The purpose of this study is to establish an entity theory defining and explaining the motivation for participating in, and the effectiveness of senior education programs toward employment. 10 persons were purposely selected. They were aged between 61 and 75, living in Seoul and Gyeonggi province, and were attending senior education programs. The data were collected through interviews and observations during the period February to April, 2006, and were analyzed using the grounded theory by Strauss & Corbin (2001).
The results of this study are as follows: first, the motive of participating in senior education programs toward employment is influenced by aging; second, whether or not people participate in lifelong educational programs exerts considerable influence on their decision to participate senior education programs toward employment; third, the motivations for participating in senior education programs toward employment are different from those that induce participation in lifelong education and voluntary activities; fourth, through work, participants want to achieve self-attainment; fifth, participating in education programs toward employment boosts a feeling of happiness, self-esteem and health; and finally, participating in education programs toward employment encourages positive social attitude toward making changes.