Home>Journals>Ageing & Society>FirstView>‘I'm a fighter and I do not give up’ – Socially isolated... English Français Ageing & Society Article contents Abstract Introduction Materials and methods Results Discussion Conclusion Acknowledgements Financial support Competing interests Ethical standards References ‘I'm a fighter and I do not give up’ – Socially isolated older adults' experiences with meaning in life Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 March 2024 Anja Machielse Open the ORCID record for Anja Machielse[Opens in a new window] Show author details Article Figures Metrics Save PDF Share Cite Rights & Permissions[Opens in a new window] Abstract Positively experienced relationships with family, partners and friends are the most important source of meaning in life for older persons. At the same time, Western countries are confronted with a growing number of socially isolated older adults who lack those relationships. This study aims to explore whether and how older adults who live in social isolation experience meaning in life. Data were collected via in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 24 socially isolated older adults, ranging in age from 62 to 94, all living in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The criterion-based sampling of participants took place in close consultation with social workers of a mentoring project for socially isolated older adults. Follow-up interviews with 22 participants improved the credibility of findings and contributed to the breadth and depth of the researched casuistry. Data were analysed using an analytical framework based on seven needs of meaning identified by Baumeister (purpose, values, efficacy, self-worth) and Derkx (coherence, excitement, connectedness). The study demonstrates that isolated older adults may find anchors for meaning in life, although not all needs for meaning are satisfied, and there can also be tension between different needs. The needs-based model provides concrete distinctions for enabling care-givers to recognise elements of meaning.

Meijer, J. E., Machielse, A., Smid, G. E., Schats, W., & Jong, M. C. (2023). The resilience of Jewish communities living in the diaspora: a scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1215404.

Dangermond, K., Weewer, R., Duyndam, J., & Machielse, A. (2023). “The profession is just different”: Why noncareer and career firefighters have different experiences with critical incidents, and the role of informal peer support in processing them. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 54(2), 147. Link naar artikel

Dangermond, K., Weewer, R., Duyndam, J., & Machielse, A. (2022). “A sight you’ll never forget”. Why firefighters experience certain incidents as critical and the impact of such incidents on individual firefighters and fire crews. International journal of emergency management, 17(3-4), 296-312. Link naar artikel

Dangermond, K., Weewer, R., Duyndam, J., & Machielse, A. (2022). “The problem hasn’t changed, but you’re no longer left to deal with it on your own”–the role of informal peer support in helping firefighters cope with critical incidents. International Journal of Emergency Services, 11(2), 300-311. Link naar artikel […]

Dangermond, K., Weewer, R., Duyndam, J., & Machielse, A. (2022). “If it stops, then I’ll start worrying.” Humor as part of the fire service culture, specifically as part of coping with critical incidents. Humor, 35(1), 31-50. Link naar artikel

Beeris, C., Niemeijer, A., & Machielse, A. (2022). Count your life by smiles and tears: An integrative review on resilience and growing older. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 8, 23337214221119050. Link naar artikel

Machielse, A., & Duyndam, J. (2021). Attuning to the needs of structural socially isolated older adults with complex problems: the experiences of social workers with personal guidance trajectories for a less‐researched group. Health & Social Care in the Community, 29(3), 800-808. Link naar artikel

van der Schoor, Y., Duyndam, J., Witte, T., & Machielse, A. (2022). ‘What’s important to me is to get people moving.’ Fostering social resilience in people with severe debt problems. European Journal of Social Work, 25(4), 592-604. Link naar artikel

Wolfers, M. E., Stam, B. E., & Machielse, A. (2022). Correlates of emotional and social loneliness among community dwelling older adults in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Aging & Mental Health, 26(2), 355-367. Link naar het artikel