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The Relationship between Ageism and Well-Being as Mediated through COVID-19-Related Experiences and Discourses

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  • Stefan Hopf

    (Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, Institute for Lifecourse and Society, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
    Centre for Disability Law and Policy, Institute for Lifecourse and Society, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
    AGE Platform Europe, 1150 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Kieran Walsh

    (Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, Institute for Lifecourse and Society, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland)

  • Eilionóir Flynn

    (Centre for Disability Law and Policy, Institute for Lifecourse and Society, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland)

  • Nena Georgantzi

    (Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, Institute for Lifecourse and Society, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
    AGE Platform Europe, 1150 Brussels, Belgium)

Abstract

Both COVID-19 and ageism can have a negative impact on the well-being of older people. Yet, our knowledge on the links between COVID-19, ageism and well-being is still emerging. The present study aimed to contribute to this knowledge by exploring the lived experiences of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we analyzed older persons’ subjective experiences and perceptions of ageism arising from COVID-19-related policies and discourses in two country contexts—Austria and Ireland—and the implications of these experiences for personal well-being. Based on the thematic analysis of 27 interviews with older adults, we found that participants perceived and encountered a discriminatory homogeneous representation of older people as a group. Three specific forms of this homogenization, namely stigmatization, paternalism, and scapegoating, were identified as impact on well-being. Moreover, our analysis showed how these forms of ageism challenge both the individual and social identities of older people, revealing older participants’ different attitudes in responding to this challenge. With reference to the international research literature, we discussed the impact of these experiences on the well-being of older people and the possible legal and socio-political implications of our findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Hopf & Kieran Walsh & Eilionóir Flynn & Nena Georgantzi, 2021. "The Relationship between Ageism and Well-Being as Mediated through COVID-19-Related Experiences and Discourses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10490-:d:650683
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liat Ayalon & Alison Chasteen & Manfred Diehl & Becca R Levy & Shevaun D Neupert & Klaus Rothermund & Clemens Tesch-Römer & Hans-Werner Wahl, 2021. "Aging in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Avoiding Ageism and Fostering Intergenerational Solidarity," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(2), pages 49-52.
    2. Brad A. Meisner, 2012. "A Meta-Analysis of Positive and Negative Age Stereotype Priming Effects on Behavior Among Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 67(1), pages 13-17.
    3. Kieran Walsh & Thomas Scharf & Norah Keating, 2017. "Social exclusion of older persons: a scoping review and conceptual framework," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 81-98, March.
    4. Anna E. Kornadt & Isabelle Albert & Martine Hoffmann & Elke Murdock & Josepha Nell, 2021. "Ageism and older people’s health and well-being during the Covid-19-pandemic: the moderating role of subjective aging," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 173-184, June.
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