Perceived age discrimination across age in Europe: From an ageing society to a society for all ages

From patterns to pathways: Latent class trajectories of self-perceptions of aging and their causal effects on multi-state functional transitions

OBJECTIVES

This study examines the heterogeneous developmental trajectories of self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and their causal effects on functional health transitions in older adults. Specifically, we aim to identify latent classes of SPA development, assess their impact on multi-state functional transitions, and quantify the loss in healthy life expectancy attributable to negative SPA.

METHODS

Drawing from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2008-2018; n = 14,020), we implemented latent class trajectory modeling to identify SPA developmental patterns. We then applied multi-state Markov models to examine the effects of SPA on transitions among functional states (fully independent, assistance needed, and deceased), and established a counterfactual framework to estimate the loss in multi-state life expectancy attributable to SPA.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed two distinct SPA trajectories: a high-level group (57.75 %) and a low-level group (42.25 %), both exhibiting declining trends while maintaining consistent level differences. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, negative SPA significantly increased the risk of functional impairment (HR=1.31, 95 % CI: 1.20-1.44) and diminished the probability of functional recovery (HR=0.61, 95 % CI: 0.53-0.71). At age 65, negative SPA was associated with a 2.18-year reduction in total life expectancy, with substantial disparities in healthy life expectancy (10.93 vs. 7.96 years).

DISCUSSION

This study reveals two distinct trajectories of SPA in later life and demonstrates its causal effects on health state transitions. Early interventions targeting negative aging perceptions, particularly before age 65, may effectively extend healthy life expectancy.

Preliminary analysis of the psychometric properties of the Portuguese Perceived Ageism Questionnaire (PAQ)

OBJECTIVES

Perceived ageism is a relevant variable for understanding adults' mental health across different ages. The Perceived Ageism Questionnaire (PAQ) assesses how adults perceive ageism directed towards themselves-both negative and positive ageism-through dimensions of stereotype, prejudice and discrimination. The aim of this study was to (a) analyze the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the PAQ and (b) analyze the associations between PAQ, mental health, and age.

METHOD

Across two different samples, 1,941 participants between 18 and 91 years completed the PAQ. In addition to perceived ageism, depression, anxiety, stress, and satisfaction with life were assessed. An exploratory (sample 1; n = 970) and confirmatory (sample 2; n = 971) factor analysis of the PAQ was performed. The PAQ's reliability, relationship with other assessed variables, and age distribution were evaluated.

RESULTS

The Portuguese PAQ demonstrated good internal consistency in both samples. Factor analyses supported a bidimensional structure: perceived negative and positive ageism showed distinct patterns. Higher perceived negative ageism was significantly correlated with worse mental health. Negative ageism exhibited a U-shaped distribution across age, with younger and older adults reporting higher levels than middle-aged adults.

CONCLUSION

The Portuguese version of the PAQ shows good psychometric properties, supporting its use in Portuguese-speaking populations.

Rapid review to inform the selection of a set of brief set of universal indicators for use in large-scale cross-national ageism research

OBJECTIVES

Ageism occurs across the world, with negative consequences for individuals and societies. In 2016, WHO received a mandate from its Member States to lead the global campaign to combat ageism. To monitor, evaluate, and build evidence for reducing ageism, the availability of a brief, reliable and valid set of indicators of ageism experiences that can be used globally is essential.

METHOD

Building on previous reviews, the current review examines existing measures of ageism with a specific focus on suitability for meeting this need. Given the urgent need for indicators in the context of the global campaign to combat ageism, a rapid review methodology was adopted.

RESULTS

Results suggested that no measure met all desired criteria; however, the WHO ageism experiences scale was the most promising of available measures due to its focus on ageism as a multi-dimensional construct encompassing stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination and self-directed, interpersonal, and institutional elements and the explicit consideration of cross-cultural universality in its development. Other promising measures included ESS Round 4 items along with its CIS and VQ variants, the Everyday Ageism Scale, the Perceived Ageism Questionnaire (PAQ), and the Ageism Survey.

