Cultural Construction of Psychological Resilience among the Elderly in India: A Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract

Background: Resilience is a crucial factor in enhancing health and well-being of the elderly. The importance of its meaning to the elderly can greatly influence the implementation of effective healthcare services. A burgeoning research studies have acknowledged the cultural influence on the interpretation and manifestation of psychological resilience. This study intended to comprehend the resilience of elderly individuals experiencing senescence within Indian culture, given the insufficient information in this area.

Methods: This research presents an exploratory qualitative study based on constructivist grounded theory, involving theoretical sampling of 14 senior participants, with in-depth interviews conducted over 22 sessions. The gathered data were transcribed and examined using the constant comparison method.

Results: Four theoretical categories related to resilience construction were emerged from the interviews as follows: 1) “meaning of psy chological resilience” with sub-themes of “art of living”, “adaptation of senescence”, “accepting life with disease”, “family’s well-being” and “patience and faith in God”; 2) “social factors supporting resilience” with sub-themes of “human welfare”, “received support”, “atti tudes toward an elderly”, and resourcefulness; 3) “beliefs to overcome distress” with sub-themes of “efficiency”, “equanimity”, “absence of expectation”, “egolessness”, “renunciation of limited desires”, “duty/dharma”, and “total surrender”; and 4) “values contributing to resilience” with sub-themes of “self-control”, “tranquillity”, “emotional maturity”, “self-emptiness”, “being content with one’s self”, “self righteousness”, and “oneness of self and environment”.

Conclusion: The paper concludes by emphasizing several topics that are essential to improving the interface between Indian culture and psychological resilience of elderly for the implementation of effective social policy.