Date of Award
12-17-2014
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Gerontology Institute
First Advisor
Jaye L. Atkinson
Second Advisor
Candace L. Kemp
Third Advisor
MIriam J. Konrad
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a focus group study exploring older individuals' perceptions of older drivers. The study extends the stereotype research of Joanisse, Gagnon, and Voloaca (2012b), further investigating the terms used to describe older drivers. Also explored were the ways older adults perceive age versus health in their considerations of driving. Three focus groups (N=24) were conducted with former and current drivers, 64 years and older, living in Asheville, North Carolina. Participants showed positivity in their descriptions of older drivers as "slow" and "cautious" and believed they adapted their driving behavior as aging demanded. Participants showed heterogeneity in their acceptance of the health issues that threatened their continued driving ability. The importance of context in understanding stereotypes of older adults is illustrated. Results are discussed in terms of ingroup/outgroup theory in line with the proposed model.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/6416891
Recommended Citation
Selwyn, Celeste, "Age, Health, and Driving Ability: Perceptions of Older Adults." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2014.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/6416891