Aging in Sweden as foreign-born – a quest for life and its meaning: a grounded theory study

Purpose This study aims to explore perceptions and experiences of aging among older foreign-born individuals residing in Sweden. Design/methodology/approach The study design adopts Glaser’s grounded theory approach. Data consists of interviews with 15 individuals between 60 and 85 years of age. Findings The analysis reveals aging as an ongoing sense-making process, captured by the core category “a quest for life and its meaning.” This quest involves drawing on the migration journey to construct a positive aging identity. The process is structured through three interrelated categories: making sense of the journey (retrospective identity work), making sense of the situation (active management of aging) and living in the moment with a sense of belonging (the emergent outcome of well-being). The findings highlight resilience and agency, moving beyond narratives of vulnerability. Implications This study calls for a theoretical shift from a vulnerability lens to a sense-making approach in migration and aging studies, emphasizing agency and context. Methodologically, it affirms the value of subjective narratives. Practically, it highlights the need for policies and practices that strengthen both formal and informal social support systems to foster well-being among older migrants. Originality/value By applying sense-making within a grounded theory framework, this study offers a novel conceptual model of aging among migrants. It provides both an account of their perceptions and an illustration of the cognitive framework underpinning their reasoning.