CHAPTER II RESEARCH METHODOLOGY C hapter 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In this section, the description of the study site will be discussed. Further it will also elaborates upon the sample, sampling procedure, methods of data collection, ethical procedures adopted, framework of analysis and interpretation.

2.1 Study Setting

The study was conducted in , which is one of the important cities in the western

State of in (Figure 2,1). Pune, known as the cultural capital of

Maharashtra, exemplifies indigenous Marathi culture and ethos, which give due prominence to education, arts and crafts, and theatre. Pune has been an example of the blending of culture and heritage with modernization. Pune is known by various names such as Pensioner's Paradise, the Oxford of East, cultural capital of Maharashtra,

Deccan Queen, etc. It is also the upcoming Information Technology (IT) capital of

India. (Wikipedia, 2011)

2.2 Locale and Characteristics

Pune district is located between 17 degrees 54’ and 10 degrees 24' North latitude and

73 degrees 19' and 75 degrees 10' East longitude. Pune is located 560 m (1,840 ft) above sea level on the western margin of the Deccan plateau. It is situated on the leeward side of the Sahyadri mountain range, which form a barrier from the Arabian

Sea (Wikipedia, 2011). The total geographical area of is 15642 sq. kms.

Pune district is bound by Ahmadnagar district on North-East, Solapur district on the

South-East, Satara district on South, Raigad district on the West and Thane district on the North-West. It is the second largest district in the state and covers 5.10% of the total geographical area of the state. The landscape of Pune district is distributed triangularly in western Maharashtra at the foothills of the Sahyadri Mountains and is divided into three parts: "Ghatmatha'\ "M avaF and "Desk" (Pune Collectorate, 2011).

23 Around 700 sq. ktns are under the urban areas. Pune is a tropical monsoon land and shows a seasonal variation in temperature as well as rainfall conditions. Owing to its geographical location the climate of Pune is pleasant throughout the year (Wikipedia, 2011;Nalawade, 2007).

2.2.1 Population Pune is the second largest district in Maharashtra State with a population percent of

8.4%. The total population of Pune district as per the provisional census figures of

2011 is 9,426,959 with 4,936,362 males and 4,490,597 females. Pune is also the second largest district of Maharashtra in terms of growth rate; the district was found to have population growth rate of 30.34% (Census 2011). The percentage share of total population across rural and urban areas is 39.11% (3,687,243) and 60.89% (5,739,716) respectively (Census, 2011).

2.2.2 Pune City Pune is the 8th largest city in India, the 2nd largest in the state ofMaharashtra after , and the largest city in the (Figure 2.2).

Pune It is a relatively hilly city, with its tallest hill, , rising to 800 m

(2,600 ft) above sea level. Just outside the city, the fort is located at an altitude of 1300 m. Central Pune is located at the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers. The Pavana and Indrayani rivers, tributaries of the Bhima River, traverse the northwestern outskirts of metropolitan Pune (Wikipedia, 2011).

The city of Pune is divided into zones (Table 2.1) for administrative purpose by Pune

Municipal Cooperation and - Municipal Cooperation. This is a broad framework from which home based sample is identified for the present study.

From the same area, old age homes (institutions) were also identified.

24 FIGURE 2.1: MAP OF PUNE DISTRICT

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FIGURE 2.2: MAP OF PUNE CITY

Source: www.coolguruji.com

25 TABLE 2.1: ADMINISTRATIVE ZONES OF PUNE CITY

Sr. No ZONE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Administered by Pune Municipal Cooperation (PMC)

