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Studies about Individual Life Structure: A Meta-Synthesis Study

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 218 - 234, 28.09.2023
https://doi.org/10.54535/rep.1334520

Abstract

Adulthood period, which forms the most satisfying and wearing years of life psychologically, has been defined by many theorists. One of these theorists is Levinson, who developed the theory of Life Structure. There is a need for investigating the studies about life structure in a developmental process from a holistic and systematic point of view in order to learn what the studies about life structure enhance in adult individuals’ life. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to investigate how adult people’s life structures are shaped in the transition periods and the factors that affect their career developments in the qualitative studies about life structure. This study that is qualitative in nature is based on meta-synthesis approach. The data used in the study were composed of 12 qualitative studies selected using criterion sampling method. Based on the research in academic databases, the data were subjected to thematic content analysis methods in order to obtain common themes from the findings of the primary qualitative studies. The results of this study revealed four sub-themes and eight categories related to the themes of transition periods and career development.Results of the studies indicated that adult people experienced changes in their sense of self and life goals in a transition period they were in. Adult people who are in a transition period are determined to give a special place to their hobbies while they are shaping their life structures. Finally, factors affecting success in adult individuals’ career development were found to be mainly intrinsic motivation and a mentor.

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References

  • Aktu, Y. (2016). Life structure of early adulthood period in Levinson’s theory. Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 8(2), 162-177. http://dx.doi: 10.18863/pgy.12690
  • Aktu, Y., & İlhan, T. (2017). Individuals’ life structures in the early adulthood period based on Levinson’s theory. Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 17, 1383–1403. http://dx.doi: 10.12738/estp.2017.4.0001
  • Baatjies. V. P. (2015). A psychobiography of Vuyiswa Mckonie. Master of social sciences in clinical psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/14562
  • Bell, S., & Lee, C. (2006). Does timing and sequencing of transitions to adulthood make a difference? Stress, smoking, and physical activity among young Australian women. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 13(3), 265-274. http://dx.doi: 10.1207/s15327558ijbm1303_11
  • Bühler, C. (1969). Humanistic psychology as an educational program. American Psychologist, 24(8), 736-742. http://dx.doi: 10.1037/h0028007
  • Büyüköztürk, S., Kılıç Çakmak, E., Akgün, O., Karadeniz, S., & Demirel, F. (2013). Scientific research methods (14th Ed.). Pegem Akademi.
  • Carpenter, G. (1992). Adult perceptions of leisure: Life experiences and life structure. Loisir et Société/Society and Leisure, 15 (2), 587-605. http://dx.doi: 10.1080/07053436.1992.10715433
  • Carpenter, G., & Patterson, I. (2004). The leisure perceptions and leisure meanings of a mid-life couple around the time of retirement. World Leisure Journal, 46 (2), 13-25. http://dx.doi: 10.1080/04419057.2004.9674354
  • Cohen, R. J., & Swerdlik, M. E. (2013). Psychological testing and assessment, an introduction of test and measurement (Ed. & Trans. E. Tavşancıl). Nobel.
  • Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2015). Mixed method research: Design and execution (2nd ed., Trans. Eds. Y. Dede, & S. B. Demir). Anı.
  • Çalık, M., ve Sözbilir, M. (2014). Parameters of content analysis. Education, and Science, 39 (174). 33-38. http://dx.doi: 10.15390/EB.2014.3412
  • Dyke, L. S.,& Murphy, S. A. (2006). How we define success: A qualitative study of what matters most to women and men. Sex Roles, 55 (5-6), 357-371. http://dx.doi: 10.1007/s11199-006-9091-2
