Thriving--a useful theoretical perspective to capture the experience of well-being among frail elderly in nursing homes?

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this article is to discuss the concept of thriving and its adequacy in describing the experience of well-being among physically frail nursing home residents.

Background: There is a lack of theoretical perspectives describing nursing home residents' experience of well-being.

Method: The article is based on a literature review and analysis of how the concept of thriving is used in different professional traditions. Three different theoretical perspectives are presented: (1) thriving as an outcome of growth and development; (2) thriving as a psychological state; (3) thriving as an expression of physical health state. In the second part of the paper, the three perspectives are discussed.

Conclusion: The authors suggest that there is a need to develop a new concept: that of thriving in physically frail nursing home residents. The article discusses how each of the three theoretical perspectives may contribute to the formation of this concept.