Vulnerability and narrative in later life.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Narrative Psychology
• Sociology of Aging

Background:

• Narrative gerontology examines aging biographically, socially, and biologically.
• Vulnerability in later life remains undertheorized within narrative contexts.
• Cultural narratives often favor positive, backward-looking stories of aging, marginalizing emotionally laden or uncertain experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the theoretical underpinnings of vulnerability in narratives of later life.
• To analyze how resilience is positioned and identified in aging research, particularly concerning expressions of vulnerability.
• To consider the tension between cultural ideals of aging and personal narratives of older adults.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of narrative gerontology literature.
• Illustrative case example from a study on resilience narratives and aging.
• Examination of interpretative judgments in research on resilience and vulnerability.

Main Results:

• Narrative spaces for later life stories tend to privilege positive milestones, potentially rejecting stories revealing vulnerability.
• Interpretations of resilience can be influenced by how vulnerability is expressed and perceived in research.
• Cultural narratives may position older adults as vulnerable, creating a tension with personal experiences.

Conclusions:

• Vulnerability, often marginalized in aging narratives, can be a significant source of strength and meaning in later life.
• There is a need to re-evaluate how vulnerability is understood and represented in narrative gerontology.
• Embracing diverse and complex narratives of aging, including those that highlight vulnerability, enriches our understanding of later life.