Self- vs. Other-Focused Attention and Appearance Self-Evaluation in the Oldest-Old: Gendered Implications for Person-Centered Care

Appearance concerns are rarely studied in very old adults. We tested whether directing attention to the self (mirror) versus others (poster) differentially affects appearance self-evaluations among community-dwelling older adults (<i>N</i> = 76; age 62-98, <i>M</i> = 81.41; 62% women). Participants completed questionnaires while seated facing a mirror (self-focus) or a poster depicting younger and older faces (other-focus). A 2 × 2 ANCOVA (Focus × Gender), controlling for age, education, relationship status, and self-rated health, showed a significant interaction. Men rated their appearance more positively in the mirror condition than in the poster condition. In contrast, women did not differ across conditions but rated their appearance lower than men under self-focus and higher than men under other-focus. These gendered patterns suggest that environmental cues in aging-service settings may shape how the oldest-old perceive their appearance and interact with staff. We discuss how to optimize environments to minimize gendered threats to self-image.