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Changes In Young Adults’ Perspective On Ageism After Participating In A Virtual Nutrition Education Program With Older Adults, Julianne Hensley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The growing older adult population has led to increased ageist tendencies among younger generations. Previous research suggests that ageism is associated with cognitive and physical decline among older adults. This mixed-methods research project examined changes in ageist perceptions among graduate student facilitators and undergraduate nutrition ambassadors after participating in a training that included information about healthy aging, addressing ageism, and communicating with older adults. Results from a secondary data analysis of pre-test/post-test data and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with facilitators of Socially Nutritious, a virtual nutrition education program for older adults, indicate that ageist perceptions decreased after the …

The Greater Implications Of Self-Perceptions Of Aging Among Younger Adults: Results From The Socially Nutritious Volunteer Training Program, Ashlyn Cobble

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The rapidly growing rate of the older adult population has created a need to better understand younger adults’ self-perceptions of aging and current trends of ageism. The purpose of this secondary data analysis research project was to determine changes, if any, in participants’ self-perception of aging after the Socially Nutritious facilitator or nutrition ambassador volunteer training, which aims to develop knowledge and skills related to aging trends, older adult nutrition, preventing ageism, and communication and educational considerations when working with older adults. Findings indicate that participants with more frequent interactions with older adults had a more positive perception of their …

Fostering Inclusivity And Resilience: Challenges To Community-Based Empowerment For Trans Elders In Roanoke, Virginia, Summer Skye Allison

Undergraduate Honors Theses

As popular media disseminates harmful “culture war” rhetoric regarding trans folk it has become increasingly necessary to amplify their voices to give them power over how they are perceived by society. Though political discourse regarding trans children has become a hot-button topic, this paper seeks to explore the overlooked experiences of trans elders as they contend with intersecting instances of ageism and transphobia from individuals and institutions in Roanoke, Virginia. Since community-based organizations like the Roanoke Diversity Center and Ladies and Gents of the Blue Ridge have been instrumental to strengthening the LGBTQ+ community in Roanoke, this research focuses on …

Age-Related Microaggressions: A Follow-Up Descriptive Study, Hannah M. Lewis

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Age-related microaggressions are forms of ageist discrimination that occur during day-to-day interactions. The aim of this study was to identify common types of age-related microaggressions as well as to determine how negative affect influences emotional reactions to microaggressions. Using an online survey, participants (n = 200) were asked if they had experienced any of the 20 most common examples of age-related microaggressions reported in previous research (Gietzen et al, 2022). Follow up questions inquired about the frequency, emotional reactions, and behavioral responses to these microaggressions. Participants also rated their physical health and completed the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS; …

Exploring Gaps In Understanding And Responding To Ageism: A Conceptual Model, Psychosocial Health, And Racialized Ageism, Andrew T. Steward

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ageism is an insidious, prevalent social justice issue which has harmful effects on the health of older adults. This dissertation includes three manuscripts which explore gaps in understanding and responding to ageism through three distinct methodological approaches. Two primary gaps are addressed in the three manuscripts: 1) conceptualizing and testing activities or interventions to reduce internalized ageism and enhance psychosocial health for older adults, and 2) exploring the intersectionality of ageism with racism.

The first manuscript draws from stereotype embodiment theory and theories of successful and productive aging to detail a conceptual model of interventions which may reduce internalized ageism …

Attitudes And Perceptions Of Nursing Graduates Regarding Interest In Gerontological Nursing Practice, Sonia Millicent Donaldson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAn ongoing increase in the number of older adults means an increased need for specialized health care, creating, in turn, a need for an increase in nurses in the United States to meet the demand. However, there is a problem in that nursing graduates, from the time they are students, do not choose geriatric-gerontological nursing (GN) as is practiced in long-term care and some specialty areas or units. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore nursing graduates’ perceptions of GN as a field for professional practice and to determine how interest in GN may be encouraged. The …

Age-Related Microaggressions: A Descriptive Study, Luke J. Gietzen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The aim of this study was to expand the literature on ageism and microaggressions by defining a novel concept called an age-related microaggression. Participants (n = 51) were presented with explanations of gender and racially charged microaggressions and then were asked whether they had ever had an experience like that but related to their age. Participants described experiences of age-related microaggressions and were further guided through a series of questions via an online survey to determine the topography of the age-related microaggressions, emotional and behavioral reactions to being victimized, perpetrators and settings of the attacks, and perceived intent. A thematic …

