Age Perception Research Articles

A Qualitative Study on Physical and Psychological Changes and the Meaning of Social Engagement with Perception of Aging among People with Spinal Cord Injury

A Qualitative Study on Physical and Psychological Changes and the Meaning of Social Engagement with Perception of Aging among People with Spinal Cord Injury

Skin Aging Perception and Anti-Aging Management Characteristics of Women in their 30s in Shanxi Province, China

This study aims to provide accurate information through data on the perception of skin aging and anti-aging management behavior characteristics of women in their 30s in Shanxi Province, China, and to provide basic data on the development and professional management of cosmetics tailored to customers' needs in the anti-aging market. For the study, an electronic questionnaire was produced by the Wenjuanxing program, and the purpose of the study and the survey contents were read to a woman in her 30s living in Shanxi Province, China, and a survey was conducted anonymously. A total of 260 copies were distributed, and 227 copies were finally analyzed except for 33 responses that were insincere or omitted. The survey was divided into three parts: 6 questions to know the general characteristics of the survey subjects, 19 questions to know skin aging awareness, 8 questions to know anti-aging cosmetics use characteristics, and 9 questions to know professional care use characteristics among anti-aging management. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSSWIN21.0 program for Windows. The results of the study showed that women in their 30s in Shanxi Province, China, are usually aware of skin aging, but there is a lot of interest in anti-aging management. To prevent skin aging, cosmetics are used, lifestyle is maintained well, and the period of using cosmetics is 20~25 years old. Frequently used cosmetics are ‘moisturizing products’, and cosmetics are important to improve skin aging. In addition, “self-management (home care)” is the most common professional management, and “removing wrinkles” is the most common management. These findings show that women in their 30s need to spread knowledge about skin aging, and there is a growing interest in skin aging and anti-aging management by identifying their skin characteristics and selecting skin care that suits them. Therefore, professional management should develop a skin care program for middle-aged women in their 30s by developing a skin care program tailored to each age group, and the results of this study are meaningful in providing basic data on the dissemination of anti-aging knowledge and development and marketing of Chinese middleaged women.

PERCEPTION OF OVERTOURISM IN SELECTED EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS IN TERMS OF VISITOR AGE AND IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Overtourism is a modern challenge in many popular tourist destinations. Social networks are also largely helping to spread this phenomenon, where destinations are presented to a large, dispersed, and younger audience of tourists. The aim of this paper is therefore to assess the age perception of overtourism in selected European destinations in the context of sustainable tourism. For the collection of primary data, we used an author's questionnaire, by which we surveyed from selected groups of Slovak respondents the perception of overtourism in our selected ten European destinations of overtourism. The analysis includes the most important findings from the questionnaire survey and the evaluation of research hypotheses. Selected mathematical-statistical methods were used, namely correlation analysis through the Spearman correlation coefficient and regression analysis through a simple linear regression model in the Gretl statistical program. The main findings include that there is a statistically significant association between the number of destinations visited and the age of the respondents, as well as that the number of overtourism destinations visited depends on the age of the respondents. This finding should be considered by destination management organizations when creating products aimed at younger visitors. Through various marketing activities, they could mainly focus on their travel behavior with an emphasis on the development of sustainable tourism.

БЕКТУРСУН АЛЫМОВДУН КЫРГЫЗ АДАБИЯТЫНА ЖАНА ПЕДАГОГИКАСЫНА КОШКОН САЛЫМЫ

The article defines the great contribution of B. Alymov to the Kyrgyz literature and pedagogy. In addition to analyzing the genres of Kyrgyz literature, the scientist also proposed specific methods for teaching them. In his methodological works, he also divided literary genres depending on the age perceptions of students, psychological changes. An influential teacher in the 1960s and 70s, together with the Kyrgyz Research Pedagogical Institute, carried out traveling research work in almost all regions of the country. They went to the teachers' classes, analyzed and gave the necessary methodological instructions. At the end of the article, it is proved that B. Alymov studied Kyrgyz literature in depth, read scientific and methodological lectures and reports at a high level on how to implement actual problems in teaching the Kyrgyz language and literature in accordance with the requirements of the ongoing reform, and created extensive works on pedagogy. It was also noted that B. Alymov was an understanding, open, far-sighted and kind person.

