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Ageism and Productive Engagement: The Roles of Self Efficacy and Intergenerational Contact
Kang, Hyun
Kang, Hyun
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Abstract
Although ageism has been widely recognized as a barrier to productive engagement among older adults for many years, the understanding of its determinants remains quite limited. The relationship between ageism and productive engagement has not been fully developed conceptually or tested empirically. The negative associations between ageism and productive engagement require extensive research. Using the Risks of Ageism Model as a conceptual framework, I described and examined the relationship between ageism and productive engagement, focusing on the negative effects of ageism on productive engagement among older adults. Further, self-efficacy was examined as a potential mediator for the relationship between ageism and productive engagement; intergenerational contact was also examined as a potential moderator for the relationship between ageism and productive engagement. Data on 8,796 respondents aged 50 years and older from the nationally representative longitudinal datasets of the 2014 and 2016 Health and Retirement Study were analyzed. Negative self-perceptions of aging and age discrimination were used to measure ageism. Productive engagement was operationalized in four constructs: formal paid work, volunteering, grandchild caregiving, and informal help. Multiple regression analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0 to examine the direct relationship between ageism and productive engagement, controlling other covariates. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was conducted using Mplus 7.0 to examine the pathways between ageism and productive engagement. The potential mediating effects of self-efficacy and moderating effects of intergenerational contact were tested with SEM bootstrapping analysis and multiple-group SEM analysis, respectively. A meaningful relationship was found between ageism and productive engagement among older adults. Negative self-perception of aging negatively affected productive engagement, and age discrimination was positively associated with productive engagement. Self-efficacy was found to mediate the effects of ageism on productive engagement. Intergenerational contact was also shown to be a potential moderator of the relationship between ageism and productive engagement. Due to the presence of a rapidly aging population in the United States, research to improve the understanding of the ageism encountered by older adults as they take part in productive engagement, and ultimately to reduce it, is vitally needed. The results of this study provide supportive evidence for social work practices to advance older adults’ well-being by identifying best practices for lessening the effects of ageism and supporting aging well.
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2020-12-31
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University of Kansas
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Keywords
Social work, Gerontology, ageism, health and retirement study, intergenerational contact, productive engagement, self efficacy, structural equation modeling