The youth forever, or peculiarities of age self-identification in the late adulthood

Abstract

The age self-identification of elderly persons is considered in the article from the viewpoint of conditioning factors as well as its consequences. It is shown that the psychological feeling of age is an independent variable and is only to some extent defined by objective social and demographic characteristics, educational level of the respondent first of all, and his real age and financial position to a lesser extent. Age self-identification makes an essential contribution to the organization of life and attitudes of `aging person. The research argues soundly that active eventful life in elderly age is not western social phenomenon only, but also the Russian one. The age self-identification of elderly persons is considered in the articlefrom the viewpoint of conditioning factors as well as its consequences. It is shownthat the psychological feeling of age is an independent variable and is only to someextent defined by objective social and demographic characteristics, educational levelof the respondent first of all, and his real age and financial position to a lesser extent.Age self-identification makes an essential contribution to the organization of life andattitudes of `aging person. The research argues soundly that active eventful life in elderlyage is not western social phenomenon only, but also the Russian one.

Content (in russ)