Individual perceptions of their age through the prism of medicalization in the older
https://doi.org/10.21869/2223-1552-2025-15-1-222-231
Abstract
Relevance. In modern research, more and more attention is being paid to finding an understanding of the features of aging and the aspects that affect the perception of this process. However, there is still no methodological unity in the social sciences in describing aging and its specific purpose.
The purpose of this study is to analyze the perception of age by older people through the study of an important aspect characteristic of Russian society ‒ the understanding of old age as a time of health problems and various difficulties.
The objectives of the study are to study the description of their age and aging by older people through medicalization and the medical discourse present in society regarding the older.
Methodology. The empirical basis of the study consisted of 60 interviews with older residents of St. Petersburg of various generations 65+ and 75+ — 30 interviews with representatives of each generation. The main method of analysis is thematic.
Results. Discrimination against older people based on their health is manifested both in private communication with relatives and in various media discourses. She is actively supported by doctors and medical staff. The interview narratives identified an important problem: older people often define their age as a period of health problems.
Conclusions. Based on the research data, we concluded that the importance of individual aspects of the perception of age and aging, as well as the impact of medication on the understanding of their age by the older. Analyzing these aspects allows for a better understanding of how older people identify with the older generation.
About the Author
K. A. Galkin
The Sociological Institute of the RAS – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Konstantin A. Galkin, Candidate of Sciences (Sociology), Senior Researcher
Researcher ID: 2316964
7th Krasnoarmeyskaya Str. 25, St. Petersburg 190005, Russian Federation
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Review
For citations:
Galkin K.A. Individual perceptions of their age through the prism of medicalization in the older. Proceedings of the Southwest State University. Series: Economics. Sociology. Management. 2025;15(1):222-231. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21869/2223-1552-2025-15-1-222-231
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