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Ageism would have negative effects on both the physical and mental health of people affected by this form of discrimination linked to advancing age. It would be the cause of more than 6 million depressions in the world in the elderly.
Ageism is a phenomenon well known to health authorities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one out of two people in the world would have a discriminatory behavior towards the elderly, a behavior which would be at the origin of 6.3 million cases of depression.
To better understand this form of discrimination and its effects on health, American researchers questioned and observed more than 2,000 of their congeners.
Serious consequences for the health of the elderly
In the study, published in the Jama Network open, nearly 2,035 American adults between the ages of 50 and 80 were interviewed. The questions focused on concrete, easily identifiable beliefs, experiences and behaviors that represent common examples of ageism in everyday life.
The study clarifies that these examples were similar to ‘brief verbal, non-verbal and environmental indignities, reflecting hostility, disrespect or stereotypes about older people”.
The responses obtained were analyzed from November 2021 to April 2022. In the end, it appears that ageism is a common behavior: 93.4% of participants regularly experienced one or more forms of ageism on a daily basis. Internalized ageism was reported by 1,664 adults (81.2%), ageist messages by 1,394 adults (65.2%), and interpersonal ageism by 941 adults (44.9%).
Note that “internalized ageism” was the category associated with the greatest increase in discomfort in terms of well-being: depressive symptoms, chronic health problems.
For the researchers, the findings are clear: the study found that everyday ageism was prevalent among American adults between the ages of 50 and 80. The researchers also point out that the messages, interactions and beliefs can be harmful to the physical and mental health of the greatest number (decreased quality of life, premature death, etc.) and that efforts must be made.
Many reflexes can make it possible to fight against this form of discrimination and, as a result, improve the daily lives of elderly people:
- Systematically provide information on decisions concerning people over 50, particularly in healthcare establishments and/or at home. The affirmation of people’s choices and rights is essential;
- Prevent and break their isolation;
- Do not exclude them from active life;
- Eliminate ageist prejudices (example: inaptitude for new technologies);
- Strengthen the local local policy (volunteer networks, associations, etc.);
- Disseminate intergenerational initiatives and good practices (support networks, etc.).