Quality of Life Revisited

Abstract

Viewing quality of life from a generative context gave rise to a new perspective and the old term quality of life failed to capture the essence of the new idea. Creation of a new term required a series of deliberate studies to develop the concept of connectedness. This article traces the conceptual progression and presents the concept synthesis of connectedness using literary synthesis, qualitative synthesis, and quantitative synthesis. Based on the concept synthesis, connectedness in community-dwelling older adults can be defined as engaging life by self-regulating, facing aging, being part of a family, having friends, and being spiritual.

Love in Connectedness

“…Burkhardt (1994) describes spirituality as a unifying force permeating all of life, a force expressed in one's being, in one's knowing, and in one's doing, and manifested through one's becoming and connecting. Register and Herman (2010) portray being spiritually connected as one major category of connectedness, whereas Pesut (2008) claims that connectedness is an important aspect of spirituality. Bellingham, Cohen, Jones, and Spaniol (1989) point out that connectedness and spiritual health are vitally and integrally related.…”

“…It is both a reflection and inner strength, and a sense of connection with oneself, which include the essence of one's being, one's knowing, and one's doing (Burkhardt, 1994). On the concrete level, it might also apply to being connected biologically to ones' physical body, and perception of health and well-being (Register & Herman, 2010). Being connected with oneself means living a life that fits with or is in congruence with one's feelings and values (Bellingham et al, 1989 oneself may result in self-alienation, which is linked to cultural norms of "going it alone" that may lead to increased isolation.…”

“…It can be connectedness with the environment (Register & Herman, 2010;Teixera, 2008), the nature (Burkhardt, 1994;Pesut, 2008;Predeger & Mumma, 2004), or the universe (Teixera, 2008). It can also be connectedness with a larger meaning or purpose, that is, an Ultimate Other-God or Higher Power/ Being (Bellingham et al, 1989;Burkhardt, 1994;Teixera, 2008) or with a power or divine being that does not need to be limited to God, or a universal consciousness (Pesut, 2008;Register & Herman, 2010). Being connected to something larger than oneself or one's surroundings is perceived as a basic human need and necessitates having a profound purpose in life.…”

“…Connectedness is described by Register and Herman (2010) as an ultimate expression of human existence that comes from within and determines how people engage in the world. Furthermore, connectedness concerns the growth through and toward relationships, both inside and beyond oneself, and may be understood as the extent to which a human being experiences shared and meaningful relationship, and engage life in meaningful, positive, and purposeful ways (Bellingham et al, 1989;Burkhardt, 1994;Register & Scharer, 2010).…”

“…Connectedness with others may include loved ones, particularly family, friends, or acquaintances, as well as the society or culture (Bellingham et al, 1989;Burkhardt, 1994;Predeger & Mumma, 2004;Register & Herman, 2010;Register & Scharer, 2010). Connectedness is a sense of membership and belonging in the human community, of recognizing unity between self and others, that is, a sense of being part of a group, a country, or even the world (Younger, 1995).…”