Exploring ageism and ageing anxiety: a cross-sectional study in Egypt

Ageism and ageing anxiety are obstacles to health equity in the community. This study aims to assess ageism and ageing anxiety in Egypt and to elaborate on factors associated with ageism among Egyptians.

We conducted a cross-sectional online survey on 359 adult Egyptians using a predesigned questionnaire to assess socio-demographic factors, the Fraboni Scale on Ageism (FSA), the Ageing Anxiety Scale (AAS), one question about contact with older adults, and another question about religiosity.

The mean age of respondents was 27.91 years (SD = 8.99), with over half aged between 18 and 25 years, and the majority being women (68%). The mean total score of ageism was 72.79 (6.3) out of 116, while the mean total score of anxiety of ageing was 54.33 (8.83) out of 100. Male gender (B = 0.117, p = 0.024), infrequent contact with older adults (B = 0.163, p = 0.002), ageing anxiety (B = 0.238, p = 0.000), and insufficient income (B = 0.202, p = 0.007) were associated with increased ageism scores.

The observed associations between ageism and factors such as male gender, infrequent contact with older adults, insufficient income, and ageing anxiety highlight the potential need for focused educational initiatives. Implementing comprehensive educational programs that not only inform individuals about the ageing process but also promote positive intergenerational interactions could serve as a promising strategy to combat ageism.