Resilience in Old Age - a Life Course Perspective

This article taks a comparative approach to the analysis of resilience after two different forms of adversities common for old age: loosing a partner or losing functional capacity. Based on qualitative interview data among older people in Ireland, Poland, Spain and Sweden, it investigates the two forms of adversity, the changes they cause, and the adaptability process, also from a cultural perspective of their assumed meaning in old age and how best to bounce back. The analysis is inspired by the main elements of resilience theory, investigating the significance of the two adversities, the mechanisms and vulnerabilities involved, and see this in in a life course perspective by investigating also former adversities and their meaning. Across the two forms of adversity and the four countries, the article investigates the individual/societal assumptions associated with the loss and the process of returning to former state. It investigates whether accumulated adversities over the life course are a hindrance for resilience or a learning process. Preliminary findings suggest that past experiences with overcoming adversities as well as early family norms about facing challanges are decisive. It also finds that that the resilience proces is not linear as the experience of loss and resilience can take place simultaneously, and that resilience is more than ‘bouncing back’ to former state, but rather about adaption and acceptance.