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Ethnic differences in expectations for aging among older adults
Catherine A Sarkisian1, Sara M Shunkwiler, Iris Aguilar
1Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 90095, USA. csarkisian@mednet.ucla.edu
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|August 18, 2006
Summary
Latino seniors reported lower expectations about aging compared to white and African American seniors. This difference was primarily explained by educational attainment, not health status.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology of Aging
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Understanding age-expectations is crucial for healthy aging.
- Ethnic variations in perceptions of aging among older adults are not well-documented.
- Community-based senior centers provide valuable settings for studying diverse older populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare age-expectations across ethnic groups of seniors.
- To investigate the influence of health and sociodemographic factors on these expectations.
- To identify factors contributing to ethnic differences in aging perceptions.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 611 seniors in Los Angeles.
- Utilized the Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA-38) Survey.
- Employed analysis of variance and linear regression models for comparisons.
Main Results:
- Latino seniors exhibited significantly lower age-expectations than non-Latino whites and African Americans, even after adjusting for health.
- Differences in educational levels fully explained the lower age-expectations among Latino seniors.
- Younger age and better health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were associated with higher age-expectations.
Conclusions:
- Educational attainment is a key factor influencing age-expectations among diverse older adults.
- Addressing educational disparities may help mitigate ethnic differences in perceptions of aging.
- Future research should explore culturally specific factors impacting aging expectations.
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