In a Latin American sample of older adults, ageism, self-disgust, and psychological distress were examined as psychological correlates of quality of life using hierarchical regression. Self-disgust and distress emerged as meaningful pathways through which age-related stigma corresponds with diminished quality of life in later years, positioning internalized age bias as a modifiable psychological exposure rather than an inevitable feature of aging.
Key Points
- Ageism correlates with reduced quality of life in older adults
- Self-disgust and psychological distress mediate the ageism-wellbeing relationship
- Findings drawn from an under-studied Latin American older population
Longevity Analysis
Attitudes absorbed from the surrounding culture become internal physiology. Chronic self-directed disgust and distress sustain stress-response activation, degrade emotional regulation, and erode the sense of agency that drives adherence to any health practice — which places social and self-perceptual exposure on the same footing as chemical or behavioral interference. Identifying and interrupting internalized age bias is a prerequisite step, not a psychological afterthought, because distress mislabeled as the natural consequence of aging will not be addressed by supplements, training, or clinical intervention.
Original published by SAGE Research on Aging, by Ana María Chamorro Coneo, María Camila Navarro Segura, Stefano Vinaccia Alpi, Breiner Hernández Vargas, Dayana Restrepo, Nataly Díaz Aguilar1Department of Psychology, 28003Universidad Del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia2Department of Psychology, Universidad Del Sinú, Cartagena, Colombia3Department of Psychology, Universidad Del Sinú, Monteria, Colombia4Psychology Program, 8085Taylor University, Indiana, USA.