Is protecting older adults from Covid‐19 ageism? A comparative cross‐cultural constructive grounded theory from the United Kingdom and Colombia

Bibliographic Data

ID10219787
AuthorsElfriede Derrer-Merk (0000-0001-7241-0808, University of Liverpool, corresponding author), Elfriede Derrer‐Merk (University of Liverpool Liverpool UK), Maria‐Fernanda Reyes‐Rodriguez (Universidad El Bosque Bogotá Colombia), Ana‐Maria Salazar (Universidad El Bosque Bogotá Colombia), Marisol Guevara (Universidad El Bosque Bogotá Colombia), Gabriela Rodríguez (0000-0001-9672-8968, Universidad El Bosque Bogotá Colombia), Gabriela Rodrı́guez (0000-0002-0316-3775, Universidad El Bosque), Ana‐María Fonseca (Universidad El Bosque Bogotá Colombia), Nicolas L Camacho (0000-0003-3161-901X, Universidad El Bosque), Nicolas Camacho (Universidad El Bosque Bogotá Colombia), Scott Ferson (0000-0002-2613-0650, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK), Adam Mannis (University of Liverpool Liverpool UK), Richard P Bentall (0000-0001-7561-2923, University of Sheffield Sheffield UK), Kate M Bennett (University of Liverpool Liverpool UK), Kate Bennett (0000-0003-3164-6894, University of Liverpool)
Year2022
Volume78
Issue4
Pages900-923
Publication date2022-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social Issues (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4537 • E-ISSN: 1540-4560
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/josi.12538
PMID36249549
OpenAlexW4292099791
LanguageEN
Citations received21
References cited48

The COVID‐19 pandemic impacted people's lives all over the world, requiring health and safety measures intended to stop the virus from spreading. This study explores whether an unintended consequence of these measures is a new form of ageism. We explore, using qualitative methods, the experiences of older adults living through the pandemic in the United Kingdom and Colombia. Although there were some small differences between countries, for the most part, the experiences were similar. We found that older adults reported that they were seen as a homogenous group and experienced both benevolent and hostile ageism and a loss of autonomy as a consequence of COVID‐19 protection measures. Participants from both countries expressed anger and frustration, and increased anxiety, and felt that their individuality was ignored. We recommend that policy‐makers, the media, and wider society consider the impact of such health and safety measures on older adults in preparing for future pandemics and health challenges

Anger · Anxiety · Autonomy · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Criminology · Disease · Grounded theory · Pandemic · Political science · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Unintended consequences · Aging and Gerontology Research · Cultural Differences and Values · Law · Medicine · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology