First Advisor

Paula Carder

Date of Award

Spring 6-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Health Studies: Health Services Administration and University Honors

Department

Health Studies

Language

English

Subjects

Resilience (Personality trait) -- Research, COVID-19 Pandemic (2020- ), Older people -- Psychology, Older people -- Social conditions

DOI

10.15760/honors.1265

Abstract

The events of the last 2 years have complicated the lives of older adults throughout the world. For many, their survival can be traced back to one key trait: resilience. In the state of Oregon, the years 2020-2022 came with a host of issues that expanded past the COVID-19 pandemic. These events provide context for the world our storytellers discuss.

Using a snowball recruitment strategy through the efforts of community organizations and senior centers, 4 storytellers sat down to describe their resilience in different ways. They were asked to reflect on their own life experiences, how it influenced their resilience, and how they would define this trait for themselves.

The themes of standing your ground, wanting to support and be supported, and existential concern vs. connection arose through narrative and thematic analysis.

Each life story shared and reflected upon highlighted how one would have the capacity to survive the last two years. Our storytellers found their resilience in watching others go through similar trials and in having experienced some of their own.

Knowing someone's key memories and life story can help identity trigger moments that may've led to their current resilience bank. This study could be expanded upon past the undergraduate level by speaking to older adults outside of Oregon or by doing a more targeted recruitment process.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/37771

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