SOURCES OF PERSONAL MEANING IN LIFE FOR A SAMPLE OF YOUNGER AND OLDERURBAN AUSTRALIAN WOMEN

This descriptive study looks at what 372 urban Australian women, aged 18-91, consider to be the most and least important sources of meaning in their lives. Using an instrument developed in Canada to study the s ources of personal meaning in individuals (Sources of Meaning Profile- SOMP), the major conclusions from the Australian study were fundamenta lly consistent with continuity theory. While some age related differen ces in meaning orientations were found, there was nevertheless conside rable consistency in the ratings given to the sources of meaning acros s the age cohorts, with only 7 of the 16 sources of meaning significan tly differing on the basis of age. Participation in personal relations hips and experiencing personal growth were the most important sources for the entire sample, while being acknowledged for personal achieveme nts, leaving a legacy for the next generation, and participation in re ligious activities were the least important sources of meaning. When i tems were grouped according to hierarchical level of meaning, the grea test-and only significant-differentiation between the age groups was f ound in level 2-sources of meaning relating to realization of personal potential. Theoretical, policy and educational implications are brief ly discussed.