Introduction: With the progress in the last century and the increased population of the elderly, their social importance in the society has become more prominent and with the beginning of old age and retirement, most of the retired elderly face changes in different aspects of their lives. Given the favorable impact of learning on people's well-being, the role of universities in the general health of third-generation learners (Adults between the ages of 50 and 75 who do not have regular job or family responsibilities) and their lack of expansion in our country, this study was conducted with the aim of determining facilitators and barriers in the tendency of the elderly to universities of the third age.
Research method: This qualitative study was conducted using content analysis with 19 members of the Shahrekord Retirees' Center, who had been retired at least one year ago and were selected using purposive sampling with maximum variation (in terms of demographic characteristics) as well as in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed word for word and continued until data saturation was achieved. The content analysis of the interviews was done by determining the conceptual units, accurate coding and continuous comparison, and gradually subthemes and themes were created.
Findings: From all the interviews, 364 initial codes were drawn, the codes obtained from data analysis were assigned to two themes, obstacles to the tendency of the elderly to university, including 7 subthemes (changing the learning process with increasing age, distance and transportation, lack of social trust, socio-economic problems, not having enough opportunities, the presence of disabilities in old age, concern for young people) and facilitating factors for the tendency of the elderly to university, including 7 subthemes (existence of well-being and comfort in life, lack of responsibilities and costs, existence of support and special privileges, increasing the level of awareness and culture, localization University and programs, the participation of capable retirees in programs, the importance of different views or interests of people).
Conclusion: Considering the change in the learning process of older people, the lack of social trust in the society, economic-social problems, the concern of distance and transportation, the existence of disabilities in the old age, a working group of specialists and pundits is necessary to provide the required infrastructure. The need to formulate, revise and monitor the implementation of the laws of universities of the third age is formed in order to take appropriate planning and organization in order to remove obstacles and create universities of the third age based on the cultural and social characteristics of Iranian society, which is an important step towards promoting and improving the quality of life of the elderly.
Type of Study:
Applicable |
Subject:
gerontology Received: 2023/09/17 | Accepted: 2024/03/04