CONCLUSION

Further cross-setting validation of this scale is recommended.

Perceived Age Discrimination has Different Effects on Japanese People's Wellbeing Based on Age Groups

This study elucidates the direct and indirect effects of perceived age discrimination on depressive symptoms and life satisfaction among young, middle-aged, and older adults-through the mediator variables of psychosocial resources and aging stereotypes. Data were collected through a web-based survey conducted in Japan. The total sample size was 2400: 400 men and women in each of the age groups 20 to 39, 40 to 59, and 60 to 79. Our findings indicate that perceived age discrimination is linked depressive symptoms, even among young adults, who report more age discrimination than older adults. Its effect on life satisfaction, however, is stronger among older adults. Across age groups, most of its effect on life satisfaction was explained by both psychosocial resources and aging stereotypes. By contrast, its effect on depressive symptoms did not differ significantly by age group, and was partly explained by the mediators. These differing results may be attributable to selection bias in the web survey.

Theoretical Approaches to Communicative Practices in the Study of Intergenerational Communication and Aging

Intergenerational communication and aging is a thriving interdisciplinary, methodologically diverse field having significant implications for understanding the aging process. This opening article to the special issue provides a brief overview of this research domain, with particular attention to theoretical practices within it. Communication accommodation theory (CAT) is introduced given it has provided a foundation for other well-cited models of communication and aging. In so doing, a couple of the CAT principles are elaborated, based on recent work on age meta-stereotyping and intergroup felt understanding. CAT is also a component of the influential "communication ecology model of successful aging" and, after exploring some of its tenets, its visually schematic representation is elaborated as well as connections speculated regarding its relationship with the communicative lives of SuperAgers. Thereafter, highlights emerging from the articles in this special issue that follow are drawn out.

Psychosocial Well-Being Differences Between the Young Old, Old-Old, and Oldest Old: A Global Comparison

OBJECTIVES

We investigate global differences in psychosocial well-being between older adult age groups.

METHODS

Using multinomial logistic regression, we analyzed 2018 data (n = 93,663) from 9 countries/regions in the Health and Retirement Study international family of studies to compare age group differences in depression, loneliness, and happiness.

RESULTS

Compared to the young old, the old-old reported more depression in Southern Europe, while the oldest old had higher risk in India and Southern Europe but lower risk in the United States. The old-old reported less loneliness in the United States but more in Southern Europe, while the oldest old had greater risk in Southern Europe. The old-old reported less happiness in Korea, while the oldest old had lower reports in Korea but higher reports in the United States.

DISCUSSION

The psychosocial well-being of the oldest old is exceptionally good in the United States but exceptionally poor in Southern Europe.

Americans harbor much less favorable explicit sentiments toward young adults than toward older adults

Public and academic discourse on ageism focuses primarily on prejudices targeting older adults, implicitly assuming that this age group experiences the most age bias. We test this assumption in a large, preregistered study surveying Americans' explicit sentiments toward young, middle-aged, and older adults. Contrary to certain expectations about the scope and nature of ageism, responses from two crowdsourced online samples matched to the US adult population (N = 1,820) revealed that older adults garner the most favorable sentiments and young adults, the least favorable ones. This pattern held across a wide range of participant demographics and outcome variables, in both samples. Signaling derogation of young adults more than benign liking of older adults, participants high on SDO (i.e., a key antecedent of group prejudice) expressed even less favorable sentiments toward young adults-and more favorable ones toward older adults. In two follow-up, preregistered, forecasting surveys, lay participants (N = 500) were generally quite accurate at predicting these results; in contrast, social scientists (N = 241) underestimated how unfavorably respondents viewed young adults and how favorably they viewed older adults. In fact, the more expertise in ageism scientists had, the more biased their forecasts. In a rapidly aging world with exacerbated concerns over older adults' welfare, young adults also face increasing economic, social, political, and ecological hardship. Our findings highlight the need for policymakers and social scientists to broaden their understanding of age biases and develop theory and policies that ponder discriminations targeting all age groups.

