Perceived Age Discrimination and Mental Health

Although perceived discrimination (especially due to race-ethnicity) decreases mental health, the influence of perceived discrimination due to other reasons on mental health needs to be explored. This study examines the relationship between perceived age discrimination and mental health and determines whether psychosocial resources explain or buffer (i.e., reduce the strength of) this relationship. Using a nationally-representative sample of persons aged 25-74 from the Midlife Development in the United States survey, this study finds that perceived age discrimination is associated with higher psychological distress and lower positive well-being. Perceived age discrimination is more negatively associated with women's mental health than men's. Although sense of control buffers the relationship between perceived age discrimination and psychological distress, perceived age discrimination decreases sense of control and social support.