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The lived experience of engagement in occupations by older people during the first year of widowhood

The lived experience of engagement in occupations by older people during the first year of widowhood
The lived experience of engagement in occupations by older people during the first year of widowhood
The world’s population is increasing; whilst this implies improvement in health, for older people itmay also imply more years spent in ill-health. A developing body of literature supports the role that remaining active and engaged in meaningful occupations can play in the maintenance of health and wellbeing at all ages. An understanding of how this can be supported is of importance. Whilst widowhood is a common experience; in older age it may be complicated by challenges resulting from increased age. The focus of this study was the experience of engaging in occupations by older people during the first year after spousal bereavement. A scoping review of the literature indicates the body of literature relating to occupation and bereavement to be small; n relation to older people this largely focuses on the development of skills to manage everyday occupations.
This study adopted a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to explore the lived experience for widowed, older people as they re-engaged in occupations and routines during the first year after the death of their spouse. Nineteen older widowed people were recruited with the help of the bereavement support teams at two hospices. The study took a longitudinal approach and participants were interviewed twice. The first interview took place approximately three months after they were widowed; the second at thirteen months.
A superordinate theme was identified, recovering occupation; this was underpinned by three sub-themes: retreating to the familiar; taking stock; and revising occupation. The study offers insight into the role played by occupation for the participants; and illustrates the challenges experienced and strategies adopted to facilitate engagement. The role of continuing bonds in this process is illustrated with evidence suggesting a novel form of occupational bond was developed. Implications for policy, health and social care practice; and the occupational therapy profession are considered.
Hutt Greenyer, Corinne
233b8e81-c90b-4377-9cfb-86c2a9a7458c
Hutt Greenyer, Corinne
233b8e81-c90b-4377-9cfb-86c2a9a7458c
Long-Sutehall, Tracy
92a6d1ba-9ec9-43f2-891e-5bfdb5026532
Donovan-Hall, Margaret
8941f380-e096-4f6d-84a0-9da88ae1d7ad

Hutt Greenyer, Corinne (2016) The lived experience of engagement in occupations by older people during the first year of widowhood. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis, 314pp.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

The world’s population is increasing; whilst this implies improvement in health, for older people itmay also imply more years spent in ill-health. A developing body of literature supports the role that remaining active and engaged in meaningful occupations can play in the maintenance of health and wellbeing at all ages. An understanding of how this can be supported is of importance. Whilst widowhood is a common experience; in older age it may be complicated by challenges resulting from increased age. The focus of this study was the experience of engaging in occupations by older people during the first year after spousal bereavement. A scoping review of the literature indicates the body of literature relating to occupation and bereavement to be small; n relation to older people this largely focuses on the development of skills to manage everyday occupations.
This study adopted a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to explore the lived experience for widowed, older people as they re-engaged in occupations and routines during the first year after the death of their spouse. Nineteen older widowed people were recruited with the help of the bereavement support teams at two hospices. The study took a longitudinal approach and participants were interviewed twice. The first interview took place approximately three months after they were widowed; the second at thirteen months.
A superordinate theme was identified, recovering occupation; this was underpinned by three sub-themes: retreating to the familiar; taking stock; and revising occupation. The study offers insight into the role played by occupation for the participants; and illustrates the challenges experienced and strategies adopted to facilitate engagement. The role of continuing bonds in this process is illustrated with evidence suggesting a novel form of occupational bond was developed. Implications for policy, health and social care practice; and the occupational therapy profession are considered.

Text
Final Thesis - 2017.03.07 - Version of Record
Available under License University of Southampton Thesis Licence.
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More information

Published date: September 2016
Organisations: University of Southampton, Physical & Rehabilitation Health

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 411162
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/411162
PURE UUID: 424ebad5-6c37-4430-9702-6d7e59c1dc7a
ORCID for Tracy Long-Sutehall: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-6661-9215

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 15 Jun 2017 16:31
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 03:24

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Contributors

Author: Corinne Hutt Greenyer
Thesis advisor: Tracy Long-Sutehall ORCID iD
Thesis advisor: Margaret Donovan-Hall

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