O sentido da vida em idosos rurais

• Autor(a) principal: Santini, Lusiana
• Data de Publicação: 2019
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Biblioteca de teses e dissertações da Universidade de Passo Fundo (BDTD UPF)
• Texto Completo: http://tede.upf.br:8080/jspui/handle/tede/1863
• topic: Envelhecimento; Vida; Vida rural; Longevidade; SAUDE COLETIVA::SAUDE PUBLICA

The Brazilian population is undergoing a strong aging process. The long-lived (people aged 80 and over) is the fastest growing age group. As human age increases, chronic pathologies, functional depe ndencies and limitations; feelings of sadness and loneliness, among other issues, increase as well. Given the complexity of the aging process and the importance of biopsychosocial factors, inter - and multidisciplinary studies contribute to more comprehensive approaches; especially when targeting a population group with unique life experiences and characteristics such as the long-lived rural population. The meaning of life is considered the essential search of human beings. Several studies have associated greater physical and mental health as agents of well-being and quality of life. In addition, it also works as a coping mechanism in the aging process since it promotes happiness and life satisfaction. The goal of the present study was to explore the meaning of life among long-lived elderly residing in rural communities. It consisted of a qualitative, exploratory and interpretative study. It applied semi-structured interviews with elderly rural dwellers (aged 80 years and over) who lived in their homes in the city of Mato Castelhano, RS, Brazil. Eight interviews were conducted, four men and four women, ranging from 81 to 100 years old were included. They were all capable of hearing and verbally respond all interview questions. The excluded population were long-term hospitalized patients with sensory deficit, as well as subjects who were not found at home after three attempts. The content analysis research technique was used to analyze the collected data. Results point to a group of factors, divided by categories that can result in finding meaning of life. These factors are: " Family", "Friendship", “Raising Children", "Religiosity / Spirituality: an attachment to faith, and/or a supreme force in order to face and or accept life adversities and suffering"; “The feeling of a Duty Fulfilled " and " The value of life”. In sum, the meaning of life for the rural elderly population comprises the importance of family, social relations, spirituality, their commitment to a significant cause and the value of life regardless of the situation or hardships. These results provide relevant information in regard to the meaning of life among the rural elderly population. They serve as an important tool to better serve this population as well as to create public policies and promote a healthy and satisfactory aging process.