Intergenerational Contact in Young Adults in Relation to Aging Anxiety, Attitudes, and Future Time Perspective

ABSTRACT

Among older adults, aging anxiety and ageist attitudes negatively relate to one’s future time perspective. It is unclear when this pattern emerges in the lifespan. Previous research has shown that high-quality intergenerational contact is associated with reduced aging anxiety and ageist attitudes. The goal of the current study was to examine a theoretically derived model of the interrelationships between intergenerational contact, aging anxiety, ageist attitudes, and future time perspective among young adults. Results replicated the relationship between intergenerational contact, aging anxiety, and ageist attitudes with resulting implications for future time perspective.

KEYWORDS:

• Intergenerational contact
• future time perspective
• aging anxiety
• ageism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data are available, upon reasonable request, from the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Dr. Donald and Mrs. Patricia Welti Psychology Research Grant and the Northern Kentucky University Faculty Senate Benefits Committee Faculty Project Grant.