Do we all perceive experiences of age discrimination in the same way? Cross-cultural differences in perceived age discrimination and its association with life satisfaction

Age discrimination is pervasive in most societies and bears far-reaching consequences for individuals' psychological well-being. Despite that, studies that examine cross-cultural differences in age discrimination are still lacking. Likewise, whether the detrimental association between age discrimination and psychological well-being varies across contexts remains an open question. In this study, therefore, we examined cross-cultural differences in perceived experiences of age discrimination and their detrimental association with a specific indicator of psychological well-being, which is life satisfaction. The sample was drawn from the Ageing as Future study and comprised 1653 older adults (60-90 years) from the Czech Republic, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the USA. Participants self-reported their experiences of age discrimination and their life satisfaction. Findings indicated that participants from Hong Kong and Taiwan reported experiences of perceived age discrimination more often than participants from the Czech Republic, Germany, and the USA. Furthermore, experiences of age discrimination were negatively associated with life satisfaction. Cultural context moderated this relation: We found a smaller detrimental association between perceived experiences of age discrimination and life satisfaction in Eastern cultures, that is, in contexts where such experiences were perceived to be more prevalent. These findings highlight the importance of examining age discrimination across cultures. Experiences of age discrimination are clearly undesirable in that they negatively affect psychological well-being. Our results indicate that a higher self-reported prevalence of perceived age discrimination in the samples studied weakens this negative association. We discuss these findings in terms of adaptation (versus sensitization) in response to discrimination.

Estimating Local Structural Equation Models

Local structural equation models (LSEM) are structural equation models that study model parameters as a function of a moderator. This article reviews and extends LSEM estimation methods and discusses the implementation in the R package sirt. In previous studies, LSEM was fitted as a sequence of models separately evaluated as each value of the moderator variables. In this article, a joint estimation approach is proposed that is a simultaneous estimation method across all moderator values and also allows some model parameters to be invariant with respect to the moderator. Moreover, sufficient details on the main estimation functions in the R package sirt are provided. The practical implementation of LSEM is demonstrated using illustrative datasets and an empirical example. Moreover, two simulation studies investigate the statistical properties of parameter estimation and significance testing in LSEM.

Ageism and Artificial Intelligence: Protocol for a Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a major driver of technological development in the 21st century, yet little attention has been paid to algorithmic biases toward older adults.

OBJECTIVE

This paper documents the search strategy and process for a scoping review exploring how age-related bias is encoded or amplified in AI systems as well as the corresponding legal and ethical implications.

METHODS

The scoping review follows a 6-stage methodology framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley. The search strategy has been established in 6 databases. We will investigate the legal implications of ageism in AI by searching grey literature databases, targeted websites, and popular search engines and using an iterative search strategy. Studies meet the inclusion criteria if they are in English, peer-reviewed, available electronically in full text, and meet one of the following two additional criteria: (1) include "bias" related to AI in any application (eg, facial recognition) and (2) discuss bias related to the concept of old age or ageism. At least two reviewers will independently conduct the title, abstract, and full-text screening. Search results will be reported using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) reporting guideline. We will chart data on a structured form and conduct a thematic analysis to highlight the societal, legal, and ethical implications reported in the literature.

RESULTS

The database searches resulted in 7595 records when the searches were piloted in November 2021. The scoping review will be completed by December 2022.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings will provide interdisciplinary insights into the extent of age-related bias in AI systems. The results will contribute foundational knowledge that can encourage multisectoral cooperation to ensure that AI is developed and deployed in a manner consistent with ethical values and human rights legislation as it relates to an older and aging population. We will publish the review findings in peer-reviewed journals and disseminate the key results with stakeholders via workshops and webinars.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

OSF Registries AMG5P; https://osf.io/amg5p.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/33211.

