“Getting Used to It, but Still Unwelcome”: A Grounded Theory Study of Physical Identity Development in Later Life

Abstract

Given the global trends toward an aging society and the increased desire for healthy aging in late life, this study examines older adults’ perceptions of aging and their physical identity through their engagement in physical activities. Adopting a grounded theory, we interviewed 15 individuals aged 65 years and older, who were involved in physical activities on a regular basis. This study provided a final model depicting (a) divergent and convergent modes of strategies and socioemotional aspects of physical identity development in later life and (b) different strategies employed between younger-old versus older-old age groups and between participants who have underlying health conditions and those who do not. These findings add a contextual explanation of identity development in later life and stress the recurring process of physical identity development.