Resiliency Over Time of Elders' Age Stereotypes After Encountering Stressful Events

Abstract

Objective. To examine whether the age stereotypes of older individuals would become more negative or else show resiliency following stressful events and to examine whether age-stereotype negativity would increase the likelihood of experiencing a stressful event (i.e., hospitalization). Method. Age stereotypes of 231 participants, 70 years and older, were assessed across 10 years, before and after the occurrence of hospitalizations and bereavements. Results. Age-stereotype negativity was resilient despite encountering stressful events. In contrast, more negative age stereotypes were associated with a 50% greater likelihood of experiencing a hospitalization. Discussion. The robustness of negative age stereotypes was expressed in their capacity to resist change as well as generate it.