The main purpose of this study was to examine the general public’s perception on older people. Based on this theme, five research questions were identified. 1) What are the attitudes of younger and older people toward elderly?, 2) Are older peoples’ attitudes toward themselves being influenced by prevailing ageism views?, 3) What are the predictors of ageism?, 4) Do the interaction between younger and older people influences the attitudes toward older people?, and 5) What are the implications of the above research findings toward older people for counselling?. Based on these questions, five hypotheses were developed. No significant difference was found between the attitudes of younger and older people toward the latter. In terms of concept and image about older people, older people tend to see themselves more negative than younger people. People with higher educational levels, younger age and religion tend to score a higher value of FAQ than people with lower educational levels, older age and non-religious. People with higher educational levels, younger age and religion tend to form more positive image toward older people than people with low lower educational levels, older age and non-religious. People with more interaction with older adults tend to have higher scores on FAQ. Basically all the hypotheses were rejected, but this study did make several contributions to the study of ageism in Hong Kong. First, this study found that attitudes of younger students toward older adults were more negative than older people. Students’ attitudes toward older people were dominated by negative ageism views and image; whereas, older peoples’ attitudes toward older adults were mixed with both negative and positive ageism views. It was suggested in this study, attitudes of people toward older adults have to be analyzed from three perspectives, namely ageism, image about older people and attitudes toward caring in order to generate more precise pictures about ageism. Finally, the study suggested that education, intergenerational activities and positive ageing programs could be used to reduce ageism in our societies.
At a glance
- Quantitative survey evaluated among 136 students and 110 older people in Hong Kong
- Sample questionnaires printed for both student respondents and older adults
- Applied Palmore's Fact on Ageing Quiz and Rosencrantz and McNevin's Aging Semantic Differential
- 61 sources in the bibliography
- 5 figures and 16 tables
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE - INTRODUCTION
1.1 THE PROBLEM
1.2 RATIONALE FOR THIS STUDY
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDIES
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
CHAPTER TWO - LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 MEANING OF AGEISM
2.2 OVERVIEW OF AGEISM STUDIES
2.2.1 International studies of ageism
A General trends
B Methods to reduce ageism
Through education
Promote intergenerational relationships
Contact with older people
2.2.2 Local studies of ageism
A Factors affecting attitudes toward older people
Age
Educational levels
Working status
Six dimensions in the attitudes toward older people
B Changing role and status of older people in Hong Kong
Perception of older people
The image about old and ageing
2.3 KNOWLEDGE ABOUT AGEISM FROM THE LITERATURE REVIEW
2.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
CHAPTER THREE - METHODOLOGY
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 REASONS FOR CHOOSING QUANTITATIVE METHOD
3.3 GENERAL DESIGN AND PROCEDURES
3.3.1 Characteristics of the participants
Student respondents
Older respondents
3.3.2 Definition of variables
3.3.3 Hypotheses
3.3.4 Instrument selection
3.3.5 Procedures
Survey 1
Survey 2
3.4 LIMITATION AND STRENGTH OF THE STUDY
CHAPTER FOUR - FINDINGS
4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.2 RESPONSE RATES
4.3 DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
4.3.1 Intergenerational relationships - students
4.3.2 Intergenerational relationships – older people
4.4 ATTITUDES OF PEOPLE TOWARD OLDER ADULTS
4.4.1 Cognitive component of attitudes toward elderly
4.4.2 Affective component of attitudes toward older people
4.4.3 Behavioural component of attitudes toward older people
Behavioural attitudes of students
Behavioural attitudes of older respondents
4.5 FACTORS AFFECTING ATTITUDES TOWARDS PEOPLE
4.5.1 Correlation analysis
4.5.2 Regression analysis of predictor variables
Student respondents
Older respondents
4.6 INTERACTION AS THE PREDICTION OF REDUCTION OF AGEISM
4.6.1 Student respondents
4.6.2 Older respondents
4.7 SUMMARY
CHAPTER FIVE – DISSCUSSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 INTRODUCTION
5.2 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
5.3 IMPLICATION OF THIS STUDY
5.3.1 Education for younger people
5.3.2 Intergenerational Activities
5.3.3 Positive ageing programs
CHAPTER SIX – CONCLUSIONS
Objectives & Topics
The primary objective of this dissertation is to examine the general public's perceptions and attitudes toward older people in Hong Kong, exploring differences between younger and older cohorts across cognitive, affective, and behavioural dimensions, while evaluating the mediating impact of intergenerational interaction to propose practical implications for counselling and social policy.
