Research Article
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Year 2018, Volume: 1 Issue: 1, 21 - 35, 01.01.2018

Lara Gitto

https://doi.org/10.5505/jaltc.2017.87587

Abstract

References

  • Adams, K. B., Leibbrandt, S., & Moon, H. (2011). A critical review of the literature on social and leisure activity and wellbeing in later life. Ageing and Society, 31(4), 683-712.
  • Barcaccia, B., Esposito, G., Matarese, M., Bertolaso M., Elvira, M. & De Marinis, M. G. (2013). Defining quality of life: A wild-goose chase. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 9(1), 185-203.
  • Borji, H. S. (2016, 25.07.2016). Global economic issues of an aging population. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/011216/4-global-economic-issues-aging-population.asp
  • Brajša-Žganec, A., Merkaš, M., Šverko, I. (2011). Quality of life and leisure activities: How do leisure activities contribute to subjective well-being? Social Indicators Research, 102, 81-91.
  • Brenna, E. & Gitto, L. (in press). Long-term care and elderly care in Europe: Are they good synonymous? Rivista Internazionale di Scienze Sociali.
  • Cohen, G. D. (2006). The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain. New York: Basic Books.
  • DuPertuis, L. L., Aldwin, C. M., & Bosse, R. (2001). Does the source of support matter for different health outcomes? Findings from the Normative Aging Study. Journal of Aging and Health, 13(4), 494-510.
  • Escuder-Mollon, P. (2012). Modeling the impact of lifelong learning on senior citizens’ quality of life. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 2339-2346.
  • Escuder-Mollon, P., & Cabedo, S. (eds.) (2014). Education and Quality of Life of Senior Citizens. Helsinki: Universitat Jaume I.
  • Formosa, M. (2014). Four decades of universities of the third age: Past, present, future. Ageing International, 34, 42-66.
  • Formosa, M. (2005). Feminism and critical educational gerontology: An agenda for good practice. Ageing International, 30(4), 396-411.
  • Gerstein O., (2007). The challenges of multigenerational family living. Retrieved from http:// www.relationshipmatters.com/the-challenges-of-multigenerational-family-living/
  • Grammenos, S. (2005). Implications of demographic ageing in the enlarged EU in the domains of quality of life, health promotion and health care. Centre for European Social and Economic Policy (CESEP). Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/social_situation/docs/lot5_health_summary_ en.pdf
  • Hughes, M. E., Waite, L. J., LaPierre, T. A., & Luo, Y. (2007). All in the family: The impact of caring for grandchildren on grandparents’ health. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 62(2), S108-S119.
  • Huxhold, O., Fiori, K. L., & Windsor, T. D. (2013). The dynamic interplay of social network characteristics, subjective well-being and health: The costs and benefits of socio-emotional selectivity. Psychology and Aging, 28(1), 3-16.
  • Huxhold, O., Miche, M. & Schüz, B. (2013). Benefits of having friends in older ages: Differential effects of informal social activities on well-being in middle-aged and older adults. Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 69(3), 366-375.
  • Institute for Digital Research and Education (IDRE). Ordered logistic regression. Retrieved from http://stats.idre.ucla.edu/stata/output/ ordered-logistic-regression.
  • Janke, M., Payne, L. & Van Puymbroeck, M. (2008). The role of informal and formal leisure activities in the disablement process. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 67(3), 231-257.
  • Kapur, S. (2015). Understanding the characteristics of an adult learner. Jamia Journal of Education, 2(1), 111-121.
  • Krause, N., & Rook, K. S. (2003). Negative interaction in late life: Issues in the stability and generalizability of conflict across relationships. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 58(2), P88-P99.
  • Lardies-Bosque, R., Fernandez-Mayoralas, G., Rojo-Perez, F., Forjaz, M. J., Martinez-Martin, P., & Rojo-Abuin, J.-M. (2015). Leisure activities and quality of life among older adults in Spain. In F. Maggino (Ed.), A New Research Agenda for Improvements in Quality of Life (pp. 16332 189). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  • Levasseur, M., St-Cyr Tribble, D., & Desrosiers, J. (2009). Meaning of quality of life for older adults: Importance of human functioning components. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 49(2), e91-e100.