1 Central Pune The seventeen Peths (markets) of Pune: Kasa Peth, Guruwar Peth, Somwar Peth, Mangalwar Peth, Shukrawar Peth, Raviwar Peth, Shaniwar Peth, Bhavani Peth, Ghorpade Peth, Budhwar Peth, Ganesh Peth, Sadashiv Peth, Narayan Peth, Rasta Peth, Nana Peth, Ganj Peth (Mahatma Phule Peth), Navi Peth 2 New Developments , and Shivajinagar in the west; (Inner) Camp, Bund Garden and in the east; , Hill, Sahakamagar, Mukund Nagar, Maharshi Nagar, Gultekdi and Salisbury Park to the south. 3 New developments , Aundh and Ganeshkhind in the northwest; and (Outer) Road in the west; Dattawadi, Sahakamagar and Dhankawadi in the southwest; Bibvewadi and Lullanagar in the southeast; Yerwada, Wadgaon Sheri (including and Shastri Nagar) in the northeast; Vishrantwadi in the north; Ghorpadi, Fatimanagar, Wanowrie and South to the east. 4 Suburbs and in the northwest; and Waije in the west; Wadgaon Budrukh, and in the southwest; , Wanawadi, NIBM, Kondhwa, Undri and Mohammedwadi in the southeast; Hadapsar, Mundhwa and in the east; in the northeast; Dhanori and Kalas to the north.

Administered by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)

5 Pimpri and its Chikhli, Kaiewadi, Kasarwadi, Phugewadi and surroundings 6 Chinchwad and its Thergaon, Tathawade and Talawade surroundings: 7 Sangvi and its , Wakad, Hinjewadi, Pimple Nilakh and surroundings: 8 and its Moshi, Dighi, Dudulgaon and Charholi Budruk surroundings: 9 Nigdi, Akurdi and Ravet, Road and Somatane its surroundings:

26 The literacy rate of Pune is 80.45% (Census, 2011). Over the past one decade, the population of Pune urban area has increased from 4,200,837 in 2001 to 5,739,716 in 2011 (Census, 2011). So also the density of population has increased from 462 per sq. km in 2001 to 603 per sq. km in 2011. According to the Pune Municipal Corporation,

38.9% of the population in Pune city lived in slums in 2001 (Anjali R, 2006).

A sharp increase in censorial decade can be attributed to the growth in the software and education sectors which has led to an influx of skilled labour from across India.

The migrating population rose from 43,900 in 2001 to 88,200 in 2005 (M CPB, 2001;

Indian Express, 2006). The population of 60 yrs. and above has reached 5,89,280 according to 2011 census.

2.3 Sample and Sampling Strategy

Government of India has set 60 years as the age for a person to be called as senior citizen (The Gazette of India, 2007). The present study has selected respondents based on this inclusion criterion. The data for the present study was collected from:

a. Home based elderly: These respondents were either staying alone by

themselves or living only with their spouses or with their married / unmarried

children.

b. Institution based elderly: Institution based respondents are the ones who are

staying at the old age homes for senior citizen.

The sample of home based elderiy persons was drawn from three city areas - old city

(Peth), newly developed, and suburb which were recently developed because of the emergence of information technology parks. Table 2.2 highlights the area of data collection for the present study.

27 TABLE 2.2: DISTRIBUTION OF HOME BASED SAMPLE 2A>ne Area N Central Pune (Old city) Sadashiv Peth, Narayan Peth, Navi Peth 19 , Dattawadi, Kothrud, Erandwane, Newly developed Gokhale Nagar, Ganeshkhind, Bhoslenagar, 42 Model colony, Aundh Suburb (under PCMC) Sangvi, Pimple Gurav, Pimpale Saudagar 20 Total 81

The Peth’s or Pune’s old city areas are the main centre for cultural and social activities. While the old city areas shows traditional socio-cultural configuration, the newly developed where migrants of different socio-cultural background are located

show more elements of modernity. The third, i.e. the peripheral areas which have

recently been developed have emerged as the centre of technocracy and house number

of IT parks, BPOs and educational institutions. Therefore, these three areas were

identified from where sample was drawn to ensure that the diverse social settings are represented in the study.

