Six of your own women interviewed had been already unmarried. One or two was widowed (Anita and you may Fran), you to definitely are separated (Peggy), one is actually twice divorced (Pam), you to definitely is widowed off her earliest relationships and you will separated away from their unique next wedding (Sue), plus one woman’s earliest matrimony concluded in divorce proceedings whenever you are their particular second ended in the widowhood (Betty). During the fresh interviews, the length of time that they had been solitary varied regarding cuatro age so you can 21 age. Betty had recently separated with her lover during the time of one’s interviews, Anita’s partner got died 36 months prior to their particular interviews, as well as the guy Peggy got dated having 8 ages got died away from cancer 4 and you can half of many years in past times.
Measures
Semistructured interviews was basically used because of the basic publisher for the an excellent conversational, flexible fashion, allowing participants the chance to present their own information interesting and offer its insider’s angle. The unlock-ended interviews addressed close dating when you look at the afterwards life, and relationship experience. Interview were presented either in the fresh new participant’s home otherwise a place regarding her choosing. Consent models was indeed finished before the beginning of the interviews. Respondents’ contribution try volunteer, and so they were not paid due to their date.
Analyses
Transcribed interviews have been examined according to types of interpretive phenomenological study (IPA) (Smith, Vegetation, & Osborn, 1997; Smith & Osborn, 2003). This method is actually picked because of the notice it provides so you can personal significance while also attracting tentative findings all over interview, therefore tapping significantly more broadly on phenomena away from data. The brand new strategies out-of IPA include of many consecutive steps in abstracting themes from certain stuff, earliest for each individual, following round the some one. For a very into the-breadth malfunction of one’s studies processes, find Watson, Bell, and you can Stelle (2010).
Performance
Knowing the concept of relationship when you look at the later lifetime involves examining the connection with for every single lady once the she navigates their unique private procedure for dating. Relationships are talked about in terms of new ladies’ (a) multiple meanings out-of relationships from inside the after lifetime, (b) how relationships in the later life compared to the earlier facts throughout the lifetime movement-in both the sort of spouse they were trying to too given that how they glance at themselves, and you can (c) dating Indisk varme kvinder subsequently.
Numerous Meanings out of Relationship
Relationship had of several significance of these female. For most female, matchmaking required a path to remarriage, if you find yourself for other people, matchmaking designed company and having enjoyable versus that number of commitment. Matchmaking try seen as an opportunity for physical closeness having different definitions to possess intimacy. It also created being required to confront anxieties, if those people anxieties stemmed off not having old within the a long go out or off which have heard bad tales from other women that had old. Lastly, relationship is seen as a possible improvement to help you already complete and you will content life.
Remarriage
To own five of your own female, relationships required a predecessor in order to remarriage. Several remarried female (Mary and you may Karen) said that they had been seeking dating with regards to remarriage, plus in facts, weren’t particularly looking relationship in the event the wedding wasn’t a likely benefit. A couple of single women-Sue and Betty-dated to the aim of remarriage, or if perhaps remarriage wasn’t the outcome, a committed mate. Sue wasn’t shameful getting solitary, and you will she hadn’t dated much previously 5 years. not, she overlooked which have actual connection with somebody, which have some one which have just who she you are going to do things, and also the support that somebody would promote. Betty plus skipped that have a partner and you will discussed their loneliness and you will curiosity about a partner. She wanted to select another partner for example their second husband, but thought that the possibilities of this taking place have been suspicious. Hence, matrimony try impractical, but she battled with becoming alone and wanted a partner having just who to fairly share their own life. These four just weren’t particularly trying to find relationship at this point; dating to them created looking an extended-term, committed lover, and you may if at all possible matrimony.