Growing older is inevitable; however, individuals can increasingly become susceptible to the adverse effects of ageism. According to Lyons et al., ageism refers to prejudice towards persons because of their age (1456). This form of discrimination is exhibited in unfair treatment of older people, undesirable attitudes towards the elderly population, and implementation of practices and policies which support their negative bias of them. Ageism can hurt the lives of all individuals as they enter older age, ranging from limited employment opportunities to mental healthcare’s age-based decision-making. Perception of unfair treatment because of age increases risks for mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, may cause addictive behaviors, and creates distrust and reduced productivity in workplaces.
Older individuals who face ageism have higher chances of developing aging negative self-perception. According to Lyons et al., approximately 29% of individuals who are victims of ageism show depressive symptoms (1459). Additionally, younger adults treated unfairly because of their age exhibit more severe signs of depression than seniors. Age discrimination prevents people from participating in social and economic activities which mean a lot in their lives. Equally, the negative view of one’s aging can cause a loss of their purpose in life, leading to more depressive symptoms. Other triggers of depression among the victims of ageism include health problems, retirements, and the death of loved ones and friends. For example, the perpetrators of ageism may openly tell their victims that they are suffering from chronic illness or likely to have a life-threatening disease, such as stroke and diabetes because of their age. Moreover, dejection may be inevitable when people believe that they will lose a job because of their age. Therefore, victims of ageism may portray such depressive symptoms as isolation and social withdrawal.
Ageism increases anxiety among younger and older adults because of fears associated with issues caused by advanced age. Elderly people have reduced capability to participate in various activities. Additionally, their psychological, physical, transpersonal, and social losses are negatively discussed in the public domain (Chonody 1). Notably, psychological losses because of older age include reduced personal control and cognitive competency, increased dependency, as well as declining life satisfaction. The younger adults are also concerned about the quality and number of interactions with friends, possible loss of employment, and the inability to participate in economic activities (Chonody 2). Moreover, anxiety due to physical losses may include the failure to execute personal care functions, for instance, bathing, outward appearance changes, such as wrinkles, and being diagnosed with various illnesses, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Further, they are worried about how other people will evaluate the meaning of their life and how they will face death (Chonody 3). Indeed, ageism anxiety is harmful to mental wellbeing and can lead to other conditions, in particular depression, suicidal thoughts, and difficulties with socializing.
Ageism causes stress among individuals regardless of their gender. The stress may be associated with facing major changes, uncertainty and inability to control situations, and fear about issues associated with older age. For instance, a person may be denied an opportunity for participating in particular social activities or execute certain responsibilities in their workplace because they are too young or too old. Such actions may be a sign of undermining their capability or knowledge and can lead to stress. Additionally, one can be stressed when they cannot control what is happening around them or are insecure about their status in society or at work. Further, persons who perceive that growing old causes various health problems and increases their dependency have higher chances of being hassled. Lyons et al. indicate that ageism accounts for approximately 19% of stress incidences among older adults (1460). Ageism can lead to chronic stress, which worsens mental health status since it increases risks for depression and anxiety disorders. Therefore, the stress associated with ageism should be managed at early stages to prevent adverse effects on mental wellbeing.
Experiences of ageism reduce an individual’s possibility of having positive mental health. Ageism may prevent people from being physically active, seeking help and connecting with others, staying positive, and developing coping skills. Notably, positive mental health is vital since it allows individuals to manage challenging situations and stress in life, realize their full potential, contribute effectively to their communities, and work productively (Lyons et al. 1457). Individuals with reduced positive mental health can avoid interaction with others or engaging in healthy lifestyles, leading to depression and conditions which lower their psychological wellbeing. According to Lyons et al., ageism contributes to about 33% reduction of positive mental health among the victims (1460). Thus, the adoption of strategies which are instrumental in promoting positive mental health can help prevent other psychological impacts of ageism.
Ageism increases the risks of addictive behaviors, such as alcoholism and drug abuse among older adults. Addictions are manageable and treatable conditions regardless of individuals’ age. Nevertheless, ageism acts as a significant barrier to diagnosing and recommending appropriate medical interventions among older adults because of different myths associated with the population. Some of them include such assumptions as addiction is only a concern for the young people, they are too old to change, drinking alcohol is the best way of making them happy, and that they have nothing better to do in life. Consequently, addictions among senior citizens go unrecognized, unreported, and not treated. According to American Addiction Centers, more than 10% of older adults have binge drinking, and 1.6% have been diagnosed with alcoholism (“Substance Abuse”). Thus, addressing ageism can be an essential step for resolving addictions among seniors.
Age discrimination has been a persistent problem in workplaces, which influences various aspects, such as hiring, training, and layoffs. Most organizations prefer hiring younger workers to the older ones when they have the same qualifications because the latter will be a liability to the companies after some years. Additionally, businesses invest in training younger employees since they are perceived to be eager to learn new skills, more comfortable to train, and with a more extended period of serving the firms (Truxillo et al. 14). Moreover, the decisions to layoff the older workforce are influenced by the assumption that they need more resources to train, are close to retirement, and have an increased rate of absenteeism. The issue also causes strained interactions between older and younger employees, characterized by distrust and disrespect because they consider each other as a menace. For instance, seniors can think of younger workers as of a threat to their position in their respective organizations. Thus, ageism in workplaces needs to be addressed to enhance a conducive environment for all employees.
Conclusively, vulnerability to the harmful effects of ageism increases as an individual age advances. The risks of having various mental health conditions, including depression, stress, and anxiety, as well as reduced positive mental health grow when one experiences ageism. Additionally, the issue can lead to addictive behavior and create distrust and reduced productivity in workplaces. Therefore, addressing age discrimination is a significant step of enhancing society’s mental wellbeing, reducing addictions among the seniors, and improving productivity in organizations.
Works Cited
Chonody, Jill M. “Anxiety about Aging.” Living Edition: An Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging, edited by Danan Gu, Matthew E. Dupre, Springer, 2019, pp. 1−4.
Lyons, Anthony et al. “Experiences of Ageism and the Mental Health of Older Adults.” Aging & Mental Health, vol. 22, no. 11, 2017, pp. 1456−1464. Web.
“Substance Abuse & Addiction among Senior Citizens.” American Addiction Centers, 2019, Web.
Truxillo, Donald M. et al. “Age Discrimination at Work.” The Oxford Handbook of Workplace Discrimination, edited by Adrienne J. Colella and Eden B. King, Oxford UP, 2016, pp. 1−37.