Age Differences in Attitudes towards Older People in Poland.

Elżbieta Krajewska-Kułak,Paulina Aniśko,Mateusz Cybulski,Magda Popławska

doi:10.3390/ijerph18136869

Abstract

Introduction: The attitudes towards older people is essential. Society’s perception of older adults is often unpleasant. Inappropriate treatment of older people in society causes a decrease in self-esteem, a sense of control over one’s own life, a decrease in the quality of life, an increase in anxiety, depression, anger, and sadness. The aim of this study was to compare the attitudes of young people and seniors towards older people in relation to their satisfaction with life and self-esteem. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted online in groups of young adults under 35 years of age (Group I) and over 65 years of age (group II), with 177 people each. Method: The study used the following questionnaires: Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Self-Assessment of Own Person (SOP), and Kogan’s Attitude Towards Old People Scale (KATOPS). Results: The satisfaction of life in both groups was average. The mean value of self-esteem was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in the group of seniors. Both groups of respondents had negative attitudes towards seniors in the KATOPS. There was a statistically significant correlation between life satisfaction and self-esteem in seniors. Gender, age, education, or place of residence of respondents had no impact on negative attitudes in both groups. Conclusions: Both groups showed negative attitudes towards seniors. No significant correlation was found between the groups and gender of the respondents, and the influence of the respondent’s age, education, marital status, or place of residence. There was a correlation between the respondents’ attitudes in the subscale of negative attitudes and their satisfaction with life. No correlation between self-esteem and age and marital status were found with no dependence on gender, education, or place of residence.

Highlights

In 2019, every fourth (25.3%) person in Poland was a senior—that is, 60 years old or older [1]
Our study aimed to evaluate whether intergenerational differences exist in the attitudes of young people and seniors towards older people and, if so, whether those attitudes are influenced by satisfaction with life and self-esteem
The aim of our study was to compare the attitudes of young people and seniors towards older adults in relation to their satisfaction with life and self-esteem

Summary

Introduction

In 2019, every fourth (25.3%) person in Poland was a senior—that is, 60 years old or older [1]. In Poland and around the world, the image and lifestyles of seniors have undergone and continue to undergo significant changes. Parsons [2] has posited that society views the aged as an “increasing burden because they are unproductive, increasingly frail, and vulnerable with their decreasing ability to perform daily living activities and frequently poor mobility.”. Due to advances in medical care, more informed hygiene, better nutrition, more significant physical activity, better material conditions, and a higher level of education than the generations of their parents, an increasing number of people in late adulthood enjoy relatively good health and live longer [4].

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