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Age Stereotypes and Age Stigma: Connections to Research on Subjective Aging

Age Stereotypes and Age Stigma: Connections to Research on Subjective Aging <p>Older adults encounter ageism in various forms on a regular basis. Their experiences of age stigma can range from benevolent ones in which they receive unwanted help to more hostile ones in which they face rejection. In this chapter, we examine how older adults may cope with ageism and consider whether feeling subjectively younger might be one way for them to disidentify from their stigmatized age group. Before exploring this proposition, we first define age stigma and review how it is manifested in terms of age stereotypes and biases toward older adults, particularly in terms of benevolent versus hostile ageism. Next, we discuss the costs of experiencing age stigma and explore individual differences in age-based rejection sensitivity as a possible moderator of older adults' susceptibility to age stigma. Finally, we examine several coping strategies older adults may use to minimize the impact of age stigma, including feeling subjectively younger. We explore whether subjective age identification may constitute a violation of prescriptive age stereotypes concerning identity and whether such violations could result in backlash. We conclude with suggested directions for future research to better understand the complex relationship between age stigma and older adults' coping responses such as subjective age identification. </p> http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Annual Review of Gerontology & Geriatrics Springer Publishing

Age Stereotypes and Age Stigma: Connections to Research on Subjective Aging

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References (70)

Publisher
Springer Publishing
ISSN
0198-8794
eISSN
1944-4036
DOI
10.1891/0198-8794.35.99
Publisher site
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Abstract

<p>Older adults encounter ageism in various forms on a regular basis. Their experiences of age stigma can range from benevolent ones in which they receive unwanted help to more hostile ones in which they face rejection. In this chapter, we examine how older adults may cope with ageism and consider whether feeling subjectively younger might be one way for them to disidentify from their stigmatized age group. Before exploring this proposition, we first define age stigma and review how it is manifested in terms of age stereotypes and biases toward older adults, particularly in terms of benevolent versus hostile ageism. Next, we discuss the costs of experiencing age stigma and explore individual differences in age-based rejection sensitivity as a possible moderator of older adults' susceptibility to age stigma. Finally, we examine several coping strategies older adults may use to minimize the impact of age stigma, including feeling subjectively younger. We explore whether subjective age identification may constitute a violation of prescriptive age stereotypes concerning identity and whether such violations could result in backlash. We conclude with suggested directions for future research to better understand the complex relationship between age stigma and older adults' coping responses such as subjective age identification. </p>

Journal

Annual Review of Gerontology & Geriatrics – Springer Publishing

Published: Feb 1, 2015

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