Perceived ageism, perceived preferential treatment based on age, and activity engagement in later life: findings from the 45 and up study

Abstract

Background Engagement in physical, social, and civic activities is central to successful aging. While age discrimination is known to negatively impact older adults’ health, less is understood about how perceptions of age discrimination and preferential treatment interact with physical functioning to influence engagement. This study examined how these social perceptions interact with physical functioning to predict engagement among older Australians.Methods Data were drawn from Wave 4 of The 45 and Up Study (N = 11,719), a population-based cohort of adults aged 59–102 years. Engagement outcomes included weekly physical activity, social interaction, and volunteering hours. Predictors were perceived age discrimination, preferential treatment, and physical functioning. Negative binomial regression models tested main and interaction effects, adjusting for demographic covariates.Results Perceived age discrimination was associated with greater engagement in physical activity (IRR = 1.030) and volunteering (IRR = 1.074), while perceived preferential treatment was positively associated with social engagement (IRR = 1.030) only. Significant interactions were observed between preferential treatment and physical functioning for both social activity (IRR = 1.000, p < 0.001) and volunteering (IRR = 1.001, p = 0.001), indicating that the association between physical functioning and engagement varied by levels of perceived preferential treatment.Conclusion Perceived age discrimination and preferential treatment show complex, domain-specific relationships with engagement. Interventions promoting inclusive, affirming environments alongside functional support may enhance participation in later life.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Aging & Mental Health, 2026 · DOI ↗