The meaning of life and its components (case study, elderly men in district 21 of Tehran)

As our recent society is turning to senility, this research tries to analyze meaningful factors on elders' lives according to social interpretation approach. In this research, it is tried to reach a background theory through qualitative method and deep interview. Using systematic sampling and theoretical saturation scale,21 people among 68 to 81-years-old elders in Tehran, district 21 (Tehransar) were interviewed and the information received coded(open and axial)and concepts and categories reached, were analysed. The data using background theory contains 10 categories. Categorizing in this research is family adaptability that generally covered all other categories. Based on nuclear category, two cases out of data, are convergence and disparity and the most important achievement of research is the effect of convergence (family and social) on life's meaningfulness and the effect of disparity on life's meaninglessness. Factors like health or sickness, financial situation and fidelity of elders are considered underlie that shows their approach to life. Finally, basic reached theory presented in the form of paradigm, selective, adaptive and marriage.