the protean self reconsidered: older adult climbers and the (re-) invention of identity...
TRANSCRIPT
The protean self reconsidered: older
adult climbers and the (re-) invention of
identity
International Adventure Conference
Sheffield 2015.
Dr Mark Hickman. University of Central Lancashire.
Professor Colin Beard.Sheffield Hallam University.
This StudyDefinitions of ‘old age’ not
consistent across contemporary developed countries.
60-67 is an average age at which people are eligible to withdraw from the labour force.
This transition point involves twin issues of time and identity.
Qualitative Approach
Aim Articulate older
adults’ experiences
Purposive Sample n=12
Questionnaire +
targeted interviews
Average Age 73.3
‘Young-old’Competent at F4
IPA
No claim to statistical
generalization
Storied Context
Emergent Themes
The Aged Image
Work as the New Leisure
Generativity
The Aged Image
The Aged Image
Exploring New Terrain
“What’s it like to be me at 68?”
Affirming
Fit, active, still climbing well, look good in climbing clothes
Overt Rejection
Decline, morbidity, impairment,
pathologization
Work as the New Leisure
Supports Concept of Self
Self-identity partially located in employment
skills
Continuity through transfer
to climbing
Changing notions of volunteeringHighly TargetedSelf-determined
Generativity
Legacy
Reinvention of the self and
of ‘ageing’
Creating a livable story for self and
others
Challenging the sociology
of ageing
Pathfinders and Lobsticks
Ageing well through rock climbing
focused activity
(+)
Cognitive efficacy
(=)
Physical & mental health
(≅)
Functional status
OptionsPathologize Challenge Narrative