The Explorer Islamabad: Journal of Social Sciences

ISSN: 2411-0132(E), 2411-5487(P)

Vol-1, Issue (12): 458-463
www.theexplorerpak.org

ANTHROPOLOGY AND AGEING POPULATION: AN ANTHROPO-PSYCHOLOGICAL

ANALYSIS OF SENIORS CITIZENS OF RAWALPINDI
Hina Saleem
Department of Anthropology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
Corresponding Author
Hina Saleem
PMAS Arid Agriculture University
h.saleem74@hotmail.com
Abstract: Ageing is an inevitable phenomenon in human beings. Senior citizens with increasing age get
surrounded with many issues, among which socio-psychological problems have become a chief topic in the current
anthropological debate. The objective of the study was to explore the socio- psychological issues faced by senior
citizen at community level. To undertake the research a sample inclusive of 271 elders was selected. The
methodology employed was exploratory, and data collection tools included interview guide and informal
interviews. The current study reveals that older persons become victims of many socio psychological issues in their
later life which includes depression, bereavement, inactive sexual life, economic dependence, social exclusion and
dementia. These socio-psychological issues have strong impact on the health and life of older persons.

Key Words: Older Citizens, Social issues, Psychological Issues

INTRODUCTION
Anthropology is the study of human mankind and
untold secrets of humanity. It is the only human
science that meticulously and scientifically
studies the humankind by carefully connecting
the remote and recent past with the present
setting of man to explain the shift or change over
in the various epochs of history. The life span of
man includes conception, birth, adolescence,
adulthood and ageing (Chaudhry,et al. 2014).
Ahmed, et al. (2014) quoted the definition of
different scholars as Old age is the name of
sequential progression from infancy to old age
with socio-cultural and biological factors contacts
to govern the order of progression (Christina
2005; Laslett 1989). The concept of ageing and its
stages can be understood in the light of cyclical
theory and progressive refinement. (Saleem, et
al. 2015). It also qualifies the evolutionary
approach given by Lewis Henry Morgan when
applied on evolution of human life cycle. Ageing
is an important topic in anthropological debate as
longevity has improved due to advanced medical
facilities. The proportion of older persons is
increasing worldwide. In 1950 globally 205
million people reached to the age of 60 and
above. In 2000 this number increased to 606

million older persons worldwide. It is expected

that this figure will rise up to two billion by the
year of 2050 (Ahmed, et al. 2015). Ageing the
last segment of human beings is foreseeable.
This phase of life (starting at age of 60) is
indicated by changes in physical, biological,
social, physiological and psychological processes
(Saleem, et al. 2015). The continuity theory
reports that old age the latter part of life is simply
a continuance of the young age of the entire life
cycle (Eiopoulos 2010; Moody 2010; Tabloski
2006).
Aging has been addressed as general assemblage
of socio-psychological and biological variations
that take place in the final stages of man.
Globally the older people face many
psychological stresses and issues in their late age.
They face a sense of depression, isolation,
anxiety, social security, stress, sleeplessness, selfpity, dementia, neglect. All these issues can affect
the mental as well physical health of the older
persons.
Psychological anthropology is the emerging
discipline in current academics with major focus
to study the association between individuals and
culture. This began in 19th century when W.H.R
Rivers and his students visited Melanesia to

458

examine the perceptions of the native people.

