Attitudes to ageing : a systematic review of attitudes to ageing and mental health, and a cross-sectional analysis of attitudes to ageing and quality of life in older adults

This thesis portfolio examines attitudes to ageing in older adults, and explores the impact that \nattitudes to ageing have on mental health status and quality of life. Attitudes to ageing are \nbecoming more widely measured in older adults, particularly with the ageing population but \nalso due the recent development of the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire. There is growing \nevidence to suggest a relationship between attitudes to ageing and mental health status in \nolder adults. However, no study has explored the association between attitudes to ageing and \nquality of life in older adults, incorporating the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire and the \nWorld Health Organisation Quality of Life measures. Firstly a systematic search of studies \nexploring the relationship between attitudes to ageing and mental health in older adults (≥55 \nyears) was undertaken. All potentially relevant studies were screened against inclusion and \nexclusion criteria. Variables related to attitudes to ageing, ageism, age stereotypes, depression \nand anxiety were considered in this review. Twelve papers met inclusion criteria for the \nsystematic review. The setting, culture and measures incorporated varied across the studies. \nA negative attitude to ageing was associated with poorer mental health status in older adults \nacross all 12 studies. The second part of this portfolio was an international cross-sectional \nanalysis of attitudes to ageing and quality of life in older adults (≥57 years). Correlation and \nregression analyses explored the relationship between attitudes to ageing and QOL and \ninvestigated the impact of socio-demographic variables, depression and attitudes to ageing on \ntwo quality of life measures. The two constructs were positively related; a more positive \nattitude to ageing was associated with a better quality of life. Further, positive attitudes to \nageing was a significant predictor of a better QOL. The sample was then divided into two age \ngroups (57-79 years and 80+ years) and attitudes to ageing and quality of life ratings were \ncompared. Results revealed more negative ratings in attitudes to ageing and quality of life in \nthe over 80 year old age group. Correlation and regression analyses were then explored across \nboth age groups. More positive attitudes to ageing was a significant predictor of better quality \nof life across both age groups. Overall, the two studies in this thesis portfolio highlight the need \nto better recognise and target older adults’ negative attitudes to ageing. Appropriate \npsychological interventions could be provided to challenge negative attitudes and promote \nattitude change in an attempt to improve mental health difficulties and quality of life in older \nadults. Continued use of the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire and quality of life \npsychometric measures in clinical practice and research is encouraged.