Feeling Old, Body and Soul: The Effect of Aging Body Reminders on Age Identity.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2020;
75:625-629. [PMID:
30053142 PMCID:
PMC7768716 DOI:
10.1093/geronb/gby085]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Although changes in body functioning and appearance signal the aging process to ourselves and others, studies give limited attention to the effect of bodily experiences of aging on age identity. Our study examines the effect on age identity of 3 categories of aging body reminders: everyday body problems, body repairs, and body aids.
METHODS
Hierarchical linear models are run using 5 waves of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (2011-2015). Models predict the effect on age identity of change in the count of everyday body problems (e.g., pain), body repairs (i.e., surgeries and medications), and body aids (e.g., hearing aids).
RESULTS
Increases in everyday body problems and body repairs (in particular, medications) predict older identities, with the strongest average effect found for everyday body problems. These results are observed in models controlling on health, suggesting that body reminders exert independent effects.
DISCUSSION
Our study reveals a realm of aging experiences-bodily experiences-that influence age identity. Avenues for further research include examinations of other aging body reminders, as well as variation across individuals.
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