Narrative analysis in aging studies: A typology for consideration

Abstract

This article seeks to expand our understanding on narrative and the analysis of stories researchers invite and collect in the domain of aging studies. To do so, we first offer an understanding of what narrative inquiry can be by laying out a theoretical basis for this kind of research, and making a case for the relevance of narrative as an alternative methodology. Painting with broad strokes, narrative analysis as a method is then considered before a typology of different ways in which stories can be analyzed is introduced. Illuminated by the typology are two contrasting standpoints toward narrative analysis-storyteller and story analyst-and three specific methods-structural, performative, and autoethnograpic creative analytic practices-that each standpoint might use to analyse the whats and hows of storytelling. The article closes by suggesting that in order to assist us to understand the complexities of aging researchers might consider using a variety of analyses. Keywords: Aging; Narrative analysis; Story analyst; Storyteller; Structural analysis; Performative analysis; Creative analytical practices Introduction According to Birren (1999), aging has become one of the most complex areas of study facing modern day science. Not least, this is because the process of growing older is something which is dynamic, interactive, subject to the twists and turns of life, chance, change and complication. Or, as Randall (2007) puts it, aging is a process which is exemplified by complexity. For him, we become more unique and more distinctive with age, not less. With this in mind, it is perhaps unsurprising that narrative forms of inquiry have burgeoned within aging studies to the extent that narrative gerontology is now a recognized discipline in itself (Kenyon, Clark, & de Vries, 2001;Randall, 2007). Within aging studies, narrative has been used, for example, to examine social policy (Biggs, 2001), issues of masculinity (Jackson, 2003;Smith, Braunack--Mayer, Wittert & Warin, 2007), interpersonal and intimate relationships (Jones, 2002;Rosenfeld, 2003;Matthews, 2000), physical activity in later life (Dionigi & O'Flynn, 2007;Heuser, 2005;Tulle, 2007), narrative maps of aging (Phoenix & Sparkes, 2006a, 2006b, body image and beauty work (Halliwell & Dittmar, 2003; Hurd Clarke & Griffin, 2007a;Paquette & Raine, 2004), experiences of health and illness (Jolanki, 2004;Faircloth, Rittman, Boylstein, Young & Van Puymbroeck, 2004;Sanders, Donovan & Dieppe, 2002), carework (Ribeiro, Paú& Nogueira, 2007Twigg, 2000), and retirement (Savishinsky, 2000). As part of this, narrative analysis has attracted interest and has been utilised. In this article, we aspire to develop and extend our understandings of narrative analysis by introducing a typology that considers this method in the plural rather than in the singular. The rationale for doing so, following Elliot (2005), is that applying a classification or typology might be a useful way of making sense of different techniques and approaches currently operating

Later-Life Crisis: Towards a Holistic Model

“…The aim was to explore crisis by way of these interview narratives, interpreting it 'abductively' through the four conceptual levels described above, and then to derive a provisional holistic model inductively based on generalities across the cases studied. There is precedent for studying the challenges of ageing using narrative interview-based data (Phoenix, Smith & Sparkes, 2010;Torges, Stewart & Duncan, 2009;Walaskay, Whitbourne & Nehrke, 1983), and indeed…”

Aging bodies and desistance from crime: Insights from the life stories of offenders

“…Atkinson (2007) suggests that the life story interview can be seen as a natural bridge between the disciplines using narrative inquiry methodologies; between the 11 telling and living of a narrative; and between the whole and the parts of the life being narrated. Accordingly, the transcripts were subjected to various forms of narrative analysis described by Phoenix, Smith and Sparkes (2010) and Riessman (2008).…”

A ‘new life’ story or ‘delaying the inevitable’? Exploring older people's narratives during exercise uptake

“…In particular, Day, Bond, and Smith (2013) suggested that a collective 8 case can be used to demonstrate the complexities that may exist in a single context, 9 such as the rehabilitation or exercise environment. 10 The context of the collective case used in this study was an exercise 11 programme developed to improve physical function, specifically, balance and stability, 12 in order to prevent falls in older adults. This programme was based in a rural location 13 and lasted for 32 weeks.…”