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

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, socio economic 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.

Calidad de vida en adultos mayores no institucionalizados de Cuenca- Ecuador, 2022

“…Además, los participantes con niveles de estudio de bachillerato, tercer nivel y postgrado, perciben el dominio de ambiente como el mejor valorado. Los resultados de este estudio coinciden con las investigaciones de Bunout (2011) Gitto (2018) recalca que los valores óptimos de calidad de vida del ambiente se encuentran en personas que, gracias a su instrucción, ascienden a un mejor acceso a servicios de salud y mejores condiciones de su entorno físico, lo que podría explicar los hallazgos para la muestra de esta investigación.…”

The impact of information and communication technologies on psychological well-being among elderly people: A case study of a university of the third age in southern Italy

“…The use of ICTs implies the ability to send e-mails, surfing the Internet, using social networking sites, and voice/video technology on devices such as smartphones, computers, and tablets (Blaschke, Freddolino, and Mullen, 2009): hence, ICTs can be seen as fundamental determinants to participate in a modern society (Brenna, 2019;Brenna and Gitto, 2018;Gitto, 2017;Gitto, 2016). In recent years, there has been a growing interest among scholars in the use of ICTs and its beneficial effects on elderly people's wellbeing: the use of digital tools may enhance social participation and psychosocial wellbeing (Brenna, 2019;Brenna and Gitto, 2018;Heart and Kalderon, 2013).…”

Adult Education, the Use of Information and Communication Technologies and Their Impact on Elderly’s Quality of Life: A Case Study

“…Education is seen as one way of promoting active ageing, because learning in later life helps develop social contacts and postpones cognitive problems associated with getting older (Phillipson and Ogg, 2010;Santos et al, 2014;Gitto, 2018). Consistent with this perspective, Universities of the Third Age (UTAs) have been established in many industrialized countries (Formosa, 2014).…”