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The role of perceived discrimination on active aging
Rocio Fernandez-Ballesteros1, Ricardo Olmos1, Marta Santacreu2
1Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain.
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|March 1, 2017
Summary
Perceived age discrimination negatively impacts active aging in older adults. This study found that regardless of cultural background, experiencing discrimination is linked to poorer health, lower life satisfaction, and reduced self-perception of aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Social Psychology
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Perceived age discrimination is linked to adverse health outcomes and dissatisfaction in older adults.
- Active aging, a key public policy focus, encompasses health, mood, and control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of perceived age discrimination on active aging among older adults.
- To determine if perceived discrimination negatively predicts active aging across different cultures.
Main Methods:
- Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data from 2005 older adults in Germany, Mexico, and Spain.
- Active aging was operationalized as high reported health, life satisfaction, and self-perception of aging.
- Perceived discrimination and active aging were assessed across representative national samples.
Main Results:
- A direct negative association between perceived age discrimination and active aging was confirmed.
- Multiple group comparisons supported the hypothesis that discrimination predicts lower active aging.
- Results indicated that perceived discrimination is a negative predictor of active aging across diverse cultural contexts.
Conclusions:
- Perceived age discrimination significantly undermines active aging in older populations.
- Cultural differences in active aging and discrimination perception do not alter the negative relationship.
- Interventions addressing age discrimination may enhance active aging and well-being in older adults.
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