A ressignificação da viuvez na velhice e a Universidade Aberta para a Terceira Idade

Abstract

To identify the profile of widowers from the Open University for the Elderly (UATI) and the intensity of grief among the participants. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, ex post facto, quantitative and qualitative study was carried out in Irati, Paraná, Brazil, in 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to identify the influence of the Open University for the Third Age in the elaboration of the analysis of the content of the material collected in an interview was used. Results: The sample consisted of 18 female participants (94.44%), who live without a partner (88.89%), with an educational level of 1 to 8 years of formal schooling. For the variables related to health, what was highlighted was the fact that only 5.56 and 11.11% of the study population considered health worse than that of family and friends, even though 44.44% reported 6 or more diagnosed diseases and the use of 2 to 5 medications (55.56%) in the last 15 days. In the behavioral and social variables, the main characteristics found were related to participation in another similar group (77.78%), concomitantly with UATI, and the frequency of 2 times a week in the program involving the 4 workshops available (55,56%). The death of the natural-born spouse (100%) with a prevalence of 55.56% of the expected death and low intensity of grief (88.89%) was observed after the application of the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief (TRIG ). Also, the analysis of the content addressed the influence of the UATI for the widowhood of 12 participants, being declared by the other conflicts in the relationships and extended time of widowhood. Final considerations: The study demonstrated that one of the resources used to redefine widowhood in old age was the participation in UATI that served as a facilitator for social adaptation through affective attachment and sharing of life experiences, assisting in the process of mourning . Keywords: Widowhood; Old age; Mourning; Elaboration.