Predictors of Attitudes Towards Older Adults: The Role of Knowledge about Aging, Frequency and Quality of Contact, and Anxiety About Aging

Abstract

In the context of the increasing number of older people in society and the frequent negative attitudes towards them, this study aims to investigate the factors that contribute to the formation of these attitudes. In particular, it aims to investigate whether knowledge about aging, frequency and quality of contact and anxiety about aging predict negative attitudes, controlling for age and gender. In addition, the mediating role of anxiety about aging in the relationship between knowledge about aging and contact with older people and their attitudes was investigated. The study included 587 participants (82.3% women and 17.7% men) aged 18 to 84 years (M = 44.68, SD = 15.63). Participants completed a series of questionnaires assessing frequency and quality of contact, attitudes towards older people, anxiety about aging and their knowledge about aging and old age. The results show that older participants, men, people with a high anxiety about aging, less knowledge about aging and people with less good relationships with older people have a more negative attitude. Anxiety about aging acts as a mediator in the relationship between knowledge about aging and attitudes towards older people, as well as between quality of contact and attitudes. This research contributes to the understanding of contradictory findings and cultural specificities and supports theories explaining ageism. In addition, knowledge about aging and quality of contact have been shown to be important protective mechanisms that can be used in interventions to reduce negative attitudes towards older people from early childhood.