Feeling older and wanting to be younger

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Gerontology
• Sociology

Background:

• Perceptions of aging influence well-being in middle-aged women.
• Understanding factors contributing to feeling older is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare middle-aged women who feel older than their age with those who feel their chronological age.
• To identify differences in physical aging perception, life satisfaction, and worries between these groups.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire adapted from Rossi (1980) was administered to two samples of middle-aged women.
• Sample 1 (N=20) felt older and desired to be younger; Sample 2 (N=19) felt and desired to be their own age.

Main Results:

• Women feeling older reported significantly more physical aging changes.
• These women also reported lower life satisfaction and increased worries compared to peers.
• Perceptions of aging are linked to current life stressors.

Conclusions:

• Life stress is a significant contributor to middle-aged women feeling older than their chronological age.
• Addressing life stressors may help mitigate negative perceptions of aging and improve well-being.