Biases in human perception of facial age are present and more exaggerated in current AI technology

Our estimates of a person’s age from their facial appearance suffer from several well-known biases and inaccuracies. Typically, for example, we tend to overestimate the age of smiling faces compared to those with a neutral expression, and the accuracy of our estimates decreases for older faces. The growing interest in age estimation using artificial intelligence (AI) technology raises the question of how AI compares to human performance and whether it suffers from the same biases. Here, we compared human performance with the performance of a large sample of the most prominent AI technology available today. The results showed that AI is even less accurate and more biased than human observers when judging a person’s age—even though the overall pattern of errors and biases is similar. Thus, AI overestimated the age of smiling faces even more than human observers did. In addition, AI showed a sharper decrease in accuracy for faces of older adults compared to faces of younger age groups, for smiling compared to neutral faces, and for female compared to male faces. These results suggest that our estimates of age from faces are largely driven by particular visual cues, rather than high-level preconceptions. Moreover, the pattern of errors and biases we observed could provide some insights for the design of more effective AI technology for age estimation from faces.

Factors Influencing Access to Health Services among Chronically Ill Older Adults with Physical Disabilities in the Era of the COVID-19 Outbreak.

Chronically ill older adults with physical disabilities frequently face difficulties in their daily lives and require essential health service access, especially in the COVID-19 context. This study aimed to examine the association between social support, perception of benefits due to disability and access to health services among chronically ill older adults with physical disabilities during this crisis in Thailand. A total of 276 chronically ill older adults with physical disabilities were included in this cross-sectional study. Self-reported questionnaires were assessed through multi-stage random sampling. Correlations between the independent variables and health service access were examined using multiple regression analysis. Of the respondents, 159 were female (59.6%). Most participants perceived benefits (58.8%) and access to health services (56.2%) at good levels, while social support was at a moderate level (47.9%). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that social support (β = 0.351), perception of benefits (β = 0.257) and age (β = 0.167) were positively correlated with health service access. The findings are relevant for health care providers and multi-professional teams, who should enhance older adults' social support and perception of benefits to improve their access to health services, particularly among chronically ill older adults with physical disabilities, in the era of COVID-19.

The effect of observation angles on facial age perceptions: A case study of Japanese women.

Most conventional aging research has limited its approach concerning the head and face shape and skin condition to the frontal face. However, in our daily lives, we observe facial features from various angles, which may reveal or obscure aging features that could only be identified under limited conditions in the past. This study systematically investigates the effect of facial observation angles-specifically, of horizontal and vertical angles-on age impression. A total of 112 Japanese women aged 20-49 years participated as observers who evaluated the age impressions of 280 Japanese women aged 20-69 years. A two-way analysis of the variance of the age impression score was conducted for two factors: observation angle (five angles with yaw and pitch directions) and age group (five ages, from the 20s to the 60s). The results reveal that, as compared with frontal observation, the perceived age tended to decrease with the facial observation angles and that the effect of the angle on perceived age decreased with increasing age, especially for the profile face. Understanding the effect of the facial observation angle on age impression and clarifying the characteristics of the face and skin not perceived in the frontal face will provide useful knowledge to make people look youthful, look more beautiful, and be happier in all aspects of their lives.

Can Informal Caregiving be Perceived as Rejuvenating? Changes in Perceptions of Ageing at Onset and End of Informal Caregiving during Different Stages of Life

Introduction: Perceptions of ageing are a central predictor of health, wellbeing, and longevity. This study analyses the association between the onset and end of informal caregiving and perceptions of ageing in different stages of life. Methods: Data from the German Aging Survey (2014, 2017) were used; a longitudinal dataset that is representative of community-dwelling individuals aged ≥40 years in Germany. Adjusted asymmetric fixed effects regression analyses were conducted to analyse the associations in three age groups (40 to <60, 60 to <80, and ≥80). Perceptions of ageing were measured in terms of attitude towards one’s own ageing (Philadelphia Geriatric Centre Morale Scale), subjective age (felt age), and onset of old age (when someone is considered to be old). Results: Significant changes in the perceptions of ageing were found only among individuals aged ≥80 years. In this group, the onset of informal caregiving was significantly associated with improved attitude towards one’s own ageing and the end of informal caregiving was significantly associated with increased subjective age and earlier onset of old age. Conclusion: The perceptions of ageing improved with the onset and worsened with end of caregiving – but only among oldest old individuals. Thus, informal caregiving seems to be a significant predictor for perceptions of ageing in old age.

