한국 중년 여성의 실제이미지와이상적이미지에 대한 연구 - 연령별 비교를 중심으로 -

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate how women in their 40s to 50s perceive the ideal image, as relative to the actual image, of themselves, thus providing a basis on which middle-aged women, managers of consumption activities at home, can prepare well for their old age maintaining more healthy, beautiful, and attractive physical appearance. Toward this objective, a survey was conducted on 300 women in their 40s to 50s living in Seoul․GyeongGi-Do. Consequently, the level of satisfaction with their build and somatotype was found to vary depending on age. In addition whereas the actual images was different among them, the ideal ones were similar at large. This suggests that the images that most middle-aged women desire to have are similar whether they are older or younger, but they regard as more important other external, environmental factors than outer appearance beauty, such as relationship with their children and parents and post-retirement life, compared to younger women. Therefore, further research is called for to better understand middle aged women's self appearance and it is also needed to continuously develop education programs aiming to give useful and systematic guidance to them, including psychological consulting for assisting them to form desirable diet habits and promote healthy weight management through exercises.