Perceptions of problems associated with aging: comparisons among four older age cohorts.

This research examines how the perceptions of aging and the concern over special problems faced by the aged vary among four age cohorts: the middle aged (55-64), the young old (65-74), the old (75-84), and the oldest old (85+). We hypothesized that the middle-aged cohort and the oldest-old cohort would be most pessimistic. The results support the hypothesis for the middle-aged group, but the oldest old were surprisingly optimistic in their view of aging. However, these perceptions by the oldest old cohort are more likely than the others' attitudes to depend on this group's assessment of their own personal problems.