Depression and Psychosocial Characteristics I. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holley, L; Kelly, C
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 276
• Page End: 276
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: This study explores advocacy as a potential source of positive meaning in late life. Review of the literature revealed a lack of research about this connection, with the possible exception of groundbreaking work at University of Sussex on how political activism over the life course might be studied (SM Nolas, 2017). Our method of inquiry was in-depth interview; interviewees were four elders (all older than 70, each of a different ethnicity or race), every one of whom is acknowledged city or state-wide as an advocate for his or her people or place. Interviews covered self-described meaning in life, connection to people, place, community, and activism as they were at each stage of life including the present. Narrative analysis of findings supported examination of intersections of these factors during each life stage. Findings of analysis suggest that advocacy can be connected with positive meaning in life. The literature provides support for the connection of positive meaning in life with better health in late life (e.g., K Czekierda, 2017; J Irving, 2017) but does not address connection of advocacy with meaning in life or health. Even given limitations of the study, findings suggest that further research on connection of advocacy with meaning would be worthwhile; confirmation of this relationship would provide both an advancement in science-based knowledge of the impacts of of advocacy over the life course, and a relatively inexpensive response to a need for interventions to improve health in later life which may be especially significant for minority elders