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Background. The problem of the ageing population has resulted in attitudes towards aging in different age groups becoming a subject of increased academic interest. Objectives. To provide comparative characteristics of the prevalence of manifestations of gerontological ageism among university students in five European countries. Material and methods. The sample consisted of university students (n = 2493) aged 18–25 from Belarus (n = 827), Russia (n = 528), Poland (n = 798), Lithuania (n = 223) and Ukraine (n = 117). The prevalence of gerontological ageism among respondents was evaluated according to the Fraboni Ageism Scale. Results. The prevalence and manifestations of gerontological ageism vary depending on the country. The maximum total indicator, displaying the highest overall level of ageism, was noted among Belarusian students, the minimum – in Lithuania (p < 0.05). The final indicators of gerontological ageism were found to be the following: the level of age discrimination and negative emotional attitude towards the elderly was increased in one fifth of the respondents in all five groups. The observation found the level of ageism averaging at 60%, evenly distributed in all groups. The predominant attitudes towards older people were found to be neutral or positive (84.6%). Conclusions. The manifestations of ageism are international in nature and can explain 20% of the total variety of answers characterising the differences in ranked attributes and degree of ageism. The total indicator showed the highest degree of gerontological ageism among students in Belarus, the lowest – among those in Lithuania, with levels of gerontological ageism among students in Russia, Poland and Ukraine distributed in between. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Population aging is a challenge for social policy and medical care. The problem of ageism – discrimination of a person by age – is closely connected with the phenomenon of the aging of society. Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the views of 60+ respondents about medical care and the possible manifestations of ageism in healthcare institutions in four countries for developing recommendations for the formation of “good practices” for older people and a worthy attitude towards them. Material and methods. An anonymous survey was conducted on 478 people (who gave informed consent to participate in the study) aged 60+: in Belarus – 139, Poland – 110, Russia – 123, Lithuania – 106. Opinions about medical care and manifestations of ageism were assessed using a questionnaire by Kropińska entitled “Studying the phenomenon of age discrimination in older people”. Results. The opinion of the majority of respondents about medical care in their country of residence was found to be satisfactory. Manifestations of ageism in healthcare institutions, according to respondents, range from 20.9% to 43.0%. Conclusions. In the analysed groups of respondents in four countries, the provision of medical care is assessed positively. The high level of manifestation of ageism in healthcare institutions is a problem, which indicates the need to reduce the risks of its occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Various authors have analyzed factors determining the appearance of anorexia nervosa and did not reach a consensus. The article presents the results and our opinion that deep psychological problems of individual are the cornerstone of the development of anorexia nervosa. Objectives. To study the psychological profile of female students with a tendency to anorexia nervosa. Material and methods. 118 young females aged 16-22 with eating disorders, all citizens of Krasnoyarsk, were examined. According to body mass index (BMI), two groups were formed: group A (78 females with normal BMI), group B (40 females with low BMI < 18 kg/m2). The emotional state was determined by the Cattell's 16 PF and EPQ questionnaires. Participants signed informed consent. Results. Cattell's questionnaire: general individual and typological qualities of all students were revealed. Descriptors of a low range prevailed in group B. Extroversion was significantly lower in group B than in group A (p < 0.001). Emotional lability was significantly higher in group B than in group A (p = 0.04). EPQ questionnaire: in a comparison between group А and group В, the introversive type among females with BMI < 18 kg/m2 was registered more often (p < 0.001); emotional instability was higher (p < 0.001); and psychoticism was rated as p = 0.01. Conclusions. The concept about the existence of options of individual and typological qualities of a person with various BMI was confirmed. A distinctive feature of females with a tendency to anorexia nervosa is an increased frequency of occurrence of the introversive type of personality in combination with a growth of the level of emotional instability and psychoticism and forms neurotic personality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]