The Lived Experience of Loneliness among Aged Women In the city of Buchan

Life expectancy increase and structure-functional changes within the domain of family along with changes in social values have led to the formation of a new stratum of single aged women. The complexity and multidimensionality of the problem of aging need to be further elucidated by qualitative studies. This study, with the interpretive phenomenological approach of Smith, Flowers, and Larkin, has studied the understanding and interpretation of aged women, loneliness based on their lived experiences. The population of the study consisted of 10 elderly women over 60 years old with physical and mental abilities from Bukan, West Azerbaijan Province. Data were obtained using semi-structured interviews. Out of the total 64 extracted primary categories, four subcategories with the themes of withdrawal from others, expedient choice of loneliness, expedient choice of solitude and enjoyment of loneliness were derived which the expedient solitude theme was abstracted. The second main theme, the maintenance / recreation of social relationships, was derived from the abstraction of three subcategories with pleasantries to existing relationships, encouragement of neighborhood support, and having the openings of promising/expectation. The results of the study show that although the experience of loneliness is frustrating for many participating women, they choose living alone to avoid family dissension, to maintain their self-esteem, not to be overhead, not to wish to live with others and remarry. This study suggests that the country's aging policies be coordinated to keep the elderly at home.