Health throughout the lifespan: The phenomenon of the inner child reflected in events during childhood experienced by older persons
The aim of this study was to describe and gain more knowledge of the phenomenon of the inner child, reflected in events during childhood experienced by older persons. Thirteen older persons aged 70 to 91 years old were interviewed. A hermeneutical phenomenological analysis of the data revealed two m...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2016-06-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijqhw.net/index.php/qhw/article/view/31486/47186 |
| _version_ | 1819267128683921408 |
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| author | Margareta Sjöblom Kerstin Öhrling Maria Prellwitz Catrine Kostenius |
| author_facet | Margareta Sjöblom Kerstin Öhrling Maria Prellwitz Catrine Kostenius |
| author_sort | Margareta Sjöblom |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of this study was to describe and gain more knowledge of the phenomenon of the inner child, reflected in events during childhood experienced by older persons. Thirteen older persons aged 70 to 91 years old were interviewed. A hermeneutical phenomenological analysis of the data revealed two main themes: the inner child becomes visible and the inner child's presence through life. The participants’ narratives showed that their understanding of the experiences included both positive and negative feelings, as well as ways to be creative, in which the inner child became visible. The participants’ experiences indicated that the inner child was present throughout the lifespan, was found in challenges that occurred in life, and could turn something bad into something good. However, the presence of the inner child could also be a source for development throughout life and could interfere with the person. The findings from this study point to older persons’ need to be recognized, acknowledged, and understood as a unique person living his or her own life. In addition, dimensions of well-being such as feeling safe, loved, supported, and creating space for fantasy and possibilities can be compared to the physical, mental, social, and existential dimensions of well-being found in WHO surveys and definitions of health. This calls for a holistic approach when caring for older persons. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T21:12:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d40b676d6297412a87fc53cf0a47704f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1748-2631 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T21:12:15Z |
| publishDate | 2016-06-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
| spelling | doaj.art-d40b676d6297412a87fc53cf0a47704f2022-12-21T17:31:01ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being1748-26312016-06-0111011010.3402/qhw.v11.3148631486Health throughout the lifespan: The phenomenon of the inner child reflected in events during childhood experienced by older personsMargareta Sjöblom0Kerstin Öhrling1Maria Prellwitz2Catrine Kostenius3Department of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, SwedenDepartment of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, SwedenDepartment of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, SwedenDepartment of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, SwedenThe aim of this study was to describe and gain more knowledge of the phenomenon of the inner child, reflected in events during childhood experienced by older persons. Thirteen older persons aged 70 to 91 years old were interviewed. A hermeneutical phenomenological analysis of the data revealed two main themes: the inner child becomes visible and the inner child's presence through life. The participants’ narratives showed that their understanding of the experiences included both positive and negative feelings, as well as ways to be creative, in which the inner child became visible. The participants’ experiences indicated that the inner child was present throughout the lifespan, was found in challenges that occurred in life, and could turn something bad into something good. However, the presence of the inner child could also be a source for development throughout life and could interfere with the person. The findings from this study point to older persons’ need to be recognized, acknowledged, and understood as a unique person living his or her own life. In addition, dimensions of well-being such as feeling safe, loved, supported, and creating space for fantasy and possibilities can be compared to the physical, mental, social, and existential dimensions of well-being found in WHO surveys and definitions of health. This calls for a holistic approach when caring for older persons.http://www.ijqhw.net/index.php/qhw/article/view/31486/47186Aginghealth promotionpsychology |
| spellingShingle | Margareta Sjöblom Kerstin Öhrling Maria Prellwitz Catrine Kostenius Health throughout the lifespan: The phenomenon of the inner child reflected in events during childhood experienced by older persons International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being Aging health promotion psychology |
| title | Health throughout the lifespan: The phenomenon of the inner child reflected in events during childhood experienced by older persons |
| title_full | Health throughout the lifespan: The phenomenon of the inner child reflected in events during childhood experienced by older persons |
| title_fullStr | Health throughout the lifespan: The phenomenon of the inner child reflected in events during childhood experienced by older persons |
| title_full_unstemmed | Health throughout the lifespan: The phenomenon of the inner child reflected in events during childhood experienced by older persons |
| title_short | Health throughout the lifespan: The phenomenon of the inner child reflected in events during childhood experienced by older persons |
| title_sort | health throughout the lifespan the phenomenon of the inner child reflected in events during childhood experienced by older persons |
| topic | Aging health promotion psychology |
| url | http://www.ijqhw.net/index.php/qhw/article/view/31486/47186 |
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