Impact of restrictive policies on lives of the elderly: lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic

The article analyzes situation with senior citizens as a special socio-demographic group of population during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose is to analyze the state of this group during the period under review, attitude of the elderly to restrictive policies, impact of social isolation on their physical and mental health, and overall social well-being. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study is the concept of active longevity and phenomenological approach in sociology. The empirical base of the study included 42 non-formalized interviews with elderly citizens aged 65 to 94 years, conducted in May-November 2020. To process the interviews, the authors used the phenomenological method of Colaizzi, which has significant potential for qualitative research, especially in cases when result are much dependable upon the respondent’s personal experience, his or her perception of events. The data obtained through the interview were structured in line with the following five main blocks, namely: attitude to policy measures that have directly affected the elderly; changes in usual way of life; limited access to medical services; perception of age as a negative factor; and organization of services to older citizens during the pandemic. The study participants have demonstrated a fairly wide range of opinions, including assessment of structural problems, direct reflection on state policy measures to curb the pandemic, description of difficulties related to adaptation to the new routine mode of life, information and communication deficiencies. The authors have identified the “pain points” in the state of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic: the health and social systems turned out to be unprepared to work in the crisis conditions of the new reality. Analysis of daily life of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic changes perception of active longevity and puts on the agenda the need for more comprehensive consideration of the needs of older citizens at the planning and implementation stage of state policy and management in social welfare and public health.

AGEISM: AGING KNOWLEDGE AND PERSPECTIVES OF THE AGING NUTRITION NETWORK

Abstract Addressing ageism is essential to support older adult well-being. The Nutrition and Aging Resource Center (NRCNA) (1) examined the general characteristics, aging perceptions, and preferred training modalities of national aging nutrition network providers and (2) measured the impact an ageism webinar had on topic familiarity, knowledge, and behavioral intent. Frequencies were run to analyze the characteristics, aging perceptions, and behavioral intent while Wilcoxon signed rank tests measured outcome changes. Ageism was assessed via the W.H.O. Ageism Quiz (AQ) while aging perceptions were measured with the Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ) and Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA). Respondents (n=1910) were primarily female (63%), non-Hispanic (90%), and white (87%) with an average age of 50 years. At least one-half had moderate ageism and aging perspective scores [Mean scores: AQ = 4.9±1.9 (max 8); FAQ =5.9±1.8 (max 10); ERA = 54.4±18.7 (max 100)]. The most preferred continuing education format was live webinars (44.3%). In response, a one-hour webinar about unconscious aging bias was offered in June 2022. A retrospective evaluation was used to assess the webinar impact (n=130 responses). A significant increase in subject matter familiarity (Z= -8.8, p &amp;lt; 0.0001) and knowledge (Z= -8.5, p &amp;lt; 0.0001) was noted. Further, analyses revealed positive attitudes (beneficial, good idea), perceived behavior control, indirect social norms (client support), and intent to reflect on past interactions with an older adult(s) to see how age-related biases might have influenced those interactions. These results illustrate the need for and the impact of ageism awareness training among those who work with the aging population.

