ABSTRACT
Continuing with the fruits of this author’s IPA study, this chapter adds two thematic results: human relationships and resiliency. The results of this study show that human relationships are essential to finding meaning in later life. These human connections are seen in various intersecting circles of family, friends, community and past childhood connections. The results of this study also highlight the important quality of resilience in making-meaning in later life. During the course of a lifetime, there are many stresses, traumas, tragedies, and threats. The ability to endure and at some level recover from adversity allow one to continue to experience fulfillment in life. This ability to endure and come to terms with hardship and misfortune plays a significant role in integrating pain and sorrow while at the same time holding on to the dear parts of life. This study found four different life domains in which older adults’ resiliency helped them feel positive about life in spite of the adversities often found in the aging process: medical problems, psychological problems, difficult life circumstances, and adapting to a changing world.
