Research Supporting the Concept
Scholarly Articles on Narrative, Storytelling & Aging
Interest-Based Stories (fictional/semi-fictional tales inspired by passions, hobbies, or imagination)
“Older adults who continue to learn and narrate around personal interests experience growth and renewal, even in later life.” — Bjursell, “Growth Through Education: The Narratives of Older Adults” (2019, Frontiers in Sociology)
Full text“Narrative openness, including irony, play, and imagination, is central to resilience and adaptation in aging.” — Randall, “Importance of Being Ironic” (2013, The Gerontologist)
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Legacy Stories (life lessons, personal history, family heritage)
“Older adults who document purpose and meaning through life stories create enduring narratives that sustain identity.” — Heinz et al., “Older Adults Documenting Purpose and Meaning Through Life Stories” (2023, The Gerontologist)
PubMed“Biographical storytelling gives older adults a way to make sense of emotional challenges and share who they really are beyond appearances.” — Fang, Comery & Carr, “Biographical Storytelling as a Methodological Tool” (2023, BMC Geriatrics)
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Conversation-Starter Stories (gentle narratives to ease family talks about change, safety, or plans)
“Storytelling is not only about memory but also about negotiating meaning together—stories provide a safe boundary for dialogue in gerontology.” — de Medeiros, “Narrative as a Boundary Concept in Gerontology” (2022, Innovation in Aging)
PMC“Helping older adults tell their stories fosters purpose and opens intergenerational communication, easing difficult conversations.” — Scott & DeBrew, “Helping Older Adults Find Meaning and Purpose Through Storytelling” (2009, Journal of Gerontological Nursing)
PubMed
Articles
Narrative as a Boundary Concept in Gerontology: The Story Behind the Stories — K. de Medeiros, Innovation in Aging (2022)
Older Adults Documenting Purpose and Meaning Through Life Stories — M. Heinz et al., The Gerontologist (2023)
They want you to know who they really are inside of the old visage — Biographical Storytelling as a Methodological Tool to Explore Older People’s Emotional Challenges — C. Fang, A. Comery & S. Carr, BMC Geriatrics (2023)
Helping Older Adults Find Meaning and Purpose Through Storytelling — K. Scott & J. Kayler DeBrew, Journal of Gerontological Nursing (2009)
Importance of Being Ironic: Narrative Openness and Personal Resilience — W. L. Randall, The Gerontologist (2013)
Growth Through Education: The Narratives of Older Adults — C. Bjursell, Frontiers in Sociology (2019)
Unfolding Biographies — A Participatory Narrative Study on How Older Adults Make Sense of Later Life — S. Olsgaard Bergien et al., BMC Geriatrics (2023)
Inquiring into Conditions for Engaging in Narrative Relations in Everyday Practices on a Geriatric Ward — L. H. Scholander et al., BMC (PMC) (2024)
Being and Becoming ‘a Frail Older Adult’: Meaning-making Through Storytelling — L. Bjerkmo et al., Journal of Aging Studies (2023)
The Critical Use of Narrative and Literature in Gerontology — Hannah Zeilig, Critical Gerontology / Narrative Gerontology Perspective (2015)