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‘So forget how old I am!’ Examining age identities in the face of chronic conditions
Author(s) -
Rozario Philip A.,
Derienzis Daniel
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
sociology of health and illness
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1467-9566
pISSN - 0141-9889
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9566.2008.01149.x
Subject(s) - narrative , symbolic interactionism , identity (music) , psychology , ambivalence , meaning (existential) , developmental psychology , face (sociological concept) , narrative identity , social psychology , older people , age groups , gender studies , sociology , gerontology , medicine , demography , aesthetics , psychotherapist , social science , philosophy , linguistics
This study examines the construction of age identity among older people with chronic conditions. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 45 participants from two senior centres. Applying symbolic interactionism and the concept of stigma to participants’ narratives, we identified three categories of age identities: definitely old; definitely not old; and ambivalent about their age identity. Further, we examined the metaphors of agelessness and the mask of ageing, the relationship between chronological age and age identity as well as the age‐related stereotypes that older people offered in their narratives of their experience of old age. Ideas about the meaning of old age itself varied, with some focusing on predominantly negative descriptors, while others saw it positively, i.e . as a time allowing for more freedom and self‐exploration. The influence of chronic conditions on older adults’ age identities is more complex and nuanced than the characterisations promoted by ageist stereotypes.