Volume 20, Issue 4 (Winter 2026)
Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing 2026, 20(4): 594-609 |
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Abbaspour Z, Tavakhosh A M, Khojasteh Mehr R. The Factors Affecting Nursing Home Placement of Elderly Parents by Adult Children in Iran: A Qualitative Study. Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing 2026; 20 (4) :594-609
URL: http://salmandj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2897-en.html
URL: http://salmandj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2897-en.html
1- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran. , z.abbaspour@scu.ac.ir
2- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
2- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
Abstract: (1738 Views)
Objectives Transferring an elderly parent to a nursing home is a challenging process for children. This study aims to explore the factors affecting the nursing home placement of elderly parents by adult children in Iran.
Methods & Materials This is a qualitative research utilizing grounded theory. The participants were 13 individuals from Ahvaz and Lorestan provinces of Iran who had placed their elderly parents in a nursing home within the past two years. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, continuing until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data analysis was done using Strauss and Corbin’s method.
Results The main phenomenon identified was “A challenging path and a prudent decision to have peace and stability”. Causal factors included the child’s inability to meet the needs of an elderly parent and the child’s perception of parents’ ongoing suffering. The contextual factors included cultural/religious barriers, the child’s insecure attachment, and physical/mental/financial limitations. Intervening factors (facilitators and inhibitors) included parents’ unusual and inconsistent behaviors, caregiving-related injuries, siblings’ lack of responsibility in caregiving, family consensus on transferring the parents, parents’ consent to transfer, fear of inadequate acceptance and care for the elderly parent, and difficulties/conflicts during the transfer process. To address these challenges, participants employed strategies such as ensuring the maintenance and improvement of parents’ health, approval of parent transfer from others, committing to maintaining continuous relationships with the elderly, and engaging in positive self-talk. The outcomes of the phenomenon included satisfaction of both parent and child with the transfer, improvement in the parent’s condition post-transfer, and the persistence of the child’s internal conflicts post-transfer.
Conclusion The adult children’s decision to place an elderly parent in a nursing home is challenging, and can be affected by various factors, having both positive and negative outcomes. The findings can be helpful for counselors, psychologists, and geriatricians in Iran.
Methods & Materials This is a qualitative research utilizing grounded theory. The participants were 13 individuals from Ahvaz and Lorestan provinces of Iran who had placed their elderly parents in a nursing home within the past two years. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, continuing until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data analysis was done using Strauss and Corbin’s method.
Results The main phenomenon identified was “A challenging path and a prudent decision to have peace and stability”. Causal factors included the child’s inability to meet the needs of an elderly parent and the child’s perception of parents’ ongoing suffering. The contextual factors included cultural/religious barriers, the child’s insecure attachment, and physical/mental/financial limitations. Intervening factors (facilitators and inhibitors) included parents’ unusual and inconsistent behaviors, caregiving-related injuries, siblings’ lack of responsibility in caregiving, family consensus on transferring the parents, parents’ consent to transfer, fear of inadequate acceptance and care for the elderly parent, and difficulties/conflicts during the transfer process. To address these challenges, participants employed strategies such as ensuring the maintenance and improvement of parents’ health, approval of parent transfer from others, committing to maintaining continuous relationships with the elderly, and engaging in positive self-talk. The outcomes of the phenomenon included satisfaction of both parent and child with the transfer, improvement in the parent’s condition post-transfer, and the persistence of the child’s internal conflicts post-transfer.
Conclusion The adult children’s decision to place an elderly parent in a nursing home is challenging, and can be affected by various factors, having both positive and negative outcomes. The findings can be helpful for counselors, psychologists, and geriatricians in Iran.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
gerontology
Received: 2024/08/05 | Accepted: 2024/12/28 | Published: 2026/03/01
Received: 2024/08/05 | Accepted: 2024/12/28 | Published: 2026/03/01
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