Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This study explored older adult’s perceptions of experienced ageism, its effects on well-being and self-perceptions (internal ageism), and what supportive measures influence older adult’s self-perceptions. It attended to whether family factors offered a mediating influence with respect to ageism. Men and women aged 65 years and older were recruited through purposeful sampling. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire prior to participating in an audiotaped interview. Within the interview, participants responded to questions about how they view society’s treatment of older adults generally and themselves individually. Participants also offered comments regarding self-perceptions with respect to their current age and pertaining to the form and quality of the interactions that occur between themselves and their family members. Collected audio data was transcribed and analyzed according to interpretive phenomenological methodology. The results suggested that older adults perceive ageism, while also internalizing some ageist stereotypes and respond differently based on gender. All participants, however, reported adjusting and accepting aging changes and losses after undergoing a complex internal process incorporating their historical contexts, proactive external supports and family, and resulting positive internalizations. These findings provide insight useful for further research and clinical work with older adults and their families regarding the effects and problems associated with ageism.
Author: Nicolle Mayo
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2308471329