Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS)
Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS) used in psychology are essential tools for clinical and research assessments. This post is based on dissertations submitted by students during their academic programs. At ‘Mental Health,’ we arrange and provide these resources to you. Here is the complete list of resources (Click Here). To access these materials, click on the ‘Avail File’ section below.”
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About Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS)
The Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS) is a psychological assessment tool designed to measure concerns, worries, and negative beliefs related to aging. Originally developed by Lasher and Faulkender in 1987, the AAS aims to understand individuals’ anxiety levels regarding their own aging process and the aging population as a whole.
Purpose of the Tool
The Anxiety about Aging Scale was developed to:
- Assess individuals’ levels of anxiety and concerns about aging.
- Provide insights into societal attitudes toward aging and age-related issues.
- Support research and interventions aimed at reducing age-related anxieties and stereotypes.
Description of Tool
Kathleen Lasher and P. J. Faulkender introduced the Anxiety about Aging Scale as part of their efforts to address the social and psychological dimensions of aging. Given that aging anxiety has been linked to ageism and negative stereotypes, the AAS serves as a critical measure in understanding how individuals of different ages perceive and emotionally respond to the concept of aging. It has been widely used across various populations, including students, older adults, and individuals in health-related fields, to identify how aging is perceived and the levels of discomfort it may evoke.
The AAS consists of 20 items that respondents rate based on their feelings and beliefs about aging. It is divided into four subscales:
- Fear of Old People: Measures anxiety around interacting with or being associated with older individuals.
- Psychological Concerns: Assesses worries about mental deterioration and dependency.
- Physical Appearance Concerns: Evaluates anxiety regarding physical changes related to aging.
- Fear of Loss: Captures concerns about loss of independence, productivity, and control as one ages.
Each item is scored on a Likert scale, providing a quantifiable measure of aging-related anxiety that can be used in clinical and research settings.
Psychometric Properties
- Reliability: The AAS has demonstrated strong internal consistency and test-retest reliability, indicating that it consistently measures aging anxiety across different contexts.
- Validity: The scale has been validated across multiple studies, showing good construct validity in measuring anxiety related to aging. It has been used internationally, with studies indicating that the AAS is effective in capturing age-related concerns among diverse populations.
Age Group
The Anxiety about Aging Scale is appropriate for use with adults and older adults, typically aged 18 and older. It is often used in both clinical and research settings with individuals across the lifespan who may experience or hold concerns related to aging.
References
- Lasher, K. P. (1987). Development and initial validation of the Anxiety about Aging Scale. Dissertation Archive, Paper 2835. Retrieved from University of Southern Mississippi.
- Lasher, K. P., & Faulkender, P. J. (1993). Measurement of aging anxiety: Development of the Anxiety about Aging Scale. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 37(4), 247–259.
- Wisdom, N. M. (2010). Social acceptance of age discrimination. Oklahoma State University. Doctoral dissertation.
- Poorsattar Bejeh Mir, A., & Poorsattar Bejeh Mir, M. (2014). Dentistry students’ aging anxiety levels in northern Iran. Gerodontology, 31(4), 260–264.
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