Abstract
Background: Ageing leads to problems related to this stage of life. Perception of an old aged is
an important factor in predicting of experiencing successful aging. As well, attachment is
considered as one of the main concerns and challenges that is associated with aging and perception
of that among elders. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ageing perception
and attachment styles in elders living in Qazvin, 2015.
Materials and methods: A descriptive-correlational design was conducted on 300 elders who were
recruited to the 23 clinics and health centers in Qazvin during the period of August to October,
2015. Data were collected using demographic information, Barker`s ageing perception
questionnaire, and Collins and Read`s revised adult attachment scale. The analyses were performed
using descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS-PC (v.22).
Results: The results showed that older people have average ageing perception (159.10±11.10).
Also there was statistically significant relationship between ageing perception and fearful
attachment style (r=.030, p=.126). It wasn`t found any significant relationship between ageing
perception with other attachment styles. Among the demographic variables, male gender, being
single, academic education, living at children`s house, poor economic status, low relatives visiting
as well as emotional support from the family were related in increasing the ageing perception.
Furthermore, it wasn`t found a significant relationship between the main source of income and
experiencing of mental health problems. Also, the majority of elders reported secure attachment in
attachment styles. Mean differences in attachment styles wasn’t significant in variables such as
age, sex, marital status, education level, living place, socioeconomic status, main source of income,
and history of mental and emotional problems. Chi-square test results showed that relative visitings
and receiving emotional support from family were correlated with secure attachment styles (p<.05).
Conclusions: This study was an important step in the understanding of ageing perception and
attachment styles in elders. The concept and influencing factors of these two variables are
considered as the determinants agents in mental health, creating adaptation, and positive experience
about ageing. So greater researches in this area is recommended in order to compare the results
with the present study
