| This study explored aging individuals' perceptions of existential poetry therapy. Six existential themes served as guides. They were: hope, gratitude, mindfulness, loss of mobility, forgiveness, and meaning in life. The data were analyzed via three sub-inquiries: (a) What thoughts and feelings do these six themes elicit; (b) What additional themes (existential or non) would the participants like to explore; and (c) What roadblocks hinder this population for accessing poetry therapy to its optimal extent. The research method involved two focus groups with a total of five participants, and data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The three most common themes elicited were orientation towards others, issues of life and death, and loss of mobility. Additional themes for future exploration, derived from inter-group data, were: faith, gratitude (irrespective of Gratitude theme), loss, nature, hope, and beauty. |
