The theory of gerotranscendence: directions, application and understanding of some of its aspects on the example of Kazakhstani people

Abstract

The aim of this article is to consider L. Thornstam’s theory of gerotranscendence and its content   as a new paradigm for studying the functioning of the elderly and old person. The theory of gerotran- scendence is a holistic benchmark of positive aging, in which psychological changes take place – on personal, social and cosmic levels. This model allows to understand the specificity of psychological reflection of reality and interaction with the environment in old age and elderly. To date, increasing the life expectancy of the population should be one of the priority tasks for the prosperous development of Kazakhstan’s state. An empirical study of people aged 50 to 85 years old was conducted with the help of the gerotranscendence questionnaire (GTC) to study three components of gerotranscendence. The results of the study showed that age is not a condition for the emergence of gerotranscendence, which generally confirmed the hypothesis of the study. Because gerotranscendence is not directly related to age, it cannot be correlated with the predominant nature of the aging process and can affect the presence and activity of gerotranscendence in general.

Key words: gerotranscendence, cosmic dimension, self dimension, relationship dimension.