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

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10490
Author(s):  
Stefan Hopf ◽  
Kieran Walsh ◽  
Eilionóir Flynn ◽  
Nena Georgantzi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Political Implications ◽  
Homogeneous Representation ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

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.

Psychological factors of fear of crime: an empirical study of older people in Lucknow, India

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Avanish Bhai Patel
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Fear Of Crime ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The incidents of elder victimisation and cases of victimisation, in general, are increasing fast in the society. These incidents have had negative impact on the sense of well-being and way of life of the older people. Therefore, fear of crime is being considered as a most concerning psycho-social problem amongst the older people in contemporary time. The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of crime rate on the well-being of the older people and examine the linkage between psychological factors and fear of crime amongst the older people. Design/methodology/approach The present study is based on the mixed method approach and an exploratory research designed applied to conduct the study. The field survey has been done from October 2012 to January 2013 on a sample of 220 older people of rural and urban areas of Lucknow in the state of Uttar Pradesh through purposive sampling. For the study, researcher has interviewed 137 male older people and 83 female older people through interview schedules and case studies. The data have been analysed through descriptive and narrative analysis. Findings The study finds that those older people have direct or indirect experience of victimisation, they have anxiety and feel insecurity that someone can victimise them. The study also finds that the happiness of older people is more affected due to anxiety and phobia and have higher level of feeling of fear of crime in their neighbourhood and home. The study also finds whenever anti-social elements are active in the neighbourhood and they commit crimes, fear of crime and anxiety grasp the older people to a large extent causing a fracture in their psychological well-being. Originality/value This work is the original work of researcher. This paper is related to the researcher’s PhD dissertation work. This paper talks about how the psychological well-being of older people affects due to nature of crime in neighbourhood, phobia of crime and anxiety due to criminal activities.

scholarly journals Identifying causes and potential consequences of financial fraud

2019 ◽  
pp. 47-56
Author(s):  
Tetiana Kizyma ◽  
Andrii Kizyma
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Financial Fraud ◽  
Fraud Triangle ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. The article claims that due to the rapid growth of financial relations, advancement of globalization processes, the impact of IT and the Internet on financial performance, the number of economic crimes in Ukraine has increased recently, especially financial fraud offences. The authors provide evidence that fraudulent schemes have targeted not only public and private finance, but all social relations. Purpose. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to address financial fraud as a global threat and identify its causes and potential consequences. Methods. For addressing the causes and effects of financial fraud, the following general research methods are used: analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, abstraction and grouping. Results. It should be noted that the problem of financial fraud has not received sufficient attention in domestic research literature and practice. The paper presents the leading causes of financial fraud, which include economic, moral and psychological causes as well as regulatory, infrastructural and organizational ones. Financial fraud has a negative impact on the national economy and the welfare of citizens, and therefore leads to the multimillion losses. In order to identify consequences of financial fraud, a combination two types of evaluating such consequences is suggested: quantitative (involves the calculation of pecuniary damage, economic losses and lost economic profit due to fraud offences, and qualitative (logically explains circumstances of financial fraud, risks of losing corporate reputation, image and investment attractiveness). There are three major reasons why financial fraud occurs, which constitute the so-called fraud triangle: the opportunity to commit fraud; the pressure on the individual or the motivation behind the crime; the ability to rationalize the fraud. Therefore, the most important tasks for state bodies, economic entities and individuals include neutralizing the factors which lead to financial fraud and exercising effective control over the prevention of fraud offences in social and economic areas in general, and in financial area in particular. Discussion. Further studies should focus on a comprehensive analysis of the most common types of financial fraud, which take place in Ukraine. The authors argue that this will lead to establishing a set of policies aimed at reducing this negative phenomenon.

Catalyst to Connection: When Technical Difficulties Lead to Social Support for Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 1167-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Francis ◽  
Travis Kadylak ◽  
Taj. W. Makki ◽  
R. V. Rikard ◽  
Shelia R. Cotten
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Impact

Information and communication technology (ICT) use can mitigate the negative impact of various age-related threats, such as isolation and loneliness, by facilitating connection with social ties and access to social support. Although research regarding various uses and benefits of ICTs among older adults has increased, there is limited research regarding the impact of technical difficulties on older adults’ well-being. Our study explores technical difficulties encountered, how older adults cope with ICT failure, and the various forms of social support that may result as a consequence of accessing technical support. We use data from nine semistructured focus groups conducted with older adults in the Midwest region of the United States. Results show that older adults may adapt new strategies for coping with the technical difficulties that arise from regular ICT use. Furthermore, as older adults incorporate ICTs into their daily lives and seek assistance from social ties and experts, they may also be indirectly combating the threat of isolation and loneliness.

