The relationship of meaning of death field patterns to well-being, spiritual perspective and perception of health in healthy older adults
Author
Egan, Susan RouleauIssue Date
1996Advisor
Reed, Pamela G.McGaffic, Cheryl M.
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The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings offers a view of people and their world as an integral whole evolving or changing together via a continuous, mutual process. Facing one's mortality is a universal issue that older adults must integrate into their life view. The relationship of patterns of personal meaning of death to well-being, spiritual perspective and perception of health was the focus of this research. Using secondary data analysis, low and high scores were obtained on instruments measuring well-being, spiritual perspective and perception of health. Content analysis was used for personal meaning of death paragraphs. A Matrix Analysis was used to examine the relationships among these variables. Using a death awareness field pattern coding manual, manifestations were identified and coded. Four manifestations were identified in the death narratives from the sample of 35 aging adults (60 years or older), namely Pandimensional Awareness, Motion, Diversity and Rhythm. Findings revealed a high level of spiritual perspective in this group of older adults. Findings also revealed that low scores of well-being and low perception of health scores resulted in more frequent field pattern manifestations of Greater Diversity, Seems Continuous Motion, Seems Continuous Rhythm, and Visionary personal meanings of death.Type
textThesis-Reproduction (electronic)
Degree Name
M.S.Degree Level
mastersDegree Program
Graduate CollegeNursing