The discipline flourished further in 1930s and
1940s by the research work of Margaret Mead,
Ruth Benedict, and others (Barnouw 1985;
Greerand Trench 2008; Irshad, et al. 2015).
Currently in psychological anthropology ageing
population holds a special focus due to exceeding
number of ageing population globally. In old age
people may loss control over his or her life due to
both biological and economic degradation.
Changes like failing eyesight, hearing loss and
limited financial resources, economic compulsion,
poverty and forced labor effect the overall health
of the elders. These issues combined often
become contributors that lead to negative
emotions such as sadness, anxiety, loneliness,
lowered self-esteem and depression.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The current study was undertaken in the vicinity
of Rawalpindi. To collect the data on the
respective topic, a sample of 271 respondents
was drawn using non-probability sampling frame
and purposive sampling technique. The study
design was exploratory, conducted to investigate
the socio psychological issues faced by older
persons. The interview guide and informal
interviewing method were used as tools of data
collection. After the data collection process the
information was analyzed on SPSS (VERSION 16).
RESULTS
Chart 1: Gender distribution of the respondents

Male

11.4%
3%

11.9%

8.9%

57.2%

60-65

66-70

71-75

76-80

80+

Figure:1 Age Distribution of the Respondents

The pie graph above shows the age distribution
of the respondents. The study was focused to
collect the data from older persons thus the
categories or groups of this age were specifically
formalized. The age range was 60 years and
above. From the total n= 271, 57.2 %
respondents belonged to age group of 60-65.
19.6% respondents fell in the age range 66-70
while 23.3 % respondents belonged to 71-75.
8.9% respondents were recorded in the age
group of 76-80 while 3 % respondents belonged
to the category 80+
Table: Socio-Psychological Issues Faced by Older
Persons
PERCENTILE
SOCIOPSCHYLOGICAL

Gender
30.6%

19.6%

RESPONSE
Yes

No

Death Anxiety

60.51%

39.48%

Retirement

56.82%

43.17%

83%

17%

Depression

60.88%

39.11%

Bereavement

38.74%

61.25%

IISSUES

Female

69.4%

The above figures represent the gender

distribution of the respondents included in the
research study. From the total sample, n= 271
69.4% respondents were male while 30.6 % were
female.

Economic
Compulsion

459

Social Exclusion

60.15%

39.85%

Dependency

61.62%

38.38%

Physical Disabilities

63.46%

36.53%

Dementia

58.67%

41.32%

83%

17%

Loneliness

90.8%

9.2%

Neglect

35.79%

64.20%

Inactive Sexual Life

The table above shows the socio- psychological

issues faced by older persons. In the current
study 60.51 % respondents had death anxiety due
to which their mental wellbeing was affected.
56.82 % OPs were facing issues due to retirement
from active job life. Economic compulsion and
dependence was another socio-psychological
issue confronted by 83% respondents affecting
their social as well as psychological wellbeing.
60.88% respondents were facing the depression
due to their social pressures and hurdles which
resultant as a poor psychological health. 61.25 %
respondents were living in isolation due to the
death of their partner which is the stressful event
that put adverse effects on psychological
wellbeing.
60.51%
respondents
were
marginalized from the social life due to which
their psychological life is effected and add up in
the list of the socio-psychological issues among
ageing population. 61.62 % older persons
responded that they were face dependency in
later years of life, while 63.46 % responded that
physical disabilities is one of the major issue
which contributes in socio-psychological issue of
OPs. Dementia is another psychological problem
faced by elders which also have social reasoning,
58.67% respondents were suffering from this
issue. 83% respondents were of the view that
inactive sexual life is another socio-psychological
issue faced by older persons. 90.8 % respondents
were of the view that in old age they are severely
suffering from loneliness. In current study low
percentage shows that only 35.79% respondents

