Why do I dread looking old?: A test of social identity theory, terror management theory, and the double standard of aging

ABSTRACT

Outward appearance is one of the means by which age is determined, and fear of looking old may stem from fears about social identity and death. This study explored how social identity theory and terror management theory may help to explain the dread of looking old. University students from the United States, England, and Australia (N = 1,042) completed a questionnaire regarding their attitudes about aging and older adults. Results indicated that sex, age, beliefs about personal aging, and death anxiety explained 30.4% of the variance for participants’ dread of looking old. Theoretical hypotheses were supported by our findings.

KEYWORDS:

• Ageism
• death anxiety
• fear of aging
• looking old
• sexism
• social identity theory
• terror management theory