Affective Practices in Transition(s)

As transformative learning often arises from moments of disorientation and identity disruption, it plays a critical role in helping individuals navigate the psychological complexities of retirement. Despite increasing academic interest in adult learning, limited attention has been paid to how transformative learning applies to the retirement experience – particularly its emotional and developmental dimensions. This study examines how Transformative Learning Theory (TLT) can inform and enhance the design of retirement education by addressing the psychological challenges faced by retiring individuals and the conditions that support positive adaptation. Three research questions guide this inquiry: 1) what psychological challenges do retiring individuals experience during the transition to retirement? 2) what factors contribute to more positive attitudes and experiences in retirement? and 3) which components of Transformative Learning Theory most effectively support retiring individuals in adapting to retirement life? Employing an integrative literature review approach, this study synthesizes and analyzes prior empirical research on the intersection of transformative learning and retirement education. It draws on Mezirow’s theory to highlight core learning processes – such as reflection, meaning-making, and identity reconstruction – that facilitate emotional resilience and psychological growth during this life transition. The analysis yields both theoretical insight and practice-oriented implications. In particular, the study calls for a shift in retirement education from a narrow focus on financial preparation to a holistic model that supports emotional well-being, adaptive identity transformation, and lifelong learning. Ultimately, it positions transformative learning as a vital catalyst that enables individuals to view retirement not as an end, but as a meaningful and empowering new beginning.

Originating and most often used in the discipline of adult education, the term transformative learning “refers to processes that result in significant and irreversible changes in the way a person experiences, conceptualizes, and interacts with the world” (“Transformative Learning as a Metatheory: Definition, Criteria, and Typology.” Adult Education Quarterly 66.1 [2016]: p. 71, cited under Origins and Overviews). Its origins are in a white paper published in 1978, wherein Jack Mezirow of Teachers College, Columbia University, reported the results of a study of women’s re-entry work programs in community colleges across the United States (Education for Perspective Transformation. Women’s Re-Entry Programs in Community Colleges [1978], cited under Origins and Overviews). In this report, he coined the term perspective transformation to describe the profound changes experienced by some of the women in their study. Over the next several decades, Mezirow developed and continually refined this concept into a comprehensive theory of adult learning, always maintaining a focus on the transformative potential of learning, i.e., its ability to help learners change in fundamental ways rather than merely adding knowledge or skills. During this theory development, his use of terms extended beyond perspective transformation, as he referred to his work as transformation theory and then transformative (or transformational) learning theory. From these beginnings, a large base of literature emerged addressing the profound changes that are possible from learning in adulthood. Of the various names used over time by Mezirow and others, transformative learning is the most ubiquitous term in this scholarship. It is used to refer to Mezirow’s evolving theory of adult learning, but it is also used to refer to any of a number of theories that focus on significant changes that learning can have on people, especially those changes that are not adequately encompassed by the usual descriptors: knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Many of these theories were developed independent of Mezirow’s work, sometimes even prior to it. It is probably most accurate to say that transformative learning is not a single theory, but rather a collection of theories around a similar phenomenon. This collection of theories (and more commonly called “approaches” to transformative learning) derived from numerous, disparate disciplinary perspectives that often had little theoretical connection with each other. Therefore, when scholars write about transformative learning, they may be referring to Jack Mezirow’s theory, another theory in the adult education literature that addresses transformation, or the range of theories (or approaches) as a whole. Nevertheless, beginning with Mezirow there has arisen a literature around the phenomenon of the transformative potential of adult learning. Although historically this literature has been mostly by North American scholars, it is increasingly being used by scholars in other countries (especially Europe) and disciplines. This article organizes and presents some of the most prominent pieces within that literature.

