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Published

2024-01-31

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Vol. 9 No. 5 (2024)

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Research Articles

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How to Cite

Yaghoobzadeh, A., Craig, H., Abdi, K., Allen, K. A., Allahdadi, S., Dehkordi, L. M., … Saghafi, M. (2024). The expected ups and downs of aging: Influencing factors of ageism among Iranian older adults. Environment and Social Psychology, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.54517/esp.v9i5.1786

The expected ups and downs of aging: Influencing factors of ageism among Iranian older adults

Ameneh Yaghoobzadeh

School of Nursing, Arak University of Medical Sciences

Heather Craig

School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University

Kamel Abdi

Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Komar University of Science and Technology

Kelly Ann Allen

School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University; The Centre for Wellbeing Science, Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne

Sajjad Allahdadi

Department of Measurement and Assessment, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University

Leila Mardanian Dehkordi

Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Hawar Mardan

Nursing Department, Kurdistan Technical Institute; Hiwa Hematology and Oncology Hospital

Marjan Saghafi

Department of Social Sciences, College of Social Sciences, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University


DOI: https://doi.org/10.54517/esp.v9i5.1786


Keywords: ageism, aging, older adults, qualitative research, remarriage, insecurity, vulnerability, death

Abstract

Ageism is a complex phenomenon influenced by many social structures, including economic systems, political ideologies, cultural norms, and prevailing social attitudes. This study aimed to explore the factors contributing to ageism using a qualitative approach. A purposive sample of 20 older adults aged 60 and over participated in semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis involving transcription, review, and category extraction. Three main themes and ten sub-themes emerged, encapsulating the participants’ experiences and perceptions of ageism within the Iranian context, including reactions to remarriage, insecurity and vulnerability, and death. These themes offer insights into older adults’ acceptance or denial of aging. To foster healthier attitudes towards aging and mitigate ageism, it is essential to strategically utilize existing political, economic, social, and cultural infrastructures.

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