The Relationship Between Perceived Age Discrimination in the Healthcare System and Health: An Examination of a Multi-Path Model in a National Sample of Israelis Over the Age of 50

Abstract

Objectives The present study aims to examine possible pathways that potentially account for the relationship between perceived age discrimination in healthcare settings (as one form of ageism) and health outcomes. Methods We relied on 1570 complete surveys, which constitute a representative national sample of adults aged 50 and above in Israel. Results We found a direct link between perceived age discrimination and health outcomes. This link was partially mediated by self-perceptions of aging and subsequently by health behaviors (e.g., eating vegetables) and preventive health behaviors (e.g., medical check-ups). The link between perceived age discrimination and health behaviors was moderated by age, thus, particularly detrimental for older people over the age of 65 as compared with those between the ages of 50 and 65. Discussion This study adds to the literature as it examines comprehensive mechanisms to account for the path between perceived age discrimination and health status. Our findings point to the unique aspects associated with perceived age discrimination, which potentially make older people more susceptible to its negative effects.

Preventive healthcare behavior: A hybrid systematic literature review (1998–2023)

“…• Temporal predictors: Time preference, time patterns, delay discounting. et al, 2022), and dietary adherence (Ayalon & Cohn-Schwartz, 2022).…”

“…From the economic perspective, PHB is recognized as a timely investment consumers make in maintaining good health and preventing illness (Grossman, 1972). From the marketing and practitioner's perspectives, various activities such as physical activity (Wright et al, 2009), regular health checkups (Charlson et al, 2008), nutrition uptake (Bíró et al, 2022), and dietary adherence (Ayalon & Cohn‐Schwartz, 2022), carried out by the consumer are taken into consideration. Several studies have also linked the adoption of PHB to consumers' overall sense of wellbeing (Conner & Norman, 2005; Kasl & Cobb, 1966).…”

“…DecisionPHB serves as the decision component in the ADO framework development. The significant activities identified based on previous studies as PHB are physical activity (Wright et al, 2009), regular health checkups (Charlson et al, 2008), nutrition uptake (Bíró et al, 2022), and dietary adherence (Ayalon & Cohn‐Schwartz, 2022). Different studies have used diverse variables based on country‐level context or different theories, methods, or characteristics to address issues related to PHB.…”

“…Enjoyment of competition, fear of competition (Keresztes et al, 2015), tactile sensitivity (Hunt et al, 2017), masculinity belief (self‐presentation, self‐reliance, risk‐taking) (Christy et al, 2017), altruism (Wilson, 2018), role strain and role compartmentalization (Quah, 2020), emotionality (Fernández‐Abascal & Martín‐Díaz, 2015; Keren et al, 2021; Otterbring et al, 2021); intolerance of uncertainty and psychological distress (O'Brien et al, 2021) were factors that caught the attention of researchers in the last decade. Trust (Bayram & Shields, 2021), insurance expansion (De, 2021), anxiety (Suanrueang et al, 2022), perceived susceptibility and personal identity (Shahnawaz et al, 2023), the meaning of life, health locus of control (Nie et al, 2022), personality traits like agreeableness and conscientiousness (Otterbring & Festila, 2022), self‐perceptions (Ayalon & Cohn‐Schwartz, 2022), time patterns (Bíró et al, 2022), fatalism (Dallo & Kindratt, 2015; Hunter et al, 2007; Sanders Thompson et al, 2009; Silberbogen et al, 2014), uncertainty discrepancy (Crowley et al, 2021; Griffin & Dunwoody, 2000; Krieger et al, 2013; Niu et al, 2022; Yoo et al, 2018), worry, regret, environmental and psychosocial characteristics (Chapman & Coups, 2006; Gerend & Shepherd, 2007; Han et al, 2014; J. Liu et al, 2020; Orbell & Kyriakaki, 2008; Seiter & Brophy, 2020; Son et al, 2017) are also studied to understand PHB. Other significant predictors include maladaptive perfectionism, narrative persuasion (Ingledew & Brunning, 1999; S. Liu et al, 2021; C. H. Liu et al, 2022), trauma exposure (Lee & Park, 2018), and dispositional vulnerability (Kapoor & Singhal, 2021).…”

“…PHB serves as the decision component in the ADO framework development. The significant activities identified based on previous studies as PHB are physical activity (Wright et al, 2009), regular health checkups (Charlson et al, 2008), nutrition uptake (Bíró et al, 2022), and dietary adherence (Ayalon & Cohn‐Schwartz, 2022).…”