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1- School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. , hoseyni.akramsadat@yahoo.com
3- School of Health, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
2- School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. , hoseyni.akramsadat@yahoo.com
3- School of Health, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
Abstract: (655 Views)
Objective: Loneliness is one of the most important factors that can greatly affect people's health. Although the feeling of loneliness may occur in any age group, it is more common in the elderly. Considering that the population of the world, including Iran, is rapidly aging, it is important to pay special attention to this vulnerable group. On the other hand, considering the longer life expectancy of women compared to elderly men, the increase in the number of single elderly women in the country, the increase in problems such as living alone and its destructive effects on them, is not far from expected. Therefore, it seems necessary to examine the experiences and problems of the elderly in order to design appropriate interventions for these loved ones. The present qualitative study was conducted with the aim of explaining the experience of loneliness from the perspective of a sample of single elderly women in Tehran.
Methods: This qualitative research was conducted in 2019-1400 in Tehran. Sampling was done using the snowball method from 5 areas of north, center, west, south and east of Tehran. In this research, 23 elderly women aged 60 to 70 years old who are unmarried and lived alone for at least one year, and also were interested in participating in the present research, entered the study. Elderly people with cognitive problems and hearing-speech disorders were excluded from the study. The working method was as follows: first, the objective of the present study was stated for the participating women, and after obtaining their consent, the appropriate time and place for the interviews was determined. The data of this study were collected by in-depth individual and semi-structured interviews and analyzed by content analysis (conventional type). It should be mentioned that the duration of each interview was not fixed, it was determined depending on the situation and its process, but in general each interview lasted between 15 and 25 minutes. Data analysis started after each interview, continued until information saturation.
Results: In total, 23 interviews were conducted. The average age of the study participants was 62.1 years old. The age range of these people was between 60 and 70 years. After analyzing and coding the information, finally, the methods of coping with loneliness with 2 adaptive ((including getting the support of first-class family members and friends and using the media and social networks)) and maladaptive categories(such as getting used to being alone, social isolation, self-blame, and grief and regret in coping with loneliness) were identified.The outcomes of living alone (with two categories including perceived advantages and disadvantages of loneliness) , were identified. The sense of independence, not having the problems of married life and having peace of mind are the most important perceived benefits and problems related to renting a house by single women, being a burden, insomnia and taking painkillers and sleeping pills, being afraid (especially at night), emotional problems- Emotions, having headaches and not having the support of a spouse were among the perceived disadvantages of living alone among the participants of the present study. Influencing mediators the coping with loneliness (with three categories include social factors (such as the society's view on single women, continued employment and participation in the workforce, as well as the issue of security in apartments and residential complexes), the individual's physiological conditions (age and Illness) and socio-economic status (including the amount of income, job and type of housing ownership) emerged as other experiences of the participants.
Conclusion: Identifying the lived experiences of elderly women who live alone can help better clarify the needs of this group of elderly people and make the necessary plans to address their concerns and problems. Designing interventions to educate the elderly to spend their free time and adaptive methods of coping with loneliness, dealing with the topic of dynamic aging from the beginning of life to prevent chronic diseases in old age, paying more attention to the economic status of the elderly and increasing their salaries and wages. Based on the annual inflation rate, culture building is needed to reduce the society's negative view and attitude towards elderly women who are not married for any reason and to provide more civil support for this group.
Methods: This qualitative research was conducted in 2019-1400 in Tehran. Sampling was done using the snowball method from 5 areas of north, center, west, south and east of Tehran. In this research, 23 elderly women aged 60 to 70 years old who are unmarried and lived alone for at least one year, and also were interested in participating in the present research, entered the study. Elderly people with cognitive problems and hearing-speech disorders were excluded from the study. The working method was as follows: first, the objective of the present study was stated for the participating women, and after obtaining their consent, the appropriate time and place for the interviews was determined. The data of this study were collected by in-depth individual and semi-structured interviews and analyzed by content analysis (conventional type). It should be mentioned that the duration of each interview was not fixed, it was determined depending on the situation and its process, but in general each interview lasted between 15 and 25 minutes. Data analysis started after each interview, continued until information saturation.
Results: In total, 23 interviews were conducted. The average age of the study participants was 62.1 years old. The age range of these people was between 60 and 70 years. After analyzing and coding the information, finally, the methods of coping with loneliness with 2 adaptive ((including getting the support of first-class family members and friends and using the media and social networks)) and maladaptive categories(such as getting used to being alone, social isolation, self-blame, and grief and regret in coping with loneliness) were identified.The outcomes of living alone (with two categories including perceived advantages and disadvantages of loneliness) , were identified. The sense of independence, not having the problems of married life and having peace of mind are the most important perceived benefits and problems related to renting a house by single women, being a burden, insomnia and taking painkillers and sleeping pills, being afraid (especially at night), emotional problems- Emotions, having headaches and not having the support of a spouse were among the perceived disadvantages of living alone among the participants of the present study. Influencing mediators the coping with loneliness (with three categories include social factors (such as the society's view on single women, continued employment and participation in the workforce, as well as the issue of security in apartments and residential complexes), the individual's physiological conditions (age and Illness) and socio-economic status (including the amount of income, job and type of housing ownership) emerged as other experiences of the participants.
Conclusion: Identifying the lived experiences of elderly women who live alone can help better clarify the needs of this group of elderly people and make the necessary plans to address their concerns and problems. Designing interventions to educate the elderly to spend their free time and adaptive methods of coping with loneliness, dealing with the topic of dynamic aging from the beginning of life to prevent chronic diseases in old age, paying more attention to the economic status of the elderly and increasing their salaries and wages. Based on the annual inflation rate, culture building is needed to reduce the society's negative view and attitude towards elderly women who are not married for any reason and to provide more civil support for this group.
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Contact Information
Salmand- Iranian Journal of Ageing
University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Koodakyar Alley, Daneshjoo Blv., Evin, Tehran, Iran
Journal Tel: +98 21 22180018 - (Ext: 2816)
Publisher Tel:+9821 4535 5555 - 4535 5000
Email: salmand2010@gmail.com
