Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Silvia Bigatti

Abstract

Recent studies reveal adults 65 and over are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. However, this older generation is often vulnerable to exclusion, marginalization, and discrimination, made worse by the events and circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges and disproportionate threats to the integrity and wellbeing of older adults, especially those living in rural communities. Nonetheless, little is known about the effects the pandemic had on rural older adults’ wellbeing. This generic qualitative study explored rural older adults’ wellbeing during the pandemic, using the theoretical frameworks of Erikson’s stage theory of psychosocial development and Seligman's theory of wellbeing PERMA (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments) model. Criterion sampling and snowball approaches were used to recruit ten rural individuals, aged 70 years and older and living independently during the pandemic, to participate in semi structured interviews. Data were analyzed using a six-phase thematic analysis to identify themes and patterns and interpret these themes in connection to the study. Three core themes were identified from the data: (a) potential effects on wellbeing, (b) protecting independence, and (c) emotional effects of losing self. The results of the study can generate positive social change through awareness and an enhanced understanding of how this challenging time has affected rural older adults’ wellbeing at a key period of psychosocial development with an aim to create better interventions for this population.

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