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- Guided autobiography for older adults
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UBC Theses and Dissertations
Guided autobiography for older adults Hunter, Candice A.
Abstract
Guided autobiography for older adults is a promising tool for helpers interested in working with this population. Outlined by Birren & Deutchman (1991) this method of group work enables older adults to reflect on and review life as lived through sharing written reflections in a confidential small group setting. An ethnographic case study was designed to better illuminate how guided autobiography impacts older adults and to help determine whether it is a promising group design for counsellors and other professionals working with older adults. Seven older adults from West Vancouver participated in a guided autobiography group using Birren & Deutchman's (1991) methodology, focusing on the theme, "the major branching points of life". After the completion of the group each participant was interviewed individually. The interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and then analyzed for evidence of the outcomes reported by Birren & Deutchman (1991). Evidence was found in support of the following outcomes: reconciliation with the past and resolution of past resentments and negative feelings; resurgence of interest in past activities or hobbies; development of friendships with other group members. No evidence was found in support of these outcomes: sense of increased personal power and importance; recognition of past adaptive strategies and application to current needs and problems; greater sense of meaning in life. New outcomes were identified as: recognition that one's life is not yet completed; satisfaction with one's life course; a new perspective and/or appreciation of one's life through comparison with others; and a new awareness or heightened awareness of one's contributions and/or abilities.
Item Metadata
Title |
Guided autobiography for older adults
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
1997
|
Description |
Guided autobiography for older adults is a promising tool for helpers
interested in working with this population. Outlined by Birren & Deutchman
(1991) this method of group work enables older adults to reflect on and review
life as lived through sharing written reflections in a confidential small group
setting. An ethnographic case study was designed to better illuminate how guided
autobiography impacts older adults and to help determine whether it is a
promising group design for counsellors and other professionals working with
older adults. Seven older adults from West Vancouver participated in a guided
autobiography group using Birren & Deutchman's (1991) methodology, focusing
on the theme, "the major branching points of life". After the completion of the
group each participant was interviewed individually. The interviews were audio-taped,
transcribed and then analyzed for evidence of the outcomes reported by
Birren & Deutchman (1991). Evidence was found in support of the following
outcomes: reconciliation with the past and resolution of past resentments and
negative feelings; resurgence of interest in past activities or hobbies; development
of friendships with other group members. No evidence was found in support of
these outcomes: sense of increased personal power and importance; recognition
of past adaptive strategies and application to current needs and problems; greater
sense of meaning in life. New outcomes were identified as: recognition that
one's life is not yet completed; satisfaction with one's life course; a new
perspective and/or appreciation of one's life through comparison with others; and
a new awareness or heightened awareness of one's contributions and/or abilities.
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Extent |
5272251 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-03-25
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
|
DOI |
10.14288/1.0054000
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
1997-11
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.