Cognitieve Herstructurering en Zingeving Bij Jongbejaarden

[Cognitive Restructuring and Personal Meaning in Young Elderly]

The hypothesis is advanced that older adults who are more able to restructure cognitively, should experience more meaning in their lives. In this study 20 women and 20 men, ranging in age from 60 to 65 years, completed the Life Attitude Profile (Reker & Peacock, 1981), the Sources of Meaning Profile (Reker, 1988) and an ad hoc designed measure for cognitive restructuring. The results supported the hypothesis. Subjects who were more capable of cognitive restructuring, reported more zest of life and life satisfaction (Life Purpose), felt more responsible for their own life choices (Life Control), strove more to find meaning in the present (Will to Meaning) and in the future (Future Meaning), and found more meaning in sources that transcend the individual.