Aspects of the development of older adults in the perspective of analytical psychology: a systematic review of qualitative findings

Abstract

Objective

To synthesize evidence related to aspects of the development of older adults in qualitative studies that have analytical psychology as a reference.

Methods

we conducted a systematic review of qualitative findings following a meta-aggregation approach. Bibliographic databases PsycINFO, Pubmed (Medline), Web of Science, Scopus and LILACS were searched. Original research articles that fitted our selection criteria were selected. Two reviewers independently appraised the quality of the included studies, extracted the data, and aggregated it into a set of synthesized findings.

Results

five studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Our meta-aggregation identified six synthesized findings: i) accessing the unconscious of older people with dementia; ii) contacting past experiences and emotions; iii) working with dreams; iv) facing mortality; v) individuation process in old age and vi) particularities of psychotherapeutic work with older people.

Conclusions

older adults benefit from Jungian-based psychotherapeutic interventions. Those techniques may help them cope with the developmental challenges of aging and enhance their well-being. Jungian thinking may contribute to a positive understanding of aging among mental-health professionals.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging
• human development
• psychotherapy of older adults
• analytical psychology

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the authors that answered our requests and kindly allowed us to access their works.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

No funding was implicated in this systematic review.