Data were also collected from various institutions located in and around Pune city

which comes under Pune Municipal Corporation limits. Institutes selected for the

study were:

TABLE 2.3: DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLE AMONG THE OLD AGE HOMES UNDER STUDY Zone Institution N Sandhya home for the aged at Nana Peth 5 Central Pune (Old city) St John’s home at Guruwar Peth 15 Newly developed Shatayu Bhavan at Vidya Nagar 11 Jeevhela & Mahervat at Wadgaon Dhairi 13 Suburb (under PM C) Athashri at Pashan 6 Total 5 50

28 All the homes under study, except Athashri, are private and paid homes as residents live there on pay and stay basis. On the other hand, Athashri is a residential complex only for senior citizens.

Purposive sampling technique was used for sampling the respondents from the two populations i.e. home based and institution based. Using this criterion, a total of 131 elderly people were sampled for the study of which 81 were home based and 50 were institution based elderly. Further, out of 131 samples, a total of 38 respondents were interview in-depth using interview guide. Among these, 19 respondents were interviewed from each of the two populations under study. Procedures of sampling are described below.

2.3.1 Sampling Procedure

2.3.1.1 Home Based Elderly

Procedures adopted for sampling the elderly from home based are given below:

1. Areas which fall under the old city or Peth, newly developed, and suburb were

identified.

2. Then, the researcher approached different laughing clubs and senior citizen

organisations viz. Lokmanya Hashiya club, Sadashiv Peth; Chaturshrungi

Hashiya club, Chaturshrungi; Pune University Hashiya club, Ganeshkhind;

Sangati senior citizen organisation, Kothrud; and Senior citizen organisation,

Pimple Saudagar. The head of the clubs’ and organisations’, which are located in

different areas or colonies in the city, were identified. Clubs have their sessions

in the morning. After the sessions, the researcher approached the members who

are or above 60 years of age to collect information pertaining to the present

study. Members who are willing to participate were included into the sample of

the study, irrespective of their gender.

3. Another technique used was, through contacts and references. After an interview

got over, the respondent was asked to name or recommend some people, who are

or above 60 years of age, whom the researcher can interview. This way the

sample grew with each interview.

29 2.3.1.2 Institution based elderly

After obtaining due consent from the authority of the institutions, researcher approached to the elder people staying in the institutions to collect information pertaining to the present study. The elderly, who are willing to participate in the study, were included in the sample, irrespective of gender. There were rejections of participants to participate in the study, though the rate was minimal.

Care was taken not to include people who have hearing problem, eye sight problem and bed ridden as the present study does not intend to study such elderly.

2.4 Tools of Data Collection The study employed a mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Interview

schedule and interview guide was used to collect data pertaining for the present study.

2.4.1 Interview Schedule Interview schedule was used to collect quantitative information. The quantitative data was collected on: 1. Information about the respondents and their family’s socio-economic profile,

living arrangement, social contact, common activities, and general health status.

2. Scales and test for psychological dimensions of ageing such as depression,

loneliness, and stress.

A pilot study was conducted in order to validate the interview schedule. This process was carried out in order to check the wording and understanding of the questions, and

flow of the questions.

Since the study was focused on the home based and institution based elderly, certain

sections of the interview schedule were common and certain sections are specific for the home based and institution based. The interview schedule comprised of closed and open ended questions (Annexures II & IV).

30 The interview schedule was used to collect data on the following points:

1. General profile of the respondent and their family members 2. Living arrangement

• 3. Occupation at the time of retirement or 60 years of age

4. Economic profile a. Source of income

b. Asset own

5. Social network and role played at

a. Family level

b. Organisational level

6. Most common activities before retirement or 60 yrs of age and present

7. Support system

a. Support provided to family/relatives/community

b. Support asked from family/relatives/community

8. Health condition of the older person

9. Knowledge and availing of the Indian government policy, program and schemes

for senior citizen

10. Psychological test:

a. Mood assessment / Geriatric Depression scale

b. Loneliness scale

c. Stress scale

11. Views about living a good life

In addition to above, specific data was also collected from both the population under study on the following points.