Age Specificity in Explicit and Implicit Endorsement of Prescriptive Age Stereotypes

In this study, we investigated explicit and implicit endorsement of prescriptive age stereotypes. To achieve that, we captured endorsement of a wide range of prescriptive expectations targeting both younger (younger adults are expected to be ambitious, eager to learn, unconventional, respectful) and older (older adults are expected to stay active, to be generous, dignified, and wise) people. Younger (n = 58, 50% female, M age = 26.07 years, SD = 3.01) and older adults (n = 75, 44% female, M age = 66.69 years, SD = 4.63) participated in the study. We assessed implicit endorsement of prescriptive age stereotypes with the Propositional Evaluation Paradigm (PEP) and used a direct measure to assess explicit endorsement. In general, we found strong support for age-specificity in both explicit and implicit endorsement of prescriptive age stereotypes: Sentences ascribing expectations for young/old to the respective age group (e.g., "young should be ambitious"; "old should be wise") were endorsed much more strongly than sentences in which expectations for young/old were ascribed to the other age group (e.g., "old should be ambitious"; "young should be wise"). Age group differences in the endorsement of prescriptive age stereotypes were found. Compared to younger participants, older participants showed stronger endorsement for prescriptive beliefs targeting both younger and older targets. Explicit and implicit endorsement of prescriptive age stereotypes did not correlate with one another, thus revealing they might assess independent belief systems with different predictive potential.

Young adults’ needs when seeking first-line healthcare: A grounded theory design

Background

Healthcare outpatient visits have increased in recent years, and young adults are often given as an explanatory factor for many avoidable visits.

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore how young adults perceive seeking first-line healthcare.

Design and setting

The study utilized a grounded theory design with data collection at primary healthcare centres and emergency departments in southeast Sweden.

Method

Data were collected during individual interviews and patient observations with subsequent interviews during the years 2017–2018. The analysis was performed using grounded theory.

Results

The main concern when young adults are seeking healthcare is that their worries are taken seriously. It is a four-part process: becoming aware of, verifying, communicating, and receiving an opinion about one’s symptoms. The process includes external factors, clarity of symptoms, behavioural approaches, healthcare know-how, enabling self-management, and prior healthcare experience(s). When communicating symptoms, the clearer the symptoms, the less there needs to be communicated. When symptoms are unclear, the importance of different behavioural approaches and healthcare know-how increases. When receiving a medical opinion about symptoms, young adults want to learn how to self-manage their symptoms. Depending on previous healthcare experience, the healthcare visit can either harm or help the patient in their healthcare-seeking process.

Conclusion

This study reflects several insights in the healthcare-seeking process from a young adult perspective. Based on the results, we suggest that healthcare providers focus on the final step in the healthcare-seeking process when giving their medical opinion about symptoms. Having extra minutes to give support for future self-care regardless of diagnosis could increase positive healthcare experiences and increase future self-care among young adults.

Ageist Communication Experienced by Middle-Aged and Older Canadians

Ageism has been well-documented in the United States, but ageism experiences in Canada remain less well-known. To address this gap, in the current research middle-aged and older Canadians completed a conversational interview in which they described their ageism experiences. Their descriptions were coded for life domain, perpetrator, and type of ageist communication. The most common domain in which ageist communication occurred was the public sphere, with perpetrators most often being strangers. Ageist communication most often involved age-based social or physical assumptions about the participant. In combination, these findings detail how ageism manifests in the everyday lives of Canadians and contribute to understanding the nuances of the expression of ageism in North America.

Profiguration, Active Ageing, and Creativity: Keys for Quality of Life and Overcoming Ageism

This article is based on qualitative analysis of interviews and focus groups conducted with participants enrolled in the Senior Programme of the University of Lleida, the City Council of Lleida, and care homes, as well as professional workers in the field of gerontology and related areas. It presents the analysis of interviews focused on the participants’ life trajectories, ageing, creativity, self-perception, and quality of life. The study aimed to examine how creativity influences the maintenance and improvement of a sense of wellbeing in older adults, and to reflect on how the perception of old age and of oneself changes through creative activity and active engagement across the life span. The article is framed within a new concept in sociology and the social sciences—‘profiguration’, which is the key element in the promotion and strengthening of intergenerational interdependence, education, wellbeing, social participation, and active ageing.

