Ageism and Health in Patients Undergoing Cosmetic Procedures

Abstract

Background

Ageism is a common form of prejudice that negatively affects the health of older adults. Anti-aging procedures are increasingly popular among patients seeking aesthetic surgery and minimally-invasive treatments.

Objectives

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of age-based discrimination, and its relationship to health, among patients seeking cosmetic procedures.

Methods

Patients from a university-based single-surgeon aesthetic plastic surgery clinic completed the Everyday Discrimination Scale, which assesses the frequency with which individuals have experienced "microaggressions" and the main reason(s) for discrimination (including age). Participants also completed: measures of perceived age discrimination across interpersonal, romantic, work, and health care contexts and anticipation of age-based discrimination in the future via a single-item measure of self-rated health (rated 1-5) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.

Results

Fifty patients consented to participate in the study (94% women, 78% white, mean age 49.4 ± 13.5 years). Over 30% of participants reported age as the main reason for everyday discrimination. Participants who reported experiencing age-based discrimination, compared to those who did not, had worse self-rated health, lower self-esteem, and greater anticipated age-based discrimination. Participants most frequently endorsed experiencing age-based discrimination in an interpersonal context (36.0%), followed by work settings (20.0%).

Conclusions

A significant portion of patients seeking cosmetic procedures may experience age-based discrimination, which could negatively affect their health and well-being. Patients might benefit from expectation management about how their procedure may or may not address their concerns about age-based discrimination. More research is needed to determine whether cosmetic procedures help to mitigate discrimination in aging patients.