Lived Experience with Aging in Middle-Aged Woman

Shin, K R; Kong, E S; Kim, G B; Kim, N C; Kim, C H; Kim, C K; Kim, H K; Ro, Y J; Song, M S; Ahn, S Y; Lee, K J; Lee, Y W; Chang, S O; Chon, S J; Cho, N O; Cho, M O; Choi, K S

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was to explore lived experience of middle-aged women with aging. The ultimate purpose of this inquiry was to discover the essence of middle-aged women's experience of aging and to promote understanding. METHOD: This inquiry was performed by using Van Manen's hermeneutical phenomenological approach to make more plausible interpretation of experience. First-handed experiences were explored through multi-stage in-depth interview with 6 women aged between 40 and 64. Second- handed experiences were explored with text such as essay, novel, and photographs. RESULT: As the process of reflecting and analysing the data of experience were performed, essential themes were emerged: striking onset of event, discomfort and tired body and mind, everything in ones mind, age of harvest gaining much more than loss. CONCLUSION: This inquiry would be a cornerstone for humanistic nursing care for the mid-aged women.