  • Li, T. Y., Fok, H. K., & Fung, H. H. (2011). Is reciprocity always beneficial? Age differences in the association between support balance and life satisfaction. Aging & Mental Health, 15(5), 541-547.
  • Merz, E. M., & Huxhold, O. (2010). Wellbeing depends on social relationship characteristics: Comparing different types and providers of support to older adults. Ageing & Society, 30(05), 843-857.
  • Messeri, P., Silverstein, M., & Litwak, E. (1993). Choosing optimal support groups: A review and reformulation. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, doi:10.2307/2137239
  • National Institute of Aging (2015). Participating in activities you enjoy - more than just fun and games: Tips from the national institute on aging. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih. gov/health/publication/participating-activities-you-enjoy.
  • Nimrod, G. (2007). Retirees’ leisure: Activities, benefits, and their contribution to life satisfaction. Leisure Studies, 26(1), 65-80.
  • Orley, J., & Kuyken, W. (1994). Quality of Life Assessment: International Perspectives. Proceedings of the Joint-Meeting Organized by the World Health Organization and the Foundation IPSEN in Paris, July 2 - 3, 1993.
  • Pinquart, M. (2001). Age differences in perceived positive affect, negative affect, and affect balance in middle and old age. Journal of Happiness Studies, 2(4), 375-405.
  • Principi, A. & Lamura, G. (2009). Education for older people in Italy. Educational Gerontology 35(3), 246-259.
  • Rechel, B., Doyle, Y., Grundy, E., & McKee, M. 34(2), 122-137. (2009). How can health systems respond to population ageing? European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Policy Brief 10. Copenhagen: World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe.
  • Rook, K. S., & Ituarte, P. H. G. (1999). Social control, social support, and companionship in older adults’ family relationships and friendships. Personal Relationships 6(2), 199-211.
  • Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997). Successful Aging. The Gerontologist, 37(4), 433-440.
  • Santos, B. R. d., Pavarini, S. C. I., Brigola, A. G., Orlandi, F. d. S., & Inouye, K. (2014). Factors associated with quality of life in elderly undertaking literacy programs. Dementia & Neuropsychologia, 8(2), 169-174.
  • Seattle Quality of Life Group. (2011). World Health Organization Quality of Life Instruments (WHOQOL-BREF). Retrieved from http://depts.washington.edu/seaqol/WHOQOL-BREF).
  • Skevington, S. M., Lotfy, M., O’Connell, K. A. & the WHOQOL Group. (2004). The World Health Organization’s WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment: Psychometric properties and results of the international field trial. A report from the WHOQOL group. Quality of Life Research 13(2), 299-310.
  • Sonati, J. G., Modeneze, D. M., Vilarta, R., Maciel, E. S., Boccaletto, E. & da Silva, C. (2011). Body composition and quality of life of the elderly offered by the ‘University Third Age’ in Brazil. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 52(1), 32-35.
  • Szabo, S. (1996). World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) assessment instrument. In B. Spilker (Ed.), Quality of Life and Pharmaeconomics in Clinical Trials (pp. 355362). Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven.
  • Wahrendorf, M., & Siegrist, J. (2010). Are changes in productive activities of older people associated with changes in their well-being? Results of a longitudinal European study. European Journal of Ageing, 7(2), 59-68.
  • The WHOQOL Group (1994a). Development of the WHOQOL: Rationale and current status. International Journal of Mental Health, 23(3), 24-56.
  • The WHOQOL Group (1994b). The development of the World Health Organization quality of life assessment instrument (the WHOQOL). In J. Orley and W. Kuyken (Eds), Quality of Life Assessment: International Perspectives (pp. 41-57). Heidelberg: Springer Verlag.
  • The WHOQoL Group (1998) Development of the World Health Organization WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment. Psychological Medicine, 28(3), 551-558.
  • Williamson, A. (1997). ‘You’re never old to learn’: Third-age perspectives on lifelong learning. International Journal of Lifelong Learning, 16(3), 173-184.
  • Wooldridge, J. M. (2015). Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach. Boston: Cengage Learning.
  • Zielinska-Wieczkowska, H., Kedziora-Kornatowska, K. & Ciemnoczolowski, W. (2011). Evaluation of quality of life (QoL) of students of the University of Third Age (U3A) on the basis of socio-demographic factors and health status. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 53(2), e198-e202.