This chapter discusses how media use changes when everyday life undergoes change, focusing on major life transitions. I briefly introduce different perspectives on evolving media repertoires across the life course, and argue for the relevance of studying periods of destabilization and reorientation, when elements of media repertoires and modes of public connection are temporarily or more permanently transformed. I argue that easily adaptable media technologies such as smartphones tend to become more important in unsettled circumstances, as easy-to-reach for tools for new forms of self-expression, information-seeking or social contact, in accordance with shifting social roles and everyday circumstances. The primary empirical material analyzed in the chapter is a small qualitative interview study with mothers, about their media use the first year with a new-born.

This paper reviews studies of transformative learning through public involvement in natural resource and environmental management (NREM). It summarises evidence regarding instrumental, communicative, transformative and sustainability-oriented learning outcomes, and learning processes such as reflection, rational discourse and applying new frames of references in individual and social action. The paper discusses the implications for the design of NREM and public involvement, and presents a new framework connecting non-formal education, involvement in NREM, transformative learning and sustainability. The paper concludes with suggestions for promising future research, such as scaling up transformative learning in the context of NREM, including examining potential complementarities with leading models of social and organisational learning.

The COVID-19 pandemic challenges expectations of retirement. In this paper, we ask: How is the retirement transition experienced in the everyday lives of older adults during pandemic as compared to pre-pandemic times? The paper draws on 15 semi-structured interviews with adults aged 60–75 years living in Germany within the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, which were analyzed based on social constructivist Grounded Theory and Situational Analysis. We identified four themes: (1) general retiring experiences; (2) changes in the everyday lives following the retirement transition; (3) changes in their social life and (4) subjective wellbeing. The findings suggest that both retirement and the COVID-19 pandemic entail significant changes to older adults’ experience. Results show that experiences of both groups are similar but vary in degree. Adults retiring in pandemic times feel like missing out on the retirement life. We conclude by outlining a relational perspective on retirement research.

Chapter 1. Introduction; Alexis Kokkos, Ted Fleming and Fergal Finnegan -- Chapter 2. Context and development of transformation theory in the European field of adult education; Ted Fleming, Alexis Kokkos and Fergal Finnegan -- SECTION I. Reviewing and expanding the theory -- Chapter 3. Connected knowledge in Belenky and Honneth: Implications for transformative learning theory; Ted Fleming -- Chapter 4. Freedom is a very fine thing: Individual and collective forms of emancipation in transformative learning; Fergal Finnegan -- Chapter 5. Coming to grips with edge-emotions: The gateway to critical reflection and transformative learning; Kaisu Mallki -- Chapter 6. Theory development between tradition and innovation: Exploring systems thinking within and beyond transformative learning theory: Saskia Eschenbacher -- Chapter 7. Time and the rhythms of transformative learning: Michel Alhadeff-Jones -- Chapter 8. Communicative practices in work and training contexts: Exercising transformative authority?; Jerome Eneau and Eric Bertrand -- SECTION II. Connecting theory with educational practice -- Chapter 9. Introducing the Method Transformation theory in educational practice; Alexis Kokkos -- Chapter 10. Disorienting dilemmas and irritations in professional development: A longitudinal study of Swiss teacher-students; Anna Laros and Julia Kosinar -- Chapter 11. New scenarios of transformations: How to support critical refelction on assumptions through the theatre of the oppressed; Alessandra Romano -- Chapter 12. Promoting transformative learning through English as a lingua franca: An empirical study; Nicos C. Sifakis and Stefania Kordia -- Chapter 13. The theory and practice of evaluating transformative learning processes; Claudo Melacarne -- Chapter 14. Sustainability, reflection, tranformation and taking back our world; Ian Jasper -- SECTION III. Transformative learning in organisations -- Chapter 15. Not only a man with a drip: Cancer as a shared social P; Loretta Fabbri and Elisabetta Di Benedetto -- Chapter 16. Reframing professional challenges through action learning conversations in medical organizations; Maura Striano -- Chapter 17. Conclusions, comparisons and directions for future study; Alexis Kokkos, Fergal Finnegan and Ted Fleming.