- Cognitive, affective, and behavioural components of ageism across generational cohorts
- Predictor variables influencing stereotypes, including socioeconomic status, age, and living arrangements
- The role of intergenerational contact and grandparent-grandchild relationships in mitigating prejudice
- Preferences and behavioural expectations regarding informal family care versus institutional care
- Strategies for reducing ageism through formal education curricula, community activities, and positive ageing programs
Excerpt from the Book
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDIES
Firstly, there are many studies on attitudes toward older people. However, all the local published studies simply related attitudes toward older people as ageism. In fact, ageism is a broad area of study, and people’s attitudes are only part of it. Therefore, simply examining attitudes toward older people might not be able to provide an accurate measurement of ageism. The present study is different from previous studies, as it employed a more rigorous definition of ageism and to employ a number of research instruments which would provide a more accurate assessment on ageism in Hong Kong.
Secondly, this study can be regarded as one of the pioneer studies to employ a more vigorous instrument to examine ageism in Hong Kong. Ajzen (2001) argued that attitudes composed of cognitive, affective and behavioural components. By examining local and overseas studies of ageism it found that ageism were usually operationalized either by Palmore’s “Fact on Ageing Quiz” (FAQ) (Palmore, 1999), or Rosencrantz and McNevin’s (1969) the “Aging Semantic Differential” (ASD). These instruments grossly consider the cognitive and affective aspects of attitudes, but they fail to collect detailed information regarding the behavioural aspect of attitudes. In order to have a more accurate assessment of ageism, the design of an instrument should assess different components of attitudes. Therefore, the third contribution of this study is to employ Palmore’s FAQ as a measure of the cognitive component of attitudes, Rosencrantz and McNevin’s (1969) Aging Semantic Differential (ASD) as an instrument to assess the affective component of attitudes, and finally, a self-constructed 24 question items to measure the behavioural component of the attitudes.
Chapter Summary
CHAPTER ONE - INTRODUCTION: Outlines the problem of ageism in ageing societies, establishes the rationale and significance of exploring multi-dimensional attitudes, and details the core research questions.
CHAPTER TWO - LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines international and Hong Kong studies on ageism, detailing how cognitive concepts, affective imagery, and intergenerational interaction shape societal attitudes.
CHAPTER THREE - METHODOLOGY: Explains the quantitative survey research design, the selection criteria for student and older cohorts, the multi-component measurement instruments, and analytical procedures.
CHAPTER FOUR - FINDINGS: Reports empirical survey results, statistical correlations, and regression analyses regarding cognitive quiz scores, semantic differential ratings, and caregiving preferences.
CHAPTER FIVE – DISSCUSSION & RECOMMENDATIONS: Discusses the rejection of initial hypotheses in light of empirical evidence and presents actionable strategies across education, intergenerational programs, and positive ageing initiatives.
CHAPTER SIX – CONCLUSIONS: Concludes the dissertation by synthesizing contributions to social gerontology and emphasizing the imperative of fostering respectful, accurate perceptions of ageing in society.
Keywords
Ageism, Social Gerontology, Hong Kong, Attitudes Toward Elderly, Facts on Ageing Quiz, Aging Semantic Differential, Intergenerational Relationships, Filial Piety, Family Care, Institutional Care, Positive Ageing, Counselling Implications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this dissertation?
The dissertation investigates differences in attitudes and stereotypes toward old age and older adults between younger students and senior citizens in Hong Kong.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The study centers on the cognitive understanding of ageing, affective semantic images of older individuals, behavioural caregiving intentions, and the influence of intergenerational family relationships.
What is the main objective and research question?
The central aim is to identify whether younger and older cohorts differ in their ageist views, whether seniors internalize prevailing stereotypes, and what factors predict ageism in Hong Kong.
What scientific methodology was applied?
A quantitative survey research methodology was employed, administering structured questionnaires to senior secondary and post-secondary students alongside older adults recruited from community organizations and churches.
What are the central findings discussed in the main analysis?
The findings indicate that younger students held significantly more negative ageist views than older adults, while older respondents displayed a mixture of positive and realistic perspectives rather than mere internalized ageism.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Ageism, Social Gerontology, Hong Kong, Intergenerational Relationships, Filial Piety, Facts on Ageing Quiz, Aging Semantic Differential, and Positive Ageing.
How were the different components of attitudes measured?
Attitudes were evaluated multi-dimensionally using Palmore's Facts on Ageing Quiz for cognitive knowledge, Rosencrantz and McNevin's Aging Semantic Differential for affective images, and custom items for caregiving behaviours.
What practical interventions does the author suggest to combat ageism?
The author recommends integrating gerontological education into school curricula, fostering direct intergenerational community activities, and promoting active positive ageing programs for older adults.
- Quote paper
- Tak Ming Yu (Author), 2006, Differences in attitudes between younger and older people toward old age. Implications for counselling, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/284314
