Beyond knowledge. The impact of an university education program for older people

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyze the perceived impact of the University of Experience program at the University of La Rioja on students. The study sample consisted of 83 students from this education program for older people. The group of students was administered a questionnaire designed ad hoc to assess potential outcomes at different levels: general, educational, social, affective, cognitive, physical and negative affectivity. The results show that the impact of the program goes beyond the acquisition of knowledge, reaching other relevant aspects of personal functioning such as the social, the psychological, and the physical areas. In addition, the results showed that women generally perceive better results at almost all levels. The study provided empirical evidence for three hypotheses that have been accepted in the field of education and sociology for years: the advantages of education throughout life, the fact that the benefits of education go beyond the acquisition of knowledge, and the importance of physical and mental activity on the quality of life of older people.