Changes in the Lives of Middle-Aged Adults and Their Educational Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Various epidemics, throughout history, have affected societies socially, economically and psychologically by causing problems for humanity. COVID-19 epidemic, which started in Wuhan, China late in December, 2019 and still continues, has also caused millions of people in the world to get infected and a great number of people to lose their lives. Considering the pandemic process that we are experiencing, the purpose of this study is to identify changes in the lives of middle-aged adults and their educational needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this case study based on qualitative research design, 19 individuals who lived in different socio-economic regions of Turkey and participated in the study voluntarily, were interviewed. The data collected through a demographic information form, a semi-structured interview form and a story completion form developed by the researchers were analyzed through content analysis. As a result of the study, it was revealed that some values were realized more; negative psychological and economic impacts emerged; differences happened in hygiene, diet and social life behaviors; and that participants wanted to receive education on general health, COVID-19 pandemic and prevention.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• pandemic
• adult education

Orta Yaş Üzeri Yetişkinlerin COVID-19 Pandemisi Sürecinde Yaşamlarındaki Değişiklikler Ve Eğitim İhtiyaçları

Abstract

Tarih boyunca ortaya çıkan çeşitli salgın hastalıklar insanlık için sorunlar oluşturarak toplumları sosyal, ekonomik ve psikolojik olarak etkilemiştir. Çin Halk Cumhuriyeti’nin Wuhan şehrinde, 2019 yılının aralık ayının sonlarına doğru ortaya çıkan ve halen devam etmekte olan COVID-19 salgını da tüm dünyada milyonlarca insanın enfekte olmasına ve çok sayıda kişinin yaşamını kaybetmesine neden oldu. İçinde bulunduğumuz salgın sürecinden hareketle; bu araştırmanın amacı, orta yaş üzeri yetişkinlerin COVİD-19 pandemisi sürecinde yaşamlarındaki değişiklikleri ve eğitim ihtiyaçlarını belirleyebilmektir. Nitel araştırma desenine göre hazırlanan bu durum çalışmasında, Türkiye genelinde farklı sosyo-ekonomik bölgelerde yaşayan, çalışmaya katılmaya gönüllü 19 kişiyle görüşme yapılmıştır. Araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen demografik bilgi formu, yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ve metin tamamlama formu ile toplanan veriler içerik analizi yöntemiyle çözümlenmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda; bazı değerlerin farkına varıldığı; olumsuz psikolojik ve ekonomik etkilerin oluştuğu; hijyen, beslenme ve sosyal yaşam davranışlarında farklılıkların ortaya çıktığı; katılımcıların genel sağlık, COVID-19 pandemisi ve hastalıktan korunma yolları hakkında eğitim almak istedikleri ortaya çıkmıştır.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• pandemi
• yetişkin eğitimi

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