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

Bibliographic Data

ID15467259
AuthorsStefan Hopf (0000-0001-9538-8316, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway, corresponding author), Kieran Walsh (0000-0002-6718-193X, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway), Eilionóir Flynn (0000-0002-2157-3655, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway), Nena Georgantzi (Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue19
Pages10490-10490
Publication date2021-10-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph181910490
PMID34639790
OpenAlexW3204030384
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited56

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

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Older people · Perception · Political science · Politics · Qualitative research · Scapegoating · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Aging and Gerontology Research · Employment and Welfare Studies · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology

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