TITLE:
Rethinking Healthy Aging: The Self-Perception of African American Older Adults
AUTHORS:
Monique Ejim, Crystal Neal, Kathryn Miller
KEYWORDS:
Human Behavior, Social, Cultural, Individual Aging, Human Well-Being, Aging Process, Aging Perception, Aging Stereotype, Despair, Ego Integrity, Transcendence, Health Psychology, Health Economy, Psychosocial Developmental Perspective, Self-Perception, Subjective Age, Stereotype Threat
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.13 No.1,
January
23,
2025
ABSTRACT: This write-up presents the findings of a psychosocial theoretical-based qualitative inquiry conducted with ten community-dwelling African Americans aged 65 and older in the later stages of life. Through comparative thematic analysis, the data revealed emergent themes and patterns related to the aging experience. This study was initiated in response to the limited representation of scholarly literature addressing the successful aging experiences of African Americans. It explored the fundamental aspect of understanding how older adults perceive and navigate normative and chronic aging conditions. Key findings highlight that retirement is often seen as a period marked by isolation and liberation from a stressful work environment. Participants emphasized their ability to reconsider and re-evaluate their current life circumstances. This research will be beneficial for clinicians, social workers, and policymakers seeking to understand the psychological distress, mental health challenges, cultural nuances, and spiritual needs of older adults within the African American community.