Study of the Level of Youth Readiness for Old Age Changes

Abstract

The society is aging and as a result of it, the psychological well-being of the elderly, as well as well-being of a society as a whole becomes even more important. In some ways, there is a sense of fear towards later stages of life and an unwillingness to understand and accept positive aspects of aging. Scientists suggest solving this problem through the development of intergenerational interaction between generations; in the process representatives of different generation cohorts start forming tolerant attitudes towards each other through the exchange of experience. Readiness for this kind of interactions is an integral characteristic that determines the individual’s awareness of the fact of own aging and more tolerant attitude towards it. The absence of fear of the inevitable physiological, social, personal-psychological and professional changes happening with aging can improve psychological well-being at any age. The current paper presents the results of an empirical study in which we assessed the readiness of 100 young people towards senior age changes (Azerbaijan, Baku; 50 males, 50 females; the age range from 18 to 25; Mage=20.73 years, SD age=1.91). The materials for analysis were the data of a questionnaire survey conducted at the ASPU (Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University). Results showed that the overall readiness level is in the range of an average degree of readiness to the development of age-related changes, which indicates an unruffled, tolerant attitude towards ongoing and future age changes without any acute experiences and negative emotional reactions.