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Updated: Sep 25, 2025
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Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing
Published on: January 24, 2020
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Managing One's Age in Age-Dissimilar Mentoring Relationships
Sara E Barth1, Jennifer L Wessel1, Eden B King2
1Psychology Department, 1068University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
International Journal of Aging & Human Development
|April 27, 2022
Summary
Mentoring relationships benefit from positive age-related behaviors, not just age differences. Managing age positively by redefining stereotypes improves outcomes for mentors and protégés.
Area of Science:
- Workforce development
- Organizational psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The aging workforce presents opportunities for intergenerational knowledge transfer through mentoring.
- Age-dissimilar mentoring relationships can face interpersonal challenges due to age-related stereotypes and social perceptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics, challenges, and outcomes of age-dissimilar mentoring relationships.
- To determine the impact of age dissimilarity versus age-related behaviors on mentoring success.
Main Methods:
- The study analyzed mentoring relationships with doctor and lawyer protégés.
- Qualitative and quantitative methods were employed to assess relationship outcomes and participant perceptions.
Main Results:
- Age-related behaviors, specifically how individuals manage their age, were more influential than age dissimilarity itself.
- Proactively redefining age-related stereotypes positively correlated with better mentoring outcomes.
- Ignoring or avoiding age stereotypes was less beneficial for relationship success.
Conclusions:
- Effective age management and positive stereotype reframing are crucial for successful mentoring, irrespective of age gaps.
- Strategies focusing on positive age identity and stereotype management can enhance intergenerational workplace relationships.
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