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Dehkordi S M, Pourhadi S, Lotfizadeh M, Sum S. Investigating Facilitators and Barriers in the Tendency of Older Adults to Third-Generation Universities. Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing 2025; 20 (1) :38-51
URL: http://salmandj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2696-en.html

Objectives With the progress in the last century and the increased population of older adults, their social importance in society has become more prominent, and with the beginning of old age and retirement, most retired older adults 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 years who do not have regular job or family responsibilities) and their lack of expansion in our country, this study determines facilitators and barriers in the tendency of older adults to third generation universities.
Methods & Materials This qualitative study was conducted using content analysis with 19 members of the Shahrekord Retirees’ Center, who had 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 by 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.
Results From all the interviews, 364 initial codes were drawn, and the codes obtained from data analysis were assigned to two themes, obstacles to the tendency of older adults 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 older adults 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 society, economic-social problems, the concern of distance and transportation, and the existence of disabilities in 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 third generation universities is formed to take appropriate planning and organization to remove obstacles and create third generation universities based on the cultural and social characteristics of Iranian society, which is an important step toward promoting and improving the quality of life of the older adults.