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Chapter 2 Explore
Literature Review
Sense of Purpose is correlated with better There is a gap in literature in looking at purpose
emotional and physical health as an aid in alleviating feelings of loneliness/
social isolation.
Blue Zones founder, Dan Buettner (2023) revealed in his WHO’s Age Friendly Framework- specifically: Civic Participation &
longitudinal study on centenarians that on top of eating wisely Employment could be linked to creating opportunities for older
and regular physical movements, having the right outlook adults to express their purpose in the community. However,
which includes ‘a Sense of Purpose’ as well as close majority of its programs seem to be geared towards business
connection with others not just with the nuclear family but pursuits and the economic side of civic participation. Since not all
to the community at large do not only prolong life but is a older people are the same, it can be argued that there is a need to
mediator of loneliness and essential in living a rich quality life. explore other solutions that can be more inclusive to a wider
audience of older people.
Sense of Purpose is having “goals, intentions, and a sense of Some volunteer organizations could also be considered as
EXPLORE supported that having a sense of purpose is highly associated nurturing that sense of purpose but they are not specifically
direction, all of which contribute to the feeling that life is
meaningful” (Ryff, 1981,p.1071). Bodies of literature have
tailored to the needs of older adults.
to better physical and emotional health in older adults (Boyle
et. al, 2009, Irving et al., 2017). Further studies indicate a
Overall, there seems to be no direct solution yet on sense of
relationship between sense of purpose and loneliness, they
found that a stronger sense of purpose in older adults is highly
services that can somehow deliver this are social groups, volunteer
associated with lower levels of loneliness (Kang et al., 2021; purpose as an aid to alleviate loneliness/ isolation, the closest
organizations and other projects initiated by Age Friendly Ireland.
Kennedy et al., 2021; Neville et al. ,2018 ; O’ Rourke et. al, 2018).
