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| ==== Stereotype Threat and the Effects of Labeling ==== | ==== Stereotype Threat and the Effects of Labeling ==== | ||
| - | Research has shown that the aged tend to be placed in situations resulting in something called ‘stereotype threat’[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotype_threat] | + | Research has shown that the aged tend to be placed in situations resulting in something called ‘stereotype threat’<ref name="Langer" />[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotype_threat]. Stereotype threat is when anxiety is experienced when placed into a situation where a stereotype can be confirmed. When put into situations where there is potential to confirm people’s expectations, they are more likely to attribute any failure to the stereotype. When discussing the old age stereotype of senility, Rodin and Langer (1980) believe "(e)very time a mistake is made or a thought is forgotten, older people may question whether their mental capacities are diminishing"<ref>Rodin & Langer, 1980, p. 15</ref>. |
| Therefore idea of labeling an individual also changes the way they are likely to perceive their successes or failures resulting in an internalization of the stereotype<ref name="Rodin" /> | Therefore idea of labeling an individual also changes the way they are likely to perceive their successes or failures resulting in an internalization of the stereotype<ref name="Rodin" /> | ||
Revision as of 09:10, 26 November 2011
Contents |
Importance of Self-Efficacy and Perceived Control in Relocation of the Aged
Perceptions of control are important predictors of behavior and social behaviour[1]. This is no difference in the aged. When moving an aging relative into a more care intensive environment, such as a Nursing home or long term care facility, the issues of self efficacy and perceived control are particularly important factors in both preparing and facilitating the transition.
Self-Efficacy
Self efficacy[1] is an individual’s belief in how well they can perform a specific task [1]. If an individual is confident, it can improve their ability to complete the task. The opposite is true for individuals with a low level of confidence. Interestingly, social stereotypes can affect a person’s view of self efficacy; for example, negative stereotypes decrease self efficacy[2].
The Risks of Stereotypes
One of the major reasons for relocation in the aged is a change in health status[3]. With old age, health often becomes less predictable and can produce rapid declines in autonomy. Personal experiences are often defined in terms of common stereotypes when a decrease in autonomy occurs[2][4]. The current stereotypes associated with old age tend to be negative and, therefore, place a greater emphasis on decline than actually exists[2]. The negative nature of these stereotypes serves as a means to lower an individual’s self efficacy.
Stereotype Threat and the Effects of Labeling
Research has shown that the aged tend to be placed in situations resulting in something called ‘stereotype threat’[2][2]. Stereotype threat is when anxiety is experienced when placed into a situation where a stereotype can be confirmed. When put into situations where there is potential to confirm people’s expectations, they are more likely to attribute any failure to the stereotype. When discussing the old age stereotype of senility, Rodin and Langer (1980) believe "(e)very time a mistake is made or a thought is forgotten, older people may question whether their mental capacities are diminishing"[5]. Therefore idea of labeling an individual also changes the way they are likely to perceive their successes or failures resulting in an internalization of the stereotype[6]
How to Prevent Stereotype from influencing Self-Efficacy
Fortunately, the process that is used to attribute success or failures can be altered by changing the way how an aged person looks at a situation. Rodin and Langer (1980) conducted an experiment in which new nursing home residents were told that the declines they were experiencing were a direct result of “age-environment interaction” problems. Essentially, the residents were given another means of explaining the reason for how they were feeling and performing. The experiment found that this group showed a "greatly improved behavior, including an increase in active participation and sociability"[7].
Perceived Control
Perceived control[3] is the degree to which an individual feels they are responsible for factors surrounding them[1]. When it comes to the aged, perceived control plays a large role in day to day life which can be influenced by the possibility of major life changes in health and living arrangements. According to Schulz and Hanusa (1980) perceived control is one of the "critical determinants of the aged’s physical and psychological well-being"[8].
Perceived Control in Day to Day Living
In terms of day to day living, either in a care or residential setting, there is a relationship between stress and control. Another thing that is important to consider is the role that age plays in terms of perceived control. Age influences sense of control, health maintenance, and when the individual will seek medical attention[6]. This will not only affect the degree to which the aged try to take responsibility for their own care, but also affects their overall life expectancy. This can be seen in an experiment conducted by Langer and Rodin. When the amount of responsibility given to residents of a nursing home was manipulated, the researchers found that residents were more social, happy, and experienced an increase in life expectancy compared to the control group[6]. Schulz and Hanusa later reported that it is the relative increase in control, rather than the finite amount of control, that is important[4].
How to Improved Outcomes for Relocation
Concerning relocation, better outcomes have been found in situations where greater perceived control and a more predictable environment were present. Research by Stoeckel and Porell determined that when the aged were involved in the decision to relocate, it often made the transition easier. Furthermore, due to the nature of health in old age it has been found that many individuals actually anticipate a relocation before it takes place [3]. There has also been research showing that if the environment that the individual is being moved to is more predictable, it greatly reduces negative effects of the move[4][6].
