Age attributions and aging health: contrast between the United States and Japan

J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2009 May;64(3):335-8. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbp002. Epub 2009 Apr 1.

Abstract

Older Americans often attribute health problems to old age, rather than to extenuating circumstances. Previous studies of Americans found that age attributions predict adverse health outcomes. We examined whether culture influences both the tendency to make age attributions and their effect on aging health. We found that (a) Japanese were significantly more likely to make age attributions than Americans; (b) age attributions were significantly associated with worse functional health among older Americans, but not older Japanese; (c) interdependence was significantly higher among older Japanese; and (d) older participants higher in interdependence were less likely to experience the association between greater age attributions and worse functional health. This study suggests the association is not inevitable when culture provides a countervailing force.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living / psychology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Attention
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Awareness
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison*
  • Culture*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prejudice
  • Public Opinion*
  • Social Identification
  • Social Values
  • Stereotyping
  • United States
  • Young Adult