# CONTINUITY OF PERSONAL MEANING AND WELL BEING IN OLD AGE

> **NIH NIH R01** · MADLYN/LEONARD ABRAMSON CTR/JEWISH LIFE · 1992 · $172,345

## Abstract

The goal of the proposed study is to examine how well-being in late life is
related to continuity of personal meaning.  The physical and social
challenges endemic across old age may be buffered by the sense of internal
continuity fostered by a personal theme.  Continuity of personal meaning
(CPM) will defined as personal themes in life history narratives and as
answers to structured questions.  In particular, the study will determine
how thematic styles of self-report relate to well-being and depression
among institution dwelling elderly.

The study has four specific aims.  1.  To document the personal themes
among institution dwelling elderly using a mix of structured, narrative,
and qualitative methods.  2.  Assess, by means of hypothesis testing, how
personal themes are related to well-being including clinically defined
depression, using clinical and testing methods.  Compare themes with
personality, medical, and background factors.  3.  Refine and test
reliability of a method developed by the PI for identifying personal themes
and distress from brief life narratives.  4.  Compare the narrative
personal themes of normal elderly with those who have mild cognitive
impairments.

The proposed 36-month project, qualitatively oriented, will test pairs of
rival hypotheses regarding the nature of CPM, personal themes, and their
relation to well-being.  A stratified (well-being, physical impairment)
random (age, sex) sample will select one hundred-fifty (N=150) residents
from a multi-level geriatric center.  The 4x2 design will select subjects
from a range of well-being (normal, dysphoric, major depression, mild
cognitive impairment; and high vs. low physical impairment).  Each resident
is now tracked by a Clinical Research Center whose assessments will enhance
the rigor of the findings.

The study will contribute important data on the way that elderly people
construct a self, on continuity of personal meaning, and how these may be
linked with well-being and depression.  Findings on the internal sense of
continuity will have direct implications for Continuity Theory of healthy
aging, and research on sense of control.  More specifically, the study will
test the validity of a widely used concept, personal themes in life
histories, which has received little critical testing.  The study is
designed to look in-depth at these.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3120876
- **Project number:** 5R01AG009065-02
- **Recipient organization:** MADLYN/LEONARD ABRAMSON CTR/JEWISH LIFE
- **Principal Investigator:** MARK R LUBORSKY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $172,345
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1991-02-01 → 1994-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3120876

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3120876, CONTINUITY OF PERSONAL MEANING AND WELL BEING IN OLD AGE (5R01AG009065-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3120876. Licensed CC0.

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