Resiliency Over Time of Elders' Age Stereotypes After Encountering Stressful Events

J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2015 Nov;70(6):886-90. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbu082. Epub 2014 Jul 5.

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether the age stereotypes of older individuals would become more negative or else show resiliency following stressful events and to examine whether age-stereotype negativity would increase the likelihood of experiencing a stressful event (i.e., hospitalization).

Method: Age stereotypes of 231 participants, 70 years and older, were assessed across 10 years, before and after the occurrence of hospitalizations and bereavements.

Results: Age-stereotype negativity was resilient despite encountering stressful events. In contrast, more negative age stereotypes were associated with a 50% greater likelihood of experiencing a hospitalization.

Discussion: The robustness of negative age stereotypes was expressed in their capacity to resist change as well as generate it.

Keywords: Aging; Bereavement; Hospitalization; Longitudinal; Resiliency; Stereotypes; Stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events*
  • Male
  • Resilience, Psychological*
  • Stereotyping*
  • Time Factors