Date of Award
2017
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Sarah E. Abrams
Abstract
Background: Although there is significant scholarly interest in defining the concept of successful aging, there are very few small-scale, in-depth qualitative studies examining the lived experience of women over 80 who self-identify as aging successfully.
Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the lived experience of a small group of community-dwelling Jewish women over 80 in a single county in Northwestern Vermont who self-identify as aging successfully.
Approach: This study has a phenomenological approach.
Method: Phenomenological interviews were conducted with five women over 80 years of age. Interview content was analyzed, and shared themes were synthesized.
Findings: Findings revealed the following shared themes: acknowledgement of extraordinary quality of life events and/or circumstances, extensive and ongoing social involvement with communities and/or individuals, and strong sense of self.
Conclusions: The lived experiences of participants who self-identified as aging successfully were characterized by gratitude for the lives they led and continue to lead, extensive and ongoing communal and interpersonal social engagement, and high levels of self-esteem and self-knowledge.
Implications for practice: Interventions focused on promoting gratitude, ongoing social engagement, and self-esteem/efficacy may improve individuals' chances of aging successfully; women over 80 respond positively given the opportunity to tell their story, and may benefit from affiliation with a religious community.
Language
en
Number of Pages
63 p.
Recommended Citation
Fredman, Rebecca, "Uncovering The Lived Experience Of Community-Dwelling Jewish Women Over 80 Who Self-Identify As Aging Successfully: A Phenomenological Study" (2017). Graduate College Dissertations and Theses. 680.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/680