Examining the effect of ambivalent feelings about old age on older adults discrimination and fear in individuals

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of adults' ambivalent feelings about old age on older adults discrimination and fear. The data of the cross-sectional study were collected between December 15, 2023 and May 15, 2024. G Power program was used to calculate the sample size. A total of 392 individuals who agreed to participate in the study were reached and 10 individuals with psychiatric disorders were excluded from the study. The study was completed with 382 individuals. The data of the study were collected by using Personal Information Form, The Ambivalent Ageism Scale, Fraboni Scale of Ageism and Fear of Old Age Scale. The data were analyzed with SPSS 27.0 package program. It was determined that the total score of the participants' Ambivalent Ageism Scale was above the average, the total score of the Fraboni Scale of Ageism was close to the average, and the total score of the Fear of Old Age Scale was above the average. In the simple linear regression analysis, it was found that ageism with ambivalent emotions had a significant effect on the levels of ageism (p < .001) and fear of old age (p < .001). As a result, it was determined that adult individuals intensely experience ambivalent emotions related to old age. It is noteworthy that these ambivalent feelings are important factors in people's fear of getting older and being subjected to discrimination in old age.