Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

FRAILTY: MEANINGFUL CONCEPT OR CONCEPTUAL MUDDLE?

Brunk, Jennifer M.

Abstract Details

2007, Master of Gerontological Studies, Miami University, Gerontology.
Aging researchers frequently study “frail” elders, though the meaning of frailty remains largely ambiguous. To explore what “frailty” means, I qualitatively interviewed three nursing home residents about their thoughts on frailty and examined published literary narratives on experiences with aging, illness and disability. “Frailty” is a “catch-all” term used in the literature to refer to a web of physical, mental or emotional instability, age and presence of disability. However, it is an empty term in that it fails to capture personal experiences. The individuals we call “frail” do not identify themselves as “frail” because their experiences with asserting independence in the face of dependency and burden lend substance and story to their lives. Being “frail” involves striking a balance between resisting and accepting dependency, although this balance is disrupted by physicians’ duty to treat the "disease" rather than the person, further perpetuating the notion that “frail” individuals are inherently dependent.
Lisa Groger (Advisor)
60 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Brunk, J. M. (2007). FRAILTY: MEANINGFUL CONCEPT OR CONCEPTUAL MUDDLE? [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1183660563

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Brunk, Jennifer. FRAILTY: MEANINGFUL CONCEPT OR CONCEPTUAL MUDDLE? 2007. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1183660563.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Brunk, Jennifer. "FRAILTY: MEANINGFUL CONCEPT OR CONCEPTUAL MUDDLE?" Master's thesis, Miami University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1183660563

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)