The Effects of Patient Age and Diagnosis on Perceived Necessity of Psychological and Medical Treatment by Young Adults

Abstract

Perceptions of and attitudes towards the elderly as related to the perceived necessity of treatment for physical and psychological symptoms were examined. Eighty participants from undergraduate classes at a medium-sized university in the northeastern United States were randomly assigned to read one of four vignettes, which were identical with the exception of the age (30 and 80) and diagnosis (Major Depressive Episode and arthritis) of the vignette character. Contrary to original hypotheses, participants reported that it was more important for an 80-year-old to obtain medical treatment than a 30-year-old. When analyzing the importance of obtaining psychological treatment, no statistically significant differences were found based on the age of the character. Medical treatment was universally rated as more important regardless of the age of the character in the scenario.