Self-esteem as a mediator in the relationship between perceived age stigma and emotional well-being among Korean older adults: the moderation effect of marital status

This study examined whether self-esteem mediates the association between perceived age stigma and emotional well-being (loneliness and emotional isolation) among Korean older adults and how these processes differ by marital status. Using the 2018 Age Integration and Generation Integration Survey, a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aging & mental health 2022-07, Vol.26 (7), p.1470-1478
Main Authors: Chung, Soondool, Namkung, Eun Ha
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Age
emotional isolation
Emotional well being
Emotions
Geriatric psychiatry
Internalization
Loneliness
Marital status
Marriage
Moderation
Older people
Perceived age-related stigma
Polls & surveys
Self esteem
Stigma
Surveys
Well being
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Summary:This study examined whether self-esteem mediates the association between perceived age stigma and emotional well-being (loneliness and emotional isolation) among Korean older adults and how these processes differ by marital status. Using the 2018 Age Integration and Generation Integration Survey, a cross-sectional national survey of Korean adults, we analyzed data from 266 adults aged 60 and older. Older adults who perceived greater age stigma reported higher levels of loneliness and emotional isolation. Self-esteem played a significant indirect role in the association between perceived age stigma and the two emotional well-being outcomes. Moderated mediation analyses further revealed significant differences by marital status: self-esteem was a more powerful mechanism among unmarried older adults relative to their married counterparts. The findings suggest that efforts to minimize public and internalized stigmatization of older adults and improve their self-esteem may be critical for their emotional well-being.
ISSN:1360-7863
1364-6915
DOI:10.1080/13607863.2021.1991276