Living legends: Effectiveness of a program to enhance sense of purpose and meaning in life among community-dwelling older adults

Tracy Chippendale, Marie Boltz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. We investigated the therapeutic benefits (i.e., sense of purpose and meaning in life) of the Living Legends program, which includes life review writing and an intergenerational exchange, compared with life review writing alone, for community-dwelling older adults. METHOD. This study was a randomized controlled trial with a connected qualitative component. We analyzed quantitative data using independent-samples t tests and written descriptions of program experiences using Collaizi's qualitative methodology; we then used a triangulation protocol to integrate the qualitative and quantitative data. RESULTS. For participants in the writing workshop plus intergenerational exchange, sense of purpose and meaning in life increased significantly (p < .0001) compared with those in the writing workshop alone. Qualitative themes revealed additional program benefits. CONCLUSION. Living Legends enhanced participants' sense of purpose and meaning in life, a factor known to prevent cognitive loss and disability, compared with life review writing alone.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number6904270010
JournalAmerican Journal of Occupational Therapy
Volume69
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Occupational Therapy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Living legends: Effectiveness of a program to enhance sense of purpose and meaning in life among community-dwelling older adults'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this