‘Phoenix from the Ashes’: Religious Communities Arising from Globalization

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans G. Kippenberg
Keyword(s):  
Social Order ◽  
Max Weber ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sociology Of Religion ◽  
Religious Communities ◽  
Social Forms ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

When in the 1960s religious congregations were suffering from diminishing membership, the sociology of religion turned away from the study of organized religion in order to study private religiosity, even though new social forms of religion were emerging. The article addresses first the impact of globalization on the place of religious communities in the fabric of national and transnational society. Labor migration severs the individual from his or her transmitted loyalties and places him or her amid the risks of the labor market. Parallel to this, the nation state conveys public tasks into private hands in the realms of education, health care, social welfare, and sometimes security. Both changes open up new opportunities for religious communities. Second, the paper addresses the subjective side of the shift, focusing on the Abrahamic religions. They claim the promise given to Abraham—that he and his descendants will be blessed and become a great nation—for their communities. When the factual history contradicts that expectation, prophetic and apocalyptic visions of a bright future keep alive that faith. They summon the believers to fight for the well being of their community, to assist and support each other, and to claim public recognition for their community, since it is beneficial to the entire society. The article argues that this model of religious communality enabled believers in the past to appropriate official legal and social forms for their community. Max Weber in his Economy and Society also argued that religious communality remains a powerful social order in modern society. According to him its strength derives from the subjective religious expectations of social actors and the positive or negative impact their practices exercise on other social orders such as economy, family, state, and law.

scholarly journals Disparities in Basic Housing Needs as a Predictor of Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 618-619
Author(s):  
Meghan Custis ◽  
Jeongeun Lee ◽  
Natasha Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Housing Quality ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Environmental Press ◽  
Home Modifications ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Adequate housing and safe environments are among older adults’ foundational needs. Prior research suggests minority older adults face significant barriers to accessing affordable and appropriate housing. However, the effects of this environmental press on their psychological well-being are rarely addressed. This project examined racial disparities between minority and white older adults’ housing and environment conditions and the differential impact on their psychological well-being. Using nationally representative data from the National Health & Aging Trends Study (NHATS), older adults' reported rating of the quality of housing conditions, financial security, neighborhood security, and the interviewer’s rating of the home environment were analyzed. A total of 4,048 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and over were selected for analysis. The sample demographics are predominantly white (77.5%), female (61.4%), and residing in the community (82%). Results found minority older adults reported poorer housing conditions, fewer home modifications, and lower financial and neighborhood security, compared to white counterparts. The impact of housing quality was more detrimental to minority older adults’ psychological well-being, compared to white counterparts. These findings suggest a significant negative impact of home conditions on the psychological well-being of minority older adults. Home modifications are a viable option to increase or preserve functional status in the home, which could lessen the deleterious effects of environmental press on older adults’ psychological outcomes, especially minorities. This study’s findings provide information that bolsters our knowledge of housing and environment conditions, which are critical in efforts to reduce health disparities in late life.

scholarly journals Proactive Coping and Mindfulness are Associated with Less Stress in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 909-909
Author(s):  
Lyndsey Graham ◽  
Shevaun Neupert
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Proactive Coping ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Life Event ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Abstract We examined the consequences of both chronic and life-event stressors for older adults, as well as antecedent strategies, such as proactive coping and mindfulness, that may mitigate stress. Given the potential negative outcomes associated with stress in older adulthood, exploring strategies to reduce or mitigate the negative impact of stress may be useful in promoting well-being in adulthood. Proactive coping involves an accumulation of resources that leads to reduced or avoided stressors in the future (Aspinwall & Taylor, 1997). Mindfulness calls an individual’s attention to the present moment, or may be characterized as an open, accepting attitude (Brown & Ryan, 2003). Using data from the Mindfulness and Anticipatory Coping Everyday study (English et al., 2019; Neupert & Bellingtier, 2017), 296 older adults in the United States, aged 60-90 years (M = 64.67, SD = 4.36), participated in relevant online survey measures. Results from multiple regression analyses suggested that people high in both chronic stress and life event stress had worse health, and that people high in proactive coping and mindfulness reported less stress. Study results underscore the impact of stress on health outcomes, and provide support for the use of antecedent strategies to address negative impacts of stress.

The Impact of Epidemic Outbreak

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul S.F. Yip ◽  
Y.T. Cheung ◽  
P.H. Chau ◽  
Y.W. Law
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Completed Suicide ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Previous studies revealed that there was a significant increase in suicide deaths among those aged 65 and over in 2003. The peak coincided with the majority of SARS cases being reported in April 2003. Aims: In this paper we examine the mechanism of how the SARS outbreak resulted in a higher completed suicide rate especially among older adults in Hong Kong. Methods: We used Qualitative data analysis to uncover the association between the occurrence of SARS and older adult suicide. Furthermore, we used a qualitative study based on the Coroner Court reports to provide empirical evidence about the relationship between SARS and the excessive number of suicide deaths among the elderly. Results: SARS-related older adult suicide victims were more likely to be afraid of contracting the disease and had fears of disconnection. The suicide motives among SARS-related suicide deaths were more closely associated with stress over fears of being a burden to their families during the negative impact of the epidemic. Social disengagement, mental stress, and anxiety at the time of the SARS epidemic among a certain group of older adults resulted in an exceptionally high rate of suicide deaths. Conclusions: We recommend that the mental and psychological well-being of the community, in particular older adults, be taken into careful account when developing epidemic control measures to combat the future outbreak of diseases in the community. In addition, it is important to alert family members to vulnerable individuals who are at potential risk because of their illnesses or anxieties.

