Expectations Matter: Social and Emotional Loneliness and Attitudes Toward Aging
Abigail Hoffman, Kimberly Van Orden

TL;DR
This study explores how negative attitudes toward aging are linked to different types of loneliness in older adults.
Contribution
The study differentiates between types of loneliness and dimensions of internalized ageism to better understand their relationships.
Findings
Both social and emotional loneliness are independently associated with global internalized ageism.
Each dimension of internalized ageism is significantly linked to both forms of loneliness.
The findings suggest that loneliness interventions may impact internalized ageism dimensions.
Abstract
This study examines relationships between attitudes towards aging (internalized ageism) and loneliness using multidimensional measures. Few studies differentiate between types of loneliness or dimensions of internalized ageism, which is needed to develop targeted interventions. We hypothesized that greater global internalized ageism would be associated with both greater social and emotional loneliness because negative attitudes towards aging could impact an older person’s willingness to engage socially (resulting in social loneliness) as well as experiences of feeling connected to others (emotional loneliness). We also hypothesized that all three dimensions of internalized ageism (psychosocial loss, physical change and psychological growth) will be associated with both greater social and emotional loneliness. This is a secondary data analysis from the HOPE clinical trial (NCT03343483)…
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Taxonomy
TopicsAging and Gerontology Research · Health disparities and outcomes · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
