Weaving a cocoon on the way to aging transcendence: Grounded theory study on aging perception during menopause transition

Abstract

During menopause, women experience major changes, including the onset of aging as a natural and inevitable event. The present study aimed to explore and explain the process of aging perception during menopausal transition. This study was a qualitative grounded theory research, which was going to be implemented in 2019–2020 on 18 Baluch women settled in the Sistan & Baluchestan province in South-East Iran and among midlife or older menopause experienced women. Sampling was started first by Purposive sampling, and then it was performed with theoretic sampling. Data analysis was performed according to Corbin and Straus’s approach (2015) in four phases: (1) identifying and developing concepts; (2) analyzing data for the context; (3) entering the process stage into analysis; and (4) integrating categories to build a theory. In this study, seven main categories were obtained: “Sunset of youth”, “aging as the other side of the coin of menopause”, “Weaving a cocoon”, “aging as a mental trap”, “social acceptance”, “aging domino”, and “feeling of transcendence”. It seems that menopause plays an important role in Baluch women’s view toward aging. The practical results of this study can be applied to better understand the middle-aged and older Baluch women’s attitudes toward aging. Also study shows a new evolutionary and situational perspective on the lives of middle-aged menopausal Baluch women. Baluch women in menopause accept the sunset of youth and look forward to experiencing the Feeling of transcendence. Identify and respond to their needs by developing and establishing health policies to change their negative attitudes.