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The Subjective Experience of Aging: Correlates of Divergent Views1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Ingrid Connidis
Ingrid Connidis
Affiliation:
University of Western Ontario
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Abstract

A stratified random sample of 400 community-dwelling older persons were asked whether they like or dislike anything about being their age and if they have any worries about growing older. The results of multivariate analysis show significant relationships between the dependent variables and several respondent charaderistics including age, subjective health, expectations of older age, and gender. A negative view of aging appears to be associated with experiencing age-related declines. Overall, despite some diversity, the respondents tend to hold a positive view of old age that is coupled with a realistic appreciation of the shortcomings this stage of life may bring.

Résumé

Un échantillon stratifié, prélevé au hasard, regroupant 400 personnes âgées qui vivent au sein de la communauté est utilisé dans le but de préciser ce qu'ils aiment ou n'aiment pas au niveau de leur âge et voir si le fait de vieillir les inquiète. Les résultats d'une analyse à plusieurs variables indiquent un lien important entre les variables dépendentes et plusieurs caractéristiques des personnes interrogées dont l'âge, la santé subjective, les attentes de la vieillesse, et le sexe. Les faiblesses qui correspondent au vieillissement sembleraient donner un aspect négatif au vieillissement. En général cependant, malgré une faible variante, les personnes questionnées envisagent le troisième âge d'une façon positive tout en étant tout à fait conscients des difficultés inéluctables qui se produisent durant ce stage de la vie.

Keywords

Stereotypeswell-beingviews of Old Age.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , Spring/printemps 1989 , pp. 7 - 18
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1989

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