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10:00 AM
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11:00 AM
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PSY Research Master of Arts Thesis Defense by Jacqlyn Fletcher
- Location: Online
- Contact: > See Description for contact information
- Description: The Psychology Department is pleased to announce the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Research Psychology Thesis Defense of Jacqlyn Fletcher
Date: Monday, January 10, 2022
Time:10:00-11:00am
Location: Online
Title: Ageist Beliefs of Young Adults in Relation to Mental Health and Psychosocial Factors
For zoom access information, please contact Andrew Revell (arevell@umassd.edu)
Abstract:
Research indicates people are living longer and longer. By the year 2050, it is expected that worldwide, there will be approximately 2 billion people who are over the age 65 (WHO, 2017). All those who are over the age of 65 are susceptible to being faced with negative, false stereotypes against them. These negative, false stereotypes most often occur as a result of ageism. Ageism is commonly faced by many older adults, but it is not a thoroughly studied topic. This study examined how the variables of knowledge of aging, attitudes towards aging, anxiety about one's own aging, depression, and generalized anxiety contribute to reporting ageist beliefs. The participants (N=140) were young adults (80% ages 18-20) attending a research-intensive university in Southeastern Massachusetts. This study examined how knowledge of aging, attitudes towards aging, anxiety about one's own aging, depression, and generalized anxiety contribute to reporting ageist beliefs. Means testing analyses were conducted to ascertain how these variables are related with one another and to the presence of ageism. Results of this investigation indicated that college age students who have close relationships with people over the age of 65 reported fewer ageist beliefs. In addition, having a supportive relationship with a person over the age of 65 that one trusted completely also predicted fewer ageist beliefs. In contrast, fear of aging and death was found to be strongly associated with the presence of ageist beliefs. Presence of depression or generalized anxiety, not related to fear of aging or death, was not associated with ageist beliefs.
Advisor: Dr. Andrew Revell, Department of Psychology; and Ora M. DeJesus Gerontology Center.
Committee: Dr. Robin Arkerson, Department of Psychology; and Dr. Brian Ayotte, Department of Psychology
All interested faculty, students, and community members are invited to attend Ms. Fletcher's presentation.
- Topical Areas: Faculty, General Public, Staff and Administrators, Students, University Community, Conferences & Events, Lectures and Seminars
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