Meaningful Living Across the Lifespan. Moses N. Ikiugu

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      Meaningful Living across the Lifespan:

      Occupation-based intervention strategies for occupational therapists and scientists

       Meaningful Living across the Lifespan

      Occupation-Based Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapists and Scientists

      Moses N Ikiugu and Nick Pollard

      Whiting & Birch

      MMXV

      © Whiting & Birch Ltd 2015

      Published by Whiting & Birch Ltd,

      Forest Hill, London SE23 3HZ

      ISBN: (print) 9781861771377

      ISBN: (ebook) 9781861770929

      Printed in England and the United States by Lightning Source

       Contents

       Acknowledgements

       Dedication

       Introduction

       Organization of this book

       Introductory case

       PART I: FOUNDATIONAL INFORMATION

       Chapter 1 Developing a working definition of meaningfulness

       Learning objectives

       Contents of this Chapter

       Introduction

       Victor Frankl

       Criticism of Frankl

       Frankl’s ideas as a guide to meaning-making

       Creating meaning and happiness by not actually pursuing either

       The development of meaning

       A perennial search for meaning

       About meaning

       Philosophical definition

       General propositions

       Meaningfulness as a function of one’s relationship with God, soul, or both

       Objective versus subjective views

       A working definition of meaningfulness

       Applying the ideas discussed in Chapter 1

       Chapter 2 Meaningfulness as an experienced phenomenon: Lessons from worker-writer autobiographies

       Learning objectives

       Contents of this chapter

       Introduction

       Routes to meaning making

       Through common experiences found in every-day occupations

       Through connection to something bigger than oneself

       By a sense of fulfilment through exploration and creativity

       By a sense of connection to others through occupation

       Through a sense of social responsibility

       Through experiences of efficacy or competence, and independence

       Through a sense of dignity

       Through the affirmation of individual identity

       Occupational experiences and developmental stage

       Through ability to negotiate change and to adapt

       Through intimacy-related occupations

       Through a sense of belonging in one’s culture and temporal context

       Conclusion

       Applying the ideas discussed in Chapter 2

       Chapter 3 The human quest for meaning

       Learning Objectives

       Contents of this chapter

       The search for meaning as a perennial human quest

       How human beings use cultural, religious, and intellectual institutions as a means of pursuing life meaning

       Religion as a vehicle in the quest for meaning

       Cultural imagination as a means to meaning: The role of myths and legends

       Intellectual inquiry and the search for meaning

       Conclusion