The Relationships Between COVID-19 Anxiety, Ageism, and Ableism

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is a source of anxiety globally, and lockdowns have increased anxiety symptoms, contributed to economic stress, and influenced an increase in prejudice, particularly prejudice directed at the elderly and people with disabilities. Terror management theory serves as an explanation for the association between COVID-19 anxiety, ageism, and ableism. Recruiting participants from Amazon MTurk, I assessed anxiety about COVID-19, ageism, and ableism. Hierarchical linear regression analyses demonstrate that COVID-19 anxiety is significantly associated with ageism, and with ableism, as well as age and gender. The results of this study have implications for the effect of COVID-19 anxiety on those who are most vulnerable in the current pandemic, particularly with regards to isolation and social connection; those who are most anxious about the pandemic might spend less time trying to connect with their older friends and relatives, and likewise for the people in their lives who might have a disability.

Intersections of ageism toward older adults and other isms during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Of these research articles, two originated in psychiatry, two in social work and one was interdisciplinary. One psychology research article had a quantitative approach and focused on the intersection between ageism and ableism (Arcieri, 2021 ). In reviewing both the empirical papers and review papers, we organize our discussion into a type of ism that intersects with ageism.…”

“…Only one quantitative study examined ableism with ageism in this systematic review. Drawing from Terror Management Theory (TMT) (i.e., the fear and concerns with aging and dying increase ageism toward older adults; Greenberg et al., 1986 ), Arcieri ( 2021 ) argued that anxiety associated with COVID‐19 would be linked to greater ageism and ableism during the pandemic. Using a correlational design, this study ( N = 156 diverse adults) examined the relationship between COVID‐19 anxiety, negative attitudes towards older adults, and people living with disabilities (controlling for age, gender, and race).…”

“…Arcieri discusses threats to mortality (i.e., during the pandemic), as well as stereotypes that older adults and PLWD are weak and frail, potentially reminding individuals of their mortality, which then appear to increase the likelihood of ageism and ableism. Arcieri ( 2021 ) also suggested that male gender norms which emphasize strength are also deleterious to views of older adults and those living with a disability.…”

“Let the strongest survive”: Ageism and social Darwinism as barriers to supporting policies to benefit older individuals

“…For example, during the pandemic period, the disadvantages of older women compared to older men doubled because the female identity is already described as weaker and powerless compared to men in the eyes of society (Gutterman, 2022). In addition, being both old and disabled has caused these people to have more difficulties in accessing resources (e.g., scarcity of food and supplies in markets during the early days of the pandemic) and being seen as a burden in the pandemic (Arcieri, 2021; Tekin et al., 2021). As Greenwood (2012) rightly states that intersectional identities together create a more underprivileged identity, future studies should consider the intersectional identities of older people in understanding ageism toward them and thus contribute to understanding the barriers to support for policies that benefit older people.…”

Understanding the Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Individuals With Chronic Illness

“…These residential settings not only pose increased COVID-19 risk; they have also resulted in greater social stressors as visitation was suspended, facilities experienced staffing shortages, and at times, individuals were confined to their personal living quarters during the pandemic ( Abbasi, 2020 ; Maxouris, 2021 ). Third, discriminatory rationing of medical equipment and intensive care unit beds and ableism may have increased acute stress for those with chronic illness ( Arcieri, 2021 ; Kattari, 2020 ; Sabatello et al., 2020 ). Fourth, studies have documented increased rates of psychological distress and health risks for individuals with chronic illnesses such as asthma, COPD, cardiovascular illness, and diabetes, during the COVID-19 pandemic ( de Boer et al, 2021 ; Higbee et al, 2021 ; Musche et al, 2021 ; Viveiros et al., 2021 ; Yohannes, 2021 ).…”