title: Quality of life of older African American women in rural North Carolina.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of activity to the quality of life of female African American elders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Framed in the critical emancipatory paradigm, the study used qualitative research methodology, including the analysis of transcribed interviews and the critical review of relevant literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Contributors to this study identified numerous past and present activities. The activities were bound together with the themes of "The Lord," Doing, Family, Environment, "I had to let it go," and "Just a part of life."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study results indicate that participants have enhanced their quality of life and emancipated themselves through engagement in a variety of activities that hold both real and symbolic meaning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, East Carolina University. Greenville, NC 27858, USA. veldeb@mail.ecu.edu
authors.forename: Beth P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Velde
authors.forename: Peggy Prince
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Wittman
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Christy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Broadhurst
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caines
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D011788:Quality of Life; D012424:Rural Population; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*