Self-Perceptions of Aging across Cultures: Myth or Reality?

Abstract

This study attempted to correct the methodological shortcomings of previous studies by using semi-structured interviews to explore the differences and similarities of self-perceptions of aging and associated factors among Anglo Americans, Chinese Americans, and Chinese in Taiwan. Each of the three subgroups consisted of twenty middle- or lower-class female community residents who were sixty to seventy-five years of age. The results of both quantitative and qualitative analyses reveal that all three subgroups had positive self-perceptions of aging, with Anglo Americans being most positive; Chinese Americans, the next; Chinese in Taiwan, the least. Correlates of self-perceptions of aging for each subgroup are presented. Implications for practice, policy, program development, and service delivery are also discussed.