Influence of Individual and Contextual Variables on Negative Stereotypes of Ageing in a Spanish Sample

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the influence of personal and contextual variables on negative stereotypes towards older age to define a sociodemographic profile, according to age groups. A non-probabilistic purposive sampling was carried out with a sample of 465 participants over 18 years of age. Four age groups were established (early adulthood, middle adulthood, late adulthood and older age). An ad hoc sociodemographic questionnaire and the CENVE were administered. Mean contrasts were performed to determine the differences between the variables studied. The results showed that the late adulthood and older age groups showed a greater presence of negative stereotypes than the other groups. Concerning the contextual variables, primary education and daily contact with dependent older adults presented greater overall negative stereotypes. We can conclude that negative stereotypes about older age increase in women caregivers of dependent older adults. Also, the evolution of stereotypes to self-stereotypes in the older adults group is confirmed.