Dr N.P.M. Fortuin (Nienke)

Nienke Fortuin performs both qualitative and quantitative research into the search for meaning in later life. She studies the relationship between religion, the interpretation of death and experienced death anxiety. She also studies the relationship between religion and the wishes of older Dutch adults with regard to medical care and medical interventions at the end-of-life. In this respect, she specifically focuses on the way worldview and meaning-making influence the attitudes of older adults toward euthanasia and their view on a 'completed life'. Moreover, she investigates the narratives of ageing that are told by older Dutch adults and the extent to which culturally shared narratives of ageing help older adults to construct a meaningful life story. Finally, she studies the relationship between religion, health and well-being.