Attitudes Towards the Elderly in Polish Society: Is Knowledge About Old Age and Personal Experiences a Predictor of Ageism?

Purpose

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of ageism in Polish society. In addition, the relationships of opinions with demographic data, knowledge about aging and individual contact with the elderly, in the context of knowledge about their exclusion, were examined.

Patients and methods

The study involved 923 individuals in Poland. Their demographic characteristics were recorded, and all subjects were assessed using Kogan’s Attitudes toward Old People (KOAP) scale and asked to complete the Facts on Aging Quiz. Subjects were also asked about their knowledge of the definition of ageism and asked to explain it.

Results

The KOAP scale as a function of predictors was modeled using Bayesian robust linear regression with t distribution. The subjects had a mean (SD) KAOP score of 90.88 (17.41), with the central 50% of the observations ranging from 83 to 101 points. Three statistically credible relationships with responses to the questionnaires were observed. Respondents attending school had slightly lower average KAOP scores than respondents with other professional status. In addition, FAQ was negatively and moderately related to KAOP, whereas contacts with elderly people were positively and moderately related to KAOP.

Conclusion

Knowledge of aging and contact with elderly individuals significantly affected attitudes and behaviors regarding ageism. Many study subjects were characterized by having unfavorable attitudes towards the elderly.

Worker-related ageism: a systematic review of empirical research

With the demographic and workforce ageing, ageism has been reflected in the work context. Ageism can be defined as stereotypes, prejudice and/or age-based discrimination. It is a form of devaluation and non-inclusion of workers, which materialises in a decent work deficit. It affects workers and organisations. The present literature review aims to provide a comprehensive and accurate picture of empirical research on worker-related ageism. We searched the word ageism in the title or abstract of articles indexed in the EBSCOhost and Web of Science. Fifty-eight peer-reviewed articles were retrieved (March 2020). Some of these articles report more than one empirical study. Thirty-two articles include quantitative design studies, 20 qualitative design, three mixed methods, two experimental and three instrument development and/or validation. The focus of the studies is mostly about negative ageism on older workers. The main findings present several facets of ageism and show different experiences, whether implicit or explicit. Ageism acts in a plurality of aspects, such as obstacles in the hiring process, employability and performance evaluation of older workers. We found research gaps such as determinants and interventions aiming at ageism prevention and proposed corresponding future research.

Awakening Canadians to ageism: a study protocol

Background

Making fun of growing older is considered socially acceptable, yet ageist humour reinforces negative stereotypes that growing old is linked with physical and mental deterioration, dependence, and less social value. Such stereotypes and discrimination affect the wellbeing of older people, the largest demographic of Canadians. While ageism extends throughout professions and social institutions, we expect nurses—the largest and most trusted group of healthcare professionals—to provide non-ageist care to older people. Unfortunately, nurses working with older people often embrace ageist beliefs and nursing education programs do not address sufficient anti-ageism content despite gerontological nursing standards and competencies.

Methods

To raise awareness of ageism in Canada, this quasi-experimental study will be supported by partnerships between older Canadians, advocacy organizations, and academic gerontological experts which will serve as an advisory group. The study, guided by social learning theory, will unfold in two parts. In Phase 1, we will use student nurses as a test case to determine if negative stereotypes and ageist perceptions can be addressed through three innovative e-learning activities. The activities employ gamification, videos, and simulations to: (1) provide accurate general information about older people, (2) model management of responsive behaviours in older people with cognitive impairment, and (3) dispel negative stereotypes about older people as dependent and incontinent. In Phase 2, the test case findings will be shared with the advisory group to develop a range of knowledge mobilization strategies to dispel ageism among healthcare professionals and the public. We will implement key short term strategies.

Discussion

Findings will generate knowledge on the effectiveness of the e-learning activities in improving student nurses’ perceptions about older people. The e-learning learning activities will help student nurses acquire much-needed gerontological knowledge and skills. The strength of this project is in its plan to engage a wide array of stakeholders who will mobilize the phase I findings and advocate for positive perspectives and accurate knowledge about aging—older Canadians, partner organizations (Canadian Gerontological Nurses Association, CanAge, AgeWell), and gerontological experts.

