Elder respect among American college students: exploration of behavioral forms

This study explored the ways in which college students conveyed elder respect. Based on data from a questionnaire survey of 521 subjects, 12 forms of elder respect, ranging from care respect to celebratory respect, were measured. Of these forms, six--acquiescent respect, care respect, linguistic respect, salutatory respect, consulting respect, and presentational respect--were frequently practiced. This study provides insights as to how younger adults in American culture exhibit elder respect. A typology of the forms signifying elder respect among the young American adults is presented. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.