More than a Number: Aging Leaders in International Politics

Abstract How does leader age affect international politics? Challenging the existing literature's focus on chronological age, we argue that leaders do not age the same in the eyes of their beholders. Combining insights from gerontology on age-related stereotypes and studies of face-to-face diplomacy, we show that judgments about age informed by high-level personal encounters have profound consequences for how elderly leaders are appraised and treated by their counterparts. A leader who betrays indicators of “senility” during face-to-face encounters will elicit harsh judgments by activating negative stereotypes about aging. Older leaders can also surprise their interlocutors: those long thought to be senile may show themselves as mentally and physically fit. Perceptions of age, in turn, shape how observers understand a leader's agency and shape decisions to “engage” or “bypass” the leader in the context of interstate cooperation. We draw on declassified primary documents to compare American views of three elderly leaders in Cold War Asia—Syngman Rhee, Mao Tse-tung, and Chou Enlai—and how such views informed Washington's approach to these leaders, finding powerful support for our arguments. Our findings suggest new insights for the IR research program on leaders as well as lessons for statecraft in an era of aging decision makers.

USING PHOTOVOICE TO EXPLORE THE STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT AND ADVANCE POLICY IN MULTIPLE CONTEXTS

Abstract Contextual factors, including social determinants of health, have gained recognition for greatly influencing aging trajectories and chronic disease progression. Although traditional qualitative research gives a rich understanding of the internal psychological experience, it is unable to assess socio-cultural and built environment aspects of life apart from the verbal descriptions from participants. This symposium examines the use of Photovoice as a tool to assess the socio-cultural and structural context surrounding the participant. This symposium will present a narrative review on the use of current Photovoice methodologies in dementia care; results from three studies using photovoice, one with participants with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers to explore their perceptions of aging in their home, the second exploring the lived experience and structural barriers among older adults with pre-frailty or frailty awaiting kidney transplant, and the third exploring the older adult peer mentors’ experience providing community-delivered hearing care. The talks will also address practical aspects of using photovoice such as institutional review board tips, logistical challenges, interview preparation and coding approaches. The fifth talk will describe Photovoice result dissemination strategies, including photo exhibits and stakeholder meetings, used to engage the community and advance policy to improve disparities. Photovoice as a research tool originally aimed to reinforce empowerment for those marginalized in society to describe their lived environment. This important aim is augmented in this symposium by improving researchers’ understanding of context to design more impactful research.

WHAT AND HOW DID IT WORK? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE INTERVENTION STUDIES OF CHANGING PERCEPTION TOWARD OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Social workers are one of the major professionals serving for older adults. However, social work students often rank gerontology at the bottom of their future professional practice. Studies show that students have negative attitudes about, and perceptions of older adults and aging. Such stereotypes result in social work students considering practice areas other than gerontological social work. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review and identify any types of the intervention studies of changing perception and attitudes toward older adults and aging among social work students. This systematic review identified empirical research studies written in English that were published in a peer-reviewed journal before November 2021. Systematic search was carried out within four electronic databases (AgeLine, Education Research Complete, Social Work Abstracts, SocINDEX with full text) with the key words such as “social work student” and “aging or ageing or elderly or older adults or seniors or geriatrics or gerontology”. A total of 470 abstracts were identified, and after careful review of 143 full articles yielded from the databases, 43 journal articles were included in this study. Analysis of the selected literature provides that major interventions have been tried include service learning, lecture, curriculum development, simulation, training program, and intergenerational program. This systematic review highlights the importance of the experiential learning, partnership development with community, and interprofessional collaboration to provide the best model of practice for changing perception toward aging and older adults among social work students.

THE TELLEGACY PROGRAM

Abstract Emerging research displays how social isolation and loneliness (SIAL) before and during the Coronavirus pandemic are linked to health issues caused by SIAL. These issues are estimated to increase the risk of early death by 26 percent, the equivalency of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The program started soon after the pandemic as an intergenerational program created to combat SIAL among older adults. University students, known as Legacy Builders, connect through virtual or via phone conversations to communicate meaningfully with the older adult. Students are prepared with a curriculum on mindfulness, SMART goal-setting, growth mindset, visualization goal-setting exercises, and reminiscence therapy as well as the skill and art of listening. At the end of the encounters, a legacy book is given to the older adult with a description of the older adult’s life shared during their conversations with the Legacy Builder. The UCLA Loneliness Scale was utilized along with older adult self-reports. Sixteen residents in a memory care facility, ages 58 to 86, with multiple levels of dementia participated in the program of Summer 2021. The UCLA Loneliness Scale revealed that 13 of the 16 residents originally reported that they feel lonely or isolated. After 5 weeks of participation 7 out of the 16 residents report that they felt less lonely. Qualitative analysis showed improved perceptions of aging and an interest in Geriatrics among the student participants. These results also displayed positive older adult perceptions of the younger generation, and similar responses of the younger generation towards older adults.

INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTIONS: TURNING POINTS IN COLLEGE STUDENT ATTITUDES ABOUT OLDER ADULTS AND AGING

Abstract Intergenerational Connections was a semester-long community-based engagement project in which thirty-four undergraduate students enrolled in a relational communication course met via Zoom with older adults in a long-term care facility for four dialogues about close relationships. The project used a Critical Interpersonal and Family Communication Pedagogy approach to have students critically engage with stereotypes and expectations about older adults through class readings, discussion, and interaction. The students wrote reflections after each dialogue and a final reflection expressing their expectations and experiences of interacting with an older adult. We analyzed the reflections using a turning point analysis and found two turning points related to Perceptions of Aging and Developmental Changes and Understanding and Expectations of Relationships. Students recognized stereotypes they held about older adults and aging and how engaging with an older adult dispelled many of those assumptions. Students were surprised by how much they had in common with their older adult partner. They learned about relationships through their dialogues with their partner and found many “words of wisdom” they wanted to incorporate into their relationships. In their final papers, students reflected on being advocates for older adults and how this project helped them understand that they can have conversations with older adults and not be afraid that they will not be able to connect. This paper will discuss how this community engagement project served to reframe aging for these young adults, and students’ recognition of the role that older adults play and the value that their involvement brings to society.

NEITHER HERE NOR THERE, YOU BECOME A STRANGER FOR BOTH SIDES: SUCCESSFUL AGING IN CHINESE AMERICAN OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Previous studies have critiqued the inordinate emphasis on high physical and cognitive functioning and a relative absence of cultural factors in our understanding of the aging process. The multi-year Perceptions of Aging Well in Diverse Populations study explores (1) the meanings attached to aging well across cultures and (2) similarities and differences in these perceptions within diverse racial and/or ethnic groups. This presentation highlights findings from in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with Chinese Americans 50 years and older (n=25; 10 male, 15 female; mean age 58.3 years). Thematic analysis of the data showed that generation status, age at arrival, density of social networks, and level of acculturation were key determinants of successful aging. Specifically, those who were born in the United States or had immigrated at an early age appeared to value their independence and were actively making retirement plans. Late-life immigrants were often lonely and more dependent on their adult children. Financial security and healthcare access were important considerations for mid-life immigrants. Several participants felt like an ‘outsider’ in the US but also felt like they were regarded as ‘foreigners’ in their country of origin, resulting in feelings of ambivalence and alienation. Many participants, particularly women, reported feeling less safe in their neighborhoods given the increasing prevalence of violence against Asian Americans in recent years and some were even contemplating moving to another country post-retirement. These findings provide insights into how aging is experienced among Chinese Americans and may help inform initiatives to support successful aging in this population sub-group.

POSITIVE AGEING AND DEATH OR DYING: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract Ageing world populations and increases in life expectancy have facilitated an interest in developing ageing models that promote inclusivity and positive perceptions of ageing. This scoping review examines how and to what extent research that utilizes successful, active, productive, and healthy ageing framework(s) include death or dying. The study followed Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodological standard for scoping reviews and PRISMA guidelines and conformed to Arskey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework. A thematic analysis was used to identify how research utilizes the concepts of death and dying in the context of positive ageing models. The analysis identified five core themes: (a) the critique that death and dying dimensions in positive ageing models are absent; (b) older adults’ outlooks on death and dying while ageing well; (c) religious and spiritual dimensions of ageing well; (d) negative consequences of positive ageing models without death and dying dimensions; and (e) the future of death and dying in positive ageing models. The results bolster support for a paradigm shift that redefines what it means to age successfully without denying death. Incorporating the topics of death and dying into ageing conversations encourages individuals to ponder their end-of-life preferences and proactively participate in their advanced care plans. Death and dying conversations help care providers support people to live and die in a manner that is meaningful to them and inspire those receiving care to live fully and deeply and to think about the legacy that they want to leave.

