Abstract The aim of this paper is to highlight the significance of symbolic resources for people in later life in retirement as a transition process. They learn to build resilience by seeking meaning and purpose in life and become resourceful practitioners of life as they experience the transitions of change and ruptures necessitated by retirement. The study draws on a theoretical framework consisting of sociocultural theory and related perspectives. This framework enables me to capture the dynamic ways in which people in later life learn to take control and overcome adversities and life challenges, in which they seek a new meaning of life, identify the life purpose, master new skills and creatively use social support. As an illustrative example I present a single-case interview-based study of a person in retirement. A thematic analysis of the interviews shows how she uses symbolic resources and draws on relational agency to meet her current needs, pursues new-found passions and achieves life goals. Lastly, I address theoretical implications for furthering the project on learning in later life.

中文翻译：

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退休学习：培养适应能力并成为足智多谋的生活实践者

摘要 本文的目的是强调象征资源对人们在退休后的晚年生活作为一个过渡过程的意义。他们通过寻求生活的意义和目的来学习建立复原力，并在经历退休所需的变化和破裂的过渡时成为生活的足智多谋的实践者。该研究借鉴了由社会文化理论和相关观点组成的理论框架。这个框架使我能够捕捉人们晚年学习控制和克服逆境和生活挑战的动态方式，他们寻求生活的新意义，确定生活目的，掌握新技能并创造性地利用社会支持。作为一个说明性的例子，我展示了一个基于单一案例访谈的退休人员研究。访谈的主题分析显示了她如何使用象征性资源并利用关系代理来满足她当前的需求、追求新发现的激情并实现人生目标。最后，我阐述了对推进晚年学习项目的理论意义。