Lethal ageism in the shadow of pandemic response tactics

Aim

This paper examines aspects of pandemic policy responses to the COVID‐19 and SARS‐CoV‐2 variants and presents an integrated view of the consequences of response tactics at national and health service levels for older adults.

Background

Nurses are positioned at the intersection of health service and policy implementation; therefore, their influence on clinical protocols and health policy directions post pandemic is crucial to preventing further premature deaths in the 65+ years age group and others.

Sources of evidence

Perspectives presented here are based on a critical evaluation of the many published reports, comments, research and insights concerning the pandemic. That evidence, combined with my experience in various fields of study and professional service, enables me to envisage what some decisions and policies may mean for older people, nurses and societies worldwide.

Discussion

Established information on world population patterns and the location and health of national groups has been made less reliable by population shifts caused by years of geo‐political conflicts and now the impact of the pandemic. Added to this already chaotic context, the pandemic has further disrupted societies, health services and economies. Ageist responses by these systems have further disadvantaged older people and generated trust deficits that need to be resolved.

Conclusion

When the pandemic recedes, policy and management decisions taken by governments and hospital administrators will be a telling indicator of whether the established systematic ageism exposed during the pandemic will continue to compromise the health and longevity of older adults.

Implications for nursing, health and social policy

The ascendency of nursing influence within the health and social policy environment must be further strengthened to enable nurses to champion equity and fairness in the pandemic recovery effort.

Ageism and older people's health and well-being during the Covid-19-pandemic: the moderating role of subjective aging

In the Covid-19 pandemic, being older means being in a special focus: Probabilities for severe infections and mortality rise with increasing age and protective measures for this population group have been increased. This was accompanied by public discourse that portrayed older adults stereotypically as vulnerable and frail but also highlighted the hardships younger people have to endure to protect them. Given the possibly detrimental effects of ageism on individuals and societies, we were interested in older adults' perception of ageism in the Corona-crisis and its relation to their health and well-being. Furthermore, we were interested in subjective aging variables as moderators in the ageism-health relationship. In June 2020, N = 611 independently living people aged 60 + from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg were recruited via a survey research institute and interviewed online or by phone. They reported on perceived ageism in different contexts, their life satisfaction, subjective health, subjective age and self-perceptions of aging. Depending on context, ageism was perceived by around 20% of participants, and overall negatively related to subjective health and life satisfaction after the onset of the pandemic. Moderated hierarchical regressions showed that a younger subjective age buffered the negative effect of ageism on subjective health, while perceiving aging as social loss increased its effect on life satisfaction. We discuss the importance of addressing and reducing ageism (not only) in times of crisis and the consequences for individuals and societies.

Scoping Review on Ageism against Younger Populations

Systematic efforts have been carried out to study ageism against older populations. Less is known about ageism against younger populations, including how it is defined, how it manifests, its effects, and how it can be addressed. A scoping review was conducted aimed at identifying available evidence on these topics. A comprehensive search strategy was used across thirteen databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL. Records were screened by two independent reviewers. Data extraction was done by one rater and independently reviewed by a second rater. Of the 9270 records identified, 263 were eligible for inclusion. Most of the evidence focused on the manifestation of ageism (86%), followed by a focus on the determinants of ageism (17%), available interventions to address ageism (9%), and the effects of ageism (5%). This study points to the inconsistent terminology used to describe ageism against younger populations and the relatively limited theoretical rationale that guides existing studies. It also highlights key research gaps and points to the strengths of existing research.

