Perception of aging in a middle-aged population of the Palatino Council
Keywords:
perception; median age; agingAbstract
Introduction: Middle age is a critical stage in the life course, characterized by more visible biological, psychological, and social changes associated with aging. During this time, individuals reevaluate their achievements, goals, and personal expectations, while confronting bodily transformations that awaken a greater awareness of the passage of time. The perception of aging, influenced by personal and sociocultural factors, is directly related to psychological well-being, physical health, and life satisfaction.
Objective: To determine the perception of aging among middle-aged individuals belonging to Family Medical Office No. 5 of the "Antonio Maceo" Polyclinic.
Methods: Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, and prospective study conducted between January 2024 and September 2025. The sample of 40 people (ages 50-59) was selected from 125 individuals using sample size calculation. A questionnaire validated by experts (K=85.5%, Moriyama 87.5%) with 10 closed questions (Likert scale) and 1 open question was applied. Data processing was done in Excel/SPSS v.25 with descriptive statistics.
Results: Mean age was 55.4 years (SD 2.84), with a balanced distribution by sex, a predominance of medium-to-high educational attainment, and high employment rates. Responses were at intermediate levels: social satisfaction (70%), expectations (85%), health/activity (75%), emotional well-being (80%), and social support (65%). Qualitative analysis revealed a predominance of negative perceptions (72.5%). Women expressed emotional fear and role overload, while men emphasized responsibility and projective continuity.
Conclusions: The perception of aging at this stage combines challenges and resources at intermediate levels, with a negative emotional undercurrent across genders. These results justify psychosocial interventions in primary care to promote adaptive attitudes toward aging.
Keywords: perception; median age; aging
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Copyright (c) 2026 Gleidy Moré Pizzani, Annia Duany Navarro, María del Carmen Lamazares Pérez
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