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Nonagenarians: a qualitative exploration of individual differences in wellbeing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2001

PERNILLA K. HILLERÅS
Affiliation:
H. M. Queen Sophia University College and Nursing, Stockholm Gerontology Research Center, and Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
PENELOPE POLLITT
Affiliation:
NHMRC Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Centre, The Australian National University, Canberra.
JO MEDWAY
Affiliation:
NHMRC Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Centre, The Australian National University, Canberra.
KJERSTIN ERICSSON
Affiliation:
Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.

Abstract

This paper focuses on the subjective experience of extreme old age for 12 people scoring high and low respectively, on wellbeing measures. The purpose was to illustrate and expand upon the quantitatively derived findings from a previous study of nonagenarians living in Stockholm, using a qualitative approach inspired by grounded theory. The results suggest that outlook on life, social and emotional ties, engagement with the outside world and physical capability are important contributors to subjectively experienced wellbeing in this age group.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2000 Cambridge University Press

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