The meaning of being a senior: phenomenological research and interpretation with Parse's theory of nursing. 1994

G J Mitchell

The purpose of this article is to report findings from a phenomenological analysis on the meaning of being a senior. Six hundred narrative stories written by older Canadians on their personal experiences in later life were analyzed using the operations of the van Kaam phenomenological method. Seven common elements were created to capture the shared meaning about being a senior contained in the narratives. The seven elements when linked together formed the central finding of the study in a structural definition. The structural definition arising in this study is: Being a senior means engaging the now while rolling with the vicissitudes of life as refined astuteness surfaces a buoyant unburdening. It is as though shifting rhythms propel discovery through grateful abiding in wondering awareness as anticipation of new possibles enlivens connectedness and altruistic commitments affirm self amidst the retrospective pondering of everydayness. This definition was interpreted from Parse's theoretical perspective in order to expand the knowledge base of nursing science. Descriptive expressions from the narratives were linked with major concepts from Parse's theory. Implications for research and practice are specified. Discussion includes comparison of the findings with other qualitative investigations exploring the meaning of aging with older persons in the United States, Germany, Britain, and Nepal.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009742 Nursing Theory Concepts, definitions, and propositions applied to the study of various phenomena which pertain to nursing and nursing research. Theory, Nursing,Nursing Theories,Theories, Nursing
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000223 Adaptation, Psychological A state of harmony between internal needs and external demands and the processes used in achieving this condition. (From APA Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms, 8th ed). Behavior, Adaptive,Healthy Adaptation,Positive Adaptation,Psychological Recovery,Adaptation, Psychologic,Adjustment,Psychological Adaptation,Adaptation, Healthy,Adaptation, Positive,Adaptive Behavior,Adaptive Behaviors,Healthy Adaptations,Positive Adaptations,Psychologic Adaptation,Psychological Recoveries,Recovery, Psychological
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D015404 Nursing Methodology Research Research carried out by nurses concerning techniques and methods to implement projects and to document information, including methods of interviewing patients, collecting data, and forming inferences. The concept includes exploration of methodological issues such as human subjectivity and human experience. Methodology Research, Nursing,Research, Nursing Methodology,Clinical Methodology Research, Nursing,Nursing Methodological Issues Research

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