Assessing ageism among generation-Z: a multinational study
1
School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
2
INSPECT-LB (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
3
Higher Institute of Public Health, Universite Saint Joseph, Beirut, Lebanon
4
Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
5
College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, Lebanon
6
School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik,, Jounieh, Lebanon
7
Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Badr City, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
8
Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
9
School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Global population aging is accelerating, with adults aged ≥65 years projected to reach 2.2 billion by the 2070s. Ageism negatively affects older adults’ health and quality of life, yet remains understudied across cultural contexts. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess Generation Z’s perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors toward aging and older adults across eight countries representing diverse cultural and socioeconomic settings.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted from January 2023 to January 2025 among 3,316 university students aged 18-25 years from Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Serbia. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing perception (12-item scale), attitude (28-item scale), and behavior (17-item scale) toward elderly individuals. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and multivariate linear regression.
RESULTS:
The mean perception score was 3.7 ± 2.3 (out of 12), indicating predominantly negative perceptions. The mean attitude score was 94.7±13.2 (out of 140), suggesting moderately positive attitudes. Serbian participants demonstrated the most positive outcomes across all measures, while Nigerian participants showed the lowest perception scores. An inverse relationship was noted between perception and behavior (β = -0.17, p<0.001), with higher factual knowledge associated with less positive behaviors. Gender differences were significant, with males showing higher perception but lower attitude and behavior scores. Health science students demonstrated significantly lower scores across all dimensions compared to other majors. Living conditions, family ties, and direct experience with elderly significantly influenced outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study reveals complex, non-linear relationships between perception, attitudes, and behaviors toward the elderly among Generation Z across diverse global contexts. The inverse perception-behavior relationship suggests that factual knowledge alone may trigger anxiety-driven avoidance rather than positive engagement. Findings challenge assumptions about health science students and highlight the need for culturally-tailored, experience-based interventions that address implicit biases and promote meaningful intergenerational contact.
Global population aging is accelerating, with adults aged ≥65 years projected to reach 2.2 billion by the 2070s. Ageism negatively affects older adults’ health and quality of life, yet remains understudied across cultural contexts. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess Generation Z’s perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors toward aging and older adults across eight countries representing diverse cultural and socioeconomic settings.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted from January 2023 to January 2025 among 3,316 university students aged 18-25 years from Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Serbia. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing perception (12-item scale), attitude (28-item scale), and behavior (17-item scale) toward elderly individuals. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and multivariate linear regression.
RESULTS:
The mean perception score was 3.7 ± 2.3 (out of 12), indicating predominantly negative perceptions. The mean attitude score was 94.7±13.2 (out of 140), suggesting moderately positive attitudes. Serbian participants demonstrated the most positive outcomes across all measures, while Nigerian participants showed the lowest perception scores. An inverse relationship was noted between perception and behavior (β = -0.17, p<0.001), with higher factual knowledge associated with less positive behaviors. Gender differences were significant, with males showing higher perception but lower attitude and behavior scores. Health science students demonstrated significantly lower scores across all dimensions compared to other majors. Living conditions, family ties, and direct experience with elderly significantly influenced outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study reveals complex, non-linear relationships between perception, attitudes, and behaviors toward the elderly among Generation Z across diverse global contexts. The inverse perception-behavior relationship suggests that factual knowledge alone may trigger anxiety-driven avoidance rather than positive engagement. Findings challenge assumptions about health science students and highlight the need for culturally-tailored, experience-based interventions that address implicit biases and promote meaningful intergenerational contact.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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