Aging, chronic illness and self-concept: a study of women with osteoporosis.
The coalescence of aging and chronic illness may alter the relationships between the meanings of aging and chronic illness and the self-concept. Using Rosenberg's conceptualization of self-concept (1979), a qualitative study was designed and data collected from twenty-eight women with osteoporosis. Three types of self-concepts emerged from the data: the confident self, the contradictory self and the disparaged self. A description of these types is presented highlighting the reciprocal relationship among meanings of aging and chronic illness and self-concept and including discussion of the strategies used to enhance, protect and maintain self-concept despite changes brought on by aging and chronic illness.
Wilkins
S
S
School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, IAHS-4th Floor, 1400 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 1C7. swilkins@mcmaster.ca
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires