Effects of Workplace Ageism on Negative Perception of Aging and Subjective Well-being of Older Adults According to Gender and Employment Status

Overview

Journal Geriatr Gerontol Int

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2024 Feb 15

PMID 38357840

Authors

Masumi Takeuhi

Keiko Katagiri

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aim: According to stereotype embodiment theory, workplace ageism can worsen older adults' self-perceptions of aging and subjective well-being. However, there has been little research on gender differences in this regard. This study examined the effects of workplace ageism on attitudes toward aging and subjective well-being according to gender and employment status.

Methods: We carried out an online survey of 600 participants aged 60-74 years in October 2021. Participants were equally divided into women who had worked full-time, women who had worked part-time and men who had worked full-time, and further divided by current employment status, forming a total of six groups for comparison.

Results: A total of 75% of the participants perceived some form of workplace ageism. Structural equation modeling showed that, for men and women in full-time employment, workplace ageism was associated with a negative self-perception of aging and poor subjective well-being, the effect of which was strong among those currently employed and weak among those who had retired. For women working part-time, the impact of workplace ageism on subjective well-being was stronger among those who were currently unemployed.

Conclusion: Workplace ageism exacerbates older adults' self-perception of aging and decreases their subjective well-being. Women working part-time might quit their jobs when their subjective well-being worsens due to workplace ageism. Therefore, it is necessary to create a workplace environment that is comfortable for older workers and free of ageism. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 259-265.

Citing Articles

Effects of workplace ageism on negative perception of aging and subjective well-being of older adults according to gender and employment status.

Takeuhi M, Katagiri K Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2024; 24 Suppl 1:259-265.

PMID: 38357840 PMC: 11503551. DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14819.

References

Caetano S, Silva C, Vettore M . Gender differences in the association of perceived social support and social network with self-rated health status among older adults: a population-based study in Brazil. BMC Geriatr. 2013; 13:122. PMC: 4225700. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2318-13-122. View

Ayalon L . Loneliness and Anxiety About Aging in Adult Day Care Centers and Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Innov Aging. 2018; 2(2):igy021. PMC: 6177038. DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy021. View

Harada K, Sugisawa H, Sugihara Y, Yanagisawa S, Shimmei M . Perceived Age Discrimination and Job Satisfaction Among Older Employed Men in Japan. Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2018; 89(3):294-310. DOI: 10.1177/0091415018811100. View

Diener E, Emmons R, Larsen R, Griffin S . The Satisfaction With Life Scale. J Pers Assess. 1985; 49(1):71-5. DOI: 10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13. View

Abrams D, Swift H, Drury L . Old and Unemployable? How Age-Based Stereotypes Affect Willingness to Hire Job Candidates. J Soc Issues. 2016; 72(1):105-121. PMC: 4999032. DOI: 10.1111/josi.12158. View

Sabik N . Ageism and body esteem: associations with psychological well-being among late middle-aged African American and European American women. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2013; 70(2):191-201. PMC: 4351384. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbt080. View

Kornadt A, Rothermund K . Contexts of aging: assessing evaluative age stereotypes in different life domains. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2011; 66(5):547-56. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbr036. View

Menkin J, Robles T, Gruenewald T, Tanner E, Seeman T . Positive Expectations Regarding Aging Linked to More New Friends in Later Life. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2016; 72(5):771-781. PMC: 5926985. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbv118. View

Hooker K, Mejia S, Phibbs S, Tan E, Stevens J . Effects of Age Discrimination on Self-perceptions of Aging and Cancer Risk Behaviors. Gerontologist. 2019; 59(Suppl 1):S28-S37. DOI: 10.1093/geront/gny183. View

10.

Marquet M, Chasteen A, Plaks J, Balasubramaniam L . Understanding the mechanisms underlying the effects of negative age stereotypes and perceived age discrimination on older adults' well-being. Aging Ment Health. 2018; 23(12):1666-1673. DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2018.1514487. View

11.

Lawton M . The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale: a revision. J Gerontol. 1975; 30(1):85-9. DOI: 10.1093/geronj/30.1.85. View

12.

Levy B . Stereotype Embodiment: A Psychosocial Approach to Aging. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2010; 18(6):332-336. PMC: 2927354. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01662.x. View

13.

Saeki U, Nasermoaddeli A, Sekine M, Kagamimori S . [Relationships of positive and negative affectivity to sleep quality in Japanese civil servants: 3-year follow-up study]. Sangyo Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2008; 50(6):219-25. DOI: 10.1539/sangyoeisei.b8002. View

14.

Levy B, Zonderman A, Slade M, Ferrucci L . Age stereotypes held earlier in life predict cardiovascular events in later life. Psychol Sci. 2009; 20(3):296-8. PMC: 2666386. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02298.x. View

15.

Lasher K, Faulkender P . Measurement of aging anxiety: development of the Anxiety about Aging Scale. Int J Aging Hum Dev. 1993; 37(4):247-59. DOI: 10.2190/1U69-9AU2-V6LH-9Y1L. View

16.

Pinquart M, Sorensen S . Gender differences in self-concept and psychological well-being in old age: a meta-analysis. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2001; 56(4):P195-213. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/56.4.p195. View

17.

Takeuhi M, Katagiri K . Effects of workplace ageism on negative perception of aging and subjective well-being of older adults according to gender and employment status. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2024; 24 Suppl 1:259-265. PMC: 11503551. DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14819. View

18.

Stokes J, Moorman S . Sticks and Stones: Perceived Age Discrimination, Well-Being, and Health Over a 20-Year Period. Res Aging. 2019; 42(3-4):115-125. DOI: 10.1177/0164027519894875. View