The Subjective Experience of Ageism: The Perceived Ageism Questionnaire (PAQ)

Lotte P. Brinkhof, Sanne de Wit, Jaap M. J. Murre, Harm J. Krugers and K. Richard Ridderinkhof
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Lotte P. Brinkhof: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Sanne de Wit: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Jaap M. J. Murre: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Harm J. Krugers: Centre for Urban Mental Health, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
K. Richard Ridderinkhof: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-21

Abstract: Ageism as perceived by older individuals has been recognized as a potential risk factor for physical and mental health. We aimed to develop a comprehensive scale that can quantify perceived ageism among aging individuals (55+), including both positive and negative stereotypes, prejudices, and discriminations. This effort resulted in an 8-item Perceived Ageism Questionnaire (PAQ-8), with good psychometric properties and a two-factor structure distinguishing a positive (3 items) and negative (5 items) subscale (Analysis 1; n = 500). This dimensionality was confirmed in a separate cross-validation sample (Analysis 2; n = 500). The subscales’ correlation patterns with individuals’ self-perceptions of aging and mental health variables (i.e., quality of life, mental well-being, depression, anxiety, loneliness and perceived stress) accorded with theoretical hypotheses and existing knowledge of the concept of ageism. The PAQ-8 can help to gather more standardized data of the level, role and impact of perceived ageism.

Keywords: aging; ageism; self-perceptions of aging; mental health; quality of life; mental well-being; surveys and questionnaires (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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