This study explores the role of spirituality in the transition through midlife.
Using narrative research methodology, in-depth tape-recorded interviews were
conducted with ten self-selected adults between the ages of 47 and 63 who felt
spirituality had played an important role in their transition through mid-life. Of the
seven women and three men who participated, nine were Caucasian and one was
Asian. Four participants were not adherents of a recognized religious faith, while the
other six reported an affiliation with Eastern, middle-Eastern, or Western faiths. Of
this well-educated, middle to upper income sample, four participants were married
with children, three were single, and three were divorced.
Tape-recorded interview transcriptions were used to develop first person
narrative accounts of the role spirituality in the transition through midlife. These
accounts were validated by the participants. Further analysis of the validated
narratives yielded ten common elements. The first four elements indicated a
significant role for spirituality in the developmental process of midlife, by helping the
participants to cope with losses and challenges, revise values and identity, and find
spiritual meaning. The next six elements, which suggest an expanded definition of
spirituality, described the ongoing importance of spirituality in the lives of the
participants. The common elements and findings are discussed in light of current
theory and research on midlife, as well as psychological perspectives on spirituality.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/11292 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Paproski, Donna Louise |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
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