Ageism—encompassing stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination across age groups—affects how individuals perceive and experience their own ageing. This study, based on a large sample (N = 1047), compared three age cohorts and explored intra-group variability among older adults (65–75 vs. ≥76 years). Results indicated that attitudes towards ageing were influenced by life stage, knowledge about ageing, perceived ageism, and internalised stereotypes. Participants aged 65–75 years showed more favourable attitudes, greater knowledge, and better emotional wellbeing compared to the ≥76 group, which exhibited higher hostile ageism and lower psychological wellbeing. A forward stepwise logistic regression (explained 35.9% of the variance) identified five predictors of a positive self-perception of ageing: lower perceived age discrimination; generally positive attitudinal profile; endorsement of benevolent stereotypes; absence of hostile ageism; and belonging to the 65–75 group. The findings highlighted the psychosocial complexity of ageing and call for interventions promoting positive ageing and reducing ageism.
Garrido et al. (Wed,) studied this question.