feeling neglect while rest of all enjoying the

health ageing life.
DISCUSSION
Old Age is the last stage of human life cyclic
mostly
depictedwith
medicalised
and
pathologised outcome, and ageing is fabricated
as a health problem (Ahmed, et al. 2015). Due to
exceeding age the older persons faces many
issues in later years of life. The current research
manuscript is explicitly focused on to highlight
the socio- psychological issues faced by ageing
population at community level. The older persons
in old age have fear of death which put negative
effects on their social as well as psychological life
and wellbeing. In old age the older persons have
fear of death which results in him going closer to
his final destination, which is the outcome by
putting adverse pressure
psychologically
(Rehman and Mohuddin 2015). The retirement is
one of the major incident in older persons life.
The Retirement in itself is the start of life with
socio-psychological issues. In elderhood the older
persons who retired from labour force and active
job life required more social support, company
and social care by their families (Chaudhry, et al.
2015). If they cannot get these support they
victimized by social isolation which effects their
social as well as psychological wellbeing.
Economic compulsion is also one of the major
problem in old age.
The low income, inadequate pension, single
earning hand in family, inflation etc all put
pressure on older persons due to which economic
compulsion shaped as a socio-psychological issue.
Various studies also indicated and support this
point that Inadequate social support is
associated not only with lower overall general
health and wellbeing, but also with higher levels
of emotional distress, more illness and higher
mortality rates (WHO 2002).Majority Ops have
poor living conditions, low income and financial
resources and lack of health facilities due to
which they suffered from malnutrition, poor
physical health which negatively affect the
psychological condition of elders (Irshad, et al.
2015).
Depression is one of the major issue reported in
old age by the older persons. It depicts the
conditions of solitude in moods of people. It is
defined as depression as prolonged sadness

460

which developed as a result of any stressful

events and situations in social life of people
(Kandel and Acedum 2009). Bereavement,
physical disabilities, Andropause, Menopause,
Retirement, discrimination, abuse, social
exclusion from societal activities, economic
compulsions and pressures are the major cause
of depression among older which affect their
mental state of mind. Bereavement is a stressful
life event often accompanied by grief after the
loss of someone close (Stroebe and Stroebe
1987). It effects the psychological wellbeing elder
population. Further they become Vic timed with
grief and anxiety especially in case of sudden
death and accident of the partner.
Old age is usually associated with social
exclusion. The marginalization of older persons in
societal activities adversely effects the older
persons mental health. Several studies indicated
that feeling of loneliness, ignorance and social
neglect not only harm the social life of older
persons but also become a root cause of many
psychological issues which resultant as many
diseases including mental health problems in
older persons (Ahmed, et al. 2015). Dependency
upon family and care givers due to physical
disabilities also affect the social as well as mental
health of older persons. It is one of the major
problem face by older persons in old age. Mostly
dependency and physical disabilities are
correlated because physical disabilities is one of
the major cause of dependency among older
persons in later years of life.
Dementia is an important issue face by older
persons in old age. According to a group of
symptoms that is characterized by confusion,
memory loss, language difficulties, and, in many
cases, eventually psychosis (Kandel and Adamec
(2009). Aggressiveness, Hallucinations, Delusions
these resultant due to social pressures, extreme
grief, isolation and prolonged depressive social
events. Inactive sexual life is another sociopsychological issue face by ageing population.
Due to declined age and physical disabilities the
older persons sexual activities decreased but still
interest and desire remains, which can cause
depressive and anxiety symptoms older couples
(Alen, et al. 2009).
Old age is associated predominantly with
loneliness, isolation and ignorance which is due

to the loss of immediate relatives, financial

pressures and physical abnormalities (Ahmed, et
al. 2015). All when faced by older persons they
become more vulnerable and suffering from
many psychological diseases.
CONCLUSION
The study aims to expose the socio-psychological
issues faced by ageing population. The study
reveals that Ageing population facing a number
of issues which include depression, Loneliness,
Social Exclusion, inactive sexual life, economic
compulsion, depression, bereavement , physical
disabilities, retirement, death anxiety, and
dementia. When these issues correlated which
social and psychological aspects leads to effect
the health of older persons as a whole. It is
recommended that Government should organize
a special psychological assistance and
examination camp twice in a year at community
level which will freely help the older persons to
overcome their socio psychological issues. At
domestic level the family members and
caregivers maintain the social interaction which
older persons which helps to overcome and safe
from suffering from socio-psychological issues.
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Publication Date: Dec-31 -2015

2015The Explorer Islamabad Journal of Social Sciences-Pakistan

463