Resilience in diverse older adults - analysis of coping and wisdom development

Abstract

This meta-analysis compares results from two different studies of older adults in Hong Kong and the US, investigating how they make meaning after experiencing difficult life events. There has been a trend over the last ten years in gerontology to consider what constitutes successful aging, positive aging, or resilience in aging (Block, 2001; Rowe & Kahn, 1997; Valliant, 2002). Understanding how implicit wisdom is generated through experience is one important facet of resilience or aging well under any condition.The Hong Kong sample consisted of 11 female survivors of cardiovascular accident (CVA) while the US sample included 79 Jewish and African American community dwelling participants who identified major life challenges as death of a loved one, significant health problem, marital problem, societal/cohort events/processes or chronic personal problems. Both studies included elements of naturalistic inquiry and construction of personal narratives around the difficult life event. Results show that CVA survivors view stroke as an opportunity for physical, psychological, spiritual and social transformation. Similarly the African American and Jewish older adults were assisted by social resources, religious resources, and personal resources as aids to regaining a stronger sense of self and ultimately wisdom about their own life journey. Both studies show that resilience can be achieved under a wide variety of difficult and unplanned major life events.