Did aging-related beliefs and behaviors change during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the narrative of old-age vulnerability and disengagement. Using data from a nationally representative sample of German adults (N_T1 = 2,007, N_T2 = 733; age range 16-94 years), we investigated changes in aging-related beliefs and behaviors between 2016 and 2022. Specifically, we considered perceived expectations for active aging (PEAA), positive age stereotypes, and preparation for age-related changes in the domains of physical health, mental health, and social engagement. The average PEAA and positive age stereotypes significantly decreased across age groups and domains whereas preparation for age-related changes decreased slightly and only in the social engagement domain. Residual change analyses revealed a greater reduction in PEAA across domains among respondents with (vs. without) children in the household. In those with more pronounced populist political beliefs, PEAA in the social engagement domain diminished more. None of the focal predictors predicted change in positive age stereotypes. Surprisingly, working in an occupation disrupted by the pandemic (compared with relatively undisrupted occupations) predicted more positive change in preparation for age-related changes in the mental health domain. Overall, the public discourse regarding older people and old age during the pandemic may have contributed to the worsening of aging-related beliefs. The stability in preparation suggests that such behaviors served to adapt to the unique circumstances of the pandemic.