A qualitative study to explore the life experiences of older adults in Oman

• Bushra Rashid Al-Ghafri ^[1] ; Rawaa Abubakr Abuelgassim Eltayib ^[1] ; Zahir Badar Al-Ghusaini ^[1] ; Maram Qasim Al-Nabhan ^[1] ; Abdulaziz Al-Mahrezi ; Yaqoub Al-Saidi ^[1] ; Hamed Al-Sinawi ^[1] ; Ahmed Mohammed Al-Harras ; Moon Fai Chan ^[1]
  1. [1] Sultan Qaboos University

     Sultan Qaboos University

     Omán

     
• Localización: EJIHPE: European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, ISSN 2174-8144, ISSN-e 2254-9625, Vol. 13, Nº. 10, 2023, págs. 2135-2149
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe13100150
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo (pdf)
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • Background: Reminiscence studies and life reviews have a number of proven advantages.

    Future generations gain by learning from elders’ life experiences, as do older adults themselves who share their memories. Despite Oman’s sizable geriatric population, research on older individuals’ life experiences is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the life experiences of older Omani individuals across their many life stages, from childhood to the present. Methods: This was a qualitative study design. Convenience sampling was employed and conducted from December 2021 to October 2022. A total of 13 Omani older adults (9 females and 4 males), with an average age of 68 years, were recruited for this study (response rate = 34%). Socio-demographic and life review information was gathered according to a set of semi-structured guiding questions. The responses were then captured on audio recordings, which underwent transcription and translation. Thematic analysis techniques were applied to the extracted data. Results: Three main themes were evident in this study’s findings: childhood memories, friendships, and relationships, as well as the elders’ past.

    Additionally, older adults passed on a number of gems of wisdom to be shared with the younger generations. Conclusions: This study aided in revealing the resiliency, social connections, and life reflections of Omani older adults. These themes can guide the creation of age-inclusive laws, social support initiatives, and healthcare services specifically designed to satisfy the special requirements and ambitions of the elderly population. Based on these themes, this study recommended that the local community or society build a more sympathetic and compassionate atmosphere that honors and respects the accomplishments of this essential group by recognizing and comprehending the complex experiences of older adults. In addition, future studies could explore particular aspects of these older experiences and pinpoint solutions to improve their quality of life and wellbeing.

• Referencias bibliográficas
  • Al Rashidi, B.; Al Wahaibi, A.; Al Awaidy, S. Integrated care for the elderly in the primary health care setting Oman: The scope and experience....
  • Al-Ghafri, B.R.; Al-Mahrezi, A.; Chan, M.F. Effectiveness of life review on depression among elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis....
  • Assaad, R.; Hendy, R.; Lassassi, M.; Yassin, S. Explaining the MENA paradox: Rising educational attainment yet stagnant female labor force...
  • Braun, V.; Clarke, V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual. Res. Psychol. 2006, 3, 77–101.
  • Butler, R.N. The life review: An interpretation of reminiscence in the aged. Psychiatry 1963, 26, 65–76.
  • Chan, M.F.; Leong, K.S.; Heng, B.L.; Mathew, B.K.; Khan, S.B.A.; Lourdusamy, S.S.; Nagapan, M.; Woo, S.F.; Chee, W.Y.; Ho, R.C.; et al. Reducing...
  • Erikson, E.H. Childhood and Society; WW Norton: New York, NY, USA, 1950; ISBN 978-0-393-31068-9.
  • Forsberg, H.; Pösö, T. Childhood homes as moral spaces–New conceptual arena. Soc. Work. Soc. 2011, 9, 1–4.
  • Haber, D. Life review: Implementation, theory, research, and therapy. Int. J. Aging Hum. Dev. 2006, 63, 153–171.
  • Hall, K.; Ono, M.; Kohno, A. British and Japanese international retirement migration and creative responses to health and care challenges:...
  • Hommelhoff, S.; Leickert, T.; Liao, H.-W. Reminiscence About Work Life in Retirement: What Is Remembered? Why Might it Matter? Work. Aging...
  • Justo-Henriques, S.I.; Pérez-Sáez, E.; Apóstolo, J.L.A.; Carvalho, J.O. Effectiveness of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Individual Reminiscence...
  • Lari, N.; Awadalla, A.; Al-Ansari, M.; Elmaghraby, E. Determinants of female labor force participation: Implications for policy in Qatar....
  • Larsson, H.; Beck, I.; Blomqvist, K. Perspectives on existential loneliness. Narrations by older people in different care contexts. Int. J....
  • Lind, M.; Bluck, S.; McAdams, D.P. More vulnerable? The life story approach highlights older people’s potential for strength during the pandemic....
  • Liu, S.-J.; Lin, C.-J.; Chen, Y.-M.; Huang, X.-Y. The effects of reminiscence group therapy on self-esteem, depression, loneliness and life...
  • Rokach, A.; Berman, D. Older Adults and Their Life Experience: What Can We Learn from Them. J. Nurs. Pract. 2020, 3, 202–211.
  • Rurup, M.; Pasman, H.; Kerkhof, A.; Deeg, D.; Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. Older people who are’weary of life’: Their expectations for the future...
  • Sadeghmoghadam, L.; Foroughan, M.; Mohammadi Shahboulaghi, F.; Ahmadi, F.; Nazari, S.; Farhadi, A.; Delui, M.A. The Lived Experiences of Aging...
  • Saldivia, S.; Inostroza, C.; Bustos, C.; Rincón, P.; Aslan, J.; Bühring, V.; Farhang, M.; King, M.; Cova, F. Effectiveness of a group-based...
  • Sales, A.; Pinazo-Hernandis, S.; Martinez, D. Effects of a Reminiscence Program on Meaning of Life, Sense of Coherence and Coping in Older...
  • Sharma, S.; Bluck, S. Older adults recall memories of life challenges: The role of sense of purpose in the life story. Curr. Psychol. 2022,...
  • Shin, E.; Kim, M.; Kim, S.; Sok, S. Effects of reminiscence therapy on quality of life and life satisfaction of the elderly in the community:...
  • Sijtsema, J.J.; Zeelenberg, M.; Lindenberg, S.M. Regret, self-regulatory abilities, and well-being: Their intricate relationships. J. Happiness...
  • Sjöberg, M.; Beck, I.; Rasmussen, B.H.; Edberg, A.-K. Being disconnected from life: Meanings of existential loneliness as narrated by frail...
  • Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC). OIC Statistics Database (OICStat). 2023.
  • Stuart, S. Ageing well? Older Adults’ Stories of Life Transitions and Serious Leisure. Int. J. Sociol. Leis. 2022, 5, 93–117.
  • The World Bank. World Bank Open Data. 2023. Available online: https://data.worldbank.org/ (accessed on 12 June 2023).
  • Tomer, A.; Eliason, G. Attitudes about life and death: Toward a comprehensive model of death anxiety. In Death Attitudes and the Older Adult:...
  • Washburn, A.M.; Williams, S. Becoming and being an older adult: A mixed methods study of the lived experience of aging. J. Aging Stud. 2020,...
  • Xu, L.; Li, S.; Yan, R.; Ni, Y.; Wang, Y.; Li, Y. Effects of reminiscence therapy on psychological outcome among older adults without obvious...
  • Zaine, I.; Frohlich, D.M.; Rodrigues, K.R.D.H.; Cunha, B.C.R.; Orlando, A.F.; Scalco, L.F. Pimentel MDGC Promoting Social Connection and Deepening...