As representações sociais de pessoas idosas sobre o envelhecimento e velhice em tempos de pandemia da Covid-19

Abstract

The study of aging and old age has become a topic of scientific interest for many researchers. Certainly, one of the reasons that explains this causality refers to the demographic representation of the elderly population in Brazil and the world. As the elderly population increases and cultural transformations occur, new challenges, expectations and social problems also emerge. In the current contemporary scenario, a major social problem that is highlighted concerns the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing conflicting conceptions, discourses and practices about aging and old age. Given this scenario, this research investigated aging, old age and elderly people during the Covid-19 pandemic, based on the following research problem: what social representations do elderly people have about aging and old age in times of the Covid-19 pandemic? The general objective was to analyze the social representations of elderly people about aging and old age in times of the Covid-19 pandemic. The study is based on the Theory of Social Representations and is characterized as field research, descriptive and with a qualitative approach. Data collection was carried out through individual semi-structured interviews, consisting of a non-probabilistic sample of eight participants, two men and six women, invited using the “Snowball” method. n the end, the interviews were transcribed and organized based on Bardin's Content Analysis technique, being divided into two thematic axes: (1) aging and old age, and; (2) Covid-19 pandemic. Each thematic axis contains other subthemes in its composition that, when identified by approximating similar meanings, formed the respective categories of analysis. The results showed that social representations about aging and old age have an ambivalent character. On the one hand, positive and satisfactory aspects stood out, such as longevity, respect, accumulated experiences, family life, financial stability, retirement, autonomy and self-care. On the other hand, negative aspects emerged, associated with losses and difficulties, such as biological changes, health problems, physical limitations, fear of dependence and social devaluation. In relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was represented as a disease that generated fear, losses and required preventive measures. Criticisms also emerged regarding government negligence and the ethical dilemma regarding prioritization between young people and elderly people. The pandemic experience was marked by challenges, such as social isolation, concerns about hygiene, vulnerability to contagion and social stigmatization. However, positive feelings also stood out, such as appreciation for priority in vaccination. Surviving the pandemic was often associated with a feeling of gratitude to God and a sense of victory.