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    Meaning in midlife : content or process? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1991) O'Connor, Catherine M
    This study takes a qualititative approach to examine midlife experiences of meaning. The trend in previous research has been to find sources of meaning in people's lives. Reker and Wong's (1988) theory of the structure of meaning is explored in relation to previous studies. Depth of meaning is reviewed, and a model proposed of the dimensions of meaning including sources; cognitive, motivational and affective components; breadth; and depth. There were difficulties with the measurement of depth which was found to be non-linear. The model was confirmed by in-depth interviews with 38 adults in midlife, especially the dimensions of components and categories. The results support a process (dimensions) approach to meaning in life. The model was revised in the light of the data, to incorporate the dynamic movement between dimensions, and the formation of cognitive frameworks of meaning.
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    Escape to the beach : pre-retirement in-migrants' narratives of change, place and identity : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Sociology at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2016) Pennell, Stella Maria
    The pre-retirement cohort (45-65 years) that migrates within Aotearoa New Zealand remains largely ignored in social research. This cohort encompasses people experiencing an emergent mid-life life-stage characterized by increased fluidity between previously distinct phases such as work and retirement. Once relocated, in-migrants seek ways to become endogenous actors in their new locale and construct new identities. A change of habitus is required to successfully navigate the transition from city-dweller to ‘local’. One avenue to achieve this is to engage with local volunteer organisations for the development of attachment to place, identity and for the re-narration of life-meaning. This qualitative research took place in Mercury Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula, Aotearoa New Zealand, with pre-retirees who in-migrated from city locations and who sought volunteer roles in local community organisations. My initial exploration looked to understand how social capital is manifest for these individuals in their volunteer roles in their new location. Findings suggest the existence of a paradox within that development of social capital: participants’ narratives indicate that they unconsciously seek to reproduce the very conditions from which they sought to escape, as associated with urban stressors such as workplace stress, urban pressures, financial considerations, social isolation and the demands for ‘efficiency’ of new-capitalist workplaces. More particularly, the paradox plays out in the development of new forms of habitus by which participants might embed themselves within the community.
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    Improving memory in midlife : a multiple case study evaluation of a group-based memory programme for healthy middle-aged individuals : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2012) Scheibner, Gunnar Benjamin
    The research presented in this thesis evaluates a memory programme (N = 5) that was specifically designed for middle-aged individuals. A preliminary online survey (N = 409) examined the theory of Selective Optimisation with Compensation (SOC) in the context of everyday memory. The survey informed some aspects of the memory programme by examining the relationships between cognitive failures, memory compensation efforts, and control beliefs. Results indicated that SOC endorsement accounted for a significant reduction in everyday cognitive failures (i.e., forgetfulness, distractibility, and false triggering) and a higher sense of memory control. The beneficial effects of memory control beliefs were partially mediated by SOC endorsement. Counter to expectations, SOC endorsement did not affect the forgetfulness/memory compensation relationship. The Midlife Memory Programme, containing four treatment components (i.e., goal pursuit, memory and ageing education, strategy training, and group discussions), was evaluated by a before/after design with a three month follow-up. The data showed improvements in objective and subjective memory performance and worries about memory performance decrements diminished. While the findings were encouraging, a larger scale study is needed to establish the efficacy of the programme.