Aging Attitudes Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Disabilities: Gender Differences and Predictors
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Research suggests that attitudes toward aging significantly impact health and well-being outcomes in older adults and are influenced by various factors. Our study aims to identify gender differences in attitudes toward aging among aging individuals with disa...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/3/77 |
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| author | Muna Bhattarai Gloria K. Lee Hung Jen Kuo |
| author_facet | Muna Bhattarai Gloria K. Lee Hung Jen Kuo |
| author_sort | Muna Bhattarai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Research suggests that attitudes toward aging significantly impact health and well-being outcomes in older adults and are influenced by various factors. Our study aims to identify gender differences in attitudes toward aging among aging individuals with disabilities while also examining the influence of demographic and psychological factors on these attitudes. <b>Methods:</b> For this cross-sectional study, we collected data from 393 middle-aged and older adults with disabilities via an online Qualtrics survey administered through the Prolific platform in the United States. Participants completed the Attitudes Towards Aging Questionnaire Short Form, Purpose in Life Test Short Form, Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, Acceptance of Chronic Health Conditions Scale, and Three-Item Loneliness Scale. Descriptive and correlation analyses, <i>t</i>-tests, and multiple regression analyses were performed. <b>Results:</b> The independent <i>t</i>-test findings reveal significant differences in physical change and psychological growth between men and women, with men scoring higher in physical change and women in psychological growth. In multiple regression analyses, purpose in life significantly predicted all three domains of attitudes toward aging in men, while both purpose in life and acceptance were predictors across all domains in women. Additionally, age, employment, and financial stability contributed to aging attitudes only among women. <b>Conclusions:</b> Attitudes toward aging, specifically physical change and psychological growth, were found to vary by gender, with purpose in life, acceptance, and loneliness influencing these attitudes among both groups, while certain demographic factors influenced aging attitudes only among women. These findings underscore the need for gender-specific interventions addressing these substantial factors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-31be4733fd6b46198232dc8b5295ec53 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2308-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-31be4733fd6b46198232dc8b5295ec532025-08-20T02:21:10ZengMDPI AGGeriatrics2308-34172025-06-011037710.3390/geriatrics10030077Aging Attitudes Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Disabilities: Gender Differences and PredictorsMuna Bhattarai0Gloria K. Lee1Hung Jen Kuo2Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Texas Christian University, 2800 W. Bowie Street, Fort Worth, TX 76129, USADepartment of Counseling, Educational Psychology & Special Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USADepartment of Counseling, Educational Psychology & Special Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Research suggests that attitudes toward aging significantly impact health and well-being outcomes in older adults and are influenced by various factors. Our study aims to identify gender differences in attitudes toward aging among aging individuals with disabilities while also examining the influence of demographic and psychological factors on these attitudes. <b>Methods:</b> For this cross-sectional study, we collected data from 393 middle-aged and older adults with disabilities via an online Qualtrics survey administered through the Prolific platform in the United States. Participants completed the Attitudes Towards Aging Questionnaire Short Form, Purpose in Life Test Short Form, Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, Acceptance of Chronic Health Conditions Scale, and Three-Item Loneliness Scale. Descriptive and correlation analyses, <i>t</i>-tests, and multiple regression analyses were performed. <b>Results:</b> The independent <i>t</i>-test findings reveal significant differences in physical change and psychological growth between men and women, with men scoring higher in physical change and women in psychological growth. In multiple regression analyses, purpose in life significantly predicted all three domains of attitudes toward aging in men, while both purpose in life and acceptance were predictors across all domains in women. Additionally, age, employment, and financial stability contributed to aging attitudes only among women. <b>Conclusions:</b> Attitudes toward aging, specifically physical change and psychological growth, were found to vary by gender, with purpose in life, acceptance, and loneliness influencing these attitudes among both groups, while certain demographic factors influenced aging attitudes only among women. These findings underscore the need for gender-specific interventions addressing these substantial factors.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/3/77acceptanceagingattitudedisabilitiesmindfulnesspurpose in life |
| spellingShingle | Muna Bhattarai Gloria K. Lee Hung Jen Kuo Aging Attitudes Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Disabilities: Gender Differences and Predictors Geriatrics acceptance aging attitude disabilities mindfulness purpose in life |
| title | Aging Attitudes Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Disabilities: Gender Differences and Predictors |
| title_full | Aging Attitudes Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Disabilities: Gender Differences and Predictors |
| title_fullStr | Aging Attitudes Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Disabilities: Gender Differences and Predictors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Aging Attitudes Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Disabilities: Gender Differences and Predictors |
| title_short | Aging Attitudes Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Disabilities: Gender Differences and Predictors |
| title_sort | aging attitudes among middle aged and older adults with disabilities gender differences and predictors |
| topic | acceptance aging attitude disabilities mindfulness purpose in life |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/3/77 |
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