The multidimensional nature of ageism: construct validity and group differences.
The authors investigated the factor structure and construct validity of the Fraboni Scale of Ageism and the age and gender differences in ageism scores. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the multidimensional nature of FSA scores and generally corroborated the initial factor structure reported by M. Fraboni, with some notable exceptions. Essentially, the present findings were aligned with theoretical models of ageism that emphasize both cognitive facets and affective facets. That is, on the basis of their factor analytic findings, the authors redefined Fraboni's original factors of Antilocution, Avoidance, and Discrimination as Stereotypes, Separation, and Affective Attitudes, respectively, because of the clustering of items within factors. The revised 3-factor structure accounted for 36.4% of the variance in FSA scores. FSA factor scores significantly related to other scores from other measures of age-related attitudes, with higher correlations among factors that were similar in terms of their cognitive nature versus their affective nature. Finally, younger individuals and men had significantly higher ageism scores on the FSA than older individuals and women. The authors discussed the importance of adequately assessing ageism, with particular emphasis devoted to the understanding of age bias.
Rupp
Deborah E
DE
Department of Psychology and Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 61820, USA. derupp@uiuc.edu
Vodanovich
Stephen J
SJ
Credé
Marcus
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D011581:Psychological Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013240:Stereotyping