Importance of Communication, Listening, and keeping an Open Mind to an Aging Relatives Health and Relocation
To begin understanding an aging relative one must begin to spend more quality time with them. Quality time may include communicating, listening and doing activities they suggest or enjoy while making sure they do not feel overwhelemed or feel as if the acitivities turn in to chores.
Open Minded
Having an open mind towards an aging relatives desires, goals and needs will help to provide a more enjoyable final years of their life as well as a smoother transtition in a relocation of residence if the aging relative can no long take care of themselves.
Relocation
Moving in with a relative (community- based), relocating to a nursing home, or even a hospice are all potential possibilities in regards to the relocation of an aging relative. Relocation is a process that includes not only the actual moving but the decision to move, the circumstances surrounding the move, and the adjustment period following the move(Keister,2006). Therefore having an open mind as to potential relocation possibilities is important because each may cater too different needs of the aging relative/patient. Some aging adults recognize their cognitive and physical limitations, explore their options, and actively participate in the decision to relocate (Keister, 2006). The expectations of relocation may also be seen as the aging relatives perceived health, however patterns show that this may only be the case within a certain type of move(Sergeant et al, 2010).
Community- based relocation
The expectation of a Community- based relocation in an aging relative confirmed that many older adults do indeed anticipate community-based moves. A global measure of expectations to move was a significant predictor of a community-based move within 2 years but was not a predictor of relocation to a nursing facility (Sergeant et al, 2010).
Nursing- facility relocation
The expectation of a Nursing- Facilitiy relocation in an aging relative was not predictable and found that when a sample of those aged 70+ was taken there was an over estimation in the expectation and actual relocation of being relocated to a Nursing- facility in 5 years. Therefore this overestimation could be due to a stereotype of the elderly getting sent away once they get to be a certain age (Sergeant et al, 2010).
Hospice- Relocation
A Hospice is where the terminally ill will go and spend the remainder of their life. Once again there is a taboo, however many workers and volunteers take a lot of pride out of the job of being that “friend” to the patient well remembering 3 key factors: The Patient is Alive, It’s Not about Me, and to Be There (Foster, 2002).
Communication
Conversating, playing an activity, listening and silence are all important forms of communication. The aging brain involves muliplte losses in everyday functioning and therefore how the aged does something one day may gradually change in process (Brandstadler et al, 1993). Understanding and noticing these changes and be crucial in keeping their self-esteem up while they adapt to their aging brain and body. The importance of communication is cannot be overlooked in regards to understanding potential next steps (i.e. possible relocation) as well how they are feeling on a day to day basis. Communication with an aging relative will likely be situational, meaning there will likely be different conflicts or problems arise and it is important to try to remember its "Not about Me" and do not get frustrated, "Be There" (Foster, 2002).
Factors Inhibiting Quality Communication
Stereotyping is very common in the regards to the elderly and in may even be done without noticing. The ideas of over-parenting or an over emphasis on the efficient accomplishment of tasks can be counter productive and result in a lowering of the self esteem which will lead to lose of self effiacy and periceved control (Ryan et al, 1995). Also, Western culture historically tends to stigmatize both illness and dying (Foster, 2002). This ignorance of dying may be harmful to quality communication.
--Jm11ad 14:06, 30 October 2011 (EDT)--
Notes and References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Rodgers, W.M., Conner, M., & Murray, T.C., (2008). Distinguishing among perceived control, perceived difficulty, and self-efficacy as determinants of intentions and behaviours. British Journal of Social Psychology, 47, 607-630
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Rodin, J., & Langer, E, (1980). Aging labels: the decline of control and the fall of self-esteem. Journal of Social Issues, 36(2), 12-29
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Stoeckel, K.J., & Porell, F. (2010). Do older adults anticipate relocation? The relationship between housing relocation expectations and falls. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 29(2), 231-250
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Schulz, R. & Hanusa, B.H., (1980). Experimental social gerontology: a social psychological perspective. Journal of Social Issues, 36(2), 30- 46
- ↑ Rodin & Langer, 1980, p. 15
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Rodin, J., (1986). Aging and health: effects of the sense of control. Science, 233(4770), 1271-1276
- ↑ Rodin & Langer, 1980, p. 24
- ↑ p. 31
[9]Foster, E., (2002). Lessons We Learned: Stories of Volunteer- Patient Communication in Hospice. Journal of Aging & Identity, 7(4) , 245-257
Keister, K, (2006). Predictors of Self Assessed Health, Anxiety, and Depressive symptoms in Nursing Home residents at Week 1 Postrelocation. Journal of Aging and Health, 18(5), 722-742
Sergeant, J., Ekerdt, D., Chapin, R, (2010). Older Adults Expectation to Move: Do they Predict Actual community based or nursing facility move within 2years. Journal of Aging and Health. 22(7), 1025-1055
Brandstadler,J., Wentura, D., Greve W, (1993). Adaptive Resources of Aging Self: Outline of an Emergent Perspective. International Journal of Behavioural Development, 16(2), 323-349
Ryan, E,. Hummert, M,. Boich, L, (1995). Communication Predicaments of Aging- Patronizing behavior towards older Adults. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 14(1-2), 144-166
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