Abstract
Research indicates that more and more people are living longer and longer. By the year 2050, it is expected that worldwide, there will be approximately 2 billion people who are over the age 65 (WHO, 2017). All those who are over the age of 65 are susceptible to being faced with negative, false stereotypes against them. These negative, false stereotypes most often occur as a result of ageism (e.g., Merz et al., 2018). Ageism is commonly faced by many older adults, but it is not a thoroughly studied topic. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of ageist beliefs in young adults who are attending college. The participants (N=140) were young adults (80% ages 18-20) attending a research-intensive university in Southeastern Massachusetts. This study examined how the variables of knowledge of aging, attitudes towards aging, anxiety about one’s own aging, depression, and generalized anxiety contribute to reporting ageist beliefs. Means testing analyses were conducted to ascertain how these variables are related with one an-other, and how they do or do not contribute to the presence of ageism. The results supported previous literature such that college age students who have close relationships with people over the age of 65 report have fewer ageist beliefs. In addition, having a supportive relationship with a person over the age of 65 that one trusted completely predicted fewer ageist beliefs. Hierarchical linear regression models tested whether anxiety would predict ageist beliefs, controlling for age and gender. Results indicated higher anxiety levels did predict ageist beliefs, controlling for age and gender. Results indicated higher anxiety levels did predict ageist beliefs, controlling for age and gender. Additional regression models assessed whether anxiety and depression combined would predict ageist beliefs, as prior literature indicated these symptoms may co-occur. These models were non-significant, likely due to the near absent levels of self-reported depression symptoms in this sample. This investigation demonstrated that positive, supportive relationships with an older adult, lowered ageist beliefs, while anxiety increased these beliefs. Future investigations are needed to determine the positive impact of college courses in aging and occupational settings that may reduce the impact of ageism in our society.