Older adults' education and its relation to quality of life: An Italian example

Year 2018, Volume: 1 Issue: 1, 21 - 35, 01.01.2018

Lara Gitto

https://doi.org/10.5505/jaltc.2017.87587

Abstract

Quality of Life (QoL) is a relevant topic for researchers and social policy makers developing educational programs for older adults. Such programs might be aimed at maintaining people’s wellbeing: in fact, when retired, people have more time for activities that may increase their satisfaction in the moment of adaptation to old age. In this perspective, the Universities of the Third Age (UTAs) offer leisure, educational and social activities. The present study was carried out at the Libera Università della Terza Età (LUTE) in the town of Milazzo, Southern Italy, with the objective to evaluate the QoL for the people enrolled and the factors contributing to make such initiative successful. Participants to the study (n = 340) were required to fill a questionnaire asking their generalities and information about the educational initiatives followed. QoL was assessed through the administration of the WHOQoL Bref. The relationship between QoL, socioeconomic variables and the items of the WHOQoL Bref was tested through the estimation of an ordered logit model. Instead, the individuals’ experiences at the LUTE were the focus of a correlation analysis, that considered specifically the level of satisfaction for the activities performed. The relevance of the results may be appreciated considering that the courses and educational initiatives can count on the contribution offered by volunteers. Hence, a positive outcome in terms of QoL is obtained at null or very low costs. Overall, educational initiatives directed to older adults should be actively promoted, given their implications, both from a social and economic perspective.

Key Practitioners Message

  • The opportunity to attend and to take part of educational and leisure activities may increase individual QoL, especially for the older adults.
  • People joining institutions such as the Universities of the Third Age (UTAs) may be involved in the activities organized by the UTAs both as learners, lecturers and volunteers helping in the course management.
  • In the case study examined, a positive outcome in terms of quality of life is obtained at very low costs, since the institution relies on the contribution offered by volunteers.

Keywords

Quality of Life (Qol) Adult Education Educational and Leisure Activities Social Participation Universities of the Third Age (UTAs)

