노인의 '나이 듦'의 경험에 대한 연구

A Study of Older Adults Experiences of 'Aging': Focused on Seoul and Metropolitan Residents

This study aimed to understand the meaning of aging, as experienced by Korean people aged 65 and over who reside in Seoul and the Gyeonggi area and who maintain good health. We carried out individual in-depth interviews and a focus group interview to analyze 18 cases using a phenomenological research method. The main theme of aging experienced by the study participants can be characterized by a ‘constant pursuit of a dignified life to satisfy social values'. Five categories also emerged from the data analysis: ⑴ the perception of aging, ⑵ striving to sustain one's value of utility, ⑶ refusing stereotypes of aging, (4) accepting the aging process, and ⑸ considering a symbiotic relationship with the younger generation in the aging process. The participants experienced aging in social contexts, in which negative images of older people existed, and they strived to pursue a dignified life. This study is meaningful that it attempted to understand how elderly Koreans interacted with their social contexts and reconstructed their life as they aged.