CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN ATTITUDES TOWARDS LIVING IN OLD AGE

摘要

Cultural contexts play an important role in how people perceive old-age. Based on data of the Ageing as Future project, we tested cultural differences in attitudes towards living in old age in Germany, the US, and Hong Kong (N=1,829; 35–85 years). Three distinct facets of attitudes were investigated: rest/relaxation and two facets of active engagement (having a meaningful task, supporting others). Hong Kongese endorsed a perception of old age as a time to rest and relax across the entire life span, whereas Western countries showed a substantial decline in the rest/relaxation facet with advancing age. East/West differences also emerged with regard to active engagement, with support dominating in the HK sample, and task focus being the dominant orientation among Western cultures. Our findings demonstrate cultural differences in attitudes towards living in old age, with living a “tranquil life” in old age being highly prevalent in Eastern cultures.