Abstract
The aim of this study is to bring into focus the living conditions of the older adults in Turkey by using quality of life (QoL) criteria through which to highlight dimensions relating to their QoL status in comparison to other age cohorts. Are there specific QoL issues among older adults that would indicate that they display systematic differences in comparison to other age cohorts in Turkey? To what extent are there gender differences among older adults in QoL status? Data from the EQLS conducted in 2007 provided the information for understanding the self-reported conditions of older adults. Analysis shows that, for historical and contemporary reasons, older adults in Turkey form a disadvantaged cohort compared to other groups. The level of deprivation among a large segment of older adults is noteworthy in terms of income, health, material living conditions and social relations. Moreover, current social policies are blind to the low level of welfare, cultural capital, and connectedness of older women, resulting in unacceptable levels of alienation, unhappiness, and marginal status.
Zusammenfassung
Das Ziel dieser Studie ist es, die Lebensbedingungen älterer Menschen in der Türkei mittels definierter Kriterien für Lebensqualität [“quality of life“ (QoL)] festzustellen und diese mit der von anderen Altersgruppen zu vergleichen. Gibt es spezifische QoL-Indikatoren bei älteren Menschen, die auf signifikante Unterschiede im Vergleich mit anderen Altersgruppen in der Türkei hinweisen? Inwieweit gibt es geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede im QoL-Status bei älteren Menschen? Daten aus dem European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS), die im Jahr 2007 veröffentlicht wurden, dienen zusätzlich einem besseren Verständnis hinsichtlich der Selbsteinschätzung der Lebensbedingungen älterer Menschen. Die Untersuchung zeigt, dass ältere Menschen in der Türkei im Vergleich zu anderen Bevölkerungsgruppen aufgrund von historischen und aktuellen Bedingungen eine benachteiligte Kohorte darstellen. Das Niveau der Deprivation ist bei einem großen Teil der älteren Menschen in der Türkei bemerkenswert in Bezug auf Einkommen, Gesundheit, materielle Lebensbedingungen und soziale Beziehungen. Darüber hinaus ist die aktuelle Sozialpolitik blind gegenüber dem niedrigen Wohlfahrtsniveau, dem geringen Sozialkapital und der mangelhaften sozialen Einbindung älterer Frauen, was zu einem unannehmbaren Ausmaß an Benachteiligung, Unzufriedenheit und Marginalisierung führt.
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Acknowledgments
I am particularly grateful to Patricia Brownell, Jason Holdsworth, and anonymous reviewer(s) of ZfGG. Their comments helped me to refocus my arguments.
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The corresponding author states that there are no conflicts of interest.
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Arun, Ö., Çakıroğlu-Çevik, A. Quality of life in an ageing society. Z Gerontol Geriat 46, 734–739 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-013-0502-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-013-0502-z