Urinary incontinence (UI) has not been examined in relation to perceptions of age discrimination (ageism). This study examined whether UI, absorbent product use, and confidence gained from absorbent product use are associated with ageism in later adulthood.
Cross-sectional data were collected from 680 community-dwelling female and male participants. Participants were aged 55-73 years; 62% were women. In 2023-2024, UI, absorbent product use, confidence gained from absorbent product use, and ageism were assessed. Ageism variables (frequency across 7 settings, number of settings, perceived stress of discrimination) were regressed on frequency and severity of UI, absorbent product use frequency, and (among those who used absorbent products) confidence gained from product use. Covariates included age, gender, race, and education.
A one standard deviation (SD) greater frequency of UI (Beta = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.18, 0.33), severity of UI (Beta = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.12, 0.27), and frequency of absorbent product use (Beta = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.20) were each associated with more frequent exposure to age discrimination across settings. A similar pattern was observed for the number of settings in which participants experienced age discrimination. Frequency and severity of UI and absorbent product use frequency were not associated with perceived stress of discrimination. Confidence gained from absorbent product use was not associated with ageism variables.
Longitudinal research is needed to test whether UI-related characteristics are prospectively associated with ageism. Programs and policies are needed to address discriminatory behaviors toward aging individuals in different settings.
The Gerontologist. 2026 Jun 09 [Epub]
Sonya S Brady, Andrés Arguedas, Jared D Huling, Gerhard Hellemann, Cora E Lewis, David R Jacobs, Cynthia S Fok, Stephen K Van Den Eeden, Alayne D Markland
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Program in Health Disparities Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States., Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States., Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Birmingham, Alabama, United States., Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States., Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States., Department of Urology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States., Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Pleasanton, California, United States., Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States.