Abstract
The examination of narrative in psychology has a long tradition, starting with psychoanalytic theory and embracing over time cognitive, social, and personality psychology, among others. Narrative use has been richly detailed as well in gerontology, medicine, nursing, and social service. One aspect of narrative that has ready utility in varied settings is the exploration of suffering and its meaning. Because it is such a densely examined topic, suffering provides a window into identity, sense of purpose, and views of humanity and of the divine. Storytelling analysis permits an exploration of a host of specific manifestations of suffering such as losses accompanying aging, pain and illness, moral injury, and the impact of prolonged suffering on love and relationships. This paper reviews the origins and current understandings of narrative theory in general, and draws from psychology, medicine, ethics, nursing, and social service in exploring the topic of suffering, especially in later life. It is suggested that the use of narrative themes such as meaning making, agency and communion, generativity, and loss and redemption allows for a finely-grained analysis of common and more atypical sources of suffering, their resolution, and the acceptance of their continuation when resolution is not possible. Such analysis can enrich one’s empathy and one’s sense of both the fragility and strength of everyday life.
Presenters
Maureen GibneyTeaching Professor, Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Aging, Narrative theory, Suffering, Finding Meaning
