Examining the Effects of Viewing Positive Aging TikTok Videos on Aging Outcomes and Attitudes Among Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Women

Abstract

This experiment tests the communicative ecology model of successful aging (CEMSA) to determine how viewing positive aging TikTok videos impacts aging outcomes for young (n = 306), middle-aged (n = 225), and older (n = 233) women. We also extend the CEMSA to include ageism and positive attitudes toward older adults. Watching positive aging TikTok videos had an indirect effect on aging efficacy through positive aging affect for all age groups. There was also a positive indirect effect on successful aging through positive affect and aging efficacy for middle-aged and older women. For all three age groups, viewing positive aging TikTok videos increased positive attitude toward older adults through positive affect about aging. Watching positive aging videos was not associated with aging uncertainty in any group. Additional associations and implications for the CEMSA and attitudes toward older adults are discussed.