Al-Ghafri Bushra Rashid, Eltayib Rawaa Abubakr Abuelgassim, Al-Ghusaini Zahir Badar, Al-Nabhani Maram Qasim, Al-Mahrezi Abdulaziz, Al-Saidi Yaqoub, Al-Sinawi Hamed, Al-Harrasi Ahmed Mohammed, Chan Moon Fai
Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman.
Department of Arabic Language and Literature, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman.
Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. 2023 Oct 3;13(10):2135-2149. doi: 10.3390/ejihpe13100150.
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.
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.
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.
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.
回忆研究和人生回顾具有诸多已被证实的优势。后代能从长辈的生活经历中获益，分享记忆的老年人自身也能从中受益。尽管阿曼老年人口众多，但关于老年人生活经历的研究却很匮乏。因此，本研究旨在探索阿曼老年人从童年到现在的多个生活阶段的生活经历。
这是一项定性研究设计。采用便利抽样，于2021年12月至2022年10月进行。本研究共招募了13名阿曼老年人（9名女性和4名男性），平均年龄为68岁（回复率 = 34%）。根据一组半结构化指导问题收集社会人口学和人生回顾信息。然后将回答录制在音频上，进行转录和翻译。对提取的数据应用主题分析技术。
本研究结果中出现了三个主要主题：童年记忆、友谊与人际关系以及长辈的过去。此外，老年人还传递了一些智慧珍宝与年轻一代分享。
本研究有助于揭示阿曼老年人的复原力、社会联系和生活反思。这些主题可以指导制定包容各年龄段的法律、社会支持举措以及专门为满足老年人群特殊需求和抱负而设计的医疗服务。基于这些主题，本研究建议当地社区或社会营造一种更具同情心和同理心的氛围，通过认可和理解老年人的复杂经历来尊重和敬重这一重要群体的成就。此外，未来的研究可以探索这些老年经历的具体方面，并找出改善他们生活质量和幸福感的解决方案。
