An assessment of coping mechanisms and passage of leisure time the case of pensioned older people in gulele sub city

RUNNING HEAD: AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS… AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS AND PASSAGE OF LEISURE TIME: THE CASE OF PENSIONED OLDER PEOPLE IN GULELE SUB-CITY By: Maaza Araya A Thesis Submitted to School of Social Work, Addis Ababa University Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master Social Work Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia June, 2017 AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS AND PASSAGE OF LEISURE TIME: THE CASE OF PENSIONED OLDER PEOPLE IN GULELE SUB-CITY By: Maaza Araya Advisor: Messay G/Mariam (PhD) A Thesis Submitted to School of Social Work, Addis Ababa University Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Social Work Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia June, 2017 AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS DECLARATION This is to certify that the thesis prepared by Maaza Araya entitled: An assessment of coping mechanisms and passage of leisure time: the case of pensioned older people in Gulele subcity submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work complies with the regulation of the university and meets the accepted standards with respect to originality and quality Approved by examining board _ Name, Internal Examiner _ Name External Examiner _ Name Advisor _ _ Signature _ Date _ Signature Date _ _ Signature Date _ Chair man of Department or Graduate Program Coordinator AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS Declaration I declare thatAn assessment of survival mechanisms and passage of leisure time: the case of pensioned older people in Gulele sub-city is my own work All the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated I have acknowledged by means of reference and that this work has not been submitted before any others degree at any other institution Maaza Araya G/Michael Signature: _ Date: _ Place: Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS… Abstract In Ethiopia little attempts are made to study about elderly Thus, this research is intended to explore the coping mechanisms and leisure time passage of pensioned elderly in Gulele-sub-city The study used exploratory qualitative case study design Research participants were selected via non-probability purposive sampling technique and data was collected through the use of an indepth interview, FGD, observation and document review Data was analyzed by usingthematic analysis The study findings indicated that income from pension is unsatisfactory to live with as a result the elderly engaged in different post-retirement and income generating activities for their survival Moreover, informal support system has significant relevance for them Looking to their leisure time activity there are no such facilities in the study area where they feel forgotten as a result The study will have relevance for different stakeholders such as government to improve services provided for the elderly in relation to income, incentives and establishing leisure time facilities appropriate for the elderly Key words, Elderly, Pensioned, coping, Leisure i AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS… Acknowledgement I thank God for seeing me through this crucial phase of my life, which was both demanding and interesting This study was only possible with the support and contributions of several individuals I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my thesis supervisor, Dr Messay G/Mariam forhis valuable comments that heprovided me, his support, encouragement and guidance I appreciate your courage and willingness to guide me through this study My gratitude also goes to Dr AshenafiHagos for his kindly support My thesis also could not be true without the participation and support of the research participants (Pensioned elderly persons) and government officials I wish to thank my husband, Sami for being patient and supportive all through this study I thank my Mom, Hariya and my sister, Rahwa (my life) for your prayers which have brought me this far Most especially, I thank my Dad who always is my teacher and gave me strength, mentor, encouragement and support I would also want to thank my friends for being true friends (Temesgen Lencha, HundieTakele&MahletEndalku) and my sister in- law Fannafor their support provided me in editing and emotionally This thesis is dedicated to my two sons Hiyaw and Aaron who are my inspiration and support whenever I feel weak And, for the time taken from them I love you so much ii AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS… Table of Contents Contents Pages Abstract i Acknowledgement ii Table of Contents iii Acronym and abbreviation vii Chapter one 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Background of the study 1.3 Statement of the problem 1.4 Objective of the study 1.4.1 General objective 1.4.2 Specific objectives 1.5 Research questions 1.6 Scope of the study 1.7 Significance of the study 1.8 Operational definitions Chapter two Literature review 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Definition of elderly 2.3 Perceptions about old age 10 2.4 Types of pension plans 12 2.4.1 Pension in Ethiopia 13 iii AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS… 2.4.1 Pension Rights in Ethiopia 13 2.5 Aging and income 13 2.6 Support systems of elderly persons 15 2.7Leisure time passage of elderly 16 2.8 Community engagement of older persons 17 2.9Post retirement jobs 18 2.10 Theories of aging 18 2.10.1 Disengagement theory 18 2.10.2 Continuity theory 19 2.10.3 Activity theory 20 2.11 National Policies related to elderly and pension 21 2.11.1 National Policies on elderly 21 2.11.1.1 National plan of action on older persons /1998-2007/ 21 2.11.2 National social protection policy of Ethiopia; 21 2.12 Chapter Summary 22 Chapter Three 23 Research methodology 23 3.1 Introduction 23 3.2 Research Design 23 3.3 Area of the Study 24 3.4 Eligibility criteria 24 3.5 Sample Size and Sampling 25 3.6 Method of Data Collection 26 3.6.1 Key Informant Interview 26 3.6.2 Focus Group Discussion 26 iv AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS… 3.6.3 Observation 26 3.6.4 In-depth Interview 27 3.7 Data Analysis 27 3.8 Quality Assurance 28 3.9 Ethical Consideration 29 Chapter Four 30 Data Presentation 30 4.1 Brief description of research participants 32 Current Pensioned Allowance 37 Coping mechanisms 38 1Poultry 38 4.3 Vegetable 39 4.4 Post retirement jobs 39 4.4.1Engaging in formal jobs 40 4.4.2 Engaging in non-formal jobs 40 4.4.3 Barrier for retired persons not to work 40 4.5 Formal and informal supports 41 4.5.1 Supports emerged from various types of relationships 42 4.5.2 Community based organization „Idir” 44 4.6 Engagement of elderly persons 44 4.6.1 Community organization 45 4.6.1.1 Idir, Iqub and Mahber 45 4.6.1.2 Elderly forum 47 4.6.2 Consumer‟s cooperatives 47 4.6.3 Elderly associations 48 v AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS… 4.6.4 Other participations 49 4.6.4.1 Conflict resolution 49 4.6.4.2 Development activities 50 4.6.4.3 Arrangement of Marriage proposals 50 4.7 Leisure time activities of elderly 50 4.7.1 Where the retirees pass most of their day 50 4.7.1.1 Home 50 4.7.1.2 Church 51 4.7.1.3 Reading and movies 51 4.7.2 With whom they spend most of their time 51 4.7.3 Availability of leisure time facilities / activities 52 4.7.4 Leisure time activities and facilities preferred by elderly 53 4.7.5 The benefits of recreation centers or leisure time activities 54 4.8 Chapter Summary 54 Chapter five 56 Discussion 56 Chapter six 66 Conclusion and social work implication 66 6.1 Conclusion 66 6.2 Social work implication 67 6.2.1 Implication for Social work education 67 6.2.2 Implication for Social work Research 68 6.2.3 Implication for program and policies 68 6.2.4 Implication for Social Work Practice 69 References x vi .. .AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS AND PASSAGE OF LEISURE TIME: THE CASE OF PENSIONED OLDER PEOPLE IN GULELE SUB- CITY By: Maaza Araya Advisor:... 2017 AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS DECLARATION This is to certify that the thesis prepared by Maaza Araya entitled: An assessment of coping mechanisms and passage of leisure time: the case of. .. man of Department or Graduate Program Coordinator AN ASSESSMENT OF COPING MECHANISMS Declaration I declare thatAn assessment of survival mechanisms and passage of leisure time: the case of pensioned