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1 - Sources of human life-strengths, resilience, and health

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 December 2010

By
Prem S. Fry  and
Dominique L. Debats
Edited by
Prem S. Fry  and
Corey L. M. Keyes
Prem S. Fry
Affiliation:
Trinity Western University, British Columbia
Corey L. M. Keyes
Affiliation:
Emory University, Atlanta
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Summary

Abstract

The recent gerontological literature confirms that life-strengths are critical to the development of older adults' identity. Based on a review of the literature on aging, we present a conceptual framework and discourse on individuals' perceptions of their most valued sources of life-strengths from the psychological perspectives of existential-humanistic theory and social-cognitive theory. Viewed from an existential-humanistic perspective, individuals' major sources of life-strengths are rooted in individuals' definitions of personal meaning and purpose for life, in their religious faith and spiritual values and beliefs. From the perspective of social-cognitive theory, individuals' major sources of life-strengths derive largely from their self-efficacy and control beliefs. We examine elements that bridge across these two perspectives and we identify sets of psychosocial resources that are seen to facilitate resilience from both perspectives, and are also valued within a broad historical-cultural framework. We conclude that some individuals function more optimally than others because they have more successfully identified their most valued sources of life-strengths and psychosocial resources consistent with their belief system.

Introduction

What do we know about the sources of life-strengths that contribute to resilient aging and well-being of older adults? The answer is surprisingly little, compared with what we know about mental illness, dysfunction, and disorder in later adulthood. To date, the topic of human strengths and their determinants has been understudied. A lot is known about the genesis of depression, interpersonal stress, cognitive impairment, and physical decline in late-life functioning.

Type
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Information
New Frontiers in Resilient Aging
Life-Strengths and Well-Being in Late Life
 , pp. 15 - 59
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010

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