Narrativas de los adultos mayores pertenecientes al hogar geriátrico, hogar del paso ubicado en Funza, Cundinamarca frente a su autoconcepto

Abstract

This thesis was developed with the participation of four older adults, aged between 70 and 85 years, two women and two men, who reside at the geriatric home "Hogar del Paso" located in Funza, Cundinamarca. The aim of this study was to understand the narratives that older adults present regarding their self-concept. The epistemological stance used was social constructionism, which posits that the construction of the world and reality arises from discourse or narrative, as these elements provide meaning in society. The study employed a qualitative approach and a phenomenological design. Semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and categories were used, which included self-concept, self-image, personal experiences, and cultural artifacts. The results revealed that the participants perceive their self-concept in relation to their physical changes; some also associate it with God and their beliefs. Negative experiences and significant objects also play a role in this construction. A total of 225 categorized fragments were analyzed, with 42.7% corresponding to self-concept, 26.2% to self-image, 24.5% to personal experiences, and 6.6% to cultural artifacts. In conclusion, it was found that the perception of self-concept undergoes transformation, as some participants felt comfortable living in the home and had positive thoughts and emotions. However, for others, this was not the case, and they perceived a certain level of abandonment from their family and sons.