Source: Own authorship

The results identify negative thoughts towards old age, with statements that the elderly are fragile, lead a life alone that tends to isolation, un be dependent without autonomy Doblas & Conde (2013), refers that it usually does not go unnoticed in sociological analyses the role played by older people, who are abandoning attitudes and behaviors deeply rooted, reflected in their lifestyles, in their way of thinking and acting; in the relationship of life alone, to the claim of autonomy as people ,with the right to manage their destiny and the determination of their way of life.

Table 5.

The grounded theory and the synergy with other methods of investigation.

Source: Own authorship

Most of the articles reviewed (82.5%). they used the Basic Theory as the only method for the study of old age. Therefore, the theory based as a qualitative method opens a space in the analysis of health problems from a social and cultural perspective, thus providing unique methodologies that allow to know the context where phenomena arise, to develop theoretical proposals to explain them (Amezcua & Gálvez, 2002).

Table 6.

Research techniques in articles with Grounded theory

Source: Own authorship

These results are dominated by in-depth interviews (35%) and semi-structured interviews (28%), with the main characteristic being used as the only technique in the study of old age.

The diversity of qualitative techniques studied in the social sciences leads us to reflect on the way in which empirical research is carried out, with the aim of elucidating which of the different research designs is most appropriate and in which situations. Reflection on research techniques is an abstract reworking of practical and concrete research. Ander-Egg (2011), refers that, regarding the operational aspects in the use of the techniques, the main issue is to have sufficient criteria and experience to choose the most appropriate techniques according to the nature of the phenomenon to be studied, the research objectives, the human resources available, and the degree of training of those who must perform the field work.

4. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

In the application of the fundamental theory in the study of old age, the highest scientific production was in the years 2015 and 2016, for 50% of the total, being (45%) from Spain, Sweden, Canada, Mexico and USA. The majority of articles produced were by disciplines belonging to the social sciences such as: Nursing, Psychology and Sociology, with a predominance of women as authors and co-authors.

Puertas (2017), states that scientific and technological research has been carried out by and for men. For centuries social and cultural conditions have separated women from these scientific fields because they are considered “men’s things”, and only the most tenacious and those who, because of their family environment, were close to science, did their research, which in the vast majority of cases has remained hidden or used by their male environment. In this regard, Gómez (1993), refers that society, through the paradigms of masculinity and femininity, channels differently the motivation of men and women with regard to the selection between behavioral alternatives that have variable implications for one’s own health and that of others.

According to UNESCO (2020), 45% of researchers in Latin America are women, a figure that far exceeds the global rate of 28%. Research in the field of science and technology has also increased and the development and implementation of policies and regulations in universities and research centers with the aim of preventing gender-based discrimination and violence has been launched.

In this review, the majority of the authors used the Grounded Theory as the only method for the study of old age and a minority associated it with Hermeneutics, Symbolic Interactionism, Research – Action, Nursing Models and Phenomenology. Likewise, the in-depth and semi-structured interviews were used as the only technique.

According to Vivar, Arantzamendi, López, & Gordo (2010) consider that th grounded theory is classified as a methodology of analysis and research, which begins without a theory or hypothesis a priori,for which reason, the theory is emerging through the systematic analysis of the empirical data collected. In the face of an initial theoretical basis, it must show methodological rigor in the analysis of the data. In this regard, Glaser, and Strauss, (2017),refer that the grounded theory allows to better understand the nature of human behavior through the generation of theories on psychosocial phenomena, By associating it with the study on old age, its importance is justified by using this methodology with the aim of contributing to the development of a theoretical framework in this specific area, therefore the application of this theory is relevant to develop, from the data collected, substantive theories about the study of old age.

Flick (2013), refers that qualitative research is inherently multi-methodological and the use of different methods, coupled with triangulation reflects the intention of the researcher to ensure the understanding of the phenomenon under study, trying to reach the objective reality of the theory supported by the data. They are situations in which you want to know what people really think about a specific situation, what their experiences, perceptions, feelings and emotions are.

These data provide alternatives to the researcher to have a deeper knowledge of a particular situation, which will allow to solve a problem in the words of the informants, instead of considering the perspective of the researcher. Thus, qualitative research is an art, in which the researcher does not discover, but builds knowledge (Balcázar, Gurrola, & Moysel, 2002).

As for the application of the theory based on the study of old age, the authors identify negative thoughts towards old age, such as: a fragile old person; not continue with the same routine, dependence, d chronic smell, death isolation, widowhood and finitudes

They also identify the need for cares, physical activity, health promotion, mood, mental avalanche, health systems and attention to sexuality and menopause in their lifestyles, in their way of thinking and acting; but they also identify Gerogogy, as a teaching-learning method, which takes importance as a process to promote development in old age; oriented to the development of skills and not to the compensation of the deficit.

Restrepo & Málaga (2001), highlights the low interest that traditionally has the health of women during their old age and therefore, the urgency of increasing the sensitivity of the health sector and society to respond to the specific needs of this risk group, which needs more attention in their reproductive health. Fos (2018), refers for our society, the end of reproduction ends with old age; consequently, menopause represents a negative image, it is irreversible, there comes a time when all fears come true

Aponte (2015), affirms that the aging of old people, becomes relevant and it is a social, cultural and health challenge, because it is necessary to deep in the meanings, prejudices and beliefs, regarding what it is to be old, to understand the social meaning of old age and the repercussions that this has on the health of a person from a holistic point of view. Likewise Basso et al (2014), identify the need to incorporate adequate parameters of sexuality education within the context of health promotion, the adequacy of nutritional interventions, to promote the health of older adults, without losing gender perspectives; for example, menopause should be the object of special attention, through the formation of multidisciplinary groups that study the characteristics of climacteric in women from different physical and socio cultural environments; also, the mental health of women is an area in which public health has given little relevance

5. CONCLUSIONS

The articles that applied the Grounded Theory, mostly belong to the disciplines such as: Nursing, Psychology and Sociology.

The largest scientific production was identified in Spain, Sweden, Canada, Mexico and the United States, with women predominating as authors and co-authors.

Most authors decided to use grounded theory as the only qualitative method; and in the other cases it was with another qualitative method such as: Symbolic interactionism, action-research, hermeneutics and phenomenology. Most applied the interview in depth and semi-structured as the only data collection technique.

It is concluded that the grounded theory is a qualitative research methodology, very useful to deepen in social issues such as old age, allowing the capture of experiences, experiences and emotions, as expressed by the key informants, therefore, it contributes to the development of theory by its rigor as a qualitative design;being fundamental to understand in depth the meaning of old age and the determinants of health,associated with this important stage in the life of a person, such as the moment of their birth.