Aging is inevitable: understanding aging anxiety related to physical symptomology and quality of life with the mediating role of self-esteem in adults
International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare
ISSN: 2056-4902
Article publication date: 16 September 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the relationship between aging anxiety, self-esteem, physical symptomology and quality of life in early and middle adults as well as to explore the mediating role of self-esteem.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study was designed, and a sample of N= 700 educated men and women aged between 35 and 65 years were taken through purposive sampling. Anxiety about Aging Scale, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, The World Health Organization Quality of Life – BREF and Somatic Symptom Scale-8 were used for assessment.
Findings
Research suggests that an increase in aging anxiety leads to poor quality of life and lower self-esteem. Additionally, a negative relationship was observed between aging anxiety and physical symptomology. Self-esteem plays a mediating role significantly in these relationships.
Practical implications
The study highlighted the adverse effects of aging anxiety on the basis of which strategies can be devised to cope with it as well as to improve the self-esteem and quality of life in transition age. These findings can also aid in providing health care and public services in later adulthood. This study also emphasizes on aging as a human right rather than merely a process such as the human right for physical health and mental health.
Originality/value
This study provides a new outlook and perspective toward how the phenomenon of aging impacts the lives of adults who are about to enter older adulthood in a few years. The fears related to aging influence physical and mental health, due to which it is necessary to investigate the effect of aging anxiety.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all the participants of this study for their contribution, and Foundation University Rawalpindi Campus for their cooperation. Funding: Authors did not receive any funding from any organization to execute this research.
Citation
Yawar, R., Khan, S., Rafiq, M., Fawad, N., Shams, S., Navid, S., Khan, M.A., Taufiq, N., Touqir, A., Imran, M. and Butt, T.A. (2022), "Aging is inevitable: understanding aging anxiety related to physical symptomology and quality of life with the mediating role of self-esteem in adults", International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-05-2022-0047
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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