Physical recovery after acute myocardial infarction: positive age self-stereotypes as a resource.
We considered whether positive and stable self-stereotypes of stigmatized group members can influence functioning (in contrast, stereotype threat theory suggests these influential self-stereotypes are limited to ones that are negative and situational). Specifically, we examined older individuals' positive age stereotypes after a life-threatening event, an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Sixty-two persons, aged 50 to 96, participated. As expected, positive age stereotypes were found, even immediately after an AMI, and they did not significantly change over the next seven months. Also as expected, these self-stereotypes predicted physical recovery, after adjusting for potentially relevant covariates. Recovery expectations acted as a mediator. These findings suggest the importance of understanding the role that positive stereotypes may play in the health of stigmatized group members.
Levy
Becca R
BR
Yale University, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06525-8034, USA. Becca.levy@yale.edu
Slade
Martin D
MD
May
Jeanine
J
Caracciolo
Eugene A
EA
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping