This research explores how midlife women found the strength and resilience that enabled them to rebound and grow as they negotiated significant life challenges in their marriage, and with their children, parents, careers, and health. Using a family resilience framework grounded in systems theory with a feminist perspective, the researcher conducted in-depth interviews with 18 diverse women between the ages of 40 and 60 years in different regions of the United States. The phenomenological method of inquiry allowed the researcher to gather the experiences of midlife women in order to understand the protective processes of resilience for overcoming adversity. Three research questions guided this study: (1) How have women dealt with an adverse experience or challenging transition in their adult married life and where did the strength or resilience they needed to rise above it come from? (2) How did they use their resilience in challenging situations? (3) How did this challenging experience influence their marriage and how was the experience affected by their marriage? Results suggest that the participants' core beliefs facilitated how they made meaning of their struggle and influenced their response to their challenges. The themes they discussed fell into beliefs that were organized as affiliative values, facilitative beliefs and transcendent spiritual beliefs. These belief systems described how they made sense of their challenges. Themes related to the importance of connectedness and relationships also occurred frequently in the narratives of these midlife women as they developed resilience. As expected, marriage was important to the majority of the women as they discussed the importance of emotional support, but their sense of well-being was also greatly influenced by other close relationships in their communities with friends, family, children, and role models. Work and education emerged as significant themes in the women's appraisal of their challenges, beliefs, and connectedness as they described their sense of resilience. Resilience was fostered when these women made connections between their past, present, and future and integrated their experiences, their beliefs, relationships, and resources. / Ph. D.

Orientador: Guita Grin Debert / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciencias Humanas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T22:00:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Castro_TalitaPereirade_M.pdf: 1083978 bytes, checksum: 9d065af7a81d43be75f866829a7f9d00 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: Tendo em vista processos contemporâneos de negação da velhice, multiplicação das marcas identitárias e exaltação da juventude como valor, proponho uma análise da forma como a crise da meia-idade aparece em publicações de auto-ajuda nacionais. Dada a centralidade das imagens do lobo e da loba para caracterização de mais esse período da vida adulta, no Brasil, nestas concentro meus esforços analíticos. O esforço é pela apreensão das alterações que as inflexões de gênero trazem para a configuração da meia-idade nessa mídia. De um lado, a construção da imagem de um homem frágil e infantilizado e, de outro, a de uma mulher poderosa, que continua a seduzir, a despeito das transformações físicas que marcam o período. A partir do referencial teórico da sociologia das emoções e do cuidado, e das discussões sobre gerações, proponho uma reflexão sobre as expectativas sócio-emocionais para essa fase da vida. / Abstract: Considering the contemporary processes of denying aging, the variety of identity branding and the elevation of youth as value, I propose an analysis as per how the midlife crises is portrayed in brazilian self-help books. Taking into account the concentration on the images of the male and female wolves in order to characterize this period of adult life in Brazil, this is where I focus the analysis. The effort is to capture the changes that the gender deviations bring to define the midlife in this kind of media. Men are seen as fragile and childish. On the other corner, women are seen as powerful and seductive, despite the physical transformations in this period of life. From the theoretical framework of sociology of emotions and care, and the generation discussions, I propose a debate on the socio-emotional expectations for this stage of life. / Mestrado / Teoria Antropológica / Mestre em Antropologia

