Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026
07:40
Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
4.3K
Student Expectations About Mental Health and Aging
Michelle Pannor Silver1, Natalie Irene Warrick2, Alaina Cyr2
1a Anthropology/Health Studies , University of Toronto Scarborough Campus and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.
Gerontology & Geriatrics Education
|January 27, 2015
Summary
Undergraduate gerontology students showed improved expectations about aging and mental health after a course. This study highlights the impact of education on perceptions of aging and geriatric mental health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Stereotype embodiment theory provides a framework for understanding how societal expectations influence individual perceptions.
- Existing literature lacks comprehensive analysis of how formal education impacts students' views on aging and mental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in expectations regarding mental health and aging among undergraduate gerontology students.
- To assess the effectiveness of an undergraduate gerontology course in modifying students' perceptions of aging.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mixed-methods approach combining an open-ended word association exercise and the Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA-12) survey.
- Collected data at the beginning and end of the course from 51 undergraduate students.
- Employed content analysis, quantization, and statistical tests (including analysis of the ERA-MHS subscale) for data analysis.
Main Results:
- Participants demonstrated more favorable expectations about aging and mental health over the course duration.
- Expectations Regarding Aging-Mental Health Subscale (ERA-MHS) scores significantly improved from Time 1 (M = 48.86) to Time 2 (M = 65.36, p < .01).
- Qualitative analysis revealed an increase in positive terms like "successful aging" and a decrease in negative terms like "depressed."
Conclusions:
- An undergraduate gerontology course can positively shift students' expectations regarding mental health and aging.
- Findings underscore the importance of specialized education in developing geriatric mental health competencies for future health professionals.
- Educational interventions can effectively challenge negative stereotypes associated with aging.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
1.3K
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
1.3K
01:30Stress and Mental Health
1.5K
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
1.5K
01:27Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
1.6K
Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines a series of stages through which individuals progress across the lifespan. Each stage involves a psychosocial conflict that significantly influences personal growth and well-being. Three key stages — intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair — highlight the developmental challenges faced in adulthood.
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early...
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early...
1.6K
01:26Aging
1.1K
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
1.1K
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.9K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.9K
01:15Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
375
Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
375