Affiliation:
1. School of Psychology Shaanxi Normal University Xi'an China
2. School of Education Suzhou University of Science and Technology Suzhou China
Abstract
AbstractThe aim of the current study was to examine the association between body image and hopelessness as well as the roles of aging self‐stereotypes and marital status in this association in older adults. There were 821 older adults who participated in the present study and completed questionaries about body image, aging self‐stereotypes, hopelessness, demographic information (age and sex), marital status, and health status. The results showed that body image was associated with hopelessness in older adults, and aging self‐stereotypes mediated the link between body image and hopelessness. Moderated analyses further indicated that the path from body image to aging self‐stereotypes was stronger for single older adults than for those who were married. The results emphasize that older adults' dissatisfaction with their body image can enhance negative aging self‐stereotypes, which then result in more severe hopelessness. Marital relationships can alleviate the negative effect of body image on aging self‐stereotypes in older adults.
Funder
National Social Science Fund of China
Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities