Apreciação da imagem corporal e percepção do processo de envelhecimento de idosos institucionalizados e não institucionalizados

Abstract

Body image as a multifaceted event is not only a cognitive construction, but also a reflection of desires, emotional attitudes and interaction with others. Therefore, this study aims to verify the appreciation of the body image and the perception of the aging process and its association with institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly. This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative, descriptive and analytical approach with individuals aged 60 and over, of both sexes, living in two Long Stay Institutions and non-institutionalized elderly participants from two age groups. The validated instruments for the elderly, known as the Body Assessment Scale (BAS) and the Aging Perception Questionnaire (APQ) were used in this study, which assess body image appreciation and self-perception of aging. The institutionalized elderly presented a significantly worse appreciation of the body image in relation to the elderly belonging to old age groups in relation to the total score of this scale, which indicates that the higher the score, the better the appreciation of the Body Image. There was no statistically significant association between body image appreciation and the perception of aging in both the institutionalized elderly group and the elderly group. The majority of the elderly interviewed were institutionalized, with considerably lower body weight than the non-institutionalized elderly and a worse appreciation of the body image, indicating that the older age groups show greater concern and care for their bodies in relation to the young. The determination of these new variables could support the structuring of a new model of corporal appreciation in old age and contribute to the intervention of the gerontology professionals to direct and plan their work strategy, contributing for the elderly to develop and maintain a positive body image in the old age.