Title: Stereotypes of Aging: Their Effects on the Health of Older Adults
Headings: Stereotypes of Aging: Their Effects on the Health of Older Adults
Journal of Geriatrics
Stereotypes of Aging: Their Effects on the Health of Older Adults
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. How Stereotypes Work to Affect Health
3. Effects of Negative Stereotypes
3.1. Stereotype Activation and Longitudinal Studies
3.1.1. Implicit Priming of Stereotypes of Aging (and Stereotype Embodiment/Internalization)
3.1.2. Explicit Priming of Stereotypes of Aging (and Stereotype Threat)
3.2. Downward Social Comparison (and Resilience Theory)
3.3. Emerging Qualitative Research Findings
4. Effects of Positive Stereotypes
4.1. Implicit Priming of Positive Stereotypes of Aging (and Internalization)
4.2. Explicit Priming of Positive Stereotypes of Aging (and Stereotype Boost)
4.3. Upward Social Comparison and Role Models
5. Limitations of Stereotype Research in Aging Contexts
6. Summary and Conclusion
Conflict of Interests
References
Copyright

Content: Their Effects on the Health of Older Adults
Rylee A. Dionigi 1
1School of Human Movement Studies, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia
Academic Editor: Tiffany F. Hughes
Received 05 Aug 2015
Revised 13 Oct 2015
Accepted 25 Oct 2015
Published 12 Nov 2015
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to present findings on the effects of stereotypes of aging on health outcomes related to older adults, such as physical and mental functioning (specifically) and overall well-being and perceived quality of life (more broadly). This review shows that both positive and negative stereotypes of aging can have enabling and constraining effects on the actions, performance, decisions, attitudes, and, consequently, holistic health of an older adult. This review further highlights a variety of limitations in stereotype research in aging contexts, including a lack of qualitative studies focusing on older adult perspectives and the fluctuating definition of what constitutes “good health” during older age. 1. Introduction
Aging is a highly individualized and complex process; yet it continues to be stereotyped, especially in Western cultures. Stereotypes about a particular group play a powerful role in shaping how we think about and interact with individuals, as well as how individuals within the stereotyped group see themselves [ 1
S. Horton, J. Baker, and J. M. Deakin, “Stereotypes of aging: their effects on the health of seniors in North American society,” Educational Gerontology, vol. 33, no.