  • Erikson, E. H. (1984). Eight ages of man (Trans. T. B. Üstün & V. Şar). Birey ve Toplum.
  • Fleiss, J. L. (1971). Measuring nominal scale agreement among many raters. Psychological bulletin, 76 (5), 378-382. http://dx.doi: 10.1037/h0031619
  • Fouché, P., Plessis, R., & van Niekerk, R. (2017). Levinsonian Seasons in the Life of Steve Jobs A Psychobiographical Case Study. Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology, 17 (1), 1-18. http://dx.doi: 10.1080/20797222.2017.1331970
  • Huang, L. W. W. (2013). The transition tempo and life course orientation of young adults in Taiwan. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 646 (1), 69-85. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23479237.
  • Iso-Ahola, S. E., Jackson, E., &Dunn, E. (1994). Starting, ceasing, and replacing leisure activities over the life-span [Abstract]. Journal of Leisure Research, 26 (3), 227-249. http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/19951800347.html
  • Gersick, C. J. G., & Kram, K. E. (2002). High-Achieving women at midlife. An exploratory study. Journal of Management Inquiry, 11 (2), 104-127. http://dx.doi: 10.1177/10592602011002005
  • Glesne, C. (2013). Introduction to qualitative research (3rd Ed., Trans. Eds. A. Ersoy and P. Yalçınoğlu). Anı.
  • Gordon, J. R., Beatty, J. E., & Whelan-Berry, K. S. (2002). The midlife transition of professional women with children. Women in Management Review, 17 (7), 328-341. http://dx.doi: 10.1108/09649420210445785
  • Gould, S. J. (2002). The structure of evolutionary theory. Harvard University Press. https://books.google.com.
  • Green, S. J. (2006). Karen Horney: A psychobiographical study. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/145055340.pdf
  • Havighurst, R. J. (1972). Developmental tasks and education (3rd Ed.). David McKay Company. https://books.google.com.
  • Johnson, J. (2023). Transitioning from highly talented student to highly capable adult. In Underachievement in Gifted Education: Perspectives, practices, and possibilities (Eds. K. H. Collins, J. J. Robenson, & F. H. Ribeiro Piske, pp. 206-221). Routledge.
  • Kopelman, R. E., & Glass, M. (1979). Test of Daniel Levinson's theory of adult male life stages [Abstract]. Academy of Management Proceedings, 1 (1), 79-83.
  • Kuş-Saillard, E. (2009). Qualitative research projects with NVivo. Anı.
  • Larson, B. (2014). Wilfred R. Bion. A Levinsonian study of the emergence of creativity following the age 50 transition (Doctoral dissertation, UMI No: 3663386). Wright Institute Graduate School of Psychology.
  • Levinson, D. J. (1977). The mid-life transition: A period in adult psychosocial development. Psychiatry, 40 (2), 99-112. http://dx.doi: 10.1080/00332747.1977.11023925
  • Levinson, D. J. (1978). The seasons of a man's life. Knopf. https://books.google.com.
  • Levinson, D. J. (1980). Toward a conception of the adult life course. In N.J. Smelser and E. H. Erikson (Eds.) Themes of work and love in adulthood. (pp. 265-290). Harvard University Press. https://books.google.com.
  • Levinson, D. J. (1986). A conception of adult development. American Psychologist, 41 (1), 3-13.
  • Levinson, D. J. (1996). The seasons of a woman's life. Knopf. https://books.google.com.
  • Levinson, D. J., Darrow, C. M., Klein, E. B., Levinson, M. H., & McKee, B. (1976). Periods in the adult development of men: Ages 18 to 45. The Counseling Psychologist, 6 (1), 21-25. http://dx.doi: 10.1177/001100007600600105
  • Lincoln, Y. S.,& Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry (Vol. 75). Sage. https://books.google.com.
  • Merriam, S.B. (2013). A guide to qualitative research design and practice (Trans. Ed. S. Turan). Nobel.
  • Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis (2nd Ed.). Sage. https://books.google.com.
  • Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldana, J. (2013). Qualitative data analysis. Sage. https://books.google.com.
  • Minter, L. E.,& Samuels, C. A. (1998). The ımpact of ‘the dream’on women's experience of the midlife transition. Journal of Adult Development, 5 (1), 31-43. http://dx.doi: 1068-0667/98/0100-0031$15.00/0
