O programa senior da UFPR e o significado do trabalho para aposentados: a partir da perspectiva da psicologia social comunitária

Abstract

This research deals with formal work after retirement considering the increase in the longevity of the brazilian population and the consequences of this worldwide trend in the lives of people and communities and in the importance in the implementation of programs for the reintegration of the elderly in the organizational context.The study aimed is to comprehend the meaning of work to the retired people who participate to the Bolsa Técnico Sênior Program, of Federal University of Paraná, in the Community Social Psychology perspective. It is about an exploratory and descriptive study, with a qualitative approachment, introduced in an interpretative paradigm that uses the interview as device of information generation. The methodology of Core of Meaning, proposed by Aguiar, Soares and Machado (2015), was used for analysis and data interpretation. The research participants were 12 retired servers, of whom 8 are women and 4 are men, with ages between 59 and 73; they participate to the program between 2 and 21 years. Based on the reports, it was verified that the meaning of post-retirement work remains highly relevant and valued, with centrality characteristics for the seniors, since they cannot separate their lives from professional activities, maintaining a strong bond and commitment to the institution. The main motivations for working return were enjoying working and staying active; the financial aspect was the least relevant. For the seniors, the work has a significant subjective dimension and acts as a source of: selfrealization, positive self-esteem, well-being, integration in society, a sense of usefulness and updating, as well as maintenance of the worker identity linked to the university. The analysis of the reported activities reveals that the activities are significant and important for university community services maintenance and attendance. The reports show the importance of work experience, and highlight that the age does not implicate in people’s competence, assiduity, productivity, commitment, and good relationship with the community. However, in the retired people’s perception, the activities they perform need to be more valued and recognized by the university. It was observed that the knowledge exchange between the seniors and active staff in the work space allows memory and institutional culture preservation, although it happens in different ways in the several sections where the research was taken. Besides that, some relevant points that need to be adapted to the seniors’ demands have been identified throughout the investigation. Considering this, aiming the program improvement and evaluation, suggestions were made. Lastly, it is possible to conclude that the Bolsa Técnico Sênior Program proved to be very positive, since it relied on the Elderly Statute (2003) and World Health Organization (WHO) (2005) recommendations, promoting the retiree reintegration into formal paid work, collaborating so they remain dynamic, participants in social and intergenerational life, and contributing to an aging with more quality of life.