Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-020-09414-8
Title: Exploring the Perceptions of the Ageing Experience in Singaporean Older Adults: a Qualitative Study
Authors: Shiraz, F 
Hildon, ZLJ 
Vrijhoef, HJM
Keywords: Ageing
Ageing experiences
Asian older adults
Biopsychosocial health
Health perceptions
Adaptation, Psychological
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Attitude to Health
Female
Healthy Aging
Humans
Male
Mental Health
Middle Aged
Qualitative Research
Quality of Life
Singapore
Social Support
Issue Date: 9-Oct-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Citation: Shiraz, F, Hildon, ZLJ, Vrijhoef, HJM (2020-10-09). Exploring the Perceptions of the Ageing Experience in Singaporean Older Adults: a Qualitative Study. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 35 (4) : 389-408. ScholarBank@NUS Repository. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-020-09414-8
Abstract: Understanding older adults perceptions of health and adaptation processes to ageing can allow for more culturally aligned services and better targeted care. The aim of this exploratory qualitative study was to examine older adults perceptions of physical, psychological and social health and further understand the processes of adaptation and self-management of these health perceptions. Semi-structured in depth interviews (IDI) were conducted with ethnically diverse older adults in Singapore, aged 60 and above. Participants were asked open ended questions about their physical health, psychological health and their current social health and relationships. They were also asked methods of adaptation to these age related changes. In total, forty participants were interviewed. A thematic analysis identified five main themes when exploring perceptions of physical, psychological and social health. These included; 1) Slowing down 2) Relationship harmony 3) Financial harmony 4) Social connectedness and 5) Eating together. Adaptation and self-management of these health perceptions included six additional themes; 1) Keep moving 2) Keep learning; where continued self-determination and resilience was a key method in adapting to negative thoughts about declining physical health 3) Adopting avoidant coping behaviours 4) ‘It feels good to do good’; where finding meaning in life was to help others 5) ‘Power of Prayer’; which highlighted how older adults relegated responsibilities to a higher spiritual power 6) Social participation; which included engaging in community and religious social activities that all contributed to self-management of older adults psychological health and social health. In conclusion, our study highlighted specific cultural nuances in older adults perceptions of health, particularly psychological and social health. These findings can help develop more targeted intervention programmes and better methods of measuring older adults health, which can assist with the global ageing phenomena.
Source Title: Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology
URI: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/241437
ISSN: 0169-3816
1573-0719
DOI: 10.1007/s10823-020-09414-8
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