title: Perception of ageism and self-esteem among Lebanese elders at home and abroad.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Discrimination against old age leads to depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem. This issue is not studied in the Lebanese society where a demographic transition is taking place and the population is aging. We assess the perception of age discrimination among Lebanese and its relation to self-esteem.
  
  
  METHODS
  We interviewed a convenience sample of 320 Lebanese elders (mean age 69.3 years +/- 6.2; 55% males) living in an urban setting (Beirut) and a rural setting (Ras-Baalbeck) a well as those who immigrated to Dakar using a preestablished questionnaire. Perception of age discrimination and socio-demographic information were collected; self-esteem was measured using the Toulouse scale. Results: More elders living in Beirut (OR = 9.7, 95% CI = 3.5-26.6) and Ras-Baalbeck (OR = 11.42, 95% CI = 3.95-33.1) perceived age-related discrimination than those living in Dakar. This perception was significantly associated to lower self-esteem (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.3-3.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supporting emotionally vulnerable elders should be a target for policy makers in Lebanon. It is important to preserve a better quality of life for elders still playing a major role in families.
authors.forename: Charbel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: El Bcheraoui
authors.forename: Salim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adib
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chapuis-Lucciani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D063506:Ageism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D014171:Transients and Migrants