A imagem corporal e o envelhecimento na perspectiva de professores de uma universidade brasileira.

Abstract

This article presents partial results of a research study currently underway. The objective of this portion of the research is to identify the perceptions of old age, both its negative and positive aspects, held by a group of Brazilian university professors. A pilot group of six professors was interviewed with a semi-structured script in an attempt to reveal the stereotypes regarding issues of old age, work and retirement. The analysis of this material allowed the development of a questionnaire used in the second phase of the process. This questionnaire was answered by 40 professors between 60 and 77 years of age, of whom 25 were men (62.5%) and 15 were women (35%). Out of these 40 professors, 39 were already retired. The questionnaire was divided into four sections: identification, stereotypes of old age, perceptions of work, and views of retirement. The collected data was then divided into subthemes and analyzed statistically through the SPSS program. The conclusion was that body image and body changes represent defining factors of the perception of the aging process.