Tracy Collins

Remembering the past, looking to the future : Christmas as a symbol of change in later life widowhood

ABSTRACT Many older women experience the loss of a spouse or partner in later life. This paper explores older womens experiences of Christmas in order to locate process and meaning in relation to the transition of later life widowhood. Drawing on longitudinal data, derived from three in-depth interviews conducted over 18 months with 26 older widows, this paper presents a number of themes from the womens accounts of their Christmas celebrations and their Christmas cards. The importance of continuity, social relations and autonomy is situated in three emergent themes: ‘Family, intergenerational ties and tradition’, ‘Friendships, organisational ties and reciprocity’ and ‘Personal continuity and activation’. The significance of discontinuity, change and mediation is illustrated through three emergent themes: ‘Christmas as a catalyst for change’, ‘We are all widows’ and ‘Negotiating change with others’. The findings, including the positive aspects of continuity and discontinuity, demonstrate that Christmas is a potent symbol of both personal and social transformation during later life widowhood, and that the management of transition incorporates not only social relations, but also personal agency and flexibility. This paper further challenges the predominantly negative stereotype of older widows and illustrates their resilience and growth in the later stages of life.

Conducting longitudinal research with older widows: Exploring personal communities through multiple methods

ABSTRACT This article reports on the process of undertaking a longitudinal multiple methods study with older women experiencing the transition of later-life widowhood. Three qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 26 older widows in North Staffordshire, United Kingdom. Interviews included the use of personal community diagrams to identify the structure of personal communities and Christmas and Christmas cards to further explore social relationships and practices during transition. Examples of cases are given to illustrate the findings derived from the methods employed. The cases demonstrate the diverse and often paradoxical nature of social relationships within similar networks.

Across the pond : a comparative analysis of social capital formation in the United States and Great Britain

This study began with the observations of author Tracy Collins, a British citizen then residing in the United States, who saw many differences between Britons and Americans in leisure time, work expectations, and community life. Conversations between Collins and American co-author Wanda Rushing, and our readings of historical and contemporary comparisons of life in the two countries, led to this project. This study allowed us to conduct a comparative analysis of associational life and social capital formation in the United States and Great Britain to better understand factors that sustain civic engagement in democratic societies.

'It pushed me back into the human race': evaluative findings from a community Christmas event.

Abstract Many older people in Britain spend Christmas day alone. The Christmas period may be especially difficult for older people who are socially isolated, living with dementia or who have physical impairments, and may feel particularly marginalised at this time of year. This paper draws on evaluative research findings from a community Christmas event held in December 2014 at the University of Salford for older people and their carers who would be on their own on Christmas day. A multi‐method approach was employed, seven guests took part in semi‐structured interviews to explore their experiences and perceptions of the event, seven staff and student volunteers participated in a group interview to explore and discuss their participation in the event. Data collection took place during April and May 2015. Interview transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis. Three overarching themes were identified from the interviews: ‘reasons for participants attending the event’, ‘a different Christmas day: the impact on guests and volunteers’, and ‘learning, planning and moving forwards’. The findings illustrate that a range of people participated in the Christmas day event for a variety of reasons. The event itself had a positive impact, including the shared experience of social belonging, for all involved. There are tangible longer term benefits as a result of the event, such as ongoing contact between participants and the development of supportive networks in the local community.

An occupational perspective of the lived experience of familial dementia caregivers : a thematic review of qualitative literature

Dementia caregiving is thought to have a negative impact on health and wellbeing. This critical review of qualitative literature explored the lived experience of familial dementia caregivers from an occupational therapy perspective. The method was informed by systematic review and qualitative research methodologies and was structured within the occupational dimensions framework of doing–being–becoming–belonging. A comprehensive search of major databases was undertaken which identified 484 studies on the topic; 14 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Ten themes emerged within the doing-being-becoming-belonging framework from the analysis of the studies. The occupational participation of caregivers is conveyed within the ‘doing’ domain. Ways in which caregiving impacts upon opportunities for self-nurture are presented within the ‘being’ domain. The ‘becoming’ domain elucidates ways in which caregivers redefine themselves, their values and their priorities through their caregiving role. The ‘belonging’ domain depicts ways in which caregivers’ connections with their care recipient and others are shaped over time. Practice implications for health and social care practitioners who work with familial dementia caregivers are presented in light of the findings.