Margaretha Herrman

Self-care and anticipated transition into retirement and later life in a Nordic welfare context

Few studies have appeared in the health care literature on the meaning of transition into retirement and later life. However, this predictable-involuntary transition may influence personal health and well-being, and studying it from a self-care perspective could be useful. The aim of this study was to illuminate aspects of self-care in a group of middle-aged individuals in relation to their anticipated transition into retirement in the Nordic welfare context. A total of 13 individuals, aged 55 to 65 years, were randomly chosen from the total number of inhabitants in three municipalities in mid-west Sweden. Conversational interviews took place, during which the informants shared important events in their lives that had occurred from early childhood until the present time, together with thoughts about their anticipated future developmental transition into later life. The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. After content analyses and interpretation, a comprehensive picture of the phenomenon was revealed. The results showed that there were opportunities, expectations, wishes, concerns, and worries related to the transition into retirement and old age among informants from both rural and urban municipalities. Self-care, in connection with this, depended on motivating and demotivating factors. Autonomy and mature dependence seemed to be positive driving forces for reaching a successful transition into later life. Supporting autonomy should be a way of facilitating the transition into retirement and later life.

Learning film production

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to contribute knowledge about learning linked to the film industry by investigating how film producers reason about learning for and in the profession. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on semi-structured interviews with 20 film producers, both university and workplace trained (UWT) and workplace trained (WT). The content analysis is based on the transcribed dialogues. The study is empirical, explorative and qualitative. Findings – The interviewees consider networks to be of utmost importance for gaining entrance to and continuously finding work in the film industry. They also reason about required knowing and what learning practices are available. Although formal education is not advocated by all, it can hold intrinsic value for the individual. Traditions of learning are being scrutinized, and critical reflection is replacing naivety and emotionality. Practical implications – Different aims regarding learning in the formal education system and film i...

Attitudes towards the anticipated transition into retirement in the Nordic welfare context

Introduction:There may be different attitudes towards the transition into retirement and old age pensioner life among people who are relatively close to get into their third age. This phenomenon has not been widely studied in the nursing literature. Since this predictable-involuntary transition may have influences on personal health and well-being, it should be meaningful to study it in a self-care perspective. The aim of this study was to illuminate aspects of self-care in a group of middle-aged individuals in relation to their anticipated transition into retirement in the Nordic welfare context. Methods and Materials:A qualitative design was used in this study. A total number of 13 individuals, 55–65 years of age, were randomly chosen from the total number of inhabitants in three municipalities in mid-west Sweden. The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. After content analyses and interpretation, a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon was revealed. Results: All informants viewed their lives in retrospective with positive feelings with respect to their childhood and youth. As grown up individuals, they saw family, friends and social relations as very important. No particular differences between the informants from the different municipalities were found, nor in relation to age, sex or profession. There were opportunities, expectations, wishes, concerns and worries related to the transition into old age pensioner life among the informants from both the rural and urban municipalities. Conclusion: Autonomy and mature dependence seem to be positive driving forces for reaching a successful transition into old age. Supporting autonomy should, therefore, be a way for facilitating the predictable-involuntary transition into retirement. Further studies about the retirement transition within a self-care perspective are needed. This study indicates that motivation, autonomy and mature dependence are important issues that should be focused in such research. Gender issues and connectedness are other important areas.