Workplace Age Discrimination and Affecting Factors in Turkey: A Validation Study

Objective: This study was undertaken to adapt Workplace Age Discrimination Scale (WADS) to Turkish. Methods: The sample of the study was composed of 465 volunteered women and men (18+ years) who had an active working life. Corrected item total correlation and Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient were calculated for reliability of WADS. High order confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test the theoretical suitability and construct validity for Turkish context. Results: In this study, WADS has one factor construction. Cronbach's Alpha Reliability Coefficient was found as 0.904 for WADS. Predictors of workplace age discrimination in Turkish population were determined as age, hierarchical structure, job satisfaction, and income satisfaction Conclusion: These results showed that the Turkish version of WADS may be used as a valid and reliable tool in determining workplace age discrimination and in other relevant research. Exploring the validity and reliability of the scale should be repeated in groups who have different socio-demographics and health situations.

Development and Initial Validation of the Adolescents' Ageism Toward Older Adults Scale

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Ageism toward older adults, prevalent in contemporary societies, seems to be internalized during childhood and consolidated during adolescence. Although several instruments have been developed to measure adolescents' ageism, they present a number of limitations. The study aimed at developing a new instrument, the Adolescents' Ageism Toward Older Adults Scale, and testing its psychometric properties.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A 3-phase process was followed: the instrument's items were developed empirically from focus groups of adolescents; its content validity was evaluated; and finally, its psychometric properties were tested through a multicenter cross-sectional study involving 575 adolescents.

RESULTS

Exploratory factor analysis of the new scale retained 33 items grouped into six factors: Moodiness, Traditionalism, Physical deterioration, Anti-technologism, Sageness and Sociability. Confirmatory factor analysis evidenced a second-order factor structure. Omega coefficients measuring internal consistency were above the cut-off of 0.60 for the six factors except for Anti-technologism. Intraclass correlation coefficients for the entire scale and for the six factors were greater than 0.70, again excepting Anti-technologism.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

The Adolescents' Ageism Toward Older Adults Scale is a promising measure of adolescents' negative and positive attitudes toward older adults. Its validation highlighted some criticalities that can be resolved by a few modifications. Further testing of the scale should be conducted after these modifications.

Factors Influencing Suicidal Ideation and Attempts among Older Korean Adults: Focusing on Age Discrimination and Neglect

This study was conducted to identify factors influencing the development of suicidal ideation and the transition from suicidal ideation to attempts by focusing on experiences of age discrimination and neglect among older Korean adults. This study analyzed data from 10,042 older adults from the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans using national representative samples. Multiple logistic analyses were used to identify factors influencing the development of suicidal ideation and transition from suicidal ideation to attempts. While younger age, higher educational attainment, living alone, number of chronic diseases, depressive symptoms, social isolation, social support, experience of neglect, and age discrimination influenced the development of suicidal ideation, all of these did not influence the transition from ideation to attempts. Factors influencing this transition included male gender, less educational attainment, and experience of age discrimination. Thus, social efforts to reduce age discrimination are necessary to prevent suicide attempts among Korean older adults.

Multiple Sources of Aging Attitudes: Perceptions of Age Groups and Generations From Adolescence to Old Age Across China, Germany, and the United States

Emerging evidence suggests that people not only categorize themselves and others based on age but also in terms of their generational membership. This cross-cultural study compared attitudes and stereotypes toward age and generational groups across the life span in China, Germany, and the United States including 1,112 participants between 18 and 86 years of age. We asked younger, middle-aged, and older respondents to rate either six age groups (e.g., adolescents, young adults, middle-aged adults, young-old, older, and old-old adults) or six matching generational groups (e.g., Generation Z, Millennials, Generation X, Baby Boomer, Silent Generation, and Greatest Generation) on various characteristics (e.g., happy, competent, selfish). Consistent with our hypotheses, the results demonstrate that across all three countries older generations were perceived consistently more positive, whereas older age groups were perceived as less positive. These findings suggest that generations represent a source of positive regard and high social status in later life across different countries with different historical backgrounds and cultures.

