ABSTRACT

Ageism is a term used to describe negative stereotypes and prejudices often leading to the discrimination of older adults. Ageism has been linked to negative outcomes such as a decreased quality of life, discrimination in the workplace, and poorer mental and physical health for older adults. Promoting positive contact experiences between older and younger generations in combination with education about aging has shown to improve attitudes among younger adults toward aging. Using the Positive Education about Aging and Contact Experiences (PEACE) model, this study examined the attitudes toward aging among 23 undergraduate students prior to and upon completion of an intergenerational service learning project, embedded within an aging course. The Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA) was used to measure levels of ageism before and after the intergenerational service learning project. The overall mean among the entire sample for the pre-FSA scores (68.86 ± 1.47) was significantly greater than the mean scores on the post-FSA scores (63.13 ± 1.48), t = 5.584, p < .001, demonstrating a significant decrease in ageism scores upon completion of the intergenerational service learning project. Findings validate the utility of intergenerational service learning programs and offers advice on the implementation of evidence-based strategies aimed at reducing ageism among the population.

摘要

年龄歧视是一个用来描述负面刻板印象和偏见的术语，通常会导致对老年人的歧视。年龄歧视与生活质量下降、工作场所歧视以及老年人身心健康状况不佳等负面结果有关。促进老一代和年轻一代之间的积极接触体验以及关于老龄化的教育已经证明可以改善年轻人对老龄化的态度。本研究使用关于老龄化和接触体验的积极教育 (PEACE) 模型，检查了 23 名本科生在完成一项嵌入老龄化课程的代际服务学习项目之前和之后对老龄化的态度。Fraboni 年龄歧视量表 (FSA) 用于衡量代际服务学习项目前后的年龄歧视程度。整个样本中 FSA 前分数的总体平均值 (68.86 ± 1.47) 显着高于 FSA 后分数的平均分数 (63.13 ± 1.48)，t = 5.584，p < .001，表明显着下降代际服务学习项目完成后的年龄歧视分数。调查结果验证了代际服务学习计划的效用，并为实施旨在减少人口年龄歧视的循证战略提供了建议。表明完成代际服务学习项目后，年龄歧视分数显着下降。调查结果验证了代际服务学习计划的效用，并为实施旨在减少人口年龄歧视的循证战略提供了建议。表明完成代际服务学习项目后，年龄歧视分数显着下降。调查结果验证了代际服务学习计划的效用，并为实施旨在减少人口年龄歧视的循证战略提供了建议。