A self-perception of ageism among elderly individuals during the covid-19 pandemic

The objective of the study was to analyze the self-perception of elderly individuals regarding ageism during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Amazonas state. A quantitative and qualitative study was conducted in Manaus, AM, with a sample population of 44 elderly individuals aged ≥ 60 years, of both sex...

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Main Authors: Marcia Batista Santoro, Verônica Farina Azzolin, Andreia de Azevedo Swierczynski Pitombo, Kennya Marcia dos Santos Mota Brito, Moisés Henrique Mastella, Euler Esteves Ribeiro, Ivana Beatrice Mânica da Cruz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Editora Unijuí 2025-05-01
Series:Revista Contexto & Saúde
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Online Access:https://revistas.unijui.edu.br/index.php/contextoesaude/article/view/15784
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author Marcia Batista Santoro
Verônica Farina Azzolin
Andreia de Azevedo Swierczynski Pitombo
Kennya Marcia dos Santos Mota Brito
Moisés Henrique Mastella
Euler Esteves Ribeiro
Ivana Beatrice Mânica da Cruz
author_facet Marcia Batista Santoro
Verônica Farina Azzolin
Andreia de Azevedo Swierczynski Pitombo
Kennya Marcia dos Santos Mota Brito
Moisés Henrique Mastella
Euler Esteves Ribeiro
Ivana Beatrice Mânica da Cruz
author_sort Marcia Batista Santoro
collection DOAJ
description The objective of the study was to analyze the self-perception of elderly individuals regarding ageism during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Amazonas state. A quantitative and qualitative study was conducted in Manaus, AM, with a sample population of 44 elderly individuals aged ≥ 60 years, of both sexes, who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to May 2023. The study was divided into two stages. The first stage consisted of a quantitative study, of the observational epidemiological type, cross-sectional, in which information was collected through the application of a Likert-type ageism self-perception scale. The second stage consisted of a qualitative study composed of two open-ended questions related to experiences of ageism during the COVID-19 pandemic by the research participants, who were interviewed in structured interviews, with 10 volunteers in total, representing a percentage of 20% of the participants. The results showed that 75% of the respondents experienced two or more situations of ageism. They self-reported two or more types of ageism compared to those who did not report ageism or reported only one type of ageism. In the qualitative analysis, mesostructural and macrostructural ageism, predominantly of explicit origin, were observed. We concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic increased instances of ageism experienced by elderly individuals in Manaus, particularly noting that this discrimination occurred among healthcare professionals and public transportation drivers. We acknowledge the study's sample size limitation and its focus on a specific elderly population. However, it is extremely important to establish strategies to combat ageism through strengthening and updating policies and laws, as well as educational and research interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-e59d592afcb54532affd9bfbb4c3e06d2025-08-20T03:10:14ZengEditora UnijuíRevista Contexto & Saúde2176-71142025-05-01255010.21527/2176-7114.2025.50.15784A self-perception of ageism among elderly individuals during the covid-19 pandemicMarcia Batista Santoro0https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4962-6109Verônica Farina Azzolin1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8191-5450Andreia de Azevedo Swierczynski Pitombo2https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5339-4375Kennya Marcia dos Santos Mota Brito3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8100-4980Moisés Henrique Mastella4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6990-6079Euler Esteves Ribeiro5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2716-7009Ivana Beatrice Mânica da Cruz 6https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3008-6899Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM)Fundação Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade – FUnATIFederal University of Santa Maria (UFSM)Fundação Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade – FUnATIFundação Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade – FUnATIFundação Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade – FUnATIFundação Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade – FUnATI The objective of the study was to analyze the self-perception of elderly individuals regarding ageism during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Amazonas state. A quantitative and qualitative study was conducted in Manaus, AM, with a sample population of 44 elderly individuals aged ≥ 60 years, of both sexes, who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to May 2023. The study was divided into two stages. The first stage consisted of a quantitative study, of the observational epidemiological type, cross-sectional, in which information was collected through the application of a Likert-type ageism self-perception scale. The second stage consisted of a qualitative study composed of two open-ended questions related to experiences of ageism during the COVID-19 pandemic by the research participants, who were interviewed in structured interviews, with 10 volunteers in total, representing a percentage of 20% of the participants. The results showed that 75% of the respondents experienced two or more situations of ageism. They self-reported two or more types of ageism compared to those who did not report ageism or reported only one type of ageism. In the qualitative analysis, mesostructural and macrostructural ageism, predominantly of explicit origin, were observed. We concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic increased instances of ageism experienced by elderly individuals in Manaus, particularly noting that this discrimination occurred among healthcare professionals and public transportation drivers. We acknowledge the study's sample size limitation and its focus on a specific elderly population. However, it is extremely important to establish strategies to combat ageism through strengthening and updating policies and laws, as well as educational and research interventions. https://revistas.unijui.edu.br/index.php/contextoesaude/article/view/15784Agingdiscriminationageism
spellingShingle Marcia Batista Santoro
Verônica Farina Azzolin
Andreia de Azevedo Swierczynski Pitombo
Kennya Marcia dos Santos Mota Brito
Moisés Henrique Mastella
Euler Esteves Ribeiro
Ivana Beatrice Mânica da Cruz
A self-perception of ageism among elderly individuals during the covid-19 pandemic
Revista Contexto & Saúde
Aging
discrimination
ageism
title A self-perception of ageism among elderly individuals during the covid-19 pandemic
title_full A self-perception of ageism among elderly individuals during the covid-19 pandemic
title_fullStr A self-perception of ageism among elderly individuals during the covid-19 pandemic
title_full_unstemmed A self-perception of ageism among elderly individuals during the covid-19 pandemic
title_short A self-perception of ageism among elderly individuals during the covid-19 pandemic
title_sort self perception of ageism among elderly individuals during the covid 19 pandemic
topic Aging
discrimination
ageism
url https://revistas.unijui.edu.br/index.php/contextoesaude/article/view/15784
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