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Lower prevalence of psychiatric conditions when negative age stereotypes are resisted

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  • Levy, Becca R.
  • Pilver, Corey E.
  • Pietrzak, Robert H.

Abstract

Older military veterans are at greater risk for psychiatric disorders than same-aged non-veterans. However, little is known about factors that may protect older veterans from developing these disorders. We considered whether an association exists between the potentially stress-reducing factor of resistance to negative age stereotypes and lower prevalence of the following outcomes among older veterans: suicidal ideation, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants consisted of 2031 veterans, aged 55 or older, who were drawn from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a nationally representative survey of American veterans. The prevalence of all three outcomes was found to be significantly lower among participants who fully resisted negative age stereotypes, compared to those who fully accepted them: suicidal ideation, 5.0% vs. 30.1%; anxiety, 3.6% vs. 34.9%; and PTSD, 2.0% vs. 18.5%, respectively. The associations followed a graded linear pattern and persisted after adjustment for relevant covariates, including age, combat experience, personality, and physical health. These findings suggest that developing resistance to negative age stereotypes could provide older individuals with a path to greater mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Levy, Becca R. & Pilver, Corey E. & Pietrzak, Robert H., 2014. "Lower prevalence of psychiatric conditions when negative age stereotypes are resisted," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 170-174.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:119:y:2014:i:c:p:170-174
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.06.046
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Becca R. Levy & Jeffrey M. Hausdorff & Rebecca Hencke & Jeanne Y. Wei, 2000. "Reducing Cardiovascular Stress With Positive Self-Stereotypes of Aging," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 55(4), pages 205-213.
    2. Susanne Wurm & Clemens Tesch-Römer & Martin J. Tomasik, 2007. "Longitudinal Findings on Aging-Related Cognitions, Control Beliefs, and Health in Later Life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(3), pages 156-164.
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    1. Levy, Becca R. & Chung, Pil H. & Slade, Martin D. & Van Ness, Peter H. & Pietrzak, Robert H., 2019. "Active coping shields against negative aging self-stereotypes contributing to psychiatric conditions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 25-29.
    2. Johnson, Blair T. & Acabchuk, Rebecca L., 2018. "What are the keys to a longer, happier life? Answers from five decades of health psychology research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 218-226.
    3. Rippon, Isla & Steptoe, Andrew, 2018. "Is the relationship between subjective age, depressive symptoms and activities of daily living bidirectional?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 41-48.

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