Exploring Meaning and Purpose in Life and Hope with Nonclinical Older Adults

• Author / Creator

  Ewasiw, Joan F.

• Meaning and purpose in life and hope, independently and collectively, play important roles in human functioning. Yet there remain gaps in our knowledge of the constructs and of the relationships between and among them. The aim of this study was to deepen our understanding of meaning, purpose, and hope by exploring the lived experiences and understandings of the individual constructs and of their interrelationships with nonclinical older adults. A qualitative research methodology, specifically, basic qualitative research, was used to complete the in-depth exploration. The results revealed that meaning, purpose, and hope are: (1) distinct constructs with at least eight common attributes, (2) inextricably linked and function together to sustain each other, (3) associated with giving, and (4) associated with personal benefit. The results are discussed in the context of current research literature. Implications and recommendations are presented for future research as well as clinical practice.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • purpose
  • older adults
  • hope
  • meaning

• Graduation date

  Fall 2019

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-zc4z-7p53

• License

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