THE CONSTRUCT OF RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF HEALTH-RELATED ADVERSITY AMONG COMMUNITY-LIVING ELDERLY

AbstractDecline of physical, psychological, and life functions is an inevitable consequence of aging. Interestingly, it has been reported that psychological factors, such as the purpose in life, has an effect on physiolosical aspects of aging, such as cognitive decline. This study, based on previous research, the purpose in life was considered as one construct of resilience. Resilience, defined as a psychological treat that promotes recovery and maintains life functions in the face of health-related adversities including illnesses, was investigated among community-living elderly people in Japan. Participants (N=20, mean age 81.45 years, Age range 72–92 years, 80% women) were recruited for the study by community care managers and volunteer workers. Episodic interviews were conducted with the participants about their thoughts, efforts and ideas for promoting recovery and maintaining life functions in the face of health-related adversity that they had experienced after approximately 60 years of age, following even a slight recovery. Responses from transcripts revealed four themes: Activation (acceptance of novelty, resolute will, natural pose, and trust of intuitions), Purpose in life (affirmative acceptance, meaning, past feelings in overcoming difficulties, and goals in life), Relationship preferences (enjoyment of contact with others, support seeking, and willingness to serve), and Health consciousness (health for life, industrious attitude, assessment, and sensitivity to information). It is suggested that these four constructs are linked in a chain reaction. The results of this study will contribute to the development of preventive psychological interventions for dementia among the aging population in Japan.