older adults.

Religious meaning system and sense of self-dignity in the second half of life: The mediating role of wisdom.

“…new aspects of their own selves, both good and bad. This discovery does not entail overwhelming sadness, but it does lead to selfacceptance (Jeffers et al, 2020).…”

“…The people recall earlier periods of their lives—what was, what has irretrievably passed—and discover new aspects of their own selves, both good and bad. This discovery does not entail overwhelming sadness, but it does lead to self-acceptance (Jeffers et al, 2020).…”

How to Promote Gerotranscendence in Older Adults? A Scoping Review of Interventions

“…A slower process may be explained by the individual’s life circumstances and other identified modifiers; the block, on the other hand, occurs because individuals in late life continue to hold values, beliefs, and interests, as they do in midlife, that can impair their maturation process and hinder their appreciation for the transformations that accompany growing older ( Tornstam, 2005 , 2011 ). This resistance to change can facilitate the development of depression and anxiety, as it may be related to the idea of despair, the fear of death, and/or a maladaptive interpretation of life events, especially difficult ones ( Jeffers et al, 2020 ; Tornstam, 2011 ).…”

Clinical Geropsychology

“…Gerotranscendence was defined by Tornstam (1997) as a shift in metaperspective, from a materialistic and rational view of the world to a more cosmic and transcendent one, which is normally accompanied by an increase in life satisfaction. Jeffers et al (2020) argue that the inclusion of gerotranscendence-related themes in life review help to find positive aspects of life and the individual's narrative identity, which can buffer against the negative experiences of decline in old age.…”

“…It has been shown to effectively treat depression in old age with similar effect sizes as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Jeffers, Hill, Krumholz, and Winston-Proctor (2020) discuss arguments in their theoretical review how gerotranscendence can be incorporated in such a structured LRT. Gerotranscendence was defined by Tornstam (1997) as a shift in metaperspective, from a materialistic and rational view of the world to a more cosmic and transcendent one, which is normally accompanied by an increase in life satisfaction.…”