OLDER ADULTS' INDIVIDUAL TRAJECTORIES IN SOCIAL STATUS AND AGING ANXIETY

Abstract A high social standing in comparison to others is associated with positive psychological and health outcomes. Highest social standing is assigned to the group of middle-aged adults, hence, on average, older adults face a loss in status relative to younger age groups and relative to their former selves. Experienced and expected age-related changes in subjective social status and their association with aging anxiety have not yet received much attention in aging research. Using a new methodological approach, respondents indicated their perceived and expected social status for five points in time: 10 years ago, 5 years ago, now, in 5 years, in 10 years, which allowed for inter- and intrapersonal comparisons. They did the same for the average status of members of their age group. Early and later in old age (N = 191; range 65 – 88; MW = 73.5 years), participants expected higher losses in status than they have experienced in the past. However, low personal status in relation to others showed higher associations with aging anxiety (R2 = .16) than disadvantageous age-related intrapersonal changes (R2 = .14). Perception of a stable subjective status trajectory as well as distancing oneself from the group older adults, as in perceiving one’s personal status above the groups’ status, was related to reduced anxiety of aging. Taken together, analysis of individual status trajectories can help to gain new insights on attitudes toward aging. Implications for creating a more positive perception of aging are discussed.

A COLLABORATIVE AUTOETHNOGRAPHY OF FOREIGN-BORN FACULTY IN THE FIELD OF AGING

Abstract We draw from our personal insights as foreign-born females in the U.S. to explore how our minority status has affected our experiences/identities as faculty in the field of aging. We practiced intersectionality by considering how our understandings of “foreignness” in academia and the aging field are intertwined with other markers of difference, including race, national origin, language, and academic programs. We also draw from tenets of collaborative autoethnography to engage two autoethnographies from two countries in Asia to pool their lived experiences and collaboratively analyze and interpret them for commonalities and differences. We begin by sharing stories about graduate study pursuits and becoming faculty in the U.S. We note how our foreignness shapes our lives as aging scholars in the U.S. academy and our personal views on aging. After exchanging our first set of writings, we identified key experiences to focus on in the subsequent writing periods. Our minority backgrounds, teaching aging subjects, and using qualitative methodology are shared identification. However, our personal stories within the U.S. society and within the academy also diverge our identities and aging experiences from each other. Moreover, the themes that deal directly with identity development and the perception of aging provide a deep understanding of aging among the non-native-born population. This study highlights the value of collaborative autoethnography as a method of inquiry and reflection. Findings demonstrate that non-native-born female faculty in the field of aging faced multi-faceted challenges in both professional and personal realms. Implications for supporting foreign-born female aging scholars are discussed.

TEACHING GERONTOLOGY TO SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS: APPLYING THE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING USING ETHNOGRAPHIC INTERVIEW

Abstract There is an increasing need for well-trained social workers to support the growing aging population in Canada. Still, concerns arise regarding social work students’ insufficient knowledge and understanding of aging and aging-related issues. This study aims to examine social work students’ experience when experiential learning through ethnographic interview with older adults is applied as a pedagogical approach. This study was conducted based on two cohorts of social work undergraduate students who enrolled in a gerontology course in a Canadian university between 2020 and 2021. Students conducted an ethnographic interview with older adults aged 70 years and older and wrote a reflection paper as an assignment. We did a thematic analysis of eight reflection papers in which consent was obtained from students. We find that students connect aging-related theories/models to various topics discussed during their ethnographic interview, reflect on their personal experiences with aging family members, and show a positive perception of aging and attitude towards working with aging. The findings also suggest the benefit of adopting an approach of experiential learning through the ethnographic interview with older adults to teach gerontology to social work students. We offer recommendations for educators to create opportunities for students, especially from social work or other helping professions who traditionally have shown a lack of interest in working with older adults, to meet and interact with older adults, and to further enhance students’ competencies and interests in the fields of senior care.