References

  • Adams, K. B., Leibbrandt, S., & Moon, H. (2011). A critical review of the literature on social and leisure activity and wellbeing in later life. Ageing and Society, 31(4), 683-712.
  • Barcaccia, B., Esposito, G., Matarese, M., Bertolaso M., Elvira, M. & De Marinis, M. G. (2013). Defining quality of life: A wild-goose chase. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 9(1), 185-203.
  • Borji, H. S. (2016, 25.07.2016). Global economic issues of an aging population. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/011216/4-global-economic-issues-aging-population.asp
  • Brajša-Žganec, A., Merkaš, M., Šverko, I. (2011). Quality of life and leisure activities: How do leisure activities contribute to subjective well-being? Social Indicators Research, 102, 81-91.
  • Brenna, E. & Gitto, L. (in press). Long-term care and elderly care in Europe: Are they good synonymous? Rivista Internazionale di Scienze Sociali.
  • Cohen, G. D. (2006). The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain. New York: Basic Books.
  • DuPertuis, L. L., Aldwin, C. M., & Bosse, R. (2001). Does the source of support matter for different health outcomes? Findings from the Normative Aging Study. Journal of Aging and Health, 13(4), 494-510.
  • Escuder-Mollon, P. (2012). Modeling the impact of lifelong learning on senior citizens’ quality of life. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 2339-2346.
  • Escuder-Mollon, P., & Cabedo, S. (eds.) (2014). Education and Quality of Life of Senior Citizens. Helsinki: Universitat Jaume I.
  • Formosa, M. (2014). Four decades of universities of the third age: Past, present, future. Ageing International, 34, 42-66.
  • Formosa, M. (2005). Feminism and critical educational gerontology: An agenda for good practice. Ageing International, 30(4), 396-411.
  • Gerstein O., (2007). The challenges of multigenerational family living. Retrieved from http:// www.relationshipmatters.com/the-challenges-of-multigenerational-family-living/
  • Grammenos, S. (2005). Implications of demographic ageing in the enlarged EU in the domains of quality of life, health promotion and health care. Centre for European Social and Economic Policy (CESEP). Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/social_situation/docs/lot5_health_summary_ en.pdf
  • Hughes, M. E., Waite, L. J., LaPierre, T. A., & Luo, Y. (2007). All in the family: The impact of caring for grandchildren on grandparents’ health. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 62(2), S108-S119.
  • Huxhold, O., Fiori, K. L., & Windsor, T. D. (2013). The dynamic interplay of social network characteristics, subjective well-being and health: The costs and benefits of socio-emotional selectivity. Psychology and Aging, 28(1), 3-16.
  • Huxhold, O., Miche, M. & Schüz, B. (2013). Benefits of having friends in older ages: Differential effects of informal social activities on well-being in middle-aged and older adults. Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 69(3), 366-375.
  • Institute for Digital Research and Education (IDRE). Ordered logistic regression. Retrieved from http://stats.idre.ucla.edu/stata/output/ ordered-logistic-regression.
  • Janke, M., Payne, L. & Van Puymbroeck, M. (2008). The role of informal and formal leisure activities in the disablement process. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 67(3), 231-257.
  • Kapur, S. (2015). Understanding the characteristics of an adult learner. Jamia Journal of Education, 2(1), 111-121.
  • Krause, N., & Rook, K. S. (2003). Negative interaction in late life: Issues in the stability and generalizability of conflict across relationships. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 58(2), P88-P99.
  • Lardies-Bosque, R., Fernandez-Mayoralas, G., Rojo-Perez, F., Forjaz, M. J., Martinez-Martin, P., & Rojo-Abuin, J.-M. (2015). Leisure activities and quality of life among older adults in Spain. In F. Maggino (Ed.), A New Research Agenda for Improvements in Quality of Life (pp. 16332 189). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  • Levasseur, M., St-Cyr Tribble, D., & Desrosiers, J. (2009). Meaning of quality of life for older adults: Importance of human functioning components. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 49(2), e91-e100.
  • Li, T. Y., Fok, H. K., & Fung, H. H. (2011). Is reciprocity always beneficial? Age differences in the association between support balance and life satisfaction. Aging & Mental Health, 15(5), 541-547.
  • Merz, E. M., & Huxhold, O. (2010). Wellbeing depends on social relationship characteristics: Comparing different types and providers of support to older adults. Ageing & Society, 30(05), 843-857.
  • Messeri, P., Silverstein, M., & Litwak, E. (1993). Choosing optimal support groups: A review and reformulation. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, doi:10.2307/2137239
  • National Institute of Aging (2015). Participating in activities you enjoy - more than just fun and games: Tips from the national institute on aging. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih. gov/health/publication/participating-activities-you-enjoy.
