Attitudes Toward Aging: A Sustainability Psychology Perspective on the Perceptions of Undergraduate Students

María Natividad Elvira-Zorzo (), María Laura Vergara Álvarez and Miguel Lorenzo
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María Natividad Elvira-Zorzo: Department of Social Psychology and Anthropology, University of Salamanca, Campus Ciudad Jardín, 37005 Salamanca, Spain
María Laura Vergara Álvarez: School of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia, Bogotá 111511, Colombia
Miguel Lorenzo: Department of Mechanical Engineering, EPS de Zamora, University of Salamanca, 49029 Zamora, Spain

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-28

Abstract: The aging of the population is a key challenge for society today, with important implications for psychological and social sustainability. The persistence of negative attitudes toward older people leads to ageism, a form of discrimination that hinders an inclusive and equitable society. This study aims to develop a scale to assess attitudes toward old age and to analyze its psychometric properties in university students. The sample consisted of 185 university students aged between 19 and 44 years. A 35-item questionnaire was used, divided into two scales measuring positive and negative attitudes toward old age, each with three factors. The results indicate that the Attitudes toward Aging Scale (AAS) is suitable for measuring both attitudes and is a valid and reliable tool for diagnosing both negative and positive attitudes, as well as facilitating prevention and intervention strategies against ageism. From a sustainability psychology perspective, the use of the AAS contributes to a more equitable and sustainable society by promoting inclusive attitudes toward aging. This approach allows population aging to be seen not only as a demographic challenge, but also as an opportunity to promote intergenerational well-being and social cohesion, key elements for long-term sustainability. The limitations of this study include the small sample size, which could affect the generalizability of the results, but are justified by the contextual relevance of the sample, focusing on a key university group for the formation of future social and educational attitudes.

Keywords: social sustainability; ageism; attitudes; intergenerational welfare (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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