Abstract
Background and Objectives
Benevolent and hostile ageism are subtypes of ageism that characterize older adults as incompetent. With benevolent ageism, older adults are also viewed as warm. The COVID-19 pandemic has strained resources and prompted debates about priority for older adults versus other groups.
Research Design and Methods
College students completed an online survey of how much priority should be given to older adults in three relevant healthcare-related scenarios and three relevant employment scenarios.
Results
Benevolent ageism significantly predicted higher priority for older adults to receive healthcare (triage, COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 testing) and employment resources (retention of job, working from home) while greater endorsement of hostile ageism significantly predicted lower priority ratings.
Discussion and Implications
These findings replicate and extend past work. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on healthcare and employment resources, this study sheds light on one factor -- benevolent and hostile ageism -- that contributes to a greater understanding of prioritization views toward a vulnerable segment of the population.
Keywords: Attitudes and perceptions toward aging/aged, Intergenerational tension, Stereotypes