Participatory Action Research on Vulnerability, Loneliness and Ageing in the Urban Environment. the Photovoice Elderly Seville Study.

Ageing in urban settings has been addressed in scientific literature, both internationally and nationally. However, this topic has been scarcely explored from the intersection of variables such as vulnerability, loneliness, and old age in the urban environment in Spain using participatory action research such as photovoice. The objective of this research was to study the perceptions of people aged 65-80 living in the districts of Macarena and Cerro-Amate regarding aging, vulnerability, and loneliness within their surrounding environment, and the possible ways to improve their situation. This research drew on the Photovoice technique. The districts of Macarena and Cerro-Amate were selected among the 11 districts in Seville using an ad-hoc index based on sociodemographic indicators. The research recruited 36 participants from these two districts, 15 living in the Macarena district and 11 living in the Cerro-Amate district. Participants were included in one photo elicitation group regarding their age (e.g., 65-72 and 73-80). After taking pictures, the participants selected up to 5 pictures, discussed them and elaborated on categories and themes in successive meetings based on the pictures they took. Participants identified two different types of vulnerability: economic and age-related. They also identified three different types of loneliness labelled as solitude, unwanted and imposed. Participants did not perceive themselves as elderly because they had very active lifestyles. Otherwise they took pictures of trees and compared ageing in the urban environment to the strength of the trees growing. Ageing in the urban environment was related to architectural barriers, age barriers, socioeconomic vulnerability, poor health status, loneliness. Loneliness, vulnerability and ageing in the urban environment were affected by socioeconomic status. Researchers empowered participants by giving them tools to identify their surroundings and assets that may be improved. This research project is not yet over and now researchers have to spread results with stakeholders.