Determination of the factors affecting age perception: the case of Turkey

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the factors affecting age perception of individuals over the age of 40 living in Turkey and 532 individuals participated. In the study, while 53.9% of the participants feel younger than their chronological age, 28.6% feel older. Of the participants, 25.19% think that old age begins at the age of 70, and according to their answers to the question of ‘How old is a person called old?,’ the mean old age was determined as 67.94 ± 9.34. In the study, when the perceived age was analyzed in terms of demographic variables, significant differences were observed in all variables except gender. Moreover, a significant statistically relationship was found between health and economic factors and age perception. In terms of social factors, social networks consisting of friends, marriage of a child or grandchild and adult care were found to be associated with the age perception. However, no correlation was found between retirement, loss of family members, and age perception. The obtained results were discussed within the framework of the studies in the literature, and suggestions were made to individuals, the related institutions and organizations.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).