title: A voice of their own: women moving into their fifties.
abstract: This purpose of this qualitative study was to illuminate the developmental journey experienced by women moving into their fifties. A purposive sample of 23 women was asked to document any changes they perceived in themselves as they moved from their forties into their fifties. Themes identified included stepping out of the mold, letting go, walking in balance, moving in new directions, redefining relationships, and experiencing a freedom "to be". Understanding the patterns of meaning experienced by healthy women at midlife can provide clinicians with a blueprint for enabling women to become all they can be during late midlife and thereafter.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland School of Nursing, MD, USA. ecarnold2@comcast.net
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arnold
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health