A perda de autonomia no envelhecimento e suas repercussões na saúde mental do idoso

Abstract

The understanding of aging has undergone changes throughout history and is increasingly being recognized as a process influenced by multiple factors, such as social class, culture, gender, among others. Starting from life cycle development theory by Erik Erikson, Lima, Coelho, Gunther (2011) old age is understood as a period of human life marked by gains and physical, cognitive and existential losses. Veras (2018), discusses the concept of "successful aging", as one that goes beyond the mere absence of illnesses and disabilities, encompassing aspects such as autonomy and well-being emotional. The present study aims to identify, in light of the psychogerontology, what are the impacts of loss of autonomy on mental health in aging. This is a qualitative research, through the review bibliographical. Having as authors references in psychogerontology, as well as protagonist authors Anita Liberalesso Neri, Erik Eriksson and Renato Peixoto True. It was observed from the discussions found that the loss of autonomy in aging influences personal identity and self-esteem of the elderly, resulting in effects on social life and can lead to feelings of incapacity, invalidity and in some cases, depression. They were also found that family factors are closely linked to health mental health in the loss of autonomy of the elderly, where they exert central influences in this process, which can act as a protective or risk factor in maintaining the autonomy.