PERCEPTION OF ACTIVE AGING AND PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE

Abstract

This study aims to identify the perceptions of active aging among middle-aged (50–64 years) and older adults (65+ years), examine the relationship of these perceptions with socio-demographic factors, and explore their association with social participation. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 245 participants (133 middle-aged and 112 older adults) residing in the Çankaya district of Ankara. Data were collected using a socio-demographic information form, perceptions of active aging, social participation, and the Social Participation Scale for Older Adults. While 66.94% of participants defined active aging as being physically, socially, and mentally active, 37.96% considered themselves to be "active." Education level and perceived health were influential across all groups; gender and perceived health were significant among middle-aged adults, whereas education, health, and perceived income were determining factors among older adults. The average score on the Social Participation Scale was 20.63±4.20. A significant relationship was found between the perception of active aging and dimensions such as home participation, social participation, and productivity. The findings indicate that perceptions of active aging vary by age group and are influenced by various socio-demographic factors.

Keywords

• Active Aging
• Participation in Social Life
• Aging
• perception of active aging

AKTİF YAŞLANMA ALGISI VE TOPLUMSAL HAYATA KATILIM

Öz

Bu çalışma, orta (50-64) ve yaşlı yetişkinlerin (65+) aktif yaşlanmaya ilişkin algılarını belirlemek, bu algıları sosyo-demografik faktörler ile karşılaştırmak ve aktif yaşlanma algılarının toplumsal hayata katılım ile ilişkisini ortaya koymak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Bu hedef doğrultusunda, araştırmanın verileri basit rastgele örneklem yöntemi ile Ankara ili Çankaya ilçesinde ikamet etmekte olan, 50 yaş ve üzeri bireylerle yüz yüze yapılan görüşmeler sonucunda toplanmıştır. Araştırmada, 50-64 yaş grubunda 133, 65 ve üzeri yaş grubunda 112 kişi olmak üzere toplam 245 katılımcıya ulaşılmıştır. Tüm katılımcıların %37.96’sı, 50-64 yaş grubundaki (orta yetişkin) katılımcıların %42.10’u, 65+ grubundaki (yaşlı yetişkin) katılımcıların %33.00’ü kendisini “aktif” olarak değerlendirmiştir. Orta yetişkinlerde (50-64) cinsiyet ve algılanan sağlık ile yaşlı yetişkinlerde (65+) ise eğitim, algılanan sağlık ve algılanan gelir ile aktif yaşlanma algısı puan ortalaması arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir farklılık olduğu bulunmuştur. Aktif yaşlanma algısı ile toplumsal katılım ölçeği ev katılımı, sosyal katılım ve üretkenlik alt boyutları arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir farklılık bulunurken (p<0.05) aktif yaşlanma algısı ile elektronik ve sosyal ağ araç kullanımı alt boyutları arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir farklılık bulunamamıştır (p>0.05). Araştırma sonuçları, aktif yaşlanma programlarının ve politikalarının farklı yaş gruplarının ihtiyaçlarına ve kapasitelerine göre uyarlanması, toplumsal katılımı artırmak ve yaşam kalitesini yükseltmek için önemli olduğunu göstermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Yaşlı
• Aktif Yaşlanma
• Aktif Yaşlanma Algısı
• Toplumsal Hayata Katılım

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