The Middle-Aged Women's Experience and Perception of Age-Related Physical Changes and Health, Shiraz City, Iran

Introduction: Middle age is one of the most important periods in women&#۳۹;s life, due to experiencing age-related physical changes. Women&#۳۹;s perception of the physical changes that are socially constructed, play a crucial role in their health behaviors. According to importance of the issue, this study is part of a broader study that aimed to understand the women&#۳۹;s experience and perception of subjective meaning of physical changes and health in the middle age. Method: This study was conducted using qualitative approach and grounded theory method. Using theoretical and purposive sampling, ۲۲ women aged ۴۰ to ۶۰ years were selected. The data were gathered by using deep and semi-structured interviews. Then, data were analyzed according to ۳ procedures of open, axial, and selective coding. Results: ۷ main categories and ۲۹ subcategories were emerged. These main categories included “changes in the quality of health”, “menopause as a sign”, “mystique body changes”, “feeling threatened midlife inhabitancy”, “natural assume of pain”, “legitimized neglecting”, and “ambivalent of resistance/passivity”. Conclusion: In general, middle-aged women understand and experience "threatened inhabitancy". Social processes that shape this perception can be preventing to health and successful aging programs. So, to attract women&#۳۹;s attention and their participations in the health-based programs, it is necessary first, to change the social and mental beliefs of women to make participate in projects actively and responsibly.

Keywords:

menopause , Middle age , Grounded theory , Health , Women