Applying the social-cognitive model of stigma to understand geriatric microaggressions

Abstract

Encountering rapid demographic shifts, the world is facing an increasingly ageing population. However, ageism and ageist discrimination remain obstacles to building an olderpeople-friendly environment. The rise of microaggressions (i.e., subtle discrimination) also threatens older adults from living productively. As current research lacks an understanding of the underlying mechanism of geriatric microaggressions toward older adults, this paper strived to fill in this research gap. Particularly, this study applied the social-cognitive model of stigma to predict geriatric microaggressions from the perspective of stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination. A sample of 214 Hong Kong middle-aged residents (Mage = 50.97; 56% being female) completed an online questionnaire. Their levels of ageing anxiety, death anxiety, selfperception of ageing, benevolent and hostile ageism, positive and negative microaggressions, and negative emotional states were measured. A structural equation model was used for analysis. The results revealed that ageing anxiety was a significant predictor of self-perception of ageing, ageism and microaggressions. Specifically, benevolent and hostile ageism was predictive of negative microaggressions, which were positively associated with negative emotional states. The results point to the importance of ageing education in learning the ageing process and other workshops (e.g., retirement preparation) to reduce ageing anxiety and subsequent ageism and microaggressions, which helps promote an ageing-friendly society.