Home based -

1. Living arrangement

a. Staying with whom

b. Son stays separately and where

2. Role in decision making

31 Institution based- 1. Number of years of staying in the institution 2. Reason for shifting to the institution

2.4.2 Interview Guide Apart from the data collected through interview schedule, interview guide was used to collect qualitative data on social network, social role, social support system, adaptive strategies, etc. (Annexures III, V). In-depth interview was also conducted using the interview guide to collect qualitative data. Since it was an open ended interview, the respondents were encouraged to talk freely about significant events pertaining to present study interest area. This helped in getting information which wasn’t possible through interview schedule. The interview was recorded using a digital voice recorder as a precaution against data loss. Data was collected based on the following topics:

1. General profile of the respondent

2. Housing and family structure

a. Profile of the family members

b. Living arrangement

3. Occupation

a. Past and present (if any)

b. Reason for taking up paid job after retirement or 60 yrs of age

4. Economic status

a. Source of income: Past and present b. Adequacy of the income

5. Preparation for retirement {if any) and reason for doing so

6. Social network

a. Meeting family members/relatives/friends

b. Reason for not meeting people

c. Participating/attending in social functions

d. Reason for not participating/attending social functions

7. Social role

a. Role play in family

32 b. Role play in organisation or community

c. What one feel if there is any change in the role? 8. Maintaining status in a. Family

b. Organisation or community 9. Support system

a. Support provided to family members, relatives, and friends

b. Support asked from family members, relatives, and friends

c. Reason for not providing or asking support

d. H o w one managed if support was not asked from others?

10. Common activities before retirement or 60 yrs. of age and present

11. Health

a. Present condition

b. Health problems

c. H o w expenses are made for doctor, medication and others?

d. Psychological test: Mood assessment / Geriatric Depression scale, loneliness

scale, stress scale

12. Opinion and perception about:

a. Older people

b. Younger generation attitude and behaviour towards older people

13. Knowledge about government policy and programmes for senior citizen

14. What would one do in order to live a good life?

2.4.3 Association and Informal Groups of Senior Citizen Information was also gathered from senior citizen organisations and laughing clubs located in different parts of Pune city. Using an interview guide data was collected covering the following points (Appendix VI & VII).

1. Objectives / motto of the organisation

2. Functioning/administration of the organisation

3. Activities undertaken

a. Taking up social issues face by senior citizen

33 b. Organising lectures, medical camp, etc c. Functions and celebration during festivals, event etc. 4. Development activities

2.4.4 Old Age Home (Institution) 1. At the same time, information on the old age homes was also collected using

interviev^ schedule (Annexure VIII). Information collected from the old age

homes includes:

2. Enrolment criteria of the inmates

3. Nature of accommodation and charges

4. Social activities

5. Recreational activities

a. Celebration

b . Functions

6. Facilities provided for the inmates

a. Basic amenities

b . Health check-up

7. Future developmental plan or measures

Observation technique was also used to collect data for the present study. Various activities and function of different clubs, organisations, institutions, and respondents were observed.

2.4.5 Assessment of Mental Health In order to find out the incidence of psychological problems viz. depression, loneliness, and stress among the respondents different scales are employed. To see for depression, geriatric depression scale was used. U C L A Loneliness scale was used to find loneliness among the respondents. And to screen for stress, Smith Stress

Symptoms Inventory (SSSI-Dispositions) was used in the present study. In addition, data on general physical health condition was also gathered.

34 2.5.1.1 Geriatric Depression Scale

Most existing depression rating scales have been validated in younger populations but not with older population. The Geriatric Depression Scale was specifically designed to measure depression in the aged, primarily as a screening instrument and has been validated within older population (Yesavage & Brink, 1983).

The Geriatric Depression Scale is a set of thirty questions which are answered in ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Each question is awarded or scored zero point or one point based on the yes or no answer. Elderly people were asked how they felt over the past one week. If the elderly person has a total score between zero and ten then they are normal or not considered to be depressed. A score between eleven and twenty is indicative of mild depression. A score between twenty one and thirty shows the geriatric person may be severely depressed.