  • Muğan-Akıncı, G. (2013). Youth and Shopping Malls: A Case Study about Youth Preference in Mall Use. Megaron Journal, 8 (2), 87-96. http://dx.doi: 10.5505/megaron.2013.44153
  • Patton, M. Q. (2005). Qualitative research. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. https://books.google.com.
  • Polat, S. ve Ay, O. (2016). Meta-synthesis: A Conceptual Analysis. Qualitative Research in Education, 4 (1), 52-64. http://dx.doi: 10.14689/issn.2148-2624.1.4c2s3m
  • Rickards, T. S. (2005). Confronting the taken-for-granted: the process of losing and regaining credibility for women coming-out at mid-life. Unpublished master’s thesis, The University Of New Brunswick, Ottowa, Canada. http://rickardsresearch.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/0/2/37025283/traceys_masters_thesis.pdf
  • Robinson, O. (2008). Developmental crisis ın early adulthood: A composite qualitative analysis (Doctoral dissertation). University of London, London. https://www.academia.edu/4765003/Developmental_crisis_in_early_adulthood_A_composite_qualitative_analysis
  • Robinson, O. C.,& Smith, J. A. (2010). Investigating the form and dynamics of crisis episodes in early adulthood: The application of a composite qualitative method. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 7 (2), 170-191. http://dx.doi: 10.1080/14780880802699084
  • Rolland, J. S. (1987). Chronic illness and the life cycle: A conceptual framework. Family Process, 26 (2), 203-221. http://dx.doi: 10.1111/j.1545-5300.1987.00203.x
  • Sheridan, P. (2013). How friendship is understood in adults with intellectual disabilities across three life stages. (Project Assignment) University of Limerick, Course of Clinical Terapies. http://hdl.handle.net/10344/3243
  • Shi, Y. D. (2011). The role of strengths in managing midlife career transition for corporate professionals. Paper presented at the BBS HDR Student Conference, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. http://ro.uow.edu.au.
  • Smart, R., & Peterson, C. (1994). Stability versus transition in women's career development: A test of Levinson's theory. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 45 (3), 241-260.
  • Smithson, K. L. (2011). The relationship among social connectedness, meaning in life, and wellness for adult women in Levinson's mid-life transition stage (Doctoral dissertation), Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA. https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cps_diss
  • Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. M. (1990). Basics of qualitative research. (Vol. 15). Sage. https:// li.suu.edu.
  • Stumpf, K. R. (2012). Empirical midlife studies and the backlash against midlife crisis. http://www.midlifecrisismarriageadvocate.com/support-files/empirical_midlife_studies_and_the_backlash_against_midlife_crisis.pdf
  • Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu (2016). Population registration system results based on address, 2016. Haber Bülteni, 24638. http://www.tuik.gov.tr/PreHaberBultenleri.do?id=24638
  • Wink, P., & Dillon, M. (2002). Spiritual development across the adult life course: Findings from a longitudinal study. Journal of Adult Development, 9 (1), 79-94. http://dx.doi: 1068-0667/02/0100-0079/0
  • Wolfe, D., O'Connor, D., & Crary, M. (1990). Transformations of life structure and personal paradigm during the midlife transition. Human Relations, 43 (10), 957-973. http://dx.doi: 10.1177/001872679004301002
  • Yıldırım-Saatçı, E. Y., & Arıkan, S. C. (2014). Working model of women-to-women entrepreneurship mentoring and underlying emotional and motivatıonal factors for sustainable success. Scholars World- IRMJCR. 2 (3). 1-12.
  • Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2016). Qualitative research methods in the social sciences. Seçkin.
  • Young, N. (2013). How do men with depression during the mid-life transition, navigate stigma? (Project Assignment). University of Limerick, Course of MSc Occupational Terapy. http://hdl.handle.net/10344/3228.
Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 218 - 234, 28.09.2023
https://doi.org/10.54535/rep.1334520

