Intergenerational contact, aging anxiety, and ageism: A study with young adults [comunicação oral: poster]

Abstract

Background Intergenerational contact is increasingly recognized as a significant psychosocial determinant of attitudes toward aging. Theoretical models grounded in intergroup contact theory and lifespan developmental perspectives suggest that both the frequency and affective tone of contact with older adults may attenuate ageist beliefs. Furthermore, anxiety about one’s own aging has been identified as a possible psychological mechanism underlying age-based prejudice. This study sought to (a) examine the influence of contact frequency on ageism and (b) test whether aging anxiety mediates this relationship.

Materials and Methods A cross-sectional design was applied to a sample of 369 young adults aged 18 to 30 years (M = 22.78; SD = 3.63). Participants completed the Intergenerational Contact Scale (ICS), the Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS), the Fraboni Scale of Ageism – Portuguese Short Form (FSA-PSF), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Analyses were conducted using SPSS, including descriptive statistics and mediation models estimated via PROCESS with regression-based procedures.

Results Higher frequency of intergenerational contact was associated with lower levels of ageism, both directly and indirectly. Aging anxiety significantly mediated this relationship, indicating that frequent intergenerational contact is linked to reduced anxiety about aging, which in turn predicts lower ageist attitudes. Additionally, indicators of intergenerational contact quality indirectly contributed to reduced ageism through their effect on aging-related anxiety.

Conclusion Findings reinforce the importance of sustained, meaningful intergenerational interactions in counteracting ageist beliefs among young adults. Interventions that enhance both the frequency and quality of intergenerational contact, while addressing aging anxiety, may be critical in promoting age-inclusive attitudes.