title: Self-concepts of low-income older women: not old or poor, but fortunate and blessed.
abstract: This article examines the extent to which low-income older women define themselves in stigmatizing terms, then explores the strategies they use to preserve a positive sense of self. Instead of considering themselves "old" or "poor," the sixty-two women interviewed defined themselves as "fortunate" and/or "blessed." The ability to see oneself as fortunate may be a significant component of successful aging.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Social Work, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84010, USA.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Barusch
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012718:Set, Psychology; D013240:Stereotyping; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology