تبیین تجارب زیسته تغییرات روانی- عاطفی زنان سالمند: یک مطالعه کیفی

Abstract Background and purpose: The aging period is associated with many life stressors. Nemours theories on aging from psychological perspectives proves the importance of psychological and emotional changes in aging. Nurses and all health care professionals should recognize these changes through the lived experiences of older women in order to provide preventative services, educational programs and care. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the elderly women lived experiences on psychological and emotional changes. Materials and methods: This qualitative study was part of a larger study carried out through Grounded Theory Method. Nineteen participants of the study was selected the data were collected by recording face to face in depth interviews and observations. Each of the interviews was transcripted, after careful and repeated listening. The data was analyzed with constant comparison and review of interviews, ongoing review of interviews, observations, field notes and memo by Strauss and Corbin 1998 and 2008 methods. Results: In this study, psychological- emotional changes category included reduction of adaptation ability to conditions, depression, loneliness, reduction of authority and respect, a sense of powerlessness, regreting the past, worry and fear. It was also emerged that psychological and emotional changes are the consequences of unhealthy living conditions. Moreover, it was found that there was an interrelated defective cycle between them and social, cultural and economical deprivations. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, psychological- emotional changes in elderly women are not related to the aging phenomenon. Yet such changes are the results of living conditions and the way elderly women adapt to influential factors during this period. Nurses and other health care providers must consider these deprivations and their effective factors in order to be able to care the elderly women in achieving a successful aging.