Supporting the old but neglecting the young? The two faces of ageism

Ageism is the most prevalent form of prejudice and is experienced by both older and younger people. Little is known about whether these experiences are interdependent or have common origins. We analyze data from 8,117 older (aged 70 and over) and 11,647 younger respondents (15-29 years) in representative samples from 29 countries in the European Social Survey. Using multilevel structural equation modeling, we test the hypothesis that older people are less likely, and younger people more likely, to suffer age discrimination if they live in a country with stronger structural support for older people. We also test the hypothesis that although stronger social norm against age discrimination reduce age discrimination suffered by older people it does not inhibit discrimination against younger people. These hypotheses are supported, and the results underline the neglected problem of ageism toward youth. Findings highlight that strategies for reducing age prejudice must address ageism as a multigenerational challenge, requiring attention to intergenerational cohesion and resource distribution between ages. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Mejora de la satisfacción corporal en la madurez a través de un programa específico de imagen corporal

Se compara la mejora lograda en satisfacción corporal por un programa específico de intervención en imagen corporal en personas mayores con los resultados obtenidos en programas de intervención y animación social, con el propósito de valorar si son significativamente mejores que otros programas de carácter social.  De ser así, resulta relevante intervenir específicamente sobre la satisfacción corporal durante la vejez para evitar otros problemas relacionados como la depresión o la baja autoestima. En el estudio, se analizan las conexiones encontradas entre el género, la edad y la presencia de pareja sentimental estable, como características de gran importancia para la satisfacción corporal. Los resultados muestran que, aunque la relevancia de la satisfacción corporal durante esa etapa es cualitativamente diferente a edades anteriores, la intervención específica en imagen corporal es significativamente más efectiva que otros programas preventivos o que la maduración experimental.

Overlooked and Underestimated: Experiences of Ageism in Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

Although the prevalence of ageism against older people has been well-established, less is known about the characteristics of those experiences or the experiences of young and middle-aged adults. The present study addressed these gaps by examining young, middle-aged, and older adults' self-reports of an ageist action they experienced.

METHODS

Participants' descriptions were coded for the domain in which the ageist experience occurred, the perpetrator of the ageist experience, and the type of ageist experience.

RESULTS

Young adults most commonly reported experiencing ageism in the workplace with coworkers as perpetrators. Middle-aged and older adults also reported ageism in the workplace; however, they also frequently reported experiencing ageism while seeking goods and services. Perpetrators of ageism varied more widely for middle-aged and older adults. Regardless of one's age, ageism was commonly experienced in the form of a lack of respect or incorrect assumptions.

DISCUSSION

The findings enhance our understanding of ageism across adulthood by considering the domains, perpetrators, and types of ageist expressions that adults of all ages encounter. They also suggest that interventions to reduce age bias will require multifaceted approaches that take into account the different forms that individuals experience across the life span.

The problem of aging of the population as one of the most important challenges for social policy and public health

Background: Population aging is one of the most important social policy and public health challenges for the state. Increased proportions of older people is accompanied with increased negative attitudes manifested toward them, as represented by ageism, the discrimination against the elderly, contributing to their exclusion from public life. Aim of the study: To study the prevalence and characteristics of ageism manifestations in healthcare institutions in the city of Grodno (Belarus) and to consider measures to minimize it. Material and methods: 250 random urban respondents from Grodno age 60 or more not undergoing treated in healthcare institutions were anonymously questioned. Data analysis was performed using different statistical methods. Results: The majority of respondents rated geriatric, social and medical care in the country as functioning at a high level. The share of elderly people who felt age discrimination was 70 (28.0%) and was independent from the gender and age of the respondents. Clinical departments were mentioned by 24 (34.3%) of respondents as places where manifestations of ageism were seen, particularly in emergency rooms – 14 (20.0%) and family doctor offices– 17 (24.3%). In 35 (50%) of cases, the family doctor explained the symptoms of the disease by the onset of old age, which can be regarded as a manifestation of ageism. Conclusions: Training in the field of geriatrics is very important for medical professionals. Failure to take measures to ensure a holistic (integrated) approach in the treatment and care of elderly must be considered discriminatory. Particular measures should be taken to develop all types of care for the elderly, increasing the level of patient satisfaction with medical services and reducing the frequency of gerontological ageism manifestations.