Text in English / The purpose of this study was to gain a richer understanding of midlife experiences.
Midlife is stereotypically viewed as a crisis and is one of the least studied, most illdefined
stages in life, yet it’s one of the most significant stages. The epistemological
framework for this study is post modernism, which allows for this study to document
the transitions from crisis at midlife, as seen through the lens of Positive Psychology.
This study was exploratory in nature and applied a qualitative ethnographic
methodology. Six participants were interviewed from an ethnographic perspective, in
an endeavour to allow each participant accordant ontological breadth and flexibility
within their respective social and ideological contexts. The researcher’s own social
context also adding nuance to the interpretation of data. This interpretation allows for
the inclusion of hope, wisdom, creativity, future mindedness, courage, spirituality,
responsibility and perseverance.
Thematic analysis of these participants’ narratives supports the psychological research
which suggests that challenges are associated with midlife. Thematic analysis revealed
challenges associated with midlife such as feelings of disillusionment, regret and
dissatisfaction; feelings of loneliness, rejection and isolation as well as confusion about
the way forward; seeking a meaningful existence and connection as well as
achievement. Some participants, however, are in denial of the existence or their
experience of midlife and associated challenges, whereas others describe midlife as a
transition phase — a crossroads, a wake-up call and time for reassessment
Although midlife can be a difficult transitional period, Positive Psychology can help
individuals identify and build the necessary resources and coping strategies to prevent
a transition turning into a crisis. It was shown that most participants in this research
displayed a mindset and attitude open to a Positive Psychology paradigm to accumulate
the necessary resources and coping strategies to prevent a midlife transition from
becoming a midlife crisis. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/25522 |
| Date | 01 1900 |
| Creators | Niehaus, Louisa |
| Contributors | Nieuwoudt, Johannes Marthinus, Cronjé, Elsje Margaretha |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (vi, 169 leaves) : illustrations, diagrams (some color) |
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