The results of this study are derived from a cross-sectional survey of 205 Moroccan men aged 60 years and older living in the city of Marrakesh, the aim being to analyse their perceptions of ageing and their subjective health status. Perceptions of ageing are strongly associated with economic activity and morbidity. Individuals who were not economically active at the time of the survey expressed negative perceptions of ageing: 28.9% of non-active men and 24.0% of retirees compared with 7.6% of economically active men. Thus the passage from an active working life to retirement may contribute to the deterioration of the individual's mental health. Similarly, 27.5% of men who reported chronic illnesses perceived themselves negatively compared with 5.7% of healthy individuals. As for subjective health, we observed a positive correlation with the actual health status of the individual. Among those who said they suffered from a chronic illness, 55.1% felt themselves to be in poor health, compared with 44.9% of those without chronic illnesses. The decline in the economic activity of older persons and the deterioration of their health with age may lead to difficulties in their daily lives and consequently induce negative perceptions of ageing and subjective health status.
