Older individuals are no strangers to ageism, regularly facing unwarranted assumptions and jests about their advancing years.
Surprisingly, this ageist attitude can even extend inwardly, as a novel study suggests.
Let's delve deeper into the matter.
Exploring the nuances of self-directed ageism
Guided by Professor Julie Henry from UQ's School of Psychology, researchers embarked on an inquiry to unveil the prevalence and repercussions of self-directed ageism among older adults.
As individuals age, they inevitably encounter ageism, encountering derogatory assumptions and mocking based on their older age.
Simultaneously, cognitive transformations take place, causing older individuals to increasingly rely on prior knowledge and environmental cues to shape their thoughts and behaviors.
The fusion of these cognitive shifts and a societal devaluation of aging makes it challenging for older individuals to challenge and counter their internalized ageist beliefs, fostering self-directed ageism.
Unmasking its hidden consequences
This form of self-directed ageism manifests as self-doubt, harboring negative perceptions of one's own aging, and nurturing fear of being judged based on age-based stereotypes.
The study discloses potential implications of self-directed ageism, encompassing a curtailed lifespan, inferior physical and mental health, decelerated recovery from disability, and cognitive regression.
A call for intervention
To combat self-directed ageism, the research accentuates the significance of interventions fostering positive social interactions between younger and older individuals, thereby forestalling the germination of negative attitudes toward aging.
