A study on successful aging among middle-aged women through body sensation observation meditation

Interviews with 18 middle-aged women who practiced body feeling observation meditation revealed their perceptions of aging, coping strategies, and changes experienced through the meditation. The analysis identified categories in each area: seven categories on aging perception, six on coping responses, eight on changes from meditation, and ten on plans for successful aging. The authors conclude that body sensation meditation may support successful aging in middle-aged women.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of participating in body feeling observation meditation targeting middle-aged women and to obtain basic information on methods for successful aging. The research questions of this study to achieve the purpose of the study are as follows. First, what is middle-aged women’s perception of aging? Second, how do middle-aged women cope with aging? Third, what changes did middle-aged women experience through participation in body feeling observation meditation? Fourth, what is the successful aging plan that middle-aged women make after participating in body feeling observation meditation? For this purpose, interviews were conducted with 18 middle-aged women who participated in body feeling observation meditation and analyzed using consensual qualitative analysis. The results of the study are as follows. First, as a result of examining middle-aged women’s perception of aging, seven categories were derived in two areas. Second, as a result of examining middle-aged women’s response to aging, six categories were derived in three areas. Third, as a result of examining middle-aged women’s experience of change through participation in body feeling observation meditation, eight categories were derived in two areas. Fourth, as a result of examining the successful aging plan of middle-aged women after participating in body feeling observation meditation, 10 categories were derived in 3 areas. The significance of this study is that it confirmed the aging experienced by middle-aged women, their coping with aging, and the role of body sensation meditation in that process. The results of this study were able to provide basic data for developing measures to help middle-aged women successfully age through the use of body sensation meditation.