Abstract

Adversity is part of the human experience, everyone faces hardships and suffering in the course of their lives. Much of the research on adversity is based on vulnerability and deficit models that emphasize stress-related pathologies and problems. Recently a paradigmatic shift has occurred towards a strengths-based model that focuses on adaptation and growth in response to stressors. This paper uses a strengths-based perspective to examine the adaptation of internationally acclaimed older artists to personally devastating circumstances (e.g., quadripilegia, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease). The paper illustrates how these artists triumph in the face of adversity through creative growth that imbues their lives with renewed meaning. The commitment of older artists to the creative process serves as a mediating factor to foster stress-related growth. It allows them to focus on their strengths, redefine their abilities and maintain a sense of identify and fulfillment in their lives. Creative endeavors provide a context for continuous self-invention that fosters adaptation and allows these artists to thrive in circumstances that are challenging and difficult.