  • Nimrod, G. (2007). Retirees’ leisure: Activities, benefits, and their contribution to life satisfaction. Leisure Studies, 26(1), 65-80.
  • Orley, J., & Kuyken, W. (1994). Quality of Life Assessment: International Perspectives. Proceedings of the Joint-Meeting Organized by the World Health Organization and the Foundation IPSEN in Paris, July 2 - 3, 1993.
  • Pinquart, M. (2001). Age differences in perceived positive affect, negative affect, and affect balance in middle and old age. Journal of Happiness Studies, 2(4), 375-405.
  • Principi, A. & Lamura, G. (2009). Education for older people in Italy. Educational Gerontology 35(3), 246-259.
  • Rechel, B., Doyle, Y., Grundy, E., & McKee, M. 34(2), 122-137. (2009). How can health systems respond to population ageing? European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Policy Brief 10. Copenhagen: World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe.
  • Rook, K. S., & Ituarte, P. H. G. (1999). Social control, social support, and companionship in older adults’ family relationships and friendships. Personal Relationships 6(2), 199-211.
  • Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997). Successful Aging. The Gerontologist, 37(4), 433-440.
  • Santos, B. R. d., Pavarini, S. C. I., Brigola, A. G., Orlandi, F. d. S., & Inouye, K. (2014). Factors associated with quality of life in elderly undertaking literacy programs. Dementia & Neuropsychologia, 8(2), 169-174.
  • Seattle Quality of Life Group. (2011). World Health Organization Quality of Life Instruments (WHOQOL-BREF). Retrieved from http://depts.washington.edu/seaqol/WHOQOL-BREF).
  • Skevington, S. M., Lotfy, M., O’Connell, K. A. & the WHOQOL Group. (2004). The World Health Organization’s WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment: Psychometric properties and results of the international field trial. A report from the WHOQOL group. Quality of Life Research 13(2), 299-310.
  • Sonati, J. G., Modeneze, D. M., Vilarta, R., Maciel, E. S., Boccaletto, E. & da Silva, C. (2011). Body composition and quality of life of the elderly offered by the ‘University Third Age’ in Brazil. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 52(1), 32-35.
  • Szabo, S. (1996). World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) assessment instrument. In B. Spilker (Ed.), Quality of Life and Pharmaeconomics in Clinical Trials (pp. 355362). Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven.
  • Wahrendorf, M., & Siegrist, J. (2010). Are changes in productive activities of older people associated with changes in their well-being? Results of a longitudinal European study. European Journal of Ageing, 7(2), 59-68.
  • The WHOQOL Group (1994a). Development of the WHOQOL: Rationale and current status. International Journal of Mental Health, 23(3), 24-56.
  • The WHOQOL Group (1994b). The development of the World Health Organization quality of life assessment instrument (the WHOQOL). In J. Orley and W. Kuyken (Eds), Quality of Life Assessment: International Perspectives (pp. 41-57). Heidelberg: Springer Verlag.
  • The WHOQoL Group (1998) Development of the World Health Organization WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment. Psychological Medicine, 28(3), 551-558.
  • Williamson, A. (1997). ‘You’re never old to learn’: Third-age perspectives on lifelong learning. International Journal of Lifelong Learning, 16(3), 173-184.
  • Wooldridge, J. M. (2015). Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach. Boston: Cengage Learning.
  • Zielinska-Wieczkowska, H., Kedziora-Kornatowska, K. & Ciemnoczolowski, W. (2011). Evaluation of quality of life (QoL) of students of the University of Third Age (U3A) on the basis of socio-demographic factors and health status. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 53(2), e198-e202.
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Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Lara Gitto This is me

Publication Date January 1, 2018
Acceptance Date May 15, 2017
Published in Issue Year 2018 Volume: 1 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Gitto, L. (2018). Older adults’ education and its relation to quality of life: An Italian example. Journal of Aging and Long-Term Care, 1(1), 21-35. https://doi.org/10.5505/jaltc.2017.87587
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The National and Applied Gerontology Association (NASAG) is a leading non-profit organization in Türkiye that promotes healthy and productive aging via evidence-based research. The utilization of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research in gerontology is crucial in integrating research, practice, and policy, given the need for evidence-based programming to improve the quality of life in old age. As an advocate for social action for older people, the NASAG is particularly concerned that public policies are strongly and genuinely focused on supporting and protecting the most vulnerable, marginalized, or disadvantaged older people.

The NASAG has been a member of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) since 2007.