Sociological study of changes in the meaning of life of older men (Case Study of Elderly Men in District 21 of Tehran, west Tehransar neighborhood, Phase two)

Subject Areas : ‌Family

Roghayeh  Norouzi ¹ (PhD Student in Sociology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)
seyed Mohannad  seyedmirzae ² (Professor, Department of Demography, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)
Mostafa  Azkia ³ (Professor, Department of Sociology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)

Received: 2018-03-06 Accepted : 2020-09-17 Published : 2020-08-22

Keywords: Divergence, elderly, Heterogeneity, meaning of life, Changes,

Abstract :

The present study investigates the meaningful factors in the life of the elderly according to the social interpretation approach. The data of this study were obtained through using in-depth interviews with purposeful sampling method and theoretical saturation criterion with 21 Elderly 68 to 81 years old in Tehran 21 district (Tehransar) and the information obtained from the interviews was coded (open and centered) and the concepts and categories were analyzed. Findings using the grounded theory approach consist of 10 categories.  The central theme of this research is divergence that in general is covered all other categories. According to the core category, two of the findings of the study are convergence and divergence as if the most important research achievement is the role of divergence (family and social) in the meaninglessness of life and the role of empathy (family and social) in the meaning of life. Factors such as health or illness, economic status and the fatefulness of the elderly are also factors Which illustrates their approach to life. At the end, the foundational theory presented in the paradigm model of marital maladjustment and divergence with spouse as the most central factor of nonsense in the life of the old men.