| Description |
The purpose of this dissertation was to describe one aspect of the human spirit, older adults' experiences of personal meaning of life as it is lived. A qualitative mode of inquiry was chosen for its compatibility with the research purpose. Phenomenological methods were employed for their fit with the guiding questions. A convenience sample of 13 women and 3 men were interviewed on two to four occasions about their experiences with personal meaning of life. The taped interviews were open-ended and transcripts were analyzed qualitatively for recurrent themes that would aid the description of the phenomena. Descriptive codes were uncovered using constant comparative analysis in which each informant was compared to all other informants and all informants were compared to each emerging code. Categories evolved from the clustering of descriptive codes. Clustering of categories resulted in the development of three concepts. The three concepts developed from the clustering of categories were sources of personal meaning, meanings associated with the sources, and outcomes of the presence of personal meaning of life. Categories of sources of personal meaning were connections with others, experiences, ideas, and activities. The five personal meanings were altruistic, personal growth, transcendent, hedonistic, and obligatory duty. Outcomes of personal meanings included provision of support during discouraging times, direction for one's life, and structure to one's life. The significance of the study for nursing is that it: (1) enables nurses and other health care providers to more clearly understand older adults' experiences of personal meaning of life and perhaps the human spirit in general; (2) provides information that is of potential use in addressing the human spirit in nursing care; and 3) offers a methodology that enables nurses to understand lived experiences of others. |