Abstract

Project Number

-

References

  • Aktu, Y. (2016). Life structure of early adulthood period in Levinson’s theory. Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 8(2), 162-177. http://dx.doi: 10.18863/pgy.12690
  • Aktu, Y., & İlhan, T. (2017). Individuals’ life structures in the early adulthood period based on Levinson’s theory. Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 17, 1383–1403. http://dx.doi: 10.12738/estp.2017.4.0001
  • Baatjies. V. P. (2015). A psychobiography of Vuyiswa Mckonie. Master of social sciences in clinical psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/14562
  • Bell, S., & Lee, C. (2006). Does timing and sequencing of transitions to adulthood make a difference? Stress, smoking, and physical activity among young Australian women. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 13(3), 265-274. http://dx.doi: 10.1207/s15327558ijbm1303_11
  • Bühler, C. (1969). Humanistic psychology as an educational program. American Psychologist, 24(8), 736-742. http://dx.doi: 10.1037/h0028007
  • Büyüköztürk, S., Kılıç Çakmak, E., Akgün, O., Karadeniz, S., & Demirel, F. (2013). Scientific research methods (14th Ed.). Pegem Akademi.
  • Carpenter, G. (1992). Adult perceptions of leisure: Life experiences and life structure. Loisir et Société/Society and Leisure, 15 (2), 587-605. http://dx.doi: 10.1080/07053436.1992.10715433
  • Carpenter, G., & Patterson, I. (2004). The leisure perceptions and leisure meanings of a mid-life couple around the time of retirement. World Leisure Journal, 46 (2), 13-25. http://dx.doi: 10.1080/04419057.2004.9674354
  • Cohen, R. J., & Swerdlik, M. E. (2013). Psychological testing and assessment, an introduction of test and measurement (Ed. & Trans. E. Tavşancıl). Nobel.
  • Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2015). Mixed method research: Design and execution (2nd ed., Trans. Eds. Y. Dede, & S. B. Demir). Anı.
  • Çalık, M., ve Sözbilir, M. (2014). Parameters of content analysis. Education, and Science, 39 (174). 33-38. http://dx.doi: 10.15390/EB.2014.3412
  • Dyke, L. S.,& Murphy, S. A. (2006). How we define success: A qualitative study of what matters most to women and men. Sex Roles, 55 (5-6), 357-371. http://dx.doi: 10.1007/s11199-006-9091-2
  • Erikson, E. H. (1984). Eight ages of man (Trans. T. B. Üstün & V. Şar). Birey ve Toplum.
  • Fleiss, J. L. (1971). Measuring nominal scale agreement among many raters. Psychological bulletin, 76 (5), 378-382. http://dx.doi: 10.1037/h0031619
  • Fouché, P., Plessis, R., & van Niekerk, R. (2017). Levinsonian Seasons in the Life of Steve Jobs A Psychobiographical Case Study. Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology, 17 (1), 1-18. http://dx.doi: 10.1080/20797222.2017.1331970
  • Huang, L. W. W. (2013). The transition tempo and life course orientation of young adults in Taiwan. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 646 (1), 69-85. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23479237.
  • Iso-Ahola, S. E., Jackson, E., &Dunn, E. (1994). Starting, ceasing, and replacing leisure activities over the life-span [Abstract]. Journal of Leisure Research, 26 (3), 227-249. http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/19951800347.html
  • Gersick, C. J. G., & Kram, K. E. (2002). High-Achieving women at midlife. An exploratory study. Journal of Management Inquiry, 11 (2), 104-127. http://dx.doi: 10.1177/10592602011002005
  • Glesne, C. (2013). Introduction to qualitative research (3rd Ed., Trans. Eds. A. Ersoy and P. Yalçınoğlu). Anı.
  • Gordon, J. R., Beatty, J. E., & Whelan-Berry, K. S. (2002). The midlife transition of professional women with children. Women in Management Review, 17 (7), 328-341. http://dx.doi: 10.1108/09649420210445785
  • Gould, S. J. (2002). The structure of evolutionary theory. Harvard University Press. https://books.google.com.
  • Green, S. J. (2006). Karen Horney: A psychobiographical study. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/145055340.pdf
  • Havighurst, R. J. (1972). Developmental tasks and education (3rd Ed.). David McKay Company. https://books.google.com.
  • Johnson, J. (2023). Transitioning from highly talented student to highly capable adult. In Underachievement in Gifted Education: Perspectives, practices, and possibilities (Eds. K. H. Collins, J. J. Robenson, & F. H. Ribeiro Piske, pp. 206-221). Routledge.
  • Kopelman, R. E., & Glass, M. (1979). Test of Daniel Levinson's theory of adult male life stages [Abstract]. Academy of Management Proceedings, 1 (1), 79-83.
  • Kuş-Saillard, E. (2009). Qualitative research projects with NVivo. Anı.
  • Larson, B. (2014). Wilfred R. Bion. A Levinsonian study of the emergence of creativity following the age 50 transition (Doctoral dissertation, UMI No: 3663386). Wright Institute Graduate School of Psychology.
  • Levinson, D. J. (1977). The mid-life transition: A period in adult psychosocial development. Psychiatry, 40 (2), 99-112. http://dx.doi: 10.1080/00332747.1977.11023925
  • Levinson, D. J. (1978). The seasons of a man's life. Knopf. https://books.google.com.
  • Levinson, D. J. (1980). Toward a conception of the adult life course. In N.J. Smelser and E. H. Erikson (Eds.) Themes of work and love in adulthood. (pp. 265-290). Harvard University Press. https://books.google.com.
  • Levinson, D. J. (1986). A conception of adult development. American Psychologist, 41 (1), 3-13.
  • Levinson, D. J. (1996). The seasons of a woman's life. Knopf. https://books.google.com.
