More Vulnerable? The Life Story Approach Highlights Older People's Potential for Strength During the Pandemic.

The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Majse LindDan P McAdams

Abstract

Older adults have repeatedly been referred to as more physically vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic, however, is not only about becoming physically ill. It has many psychosocial aspects: people are exposed to myriad life challenges. The life story approach does not ignore physical status but also emphasizes psychosocial strengths. It highlights that older people are likely to have developed resilience through experiencing life challenges and living across history. We used the narrative method to review research on three strengths: tendency toward life reflection, adaptive use of personal memory, and temporal focus encouraging generativity. For each, we (a) present evidence that this strength manifests in the second half of life, and (b) identify how it may specifically be applied in dealing with the challenges of the pandemic. In considering their life stories, the picture that emerges is one of older adults as having the potential to show considerable psychosocial strength despite the adversities of the pandemic. We conclude that during this period of sweeping change in the lives of individuals of all ages, our older citizens may act as valuable societal anchors.

References

Aug 1, 1969·Annals of Surgery·E S MiddletonG T Shires
Sep 16, 2000·Psychological Bulletin·T Habermas, S Bluck
Aug 15, 2003·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·James W Pennebaker, Lori D Stone
Apr 23, 2004·Journal of Personality·Susan Bluck, Judith Glück
Apr 23, 2004·Journal of Personality·Jack J Bauer, Dan P McAdams
Jan 6, 2005·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·Jack J BauerApril R Sakaeda
Feb 12, 2009·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Sheung-Tak Cheng
Apr 8, 2014·The Gerontologist·Robert L RubinsteinSusan Hannum
May 9, 2014·Aging & Mental Health·Jeffrey Dean WebsterGerben J Westerhof
Jul 5, 2018·Kidney Research and Clinical Practice·Sung Joon Shin, Jae Hang Lee
Apr 17, 2020·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Liat AyalonHans-Werner Wahl

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 3, 2020·The Gerontologist·Heather R Fuller, Andrea Huseth-Zosel
Dec 29, 2020·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Lynn M Martire, Derek M Isaacowitz
Apr 27, 2021·Frontiers in Public Health·Jessica M FinlayLindsay C Kobayashi
Apr 22, 2021·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Heidi IgarashiCarolyn M Aldwin
Jun 12, 2021·The Gerontologist·Henry BundyAnthony J Caprio

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.