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Older women and resilience: a qualitative study of adaptation

Kinsel, Beth I.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1092707347

Abstract Details

2004, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Social Work.
The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine factors that contribute to resilience in older women. A theoretical orientation that integrated critical gerontology, life-span development, and a feminist life-span perspective of aging was used. Maximum variety sampling was employed to address diversity in the experience of aging. A sample of seventeen women between the ages of seventy and eighty years was drawn from two south central Ohio counties. Audio taped in-depth interviews provided the primary source of data. An interview schedule consisting of open-ended questions derived from the resilience literature guided the conversations. A constructivist approach encouraged the women to name their experiences of, and reactions to, advantage and adversity across the life span. Data analysis began with the first interview and continued during data collection through the constant comparative method. Findings revealed that the women accumulated a variety of advantages and adversities across the life span. Each woman's story was unique despite the influence of similar historical and cultural effects and social-structural forces. The women continued to realize a strong investment in and positive orientation toward life regardless of the challenges and losses they experienced. Themes related to resilience include: social connectedness; extending self to others; moving forward with life; curiosity/ever-seeking; "head-on" approach to challenge; "maverick"; and spiritual grounding. Indicators of each theme suggest diversity in the capacity to be resilient and complexity in how resilience is exercised. This research has multiple implications for social work practice with older women. Social workers must be conduits of knowledge and information about aging in order to facilitate empowerment and foster solidarity. Ageism must be confronted by educating persons of all ages about the facts of aging. To encourage resilience a strengths-based approach is suggested, whereby the focus is on the positive and possibilities. Future studies will benefit from the use of alternative methods of data collection and collaboration with older women. Through hearing the voices of older women needs for services and direction for political advocacy will be more optimally addressed by gerontologists and social workers.
Virginia Richardson (Advisor)
232 p.
aging; older women; resilience; adaptation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kinsel, B. I. (2004). Older women and resilience: a qualitative study of adaptation [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1092707347

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kinsel, Beth. Older women and resilience: a qualitative study of adaptation. 2004. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1092707347.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kinsel, Beth. "Older women and resilience: a qualitative study of adaptation." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1092707347

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1092707347
10,562
© 2004, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.