Class and lifestyle ‘lock‐in’ among middle‐aged and older men

A Multiple Correspondence Analysis of the British Regional Heart Study

Bibliographic Data

ID11164530
AuthorsIan Rees Jones (0000-0002-1682-9134, Bangor University, corresponding author), Olia Papacosta (0000-0001-8781-6747, University College London), Peter H Whincup (0000-0002-5589-4107, St George's, University of London), Goya Wannamethee (0000-0001-9484-9977, University College London), S Goya Wannamethee, Richard W Morris (0000-0002-5018-1239), Richard Morris (0000-0003-0208-8440, University College London)
Year2011
Volume33
Issue3
Pages399-419
Publication date2011-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociology of Health & Illness (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0141-9889 • E-ISSN: 1467-9566
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1467-9566.2010.01280.x
PMID21241333
OpenAlexW1489070561
LanguageEN
Citations received16
References cited66

Health lifestyles are collective patterns of health risk behaviour that develop within a social habitus. An important area for research is the extent to which health lifestyles become more individualised over time and as people age, or whether health lifestyles remain socially structured. This article presents findings from a Multiple Correspondence Analysis of the British Regional Heart Study. Our findings suggest that smoking and alcohol use retain a strong class patterning as men age (suggesting some support for the long‐term importance of social structures in old age). This indicates that, in later life, some forms of class‐related health lifestyles become fixed or ‘locked in’. In contrast there is evidence to suggest that, for exercise, class becomes less important as people age (suggesting either some support for growing individualisation and or important ageing effects). Further studies are required to examine different forms of health lifestyle in later life in relation to forms of cultural and economic capital. This study provides evidence in support of attempts to theorise health lifestyles in terms of collectivities. Furthermore, the concept of selective lifestyle ‘lock‐in’ may be a useful way of understanding the relationship between class and health lifestyles in old age

Cultural capital · Developmental psychology · Habitus · Life course approach · Multiple correspondence analysis · Political science · Social capital · Social class · Social science · Sociology · Aging and Gerontology Research · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychology · Social and Cultural Dynamics · Gerontology