How Disability Onset Timing Affects Aging Perceptions
Author Information
Author(s): Zhang Yalu, Chen Ziyan
Primary Institution: Stony Brook University
Hypothesis
Does the timing of disability onset influence attitudes towards aging and how does elder abuse affect this relationship?
Conclusion
Older adults with later-onset disabilities perceive their aging and capabilities more negatively, especially if they have experienced elder abuse.
Supporting Evidence
- The majority of older adults with impairments had disabilities that began after age 65.
- Those with later-onset disabilities had more negative perceptions of aging compared to those with early-onset disabilities.
- Elder abuse significantly increased the negative perceptions of aging among older adults.
Takeaway
This study shows that when people become disabled later in life, they often feel worse about getting older, especially if they've been mistreated.
Methodology
The study used data from the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey to examine attitudes towards aging based on disability onset timing and elder abuse experiences.
Participant Demographics
Older adults, primarily those with disabilities, with 91% having disabilities that began after age 65.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.003
Statistical Significance
p=0.003
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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