Ageism toward older adults during COVID-19: associations with emotional coping and intergenerational contact

The COVID-19 pandemic brought substantial social and emotional stressors, alongside widespread messaging that framed older adults as particularly vulnerable. It remains unclear whether these conditions were associated with hostile and benevolent ageist perspectives of older people. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the factors associated with ageism, perceived changes in emotional coping, and the attitudes and experiences of Australian residents toward older adults.

Ageism, aging expectations, and contact quality with older adults in the context of COVID-19 were explored using an online, cross-sectional correlational study design, participants responded to both established and novel measures for these factors.

A total of 273 Australian residents completed the online study (aged 19-82 years, M = 40.73, SD = 14.74). There was no association between emotional coping and ageist beliefs. More positive aging expectations were related to lower hostile ageism, but not benevolent ageism. Positive contact with older adults was linked with lower hostile ageism and higher benevolent ageism, while negative contact showed the reverse pattern.

The current study suggests that ageist messages portraying 'vulnerability' reflected commonly held attitudes toward older Australians during the pandemic and highlights the importance of considering both the quality and nature of intergenerational contact when developing ageism-reduction strategies. Potential explanations, limitations and directions for future research are discussed.