Supervisors info:
Επιβλέπουσα Καθηγήτρια: Κ. Δανιά Ασπασία
Eπίκουρη Καθηγήτρια
Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού
Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
adania@phed.uoa.gr
Μέλος: Κ. Σκορδίλης Εμμανουήλ
Καθηγητής
Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού
Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
eskord@phed.uoa.gr
Μέλος
Κ. Γκιόσος Ιωάννης
Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής
Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού
Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
ygiossos@phed.uoa.gr
Summary:
Demographic ageing, which is the increase in the proportion of older people, has
attracted the interest of scientists as it results in changes in many aspects of daily
life. Research data indicate that negative perceptions and stereotypes about older
people often prevail. Negative perceptions and stereotypes are already formed in
childhood and can have a serious impact on individuals. The present study was
designed to investigate school-age children's perceptions of older people and their
physical activity. Twenty children aged 7-12 years participated in the study.
Photoelicitation was used to collect data in combination with semi-structured
individual and group interviews. Qualitative data analysis procedures and
techniques were adopted, based on empirically grounded theory methodology
(open, axial and selective coding), to gain an in-depth understanding of the
phenomenon under investigation. From the data analysis (open and axial coding),
five main (descriptive) categories - axes emerged with regard to older people: (a)
appearance characteristics, (b) health parameters, (c) determinants of physical
activity, (d) personality dimensions and (e) manifestations of old age. The above
categories seemed to capture as a central category (selective coding) the living of
older people through the eyes of children and lead to patterns of perceptions.
Older people were perceived as having largely degenerate physical appearance
characteristics, with significant limitations in daily life due to health problems and
limited physical activity. Through children’s perspective they were seen to have
strong intellectual qualities and to be highly supportive and giving towards their
children and grandchildren. On the basis of all this, the children also distinguished
them from younger people and the context through which they approach older
people, their knowledge and the social conventions and stereotypes they adopt
seemed to play a role in shaping their perceptions. In particular, the complexity of
children's representations of older people emerged, which was associated with a
variety of social and individual factors. It was also found that children's positive
or negative perceptions can influence their attitudes which are directly linked to
behavior. Given that children form their perceptions through a combination of
their own personal beliefs, experiences, and social influences, it appears that there
is no universal picture or perception of older people.
Keywords:
qualitative methodology, intergenerational programs, photoelicitation, social pedagogy
