University of Groningen
Stepping into old age
Armenta Gutiérrez, Bibiana María
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Publication date: 2018
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Armenta Gutiérrez, B. M. (2018). Stepping into old age: A dynamic perspective on age identity change in the transition from midlife to older adulthood.
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PROPOSITIONS Belonging to the dissertation Stepping into old age A dynamic perspective to age identity change (in the transition from midlife to older adulthood) by Bibiana María Armenta Gutiérrez 1. Feeling younger (or subjective age bias) and identifying with the group of older adults are two different phenomena: Subjective age bias is related to an individual identity whilst age group identification is related to a collective identity (this dissertation) 2. For adults transitioning from midlife into older age the benefits of feeling younger can be paired with the potential well-being advantages of identifying with their age group. 3. Perceived cues of aging and agism can influence and be influenced by how old one feels and how much one identifies with one’s age group; this, in turn, can have direct and indirect consequences for well-being. (this dissertation) 4. Because older adults who are in the transition period from midlife to older age do not have a consolidated identity as older adults, their subjective age bias and age group identification may not be stable but rather fluctuate (e.g. across days; this dissertation) 5. When studying determinants of intergroup attitudes and behaviors, it is important to take into account the type of permeability: Perceptions that changing group membership is possible (e.g., a person changing from one sport team to another) versus perceptions that changing group status is possible (e.g., a low-status group member acquiring a higher social status). (this dissertation) 6. Adults in the transition period from midlife to older age (roughly 50-70 years of age) perceive the group of older adults to be more permeable than adults who are older. (this dissertation) 7. The short-term well-being advantages of feeling younger and the deleterious consequences of identifying with the group of older adults are likely the result of pervasive prejudice against older adults and of internalized cultural attitudes that being old is an undesirable state. 8. Working towards reducing the negative beliefs, attitudes and behaviors towards older adults and aging is in the best interest of society, organizations and older adults themselves. 9. Doing research on aging makes one realize how often we think about our age and aging, most of the times in negative terms.
