A different side of the COVID-19 pandemic: Narratives told by older adults
Date
2024-06-06
Embargo
Advisor
Coadvisor
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Volume Title
Publisher
Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade de Coimbra
Language
English
Alternative Title
Abstract
The present study investigated the nature and meaning of the experiences of older adults who lived through the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown periods in Portugal. Narrative Research was used to explore the lived stories of two community-resident female older adults, recruited through convenience sampling. Data was collected through a semi-structured interview and thematically analyzed. Participants’ testimonies revealed a somewhat positive experience and no overwhelming difficulties were expressed. A positive and close relationship with family and personality traits such as optimism and hope emerged as the main coping strategies and resources to overcome challenges. Participants’ stories also highlighted constructs still scarcely studied among older adults: acceptance, self-compassion, and event centrality. Our findings, therefore, highlight the importance of acknowledging the idiosyncrasies of this population, rather than envisioning them as a homogenous at-risk group. Future research should use qualitative methodologies to give voice to older adults with different life stories.
Keywords
Qualitative study, Narrative research, Life stories, Older adults, COVID-19
Document Type
Journal article
Publisher Version
Dataset
Citation
Tavares, L., Vagos, P., & Xavier, A. (2024). A different side of the COVID-19 pandemic: Narratives told by older adults. Psychologica, 67, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.14195/1647-8606_67_1. Repositório Institucional UPT. https://hdl.handle.net/11328/5677
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Designation
Access Type
Open Access