Attitudes Towards Aging: Factors Influencing Perception of Growing Older, Exercises of English

Download Attitudes Towards Aging: Factors Influencing Perception of Growing Older and more Exercises English in PDF only on Docsity! Attitudes Towards Aging 1 Running head: ATTITUDES TOWARDS AGING Attitudes Towards Aging 3220 Evergreen Valley College Attitudes Towards Aging 2 Abstract The purpose of this study was two-fold: to examine the relationship between various factors, such as age, education level, knowledge about the aging process, and attitude towards aging, and to find out if there were any significant differences between genders. Participants, which included 60 women and 26 men, ranging in age from 18 to 94, completed a three-part on-line survey. It was hypothesized that older participants and those with higher education, sociability, and knowledgeable about the aging process would perceive growing older more favorably. Results indicated a significant correlation between education and knowledge (p < .01), between knowledge and attitude (p < .05), and between age and attitude (p < .05), which confirmed previous research results. No significant gender differences were found in regards to knowledge and attitude, but results revealed a very high correlation between chronological age and perceived “old age” (p < .01). Attitudes Towards Aging 5 74. All participants were part of convenience sampling; while most were invited to complete the survey via electronic mail (an easy link to the correct site was provided), some participants were my classmates in Psychology 018 at Evergreen Valley College, whom I personally encouraged to take my survey via the class link. Materials The survey was posted on the Internet; it included a welcome message, 27 questions, and a thank you note (Appendix). The survey section consisted of three parts; the first part encompassed demographics, sociability, and personal satisfaction questions (part A), the second part attempted to gauge the participants’ knowledge of the aging process (part B), and the last part asked about their personal feeling towards growing older (part C). Design and Procedure This was a non-experimental study that looked for several correlations and differences. The variables in this study were gender, education, attitude towards aging, knowledge of the aging process, sociability, and chronological and perceived old age. Participants completed the survey using any computer. First they were informed about anonymity, risks and benefits, age requirements, and their right to quit at any time. After filling out the survey, a parting message tevealed the aim of the study. The participants were thanked and given an e-mail address for further inquiry about the findings if'so desired. Results Only the data of fully-completed surveys (86 of 92) were included in this study. A higher sociability score meant that the participant was more involved with friends and activities (part A), more knowledge was represented by a lower number (8 - 48) on the questions in part B , and for attitude a lower number (7 - 42) meant a more positive attitude towards aging (part C). Attitudes Towards Aging 6 A Pearson correlation between sociability and attitude towards aging was not significant with r (84) =- 0.04, p > .05, two-tailed. A Pearson correlation between educational level and knowledge about aging was found to be significant with r (84) = - 2.6, p < .05, two-tailed. A Spearman correlation between knowledge and attitude towards aging was found to be highly significant with p (84) = 0.59, p < .01, two-tailed. A Spearman correlation between age and attitude towards aging was also found to be significant with p (84) = - 0.31, p < .05, two-tailed. When gender and attitude were compared, females (= 23.58, SD = 6.5) and males (V/ = 22.19, SD = 4.44) had very similar values. A 2 sample t-test showed that there was no significant difference in attitude towards aging between genders, t (84)= -1.15, p > .05. Likewise, when gender and knowledge about the aging process were compared, females (M= 17.57, SD = 5.46) and males (M = 17.81, SD = 4.6) had almost identical values. Once again, a 2 sample t-test showed that there was no significant difference in knowledge between genders, t (84)= 0.21, p > .05. A Pearson correlation between chronological age and perceived “old age” was found to be highly significant with r (84) = 0.48, p < .01, two-tailed. The mean “old age” was 71, and the average difference was 30 years. Discussion. Contrary to previous research and one of my hypotheses, participants who reported more social involvement did not perceive aging more favorably; older participants however, did have a mote positive attitude towards aging, which confirmed my prediction. The results of this survey also supported my hypothesis that higher education and knowledge about aging go hand in hand, and people with more knowledge are very likely to have a much more positive outlook on aging. No significant gender