Papers by Fabiana Vicente
The image is a complex, unconscious and multidimensional symbol. However, when associated with ag... more The image is a complex, unconscious and multidimensional symbol. However, when associated with aging, it can acquire a wide variety of interpretations, ranging from positive, to neutral or negative. Several studies indicate that the images and stereotypes one has of the elderly and aging are mostly negative, associating them with negative aspects, such as illness, loneliness and/or dependence. College students, as well as all elements of society, are susceptible to all kinds of beliefs about aging that are often misleading. This study sought to investigate the existence of images and stereotypes about the elderly and aging. Participated 231 students at the Universidade da Beira Interior, comprising over seven courses. To this end, we used a socio-demographic questionnaire and ImAges Scale (Sousa, Cerqueira & Galante, 2008). This scale is composed of four factors, which are "Addiction, Sadness and Old Fashioned"; "Relational and Cognitive Incompetence"; "Maturity, Activity and Affection"; and, finally, "Uselessness". The results indicate that, in regard to Gender, there are extremely significant differences, where women (M=32,7; DP=6,82) have fewer images and stereotypes of the "Addiction, Sadness and Old Fashioned" related to the elderly than men (M=36,7; DP= 6,56), whereas the opposite can be noted in the only positive factor "Maturity, Activity and Affection", where men (M=21,9; DP=3,11) have fewer images and stereotypes of aging than women (M=20,9; DP=2,89). In relation to Course, the results suggest are extremely significant differences (F (6;224) = 6,145; p <0,001) and a tendency for students that attended courses which tapped the topic of aging (M=4,3; DP=1,75), throughout their studies, to have fewer stereotypes and images about the elderly and aging, such as the Psychology and Education courses. As for the Age variable, can't observe statistical significant differences in factors, though presenting, a tendency than as more we advance in age, the less images and stereotypes of the "Addiction, Sadness and Old Fashioned" about the elderly and aging one has, though it is the youths (M=21,6; DP=3,09) that attribute more positive images of "Maturity, Activity and Affection" to the elderly and aging. Finally, in what concerns the Intergenerational Contact with Elder People of the Family and Nonfamiliars, there is a tendency so that a fewer relationship frequent with the elderly, more images and stereotypes negatives about the "Addiction, Sadness and Old Fashioned" and "Relational and Cognitive Incompetence" there are, despite not having statistically significant differences.
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Papers by Fabiana Vicente