scholarly journals The dual impact of online communication on older adults’ social connectivity

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eveline Hage ◽  
Hans Wortmann ◽  
Marjolein van Offenbeek ◽  
Albert Boonstra
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Buffer Effect ◽  
Communication Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Connectivity ◽  
Online Communication Tools ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – In today’s aging world online communication is often viewed as a means to enhance social connectivity, and therefore well-being, of older adults. However, previous research on the influence of online communication on social connectivity largely disregards older adults, yields conflicting results and fails to assess the – debatable − causal direction of relationship. The purpose of this paper is to overcome these issues by developing four hypotheses related to who uses what, how, with whom. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use a panel data study to test the hypotheses, including 302 older adults. Response rates are between 62 and 75 percent. Findings – The authors find, first, that older adults differentiate between social connectivity with other village members, i.e., village connectivity, and connectivity with friends. Second, the impact of online communication varies among these two types of social connectivity. Where e-mail use has a negative impact on village connectivity, it does not affect connectivity with friends. Facebook use on the other hand has a negative impact on connectivity with friends, but not on village connectivity. The negative effects were not found among those older adults that were already well-connected on forehand, indicating a buffer effect. Practical/implications – Policy makers’ implementing online communication tools to strengthen social connectivity of older adults, may want to carefully select tools based on the type of connectivity they aim to enhance. Impact needs to be monitored. Originality/value – The authors contribute by analyzing how characteristics of online communication tools, i.e., information richness and privacy protection, as well as social connectivity, i.e., geographical proximity and emotional closeness jointly shape older adults’ social connectivity.

Physical Activity and Inactivity Impacts on Cognitive and Emotional Functioning in Later Life

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick D. Gajewski ◽  
Michael Falkenstein
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Brain Physiology ◽  
The Impact

Healthy aging is associated with changes in sensory, motor, cognitive, and emotional functions. Such changes depend on various factors. In particular, physical activity not only improves physical and motor but also cognitive and emotional functions. Observational (i.e., associations) and cross-sectional studies generally show a positive effect of regular physical exercise on cognition in older adults. Most longitudinal randomized controlled intervention studies also show positive effects, but the results are inconsistent due to large heterogeneity of methodological setups. Positive changes accompanying physical activity mainly impact executive functions, memory functions, and processing speed. Several factors influence the impact of physical activity on cognition, mainly the type and format of the activity. Strength training and aerobic training yield comparable but also differential benefits, and all should be used in physical activities. Also, a combination of physical activity with cognitive activity appears to enhance its effect on cognition in older age. Hence, such combined training approaches are preferable to homogeneous trainings. Studies of brain physiology changes due to physical activity show general as well as specific effects on certain brain structures and functions, particularly in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus, which are those areas most affected by advanced age. Physical activity also appears to improve cognition in patients with mild cognitive dysfunction and dementia and often ameliorates the disease symptoms. This makes physical training an important intervention for those groups of older people. Apart from cognition, physical activity leads to improvement of emotional functions. Exercise can lead to improvement of psychological well-being in older adults. Most importantly, exercise appears to reduce symptoms of depression in seniors. In future intervention studies it should be clarified who profits most from physical activity. Further, the conditions that influence the cognitive and emotional benefits older people derive from physical activity should be investigated in more detail. Finally, measures of brain activity that can be easily applied should be included as far as possible.

scholarly journals Challenges Experienced by Older People During the Initial Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison R Heid ◽  
Francine Cartwright ◽  
Maureen Wilson-Genderson ◽  
Rachel Pruchno
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created unique stressors for older people to manage. Informed by the Stress Process Model and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, we examined the extent to which older people are adhering to physical distancing mandates and the pandemic-related experiences that older people find most challenging. Research Design and Methods From May 4 to May 17, 2020, a web-based questionnaire focused on the COVID-19 pandemic was completed by 1,272 people (aged 64 and older) who were part of an ongoing research panel in New Jersey recruited in 2006. Frequencies for endorsement of physical distancing behaviors were tabulated, and open-ended responses to the biggest challenge of the pandemic were systematically coded and classified using content analysis. Results More than 70% of participants reported adhering to physical distancing behaviors. Experiences appraised as most difficult by participants fell into 8 domains: Social Relationships, Activity Restrictions, Psychological, Health, Financial, Global Environment, Death, and Home Care. The most frequently appraised challenges were constraints on social interactions (42.4%) and restrictions on activity (30.9%). Discussion and Implications In the initial weeks of the pandemic, the majority of older adults reported adhering to COVID-19 physical distancing mandates and identified a range of challenging experiences. Results highlight the factors having the greatest impact on older adults, informing quantitative modeling for testing the impact of the pandemic on health and well-being outcomes, and identifying how intervention efforts may be targeted to maximize the quality of life of older adults.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document