It is argued that social learning, transformative learning, collaborative learning and transgressive learning are branches and offshoots of the same ‘learning tree’. This chapter examines the sources and evolution of theories of education and learning focused on transforming the learners' self-understanding and transforming the structures and social arrangements in which they and their educational and learning processes are embedded. The ‘transformative learning’ theories reviewed here span the last 50 years. They critique and go beyond the functionalist understanding that education and learning are meant to socialize learners within existing or dominant cultural and societal structures and/or in function of the transmission of knowledge, skills and attitudes from generation to generation. The first part of this article covers transformative learning and learning for transformation in the tradition of Freire, Habermas, Mezirow, and others. The second part concentrates on more recent ideas of collaborative learning, social learning and deliberative social learning evolving into transformative, and transgressive learning. By highlighting the warp and weft of the conceptual traditions and pedagogical practice within a variety of contexts and conditions, a colourful tapestry of transformative education and learning emerges. It is shown that, over time, the pertinence of transformative learning has only increased. The evolution of transformative learning presents itself as a virtual cycle, starting from marginalized and excluded people and communities via individual persons engaged in adult education and environmental education, to (groups of) people participating in collaborative and transgressive social learning, thereby becoming capable and empowered actors in processes of societal change and transformation.

Lessons learned from a longitudinal qualitative family systems study

To construct a conceptual framework on the process of family resilience during the first year following childhood leukaemia diagnosis. A longitudinal qualitative interview study. A longitudinal qualitative study following a grounded theory methodology was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of children with leukaemia in a general hospital. The participants were recruited through purposive and theoretical sampling and longitudinal engagement was achieved by conducting interviews at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the leukaemia diagnosis. The core category and categories were saturated following the enrolment of parents of children with leukaemia. Data collection and analyses were performed simultaneously. Sixteen parents of children with leukaemia participated. The core category of 'families living with childhood leukaemia' refers to the process of family resilience during the first year following childhood leukaemia diagnosis, which includes three phases: (1) destruction and resiliency period; (2) adjustment and consolidation period; and (3) growth and planning period. This study explored the dynamic, complex and continuous processes of resilience among families coping with childhood leukaemia during the first year following diagnosis. Further research should design tailored family interventions that characterise the different phases of family resilience, aiming to support family well-being, integrity and functioning. Both families and healthcare professionals must create an enabling environment that supports families coping with difficulties. Understanding the different phases of family resilience allows healthcare professionals to provide holistic care that meets the demands of families with childhood leukaemia. Unique knowledge emerged about the family's resiliency process when facing childhood leukaemia, suggesting a family-led revolution in understanding and managing childhood leukaemia. Therefore, the development of phased, resilience-based family interventions is imperative. This study was reported using the COREQ checklist. Patients contributed via study participation.

Organizing reflection to address collective dilemmas: Engaging students and professors with sustainable development in higher education

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how transformative learning has been conceptualised and operationalised in education for sustainable development (ESD) and sustainability learning and to collect evidence on how to support transformative learning in formal and non-formal environments.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a systematic literature review to provide a structured and replicable search and analysis of the relevant literature to produce a bibliometric overview that combines a quantitative description of the body of literature and qualitative analysis of the learning processes, outcomes and conditions.FindingsThe convergence between transformative learning and sustainability has become an emerging field of inquiry, despite the superficial use of transformative learning theory in many studies. By examining the learning process, outcomes and conditions in the core sample of studies, this study demonstrates that transformative learning theory – if carefully studied – can contribute to the design and implementation of educational interventions and assessments of learning towards sustainability. Furthermore, the sustainability context provides an empirical grounding that highlights the fact that social learning, the role of experience and the development of sustainability competencies are inherently part of transformative learning.Originality/valueTo date, few attempts have been made to better understand how transformative learning theory has been used in sustainability learning and ESD research. This systematic review allows for a better comprehension of how concepts and mechanisms elucidated in transformative learning theory are operationalised in sustainability learning and ESD research and serves as a source of inspiration for those researchers and practitioners who aims to make sustainability education, teaching and learning more transformative.

