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The paradox of subjective age: age(ing) in the self-presentation of older adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2022

Sarit Okun Open the ORCID record for Sarit Okun [Opens in a new window]  and
Liat Ayalon Open the ORCID record for Liat Ayalon [Opens in a new window]
Sarit Okun*
Affiliation:
Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
Liat Ayalon
Affiliation:
Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Sarit Okun, Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel. E-mail: sarit.okun@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objectives:

Studies have shown that when people grow older, the negative perceptions about age(ing) become self-directed. In this study, we examined if and how this assertion is expressed in the self-presentation of older adults.

Design:

To explore this issue, we undertook an online survey with 818 Israeli older adults (aged 65–90) who were asked to present themselves in writing, using an open question and to choose the age terms that they preferred, relying on a multiple-choice question. Responses were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using “word cloud” and linguistic inquiry.

Results:

The analysis indicated three ways of coping with the issue of age in one’s self-presentation: Absence of old age – older people who blur their processes of aging; Camouflaged aging – older people who emphasize their age by using a line of self-ageism; Multiplicity of old age terms – the existing gap between what is being used by people and the ideal related to the use of existing age terms. The findings highlight the role of subjective age in one’s self-presentations.

Conclusions:

The results point to the ambivalence that older people feel in relation to their age(ing) and especially reflect the paradox of subjective age. That is, on the one hand studies have stressed the positive aspects of this practice, whereas on the other hand, subjective age possibly reflects a response to internalized negative stereotypes and prejudice about old age(ing). In this sense, this study expands the knowledge in the field of self-presentation and (subjective) age in the second half of life.

Keywords

ageageismidentityold ageself-presentationsubjective age
Type
Original Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 35 , Special Issue 10: Issue Theme: Aging and Well-Being , October 2023 , pp. 566 - 575
Copyright
© International Psychogeriatric Association 2022

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