Influence of Perceived Ageism on Older Adults: Focus on Attitudes toward Young People and Life Satisfaction

Abstract

The world’s population is aging, and intergenerational conflicts between older adults and young people are becoming more serious. This study focused on ageism as a cause of intergenerational conflicts and older adults’ diminished mental health status. We conducted an online survey of older Japanese participants ( n = 1.096). Our results indicated that older adults who perceived more ageism directed toward them (1) had more negative attitudes toward young people and (2) had lower life satisfaction, which persisted even after controlling for variables such as old age identity and depressive tendencies. Accordingly, we suggest that ageism may reinforce intergenerational conflicts between older adults and young people and compromise older adults’ mental health status. The findings of this study can aid gerontological and psychological research aimed at reducing ageism.

Terapi Murottal Meningkatkan Hormon Β -Endorfin dan Menurunkan Tekanan Darah Lansia

“…Hasil data Survey Sosial Eropa menunjukkan tidak ada hubungan linier antara parameter Ageism Index dan Modified Mental Distance (Jurek, 2022). Penelitian pada 1096 lansia di Jepang didapatkan lansia lebih banyak sikap negatif terhadap kaum muda dan kepuasan hidup yang lebih rendah, dan cenderung depresi (Shimizu et al, 2022). Sistem saraf tepi terlibat dalam ikatan sosial manusia melalui kapasitasnya untuk memicu sistem endorphin otak (Dunbar et al, 2021).…”

日本の育児中の母親が抱くエイジズム

“…Younger people, including mothers raising young children, hold particularly negative and discriminatory attitudes toward older people (Donizzetti, 2019;Harada, Sugisawa, Sugihara, Yamada, & Shibata, 2004). In addition, older adults who are sensitive to ageism tend to view younger people negatively (Harada, Kobayashi, Fukaya, Murayama, Takahashi, & Fujiwara, 2019;Shimizu, Suzuki, Hata, & Sakaki, 2022). Thus, mothers with young children who have strong ageist views might not receive the support from parents, parents-in-law, or other older adults.…”