Planning for the Future: A Mixed-Methods Study
Date
2020-01-23
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Abstract
Later life is marked by numerous transitions, including becoming a caregiver and potential relocation; however, little is known about how aging individuals plan for their future care needs. Older adults currently make up 17.5% of the Canadian population, with projected increases over the next decade (Statistics Canada, 2019). Thus, it is essential to understand how individuals plan (or avoid planning), and perceived aids and barriers, to best support Canada’s aging population. A mixed-methods design was used to gain information on potential predictors of planning behaviour, and to better understand the lived experience of individuals planning outside of traditional nuclear families. A theoretical model integrating the theory of planned behaviour (Ajzen, 1991) and self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985) developed by Hagger and Chatzisarantis (2009) to predict health behaviour may have utility for predicting planning behaviour but has not been previously used to predict future care planning. The sample was comprised of 385 adults, aged 50 and older (mean age= 66.5, SD = 9.3, range = 50-92) who completed a series of questionnaires either online or in-person. Path analysis was used to test the utility of the integrated model, and possible alternative models including known or hypothesized predictors of planning (e.g., age, education). A modified integrated model emerged with good model fit (X2M, = 3.95, df = 5, Scaled X2M = 4.09, RMSEA = 0.00-0.06, CFI = 1.0, SRMR = .02), though the addition of theoretically and empirically relevant predictors did not improve model fit. Qualitative interviews were used to better understand the perspectives of single and/or childless individuals who are planning for future care needs and to provide complementary information on the process of future planning. Ten individuals were criterion sampled for interviews; the interviews were then coded using a combination of content and constant comparison analysis with an inductive coding process (Leech et al., 2010). Diverse narratives clustered around 23 themes, including control over the future and the concept of relying on others. Together, these results expanded understanding of the factors and context that influence the lived experience of planning. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
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Keywords
Geropsychology, Planning
Citation
Speirs, C. (2020). Planning for the Future: A Mixed-Methods Study (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.