Social Networks and Life Satisfaction among Pensioners of Education

Abstract

    Social Networks and Life Satisfaction among Pensioners of Education   Case: The City of Jahrom  Gholamreza Ghaffary   Associate Professor, Department of Social Planning , University of Tehran  Email: Ghaffary@ut.ac.ir   Yalda Zabardast   M.A. in Welfare Planning, University of Tehran.    Abstrac t  This paper considers membership in social networks as means of welfare and satisfaction of life among elderly pensioners. Holding relationships, social networks and participation in social activities are significant elements for strengthening of self-concept and satisfaction of the elderly. These elements, by extension of meaning, determine quality of life among the elderly.  This is a survey-method research and the questionnaire technique has been used for data collection. Statistical population includes pensioners that are over sixty years of age and have been pensioners of the office of education in the city of Jahrom our sample consists of 201 persons of this community. The findings showed that there is a significant relationship between memberships in social networks and satisfaction of life. Also there is a significant difference between formal and informal networks such as relationships with friends, members of the family, neighborhood, and the like. So that the informal networks, as compared with formal networks, exert more positive effects on life satisfaction of the elderly. Although connections and social networks do strengthen life satisfaction of the elderly but these do not provide all elements for satisfaction. Empowerment and encouraging more effective participation as playing roles in community affairs and in social networks constitute two items that their inclusion into a comprehensive policy seems to enhance life satisfaction.