Afrikaans text / Hierdie studie het ten doel gehad om die Opvoedkundig-Sielkundige Relasieteorie te gebruik in die identifisering van 'n middeljarekrisis by middeljariges. Met die oog hierop is daar hoofsaaklik op die volgende gekonsentreer: Die middeljare as fenomeen, met spesifieke verwysing na die belewing van krisis­ elemente tydens hierdie lewensfase, wat op 'n middeljarekrisis sou kon dui Die gebruik van die Opvoedkundig-Sielkundige Relasieteorie as gefundeerde teoretiese vertrekpunt in die identifisering van 'n middeljarekrisis Die daarstel van •n diagnostiese vraelys binne die raamwerk van die Opvoedkundig- Sielkundige Relasieteorie wat in die empiriese studie gebruik is om 'n middeljarekrisis te identifiseer Daar is bevind dat, aJhoewel nie aile middeljariges 'n krisistydperk ervaar nie, daar tien verskillende krisis-elemente is wat op 'n middeljarekrisis sou kon dui. 'n Diagnostiese vraelys is in terme van die Opvoedkundig-Sielkundige Relasieteorie veroperasionaliseer, en gebruik in die identifisering van 'n middeljarekrisis. / The aim of this study was to use the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory in the identification of a midlife crisis in middle aged persons. The researcher concentrated on the following main aspects: The middle years as phenomenon, with specific reference to the experience of crisis - elements during this life phase, which could lead to a crisis The use of the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory as well-grounded theoretical point of departure in the identification of a midlife crisis The compilation of a diagnostic questionnaireusing the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory as framework, which was used in the empirical study to identify a midlife crisis It was found that, although not all middle aged persons experience a crisis during this time, there are ten different crisis elements which could indicate a midlife crisis. A diagnostic questionnaire was operationalised in terms of the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory, and used in the identification of a midlife crisis. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Afrikaans text / Hierdie studie het ten doel gehad om die Opvoedkundig-Sielkundige Relasieteorie te gebruik in die identifisering van 'n middeljarekrisis by middeljariges. Met die oog hierop is daar hoofsaaklik op die volgende gekonsentreer: Die middeljare as fenomeen, met spesifieke verwysing na die belewing van krisis­ elemente tydens hierdie lewensfase, wat op 'n middeljarekrisis sou kon dui Die gebruik van die Opvoedkundig-Sielkundige Relasieteorie as gefundeerde teoretiese vertrekpunt in die identifisering van 'n middeljarekrisis Die daarstel van •n diagnostiese vraelys binne die raamwerk van die Opvoedkundig- Sielkundige Relasieteorie wat in die empiriese studie gebruik is om 'n middeljarekrisis te identifiseer Daar is bevind dat, aJhoewel nie aile middeljariges 'n krisistydperk ervaar nie, daar tien verskillende krisis-elemente is wat op 'n middeljarekrisis sou kon dui. 'n Diagnostiese vraelys is in terme van die Opvoedkundig-Sielkundige Relasieteorie veroperasionaliseer, en gebruik in die identifisering van 'n middeljarekrisis. / The aim of this study was to use the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory in the identification of a midlife crisis in middle aged persons. The researcher concentrated on the following main aspects: The middle years as phenomenon, with specific reference to the experience of crisis - elements during this life phase, which could lead to a crisis The use of the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory as well-grounded theoretical point of departure in the identification of a midlife crisis The compilation of a diagnostic questionnaireusing the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory as framework, which was used in the empirical study to identify a midlife crisis It was found that, although not all middle aged persons experience a crisis during this time, there are ten different crisis elements which could indicate a midlife crisis. A diagnostic questionnaire was operationalised in terms of the Edu-Psychological Relation Theory, and used in the identification of a midlife crisis. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

The economic, demographic and social changes of the latter half of the C20th have influenced the experience of individuals now at 'midlife'. Arguably the impact of these changes has been more profound for women; specifically in the UK for those educated to be the wives, mothers and carers of industrial Britain (Newsom, 1963). Now around 50 years old this group of women are likely to experience a lengthy period of 'postmaternity' (Sheriff and Weatherall, 2009) extending to over thirty years in many cases. This research considers the experience of this metaphorically entitled 'telescopic' cohort (Goldstein and Schlag, 1999). The major corpus of age related research assumes a linear developmental progression of life stages (Erikson, 1951, 1968; Gould, 1978; Levinson, 1978; Levinson, 1996; Klohnen et al., 1996; Miner-Rubinio, 2004). Drawing on life course theory (Elder, 1995; Runyan, 1982; Super, 1980) enables this research to explore how women may have changed assumptions about themselves and their expectations as the social world has changed around them, moreover offers an alternative to the essentialist, linear, deterministic models of ageing. This feminist poststructuralist examination of the experience of women at 'midlife' is divided into two parts; firstly the 'lived life' which examines demographic changes, and drawing on material from 'Jackie' magazine, considers discourses of femininity and the expectations for, and of, girls. The 'told story' is then explored using narrative interview material. How women 'story' their lives and their understanding of 'self' at midlife is examined within the context of the changing world and their ageing bodies. The research revealed that the experience of 'midlife' for this cohort of women is narrated as a time of change in social circumstances with some 'gains' and some 'losses', however it is not storied as a time of inevitable 'crisis'. Moreover despite the plethora of literature portraying the menopause as problematic, this was not supported by the interview material.

