The role of individual difference variables in ageism

• The effect of individual differences on ageist attitudes and anxiety about aging was modeled.
• Dispositional gratitude significantly affects both ageism and anxiety.
• Big Five personality traits predict both ageism and anxiety.
• Empathy did not significantly predict either ageism or anxiety.
• Increased contact with the elderly reduced anxiety about aging.

The aim of this study was to examine the role that personality traits, empathy traits, and gratitude have on ageist attitudes and aging anxiety. Consistent with previous research, participants who exhibited greater aging anxiety were more prone to ageist attitudes. Participants with greater dispositional gratitude exhibited significantly less aging anxiety and less ageist attitudes. All of the Big Five personality traits, with the exception of extraversion, were found to be significant determinants of ageist attitudes, aging anxiety, or both. With the exception of personal distress, none of the empathy dimensions predicted either aging anxiety or ageist attitudes.