Perceptions of old age and life-meaning orientation in individuals undergoing various anti-aging cosmetic procedures

Authors

  • Elena Evgenievna Starostina Student at the Institute of Psychological and Social Work (direction «Clinical Psychology») of the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Moscow, Russian Federation) Автор https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1653-3972 (unauthenticated)
  • Anastasia Vladimirovna Kotelnikova Doctor of Psychology, PhD, Associate Professor, Professor of the Department of Pedagogy and Medical Psychology at the Institute of Psychological and Social Work of the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Moscow, Russian Federation) Автор https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9605-557X (unauthenticated)
  • Olga Sergeevna Shalina PhD, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Pedagogy and Medical Psychology at the Institute of Psychological and Social Work of the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Moscow, Russian Federation) Автор https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6800-5743 (unauthenticated)
  • Ekaterina Gennadievna Grishina PhD, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, medical psychologist at the V.G. Mikhailov Social rehabilitation Center of the Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Moscow (Moscow, Russian Federation) Автор https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7312-0703 (unauthenticated)

Keywords:

старость, социальные представления, смысложизненные ориентации, антивозрастные косметологические процедуры, временная перспектива, психологическая адаптация, эйджизм

Abstract

The article presents the results of an empirical study on the perceptions of old age and life-meaning orientations among middle-aged individuals using various types of anti-aging cosmetic procedures. The research methods included a researcher-developed questionnaire designed to collect socio-biographical data and clarify subjective attitudes toward age-related changes, the «Semantic Differential of Old Age» to assess the semantics of attitudes toward various life stages, and the «Life-Meaning Orientations» test. Based on a sample of 57 individuals aged 25–65, it is shown that the choice of procedure type (topical, minimally invasive, or surgical) is associated with distinct patterns of psychological functioning in the context of experiencing age-related changes. It has been established that an increase in the invasiveness of procedures correlates with a more negative perception of old age, a decline in the perceived meaning of the current life process, and a dissociation of the time perspective. The study expands current understanding of the psychological characteristics of individuals undergoing various anti-aging procedures. The results are interpreted through the lens of adult psychological development and contribute to the field of developmental psychology. The findings can be used to develop psychological support programs for patients seeking services at plastic surgery and aesthetic cosmetology clinics.
Received: 25 December 2025 · Accepted: 16 March 2026

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References

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Published

2026-01-15

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (29) (2026)

Section

Статьи

How to Cite

Starostina E.E., Kotelnikova A.V., Shalina O.S., et al. Perceptions of old age and life-meaning orientation in individuals undergoing various anti-aging cosmetic procedures // Личность: ресурсы и потенциал. 2026. Vol. 1, no. 1 (29). P. 42–53.