Women's perceptions of ageing

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore women's perceptions of ageing in order to shed light on how individual women feel about getting older.

The qualitative interpretive research paradigm was chosen for the purposes of this study. In-depth interviews were held with three women who gave their accounts of their perceptions of ageing. The data was analysed using hermeneutic thematic analysis.

The accounts of the participants were reconstructed in terms of themes which emerged. Recurring themes in the accounts of all three participants were linked with the literature.

This study provided rich descriptions of women's perceptions of ageing and helped to create new insights and meanings both for the participants and the readers.

The information gained could serve as guidelines for clinical practice and future research.