"We're All Aging": A Discourse Analysis Of Older Adults Aging Experiences In Humboldt County, Kaitlyn Dawn Boyes

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Age is a ubiquitous concept. One minute we are counting down the days until our birthday and the next minute we are ignoring the fact our birthdays exist. Society’s aging population is rapidly growing and is expected to double nearly double by 2050, this increase in population has led to a shift in treatment and attitudes towards both those who are aging and aging itself. There is currently a gap in the literature on aging experiences coming from those experiencing it; rather those in medical professions often dictate these experiences. To help fill those gaps this thesis explores how older …

Ageism, Passed Down From Generation To Generation, Amy L. Gothing

Community Engagement Student Work

This participatory social justice focused project used both qualitative and quantitative approaches to examine how the intergenerational model challenges ageism in society. This project provided a space for knowledge creation and committed action of community leaders of the North Shore, MA. Through analysis of current literature as well as respondents’ participation in surveys, observational and interactive activities during a 2-hour training: All Ages All Together it was found that by intentionally planning for intergenerational programming you allow opportunities for relationships to grow; by raising awareness of the role media plays on the construction of stigmas and stereotypes participants were able …

Ageism: Abilene Christian University Students’ Perception Of Aging Adults, Taylor A. Nix

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The world is aging at a rapid pace. This creates a need for society to focus attention toward issues that are affecting the elderly population. This shift in focus regarding the elderly population also calls for the need of additional geriatric education as well as training while working with this vulnerable population. Research targeting college students’ shows that there is a lack of desire among students for working with the aging adult population. This lack of desire to work with the elderly population is associated with ageism; or, biased perceptions about age. The purpose of this study was to determine …

The Psychological Effects Of Ageism On Older Adults: Are There Any?, Christina Denise Nieblas

Theses Digitization Project

The focus of this study was the psychological effects and experiences of ageism on older adults. Data was gathered qualitatively through interviews with seventeen older adults living in independent living apartments of a continuing care retirement community. The study site was a continuing care retirement community with independent living apartments for older adults in Riverside County, California.

Ageism In American Society: Are Aging Women Of Color Assertive Enough?, Tina Maria Doss-Collins

Theses Digitization Project

The study focus was ageism and assertiveness in aging women of color. The study examined a relationship between ageism occurring with these women and their response to it, if any. There were 41 participants in this study. They were all women of color 60-years of age and older. The participants were members of a church located in Los Angeles County.

Elder Abuse: More Is Expected Unless Society And Newspapers Intervene, Betty Lou Guckian

Theses & Dissertations

Elder abuse is a social illness of epidemic proportions in the United States and older Americans constitute one of the largest age groups in the nation. Ironically, there exists no comprehensive scientific study on the national incidence or prevalence of elder abuse in both institutional and domestic settings. However, state-based studies conducted over more than two decades show rampant elder abuse is a fact. Many factors contribute to the lack of research on a national scale including victims' underreporting of abuse for fear of retaliation. Lack of strong federal oversight of inconsistent, state-based laws and investigative procedures as well as …

The Role Of Stereotypes In Age Discrimination In Hiring: Evaluation And Intervention, Eyal Gringart

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

As the number of older adults grows, governments find it increasingly harder to support them through social and health care services. One solution to this problem is for older adults to remain in paid employment longer. However, older workers are discriminated against due to negative stereotyping by employers. Previous research has found that older females experienced greater discrimination than did older males. In order to address the issue of hiring discrimination against older adults a progressive two-stage research project was conducted. Using a questionnaire that was developed especially for this project, Study One explored the stereotypes held about older workers …

Intergenerational Contact And Children's Perceptions Of Seniors, Jacqueline L. Carmichael

Theses : Honours

The exploration of issues relating to intergenerational contact and children's perceptions of seniors has received little attention in the area of gerontology. This study employed a survey research approach, utilising a questionnaire to explore this topic. This survey was given to a group of one hundred and six students in Year Six and Seven in a metropolitan Western Australian primary school. The aim of this research is to explore the relationship between intergenerational contact and the perceptions held by primary school aged children about seniors. Previous findings demonstrate that there was either no relationship between the variables or only a …