Transformative learning theory and practice-based theory both offer compelling but distinct accounts of adult learning. The vicissitudes of individual meaning-making is the focus of transformative learning theory whereas practice-based accounts view participation in social practices as the key to understanding learning. Despite their differing views of the relationship between social context, individual experience, and the processes of learning, transformative learning and practice-based learning theories can be regarded as complementary. In this article, elaborations of practice-based learning theory are drawn on to highlight the learning potential of movement between social practices. Mezirow’s version of transformative learning theory is analyzed to disclose a role for social practices in the transformation process. In terms of the concepts of practice-based learning theory, it is proposed that “transformative trajectory” offers a potentially illuminating addition. In terms of Mezirow’s theory, it is argued that transformative learning can be viewed as an “inter-practice” phenomenon.

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe aim of this study is to evaluate the integrated transformative learning theory and quantitative measurement model developed by Stuckey and colleagues in 2013.MethodsThe Transformative Leaning Survey (TLS) was administered as a cross‐sectional web survey to 467 respondents recruited from a variety of sources. The questionnaire includes four transformative learning outcome measures (acting differently, deeper self‐awareness, holding more open perspectives, experiencing a deep shift in worldview) and 14 transformative learning process measures in three domains (extra‐rational, rational, social critique).ResultsThe majority of respondents were female (73.7 percent), white (70.7 percent), with a graduate degree (57.2 percent), and professional employment (56.1 percent); the median age was 35–44. Reliabilities (alpha) of TLS scales ranged from 0.68 to 0.91 (median = 0.78). Multivariate regression identified two rational process factors (Action, Disorienting Dilemma) and two social critique process factors (Empowerment, Unveiling Oppression) that had significant (p < 0.05) positive independent associations with multiple transformative learning outcome measures; no extra‐rational process measures were significant.ConclusionsThis study replicates, validates, and extends the development of the Transformative Leaning Survey and advances transformative learning theory by identifying drivers of transformative learning outcomes. Further quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method research on transformative learning is needed.

This research examines how transformative learning has been conceptualized and operationalized in education for sustainable development (ESD) and sustainability learning, and gathers evidence on how to promote transformative learning in formal and non-formal settings. The author performed a systematic literature review to create a bibliometric overview that combines a quantitative description of the body of literature with a qualitative study of the learning processes, results, and circumstances. The current investigation shows that transformative learning theory may help in designing and implementation of educational interventions and evaluations of learning towards sustainability by analyzing the learning process, results, and circumstances in the core sample of studies. This systematic review allows for a better understanding of how transformative learning theory’s concepts and mechanisms are operationalized in sustainability learning and ESD research, and it serves as a source of encouragement for researchers and practitioners working to make sustainability education, teaching, and learning more transformative.

The chapter interprets transformative learning through the lens of Jack Mezirow’s (1991, 2000) transformation theory. The main purpose is to argue that Mezirow’s theory of transformative learning could be a foundation for professional education ‘from which appropriate practices of goal setting, needs assessment, program development, (and) instruction … could be derived’ (Mezirow, 1991: xii). The discussion employs Mezirow’s key concepts of content, process and premise reflection, instrumental, communicative, and emancipatory learning, objective and subjective reframing, and ‘perspective transformation’ to demonstrate the utility of these concepts for describing significant (i.e., transformative) learning on professional programmes, and the development of an identity as change agent. As the discussion unfolds additional literature that does not speak explicitly to transformative learning but is relevant to the argument that professions and professional education should have a social justice orientation are integrated. The chapter makes the point that transformative learning on professional programmes in higher education is a process of developing a more ‘authentic’ professional identity. Canadian adult educator and theorist Patricia Cranton previously linked authenticity, critical reflection, and transformative learning.