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Ruth V Walker Dissertation.pdf (836.71 KB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
Expanding Our Conceptualization of Ageism: Moving Toward an Intersectional Lifespan Approach
Author Info
Walker, Ruth Virginia
ORCID® Identifier
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0585-2945
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1467905345
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2016, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Psychology-Adult Development and Aging.
Abstract
Ageism is a form of age-based discrimination most frequently studied in terms of unequal treatment toward older adults (Butler, 1969; 2005). Ageism is unique from other forms of discrimination as anyone can experience it if they live long enough (Palmore, 2001); this presents concerns for aging women, by the virtue of their longer lifespan, and the potential intersection of experiences with ageism with experiences with sexism, racism, and other forms of inequality (Kochanek et al., 2011). A focus on attitudes and prejudice toward older adults in the literature has resulted in limited empirical understandings of experiences with ageism, with research on ageism lagging behind research on racism and sexism. Utilizing both lifespan development theory (Baltes, 1987) and intersectionality theory (McCall, 2005), the purpose of this study is to utilize phenomenological methods to describe experiences with ageism across adulthood and to answer the following research questions: (1) How, if at all, is ageism gendered?, (2) How, if at all, does the experience of ageism differ across the lifespan?, and (3) In what ways does understanding how experiences with ageism are shaped by gender and age add to our conceptualization of ageism? A total of 70 participants, 22-87 years old, participated in story circles and in-depth interviews exploring how they have been treated due to their age and gender. Using phenomenological methodology, participants' responses were analyzed and clustered into three broad thematic categories: (a) context matters, (b) short-term reactions to discrimination, and (c) long-term reactions to discrimination. The results suggest implications for theory and policy development as well as clinical interventions.
Committee
Toni Bisconti (Advisor)
Pages
150 p.
Subject Headings
Gerontology
;
Psychology
;
Social Research
;
Sociology
Keywords
Ageism
;
phenomenology
;
lifespan development
;
qualitative methodology
;
interviews
;
story circles
;
sexism
;
intersectionality
;
gender
;
aging
;
reverse ageism
;
ageing
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Citations
Walker, R. V. (2016).
Expanding Our Conceptualization of Ageism: Moving Toward an Intersectional Lifespan Approach
[Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1467905345
APA Style (7th edition)
Walker, Ruth.
Expanding Our Conceptualization of Ageism: Moving Toward an Intersectional Lifespan Approach.
2016. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1467905345.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Walker, Ruth. "Expanding Our Conceptualization of Ageism: Moving Toward an Intersectional Lifespan Approach." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1467905345
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
akron1467905345
Download Count:
555
Copyright Info
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.