Reducing ageism: Education about aging and extended contact with older adults

Ashley Lytle, Sheri R. Levy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

112 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Ageism is of increasing concern due to the growing older population worldwide and youth-centered focus of many societies. Research Design and Methods: The current investigation tested the PEACE (Positive Education about Aging and Contact Experiences) model for the first time. Two online experimental studies examined 2 key factors for reducing ageism: education about aging (providing accurate information about aging) and extended contact (knowledge of positive intergenerational contact) as well as their potential combined effect (education plus extended contact). Results and Discussion: In Study 1, 354 undergraduates in all 3 experimental conditions (vs. control participants) reported less negative attitudes toward older adults (delayed post-test) and greater aging knowledge (immediate and delayed post-tests), when controlling for pre-study attitudes. In Study 2, 505 national community participants (ages 18-59) in all experimental conditions (vs. control participants) reported less negative attitudes toward older adults (immediate post-test) and greater aging knowledge (immediate and delayed post-tests). In summary, across 2 online studies, education about aging and knowledge of intergenerational extended contact improved attitudes toward older adults and aging knowledge. Implications: Thus, brief, online ageism-reduction strategies can be an effective way to combat ageism. These strategies hold promise to be tested in other settings, with other samples, and to be elaborated into more in-depth interventions that aim to reduce ageism in everyday culture.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)580-588
Number of pages9
JournalGerontologist
Volume59
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 17 May 2019

Keywords

  • Experimental design
  • Intergenerational relationships
  • Intervention
  • Prejudice reduction

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Reducing ageism: Education about aging and extended contact with older adults'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this