Development, feasibility, and acceptability of a process based intervention to decrease internalized ageism.
Gerontol Geriatr Educ
; : 1-16, 2024 Jun 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38825865
ABSTRACT
A lifetime of exposure to ageism may be internalized in older adults, and these ageist beliefs that are directed inwards can have severe consequences. However, research on reducing internalized ageism is scarce. To address this, we designed and implemented a six-week online process-based intervention to reduce internalized ageism and to assess its feasibility. The intervention utilized a process-based therapy approach targeting psychological, behavioral, and physiological pathways through which internalized ageism negatively impacts health, as specified by stereotype embodiment theory. Intervention components included education, acceptance and commitment therapy techniques, and attributional retraining. A total of 81 older adult participants participated in the feasibility study. Most participants rated each session and the overall program as very useful after each session (average program usefulness rating of 4.54/5). Participants also attributed a wide range of novel behaviors to this intervention and stated that they felt it changed their perspectives on ageism and/or internalized ageism. Results from this study provide a promising foundation from which to advance research on interventions that address internalized ageism - a problem that has severe consequences on the health and well-being of growing numbers of older adults globally.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Gerontol Geriatr Educ
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Canadá
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido