The life trajectory of elderly institutionalized holocaust survivors: an ethnographic study

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorLe Navenec, Carole-Lynne
dc.contributor.authorPirner, Diane Marion
dc.date.accessioned2017-12-18T21:15:05Z
dc.date.available2017-12-18T21:15:05Z
dc.date.issued2006
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 210-226en
dc.description.abstractDuring the last decade several research projects have provided increasing evidence to support the assumption that historical events such as wars can and do have both a profound and a sustained impact on the ways in which individuals respond to, and cope with the numerous and often cumulative challenges that arise during the final decades of life. Debate continues among gerontologists not only about the effects of trauma at a young age on the well-being of these individuals once they are older (i.e. 65 and over), but also how such outcomes may vary between various cultural groups. The purpose of this descriptive study was to gain insights into one aspect of this debate by conducting a series of participant observation sessions and a series of in depth interviews with eight Holocaust survivors who were now living in retirement home. The three objectives of the study were to gain: 1) insights into the pattern of events experienced by Holocaust survivors within defined epochs of their life; 2) insights into the pattern of cultural beliefs, values, attitudes and meanings that are attributed to the above mentioned events by Holocaust survivors who are living in a retirement home. This knowledge should afford a greater understanding of the often quoted concept of "survivorship" as well as the coping patterns of the survivors; and 3) knowledge about strategies that will assist in the development of more culturally sensitive nursing care for this (Holocaust survivor) elderly population. A number of unique findings (themes) were discovered in the stories provided by the eight participants in this ethnographic study of the life trajectory of Holocaust survivors. One central finding was that most of the participants experienced similar life events for these three epochs. Furthermore, although these survivors were from diverse countries (e.g., Poland, Romania, and Hungary) , there was considerable similarity in their cultural perspectives: that is, in their beliefs, values, and attitudes about the various happenings, as indicated by the meanings that they attributed to the events that contributed to their survivorship and their ability to cope throughout their life, particularly the impact on their coping style during the current retirement home phase of their life trajectory. Throughout all of their accounts there were indicators that researchers variously refer to as hardiness or resilience. That is, they articulated a personal philosophy that was characterized by hope, trust, and facilitative beliefs. Furthermore, they emphasized the need for engagement in meaningful activities and the importance of family and social support system such as friendships.
dc.format.extentxiii, 243 leaves ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier.citationPirner, D. M. (2006). The life trajectory of elderly institutionalized holocaust survivors: an ethnographic study (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/762en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/762
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/101763
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.titleThe life trajectory of elderly institutionalized holocaust survivors: an ethnographic study
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineNursing
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
ucalgary.thesis.accessionTheses Collection 58.002:Box 1673 520492190
ucalgary.thesis.notesUARCen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleaseyen
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_Pirner_2006.pdf
Size:
110.27 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
Legacy Theses