Midlife women are vulnerable to developing obesity. Both sleep timing and negative emotion are risk factors, yet limited research has explored their role on weight outcomes in this population. The current investigation explored the association of sleep timing (i.e., mean sleep time, sleep time variability) and obesity (i.e., BMI, waist circumference) in midlife women, considering emotional pathways (i.e., depressive symptoms, anger) that might mediate this association. PROCESS parallel mediation models assessed direct and indirect pathways. In follow-up analyses, sleep duration was explored as an indirect pathway linking sleep timing to obesity. Results demonstrated that sleep timing does not directly predict obesity. Emotion was also not a significant indirect pathway. Conversely, sleep duration emerged as an indirect link in the sleep timing and obesity association. Future work is needed to further disentangle the impact of sleep on weight in midlife women using prospective, well-controlled studies, implementing daily assessments of sleep behavior.

This study is a very personal reflection. The purpose of the study is to illuminate how following the calling of my heart led to a deeper passion in my own work whereupon I realized my natural and limitless creative potential. It is a blending of my narrative with research conducted over a ten year time period on midlife women, work, and the search for passion within. The capacity and fostering of creativity became a focus in my writing because that is exactly where my spirit has led me. It has been my personal joy to put something in this world that was not there before. My personal story is my unique Scholarly Personal Narrative, but the story itself and the constructs embedded within on midlife women moving beyond the feminine mystique to fulfill their career dreams by embracing their passion and seeking creativity is universal to many women. I believe that my experiences are both generalizable and transferable and will serve as a beacon of light in guiding other midlife women in their own journey to follow their dreams and nurture their true self. Scholarly Personal Narrative was used to blend my experiences with research on women's identity, midlife, reinventing careers, opting-out, on-ramps for women returning to work and expressing creativity. My narrative speaks to how specific events in my life, as in many women's lives, have contributed to finding my own authentic voice, navigating a course of rediscovery, and ultimately realizing the personal power of knowing you are empowered. Throughout my writing I highlight that midlife is a unique period of time. I believe it can be claustrophobic and it can be ripe with opportunity and adventure. If you allow it, this time of life affords an opportunity for self-discovery and unanticipated growth. Midlife is a time to dig deep in examining our life experiences to extrapolate meaning. My meanings derived combined with my dreams within has led me in finding my true creative calling through my work. But, I believe that we each are the only ones who can find the meaning in and through our life experiences because they both form and inform our own truth. It became about harmonizing creative development, my identity, and work to fuel major change. Universal themes that emerge include recognizing one's creativity has worth, viewing future work life as an opportunity to incorporate that with which we are passionate, and embracing midlife as a time for positive personal growth and change. It is a complex narrative, but in finding the truth, I became open to building on the successes, experiences, and lessons of my past to pursue work that excites, enriches, and motivates me. Findings suggest that midlife is a crucial time of personal and professional growth. Findings also suggest many highly educated women have non-linear career paths which in turn deepen our self-understanding moving us toward authenticity and allowing ourselves to engage in work that matters to us. Embracing creativity in midlife, through our work. can fill us with both passion and purpose and ultimately lead us on a magical journey in discovering our own truth.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: A, page: 2422. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-133).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 296-313).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 1997. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 237-252).