differences were found in regards to knowledge of and attitude towards aging, but as the chronological age of the respondent climbed, the perceived “old age” also Attitudes Towards Aging 7 shifted upwards, indicating a strong positive correlation. There were some limitations in this study; despite the large sample size, it did not tepresent the general population as approximately 70% were females, 74% of the participants had an AA degree or higher, and over 41% of them reported a household income of $80,000 or more. Because this sample appears privileged, extrapolating the findings of this survey to the general population would not be advisable. Although the questions were carefully chosen, responses on the statement “60 is the new 40” were incorporated in the attitude score, and therefore should have been included in part C rather than in part B. The last questions of the survey was a compound question, which hindered interpretation. In future surveys I would use better phrasing, make the questions more specific, and avoid compound questions. Because of the way the answers were calibrated, the findings came out counterintuitive; as a result data analysis was unnecessarily complicated and the plots were hard to read. Careful consideration when assigning values to Likert scale answers might make the final data much easier to interpret. Taking previous research and this study's findings into account, there is enough evidence to suggest that as people become better informed on the process of aging, their attitude towards growing older would most likely improve. Distributing a brochure, emphasizing the positive aspects of aging and dispelling the myths, could possibly help change the general public's stereotypical views and make for a happier group of retirees. Attitudes Towards Aging 10 Appendix Attitudes Towards Aging In this study, you will be presented with several questions about you and about aging. This research is completely anonymous. You will not be asked to provide your name. There are no inherent risks or benefits to participating in this study beyond the contribution you will be making to cumulative psychological science. Your choice to participate in this research is completely voluntary. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, and your decision to withdraw will have no penalty to you. However, if you leave before completing the survey, we will not be able to use your data. If you agree to these conditions, and you are at least 18, please proceed with the study. Saskia Stockbroekx-Pinto saskiapinto@yahoo.com This study has been approved by the instructor for Psychology 018 at Evergreen Valley College. Contact: J. David Eisenberg david.eisenberg@eve.edu Part A: All about you. 1. What is your gender? 2. How old are you? 3. What is your marital status? Single Married Divorced Widowed 4, What is your highest educational level? No high school Some high school High school graduate Some college Attitudes Towards Aging 11 AA degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree Doctoral degree and beyond 5. What is your annual household income? less than $20,000 between $20,000 and $39,000 between $40,000 and $59,000 between $60,000 and $79,000 between $80,000 and $99,000 between $100,000 and $125,000 more than $ 125,000 6. What is your overall health? Poor Below average Average Above average Excellent 7. How many hours a week are you physically active? (gym, walking, dancing, gardening...) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 or more 8. How many hours do you actively participate in hobbies or volunteering on a weekly basis? None 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 or more 9. How many friends (outside of work) do you keep contact with on a weekly basis? None 1 2 3 4 or more 10. How would you describe your life experience? (health, looks, spendable income, friends/family) I am happy with all aspects of my life I am happy with most aspects of my life Iam unhappy with most aspects of my life I am unhappy with all aspects of my life 11. What age do you consider old? Attitudes Towards Aging 12 Part B: Your opinion counts! 1. Most older people are chronically ill. Strongly disagree Disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Agree Strongly agree The same 6 point Likert scale was used for all remaining questions. 2. Older people are financial burdens on society. 3. Elderly can be productive workers. 4. The majority of people over 65 are senile. . As people grow older their intelligence declines significantly. . Today's 60 is the new 40. 5 6 7. Ingeneral most old people are alike. 8. Older people adapt well to new environment. 9 . Inregards to aging, after 50 it is nothing but downhill. Part C: Tell us about your personal journey. 1. As I get older, my opinion about “old age” has become more positive. Strongly disagree Disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Agree Strongly agree The same 6 point Likert scale was used for all remaining questions.