The Risks of Ageism Model: How Ageism and Negative Attitudes toward Age Can Be a Barrier to Active Aging

Abstract

The World Health Organization's (WHO) active aging framework recognizes that age barriers and ageism need to be removed in order to increase potential for active aging. However, there has been little empirical analysis of ways in which ageism and attitudes toward age impact on active aging. This article sets out the Risks of Ageism Model (RAM) to show how ageism and attitudes toward age can impact the six proposed determinants of active aging via three pathways; (1) stereotype embodiment, the process through which stereotypes are internalized and become self‐relevant, (2) stereotype threat, the perceived risk of conforming to negative stereotypes about one's group, and (3) age discrimination, unfair treatment based on age. Active aging policies are likely to be more successful if they attend to these three pathways when challenging ageism and negative attitudes toward age.

Psychometric properties of the Negative Stereotypes Towards Aging Questionnaire (CENVE) among a sample of Portuguese adults

“…Agism is the stereotyping of and discrimination against individuals or groups based on their age (Swift, Abrams, Lamont, & Drury, 2017). It can take many forms, including prejudicial attitudes, discriminatory practices, or institutional policies and practices that perpetuate stereotypical beliefs (Smith, Bergeron, Cowart, Ahn, Towne, et al, 2016).…”

“…Agism and negative attitudes can influence the potential for healthy and active aging (Nelson, 2016;Rippon et al, 2014). In fact, stereotypes about aging have a significant influence on older people themselves and can deleteriously impact their health, reduce autonomy, independence, and quality of life (Swift et al, 2017). Research shows that older adults are often stereotyped as feeble, incompetent, sick and useless, disinterested and apathetic, socially isolated, depressed, rigid, out of touch, burdensome, dependent, and cognitively impaired (Cook, 2011).…”

Agisem in the European Region: Finding from the European Social Survey

“…For example, people may be judged or they may see themselves as 'too young' or 'too old' to pursue particular activities or roles. For this reason, the very act of categorising others into different age groups and the way people define those groups has significant implications for people's choices and actions (see The Risks of Ageism Model, Swift et al 2017).…”

“…Understanding how age boundaries are socially constructed within societies is important because they can shape individual's social construction of what age is, and what it means to belong to a particular age group. In this way, age categorisations can impact on individuals via their own behaviours and life choices, but also by constructing attitudes towards various age groups (Swift et al 2017). …”

The effect of intervention program on nursing students attitudes regarding ageism

“…Negative attitudes and discrimination against elderly are obstacles to provide high-quality care for the rapidly growing older population aged 65 years and older which deprive older of human dignity and prevent social participation. These negative experiences decrease self-esteem and instill feelings of shame and guilt that prevent the older population from having effective interpersonal relationships, which would then lead to withdrawal and social isolation as a result from the different prejudices, manners and behavior towards human being just because of their age (Swift et al, 2017). Nurses must provide support to older people; these may promote positive attitudes about themselves and the providers and vice versa.…”