Ageism in an Aging Society: The Role of Knowledge, Anxiety about Aging, and Stereotypes in Young People and Adults

Abstract

The progressive aging of society, caused by profound demographic changes, brings with it the necessity of confronting the subject of biases against the elderly. Ageism, in fact, can influence society’s attitudes regarding this population, in addition to impacting the self-perception of elderly people. This, in turn, has consequences for positive outcomes during the aging process. The current research aims to investigate the simultaneous relationships between knowledge, age, anxiety about aging, and stereotypes toward the elderly, as well as their predictive roles with respect to ageism. A self-report questionnaire was administered to 886 participants, with an average age of 35.8 years (Standard Deviation—SD = 14.2), predominantly female (64.8%). Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed, along with structural equation modeling. Based on the analyses conducted, anxiety about aging and knowledge are antecedents for stereotypes, which in turn, together with the other variables, influence ageism. Increased education about the aging process could help reduce anxiety and stereotypes against the aging among those who are most responsible for prejudice against the elderly. Knowledge of the antecedents of prejudice toward the elderly is fundamental to promoting positive attitudes toward them.

The World Health Organization (WHO) approach to healthy ageing

“…Negative attitudes and assumptions about older people can influence individual behaviour, social values and norms. Laws protecting against direct or indirect age-based discrimination have to be adopted [38][39][40]. Effort should be made in the media to present a balanced view of ageing, moving away from the conceptualization of older people as a burden and away from unrealistic assumptions that older people today can in some way avoid health challenges on their own without support.…”

‘An invisible human rights crisis’: The marginalization of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic – An advocacy review

“…These ageist stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination are internalized by older adults and act as barriers in the pathways to care. Older adults are far less likely to involve in activism and advocacy for inclusivity and equal rights because of the implicit belief that they must sacrifice their wellbeing and “make way” for the younger generations to replace them ( Cohen, 2001 ; Walsh et al., 2011 ; Donizzetti, 2019 )…”

Ageism and the Factors Affecting Ageism among Korean Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In particular, third year students had a higher score of ageism than first year students, which can be inferred as the result of increased contact with sick older people in hospital clinical practice. Inconsistent results have been found with respect to the association between age and ageism [ 43 , 44 , 45 ]. Donizzetti [ 45 ] reported a positive correlation between age and ageism, while Kim and Ha [ 16 ] found that age is not associated with ageism.…”

“…Inconsistent results have been found with respect to the association between age and ageism [ 43 , 44 , 45 ]. Donizzetti [ 45 ] reported a positive correlation between age and ageism, while Kim and Ha [ 16 ] found that age is not associated with ageism. Cultural factors that are rapidly increasing the aging population in South Korea could also affect ageism [ 35 ].…”