2.5.1.2 U C L A Loneliness Scale

U C L A Loneliness Scale (Version 3) is a validated assessment scale of loneliness. This scale has been validated across a variety of populations including the elderly population (Russell, 1996). This scale consist of twenty items which the individuals indicates how often they felt the way described on a four point scale that ranged from

‘never’ to ‘always’. Higher scores indicate greater degrees of loneliness.

2.5.1-3 Smith Stress Symptoms Inventory

The Smith Stress Symptoms Inventory (SSSI-Dispositions) was designed to measure frequently reported stress symptoms. This inventory has been used mainly for research purpose. This inventory consists of thirty five items. Individuals were asked to what extend the statements or items generally or typically fit them on a four point scale that ranged from ‘doesn’t fit me at all’ to ‘fits me very well’. The scale is divided into different sub-scales such as worry / negative emotion, autonomic arousal / anxiety etc.

Precautions have been taken while asking the questions or items of the scales to ask the items in the sequential form as mentioned in the scale without interpretation.

35 2.5 Process of Data Collection

2.5.1 For Home Based and Institution Based Respondents 1. Before starting the interview, the elderly were informed about the study, purpose

of the study, its utility, and un-disclosure of identity. After obtaining due consent from the respondents, interview was conducted.

2. During the interview, each question was explained and the information was

recorded on the interview schedule as well as on electronic digital recorder.

Questions were asked to the respondents in the same sequence as mentioned in

the interview schedule.

3. While conducting in-depth interviews, sometime interviews are not completed in

one session. So the researcher visited the respondents again at their convenient time and place and conducted the interviews.

2.5.2 For Organizations and Informal Groups of Senior Citizen 1. Head of the organisations and informal groups of the senior citizen were

approach for collecting information related to the present study.

2. Taking due written consent from the respondents, data was collected using

interview guide.

2.5.3 For Old Age Homes (Institutions) 1. Obtaining due written consent from the authority of the institutions, data on

institutions were collected using interview schedule.

2. Secondary data was also collected from their official documents.

2.6 Data Analysis

The quantitative data obtained from the institutions, home based and institution based respondents using structured interview schedules were coded and transformed into tabulation providing the summary of the results. For interpretation, data was divided broadly into home and institution based, age, sex, marital status, and living

36 arrangement. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 15 was used to analyse various frequency distributions and other relevant statistical analysis.

In-depth interviews were conducted either in English, Hindi or local language,

Marathi. The length of the interviews was of two to two and half hours and was audio recorded. Each audio recorded interview were transcribed and then translated into

English and typed in text format for analysis.

Qualitative data collected for the present research through in-depth interview were analysed manually. Each in-depth interview were analysed separately and were used while presenting the results.

For finding the incidence of psychological problems i.e. depression, loneliness, and stress, three different psychological scales were used. The scores of each scale were entered on a single spread sheet of the SPSS software. These data and the quantitative data collected using interview schedule are analysed using relevant statistical analysis like correlation and are presented in tabular form.

2.7 Limitation of the Study

During the course of data collection for the present study, there were lots of challenges to go for statistically appropriate sampling strategy in both the study populations’ viz home based and institution based.

1. Home Based Elderly: This population was first approached through laughter

clubs and senior citizen organisations. Though initial contact was encouraging and

lead to many interviews, for further reach and more sample recruitment the

researcher had to use snow balling as a sampling technique for this group of

elderly.

2. Institution Based Elderly: In case of institutional based elderly approaching them

itself was a huge task. The researcher had to first get permissions from various

authorities who were managing these institutions where the elderly were staying.

37 Though response from some authorities was encouraging, majority out right rejected permissions to interview elderly from their institutions, due to the following reasons: a. Many researchers previously had interviewed the elderly and the elderly are no

more interested in giving such interviews or do not want to be disturbed. b. Majority of the authorities felt that the interview schedule had lot of enquiry

about elderly’s past life and their families, workplace or community. Authorities were not consenting on the focus or objectives of the present study

and hence did not allow interviewing elderly staying at their institutions.

38