A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON REGRET AND HAPPINESS AMONG ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF OLD AGE HOMES IN GUJRANWALA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

This research offers a unique, culturally informed examination of regret and happiness in Pakistani elderly residents of old age homes. Within an interpretive phenomenological framework, and using Braun and Clarke’s thematic coding methodology, we analyzed the manner in which Islamic spirituality and community shape emotional well-being for older adults. The in-depth interviews disclosed two thematic patterns, one of persistent regrets for family forsakenness, life aspirations not met and spiritual remorse; and the other newly found happiness associated with their home practices of faithfulness and mutual peers. Secular Americans often shared their deep solace and sense of purpose in religious ceremonies and nascent social networks. These included praying as a group and telling stories as a group, which turned isolation into collective resource seemed to shine light on the importance of family and the community for older adults’ life satisfaction. One of few qualitative studies in Pakistan, our findings highlight culturally appropriate factors promoting resilience among the elderly in later life. We suggest that policy and practice interventions include faith-based counselling, community-building events, and enhanced legal supports to help safeguard the elderly. These findings emphasise the importance of understanding culture in gerontology and offer implications regarding research and interventions designed to enhance psychosocial care for a rapidly expanding elderly population in South Asia.