  • Levinson, D. J., Darrow, C. M., Klein, E. B., Levinson, M. H., & McKee, B. (1976). Periods in the adult development of men: Ages 18 to 45. The Counseling Psychologist, 6 (1), 21-25. http://dx.doi: 10.1177/001100007600600105
  • Lincoln, Y. S.,& Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry (Vol. 75). Sage. https://books.google.com.
  • Merriam, S.B. (2013). A guide to qualitative research design and practice (Trans. Ed. S. Turan). Nobel.
  • Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis (2nd Ed.). Sage. https://books.google.com.
  • Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldana, J. (2013). Qualitative data analysis. Sage. https://books.google.com.
  • Minter, L. E.,& Samuels, C. A. (1998). The ımpact of ‘the dream’on women's experience of the midlife transition. Journal of Adult Development, 5 (1), 31-43. http://dx.doi: 1068-0667/98/0100-0031$15.00/0
  • Muğan-Akıncı, G. (2013). Youth and Shopping Malls: A Case Study about Youth Preference in Mall Use. Megaron Journal, 8 (2), 87-96. http://dx.doi: 10.5505/megaron.2013.44153
  • Patton, M. Q. (2005). Qualitative research. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. https://books.google.com.
  • Polat, S. ve Ay, O. (2016). Meta-synthesis: A Conceptual Analysis. Qualitative Research in Education, 4 (1), 52-64. http://dx.doi: 10.14689/issn.2148-2624.1.4c2s3m
  • Rickards, T. S. (2005). Confronting the taken-for-granted: the process of losing and regaining credibility for women coming-out at mid-life. Unpublished master’s thesis, The University Of New Brunswick, Ottowa, Canada. http://rickardsresearch.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/0/2/37025283/traceys_masters_thesis.pdf
  • Robinson, O. (2008). Developmental crisis ın early adulthood: A composite qualitative analysis (Doctoral dissertation). University of London, London. https://www.academia.edu/4765003/Developmental_crisis_in_early_adulthood_A_composite_qualitative_analysis
  • Robinson, O. C.,& Smith, J. A. (2010). Investigating the form and dynamics of crisis episodes in early adulthood: The application of a composite qualitative method. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 7 (2), 170-191. http://dx.doi: 10.1080/14780880802699084
  • Rolland, J. S. (1987). Chronic illness and the life cycle: A conceptual framework. Family Process, 26 (2), 203-221. http://dx.doi: 10.1111/j.1545-5300.1987.00203.x
  • Sheridan, P. (2013). How friendship is understood in adults with intellectual disabilities across three life stages. (Project Assignment) University of Limerick, Course of Clinical Terapies. http://hdl.handle.net/10344/3243
  • Shi, Y. D. (2011). The role of strengths in managing midlife career transition for corporate professionals. Paper presented at the BBS HDR Student Conference, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. http://ro.uow.edu.au.
  • Smart, R., & Peterson, C. (1994). Stability versus transition in women's career development: A test of Levinson's theory. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 45 (3), 241-260.
  • Smithson, K. L. (2011). The relationship among social connectedness, meaning in life, and wellness for adult women in Levinson's mid-life transition stage (Doctoral dissertation), Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA. https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cps_diss
  • Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. M. (1990). Basics of qualitative research. (Vol. 15). Sage. https:// li.suu.edu.
  • Stumpf, K. R. (2012). Empirical midlife studies and the backlash against midlife crisis. http://www.midlifecrisismarriageadvocate.com/support-files/empirical_midlife_studies_and_the_backlash_against_midlife_crisis.pdf
  • Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu (2016). Population registration system results based on address, 2016. Haber Bülteni, 24638. http://www.tuik.gov.tr/PreHaberBultenleri.do?id=24638
  • Wink, P., & Dillon, M. (2002). Spiritual development across the adult life course: Findings from a longitudinal study. Journal of Adult Development, 9 (1), 79-94. http://dx.doi: 1068-0667/02/0100-0079/0
  • Wolfe, D., O'Connor, D., & Crary, M. (1990). Transformations of life structure and personal paradigm during the midlife transition. Human Relations, 43 (10), 957-973. http://dx.doi: 10.1177/001872679004301002
  • Yıldırım-Saatçı, E. Y., & Arıkan, S. C. (2014). Working model of women-to-women entrepreneurship mentoring and underlying emotional and motivatıonal factors for sustainable success. Scholars World- IRMJCR. 2 (3). 1-12.
  • Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2016). Qualitative research methods in the social sciences. Seçkin.
  • Young, N. (2013). How do men with depression during the mid-life transition, navigate stigma? (Project Assignment). University of Limerick, Course of MSc Occupational Terapy. http://hdl.handle.net/10344/3228.
There are 57 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Personality and Individual Differences
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Yahya Aktu 0000-0002-5540-7399

Project Number -
Early Pub Date September 27, 2023
Publication Date September 28, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 7 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Aktu, Y. (2023). Studies about Individual Life Structure: A Meta-Synthesis Study. Research on Education and Psychology, 7(2), 218-234. https://doi.org/10.54535/rep.1334520

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