Ageism and Ageist Language Across the Life Span: Intimate Relationships and Non‐intimate Interactions

Abstract

The possible effects of ageist language and ageism on the structure and function of intimate and non-intimate relationships have received significant attention from social scientists. Recent research grounded in communication accommodation theory (Giles, Mulac, Bradac, & Johnson, ) point toward the numerous consequences of both negative and positive attitudes toward ageing. Focusing specifically on health care settings, this article reviews recent theoretical positions and empirical findings that link ageist language and ageism to these positive and negative social consequences, and offers pragmatic suggestions and directions for future research.

Ageism in the Health Care System: Providers, Patients, and Systems

“…While there is certainly individual variability in patient preferences for the type of communication with a health care provider, there is no evidence that these attributes of interpersonal communication are preferred by older persons. Above and beyond the potentially negative emotional experience for older patients and family members in the face of a provider's "poor bedside manner," provider communication styles may have substantive negative health consequences for the patient (Nussbaum et al 2005). For example, one research study analyzing videotaped encounters between a physical therapist and an older patient found that distancing and indifferent behaviors (e.g., not smiling; looking away from the client) were related to more negative short-and long-term cognitive and physical health outcomes for the patient (Ambady 2002).…”

Age-related stigma and the golden section hypothesis

“…Age-related labels have the power to create and maintain the stigma associated with old age (Mautner, 2007;Nelson, 2002Nelson, , 2005Nussbaum, Pitts, Huber, Krieger, & Ohs, 2005;Nuessel, 1984;Palmore, 1999;Tornstam, 1992). Research indicates that labels associated with old age are primarily negative (Miller, Leyell, & Mazachek, 2004;Nelson, 2002Nelson, , 2005Nuessel, 1982;Schmidt & Boland, 1986).…”

Bullying as an Expression of Intolerant Schemas

“…In fact, sexism, ageism, racism, classism, religious intolerance, and sexual orientation discrimination are among those most widely uncovered in prejudice literature. Some examples are as follows: sexist beliefs and rape proclivity (Thomae and Viki 2013), ageist beliefs and patronizing talk toward older adults (Nussbaum et al 2005), and racism, classism, and sexual prejudice coinciding with numerous antisocial acts ranging from apathy to hate crimes (See Hecht 1998 for overview). We recall these particular findings because of their actively aggressive underpinning and, thus, similarity to bullying as it is assessed herein.…”