Self-Efficacy Beliefs and Discrimination in Older Adulthood

Abstract: The pernicious effects of discrimination and ageism are experienced across multiple life domains in older adulthood. However, work is needed to identify potential mechanisms that may underlie these associations. The current study examined associations between forms of discrimination and different subtypes of self-efficacy beliefs among older adults ( N = 250, M age = 65.5 years). We surveyed participants regarding ageist discrimination, internalized ageism, and everyday discrimination as well as general self-efficacy and five forms of domain-specific self-efficacy. Our findings demonstrated significant negative associations between all forms of discrimination and self-efficacy beliefs. Associations were stronger between ageism and memory self-efficacy than to the other constructs assessed. These findings advance the literature by underscoring the nuanced connections between discrimination and self-efficacy in older adulthood.