A587: As time passes by: how older women cope with ageing. A longitudinal thematic analysis of the coping strategies of women in the oldest cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

As time passes by: how older women cope with ageing. A longitudinal thematic analysis of the coping strategies of women in the oldest cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health

Approved: 2015

Collaborators:

Dr Robyn Kennaugh
Prof Julie Byles
Prof Julie Byles
Dr Meredith Tavener
Ms Peta Forder
Dr Parivash Eftekhari

Synopsis

This research is seeking to further the understanding of the experience of women ageing in Australia, in particular women who have experienced the death of their spouse contrasted against women who remain married. We will examine themes identified from older women’s free text comments provided over a 15 year period. Longitudinal thematic analysis will be conducted, framed by Antonovsky’s salutogenic theory (1). The research will describe ways in which women make meaning of, and cope with stressors that may accompany age and spousal loss.