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Ageism and older people’s health and well-being during the Covid-19-pandemic: the moderating role of subjective aging

Author

Listed:
  • Anna E. Kornadt

    (University of Luxembourg)

  • Isabelle Albert

    (University of Luxembourg)

  • Martine Hoffmann

    (RBS–Center fir Altersfroen)

  • Elke Murdock

    (University of Luxembourg)

  • Josepha Nell

    (University of Luxembourg)

Abstract

In the Covid-19 pandemic, being older means being in a special focus: Probabilities for severe infections and mortality rise with increasing age and protective measures for this population group have been increased. This was accompanied by public discourse that portrayed older adults stereotypically as vulnerable and frail but also highlighted the hardships younger people have to endure to protect them. Given the possibly detrimental effects of ageism on individuals and societies, we were interested in older adults’ perception of ageism in the Corona-crisis and its relation to their health and well-being. Furthermore, we were interested in subjective aging variables as moderators in the ageism–health relationship. In June 2020, N = 611 independently living people aged 60 + from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg were recruited via a survey research institute and interviewed online or by phone. They reported on perceived ageism in different contexts, their life satisfaction, subjective health, subjective age and self-perceptions of aging. Depending on context, ageism was perceived by around 20% of participants, and overall negatively related to subjective health and life satisfaction after the onset of the pandemic. Moderated hierarchical regressions showed that a younger subjective age buffered the negative effect of ageism on subjective health, while perceiving aging as social loss increased its effect on life satisfaction. We discuss the importance of addressing and reducing ageism (not only) in times of crisis and the consequences for individuals and societies.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:18:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s10433-021-00624-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-021-00624-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna E. Kornadt & Eva-Marie Kessler & Susanne Wurm & Catherine E. Bowen & Martina Gabrian & Verena Klusmann, 2020. "Views on ageing: a lifespan perspective," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 387-401, December.
    2. Christin-Melanie Vauclair & Sibila Marques & Maria L. Lima & Dominic Abrams & Hannah Swift & Christopher Bratt, 2015. "Perceived Age Discrimination as a Mediator of the Association Between Income Inequality and Older People’s Self-Rated Health in the European Region," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 70(6), pages 901-912.
    3. Nardi Steverink & Gerben J. Westerhof & Christina Bode & Freya Dittmann-Kohli, 2001. "The Personal Experience of Aging, Individual Resources, and Subjective Well-Being," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 56(6), pages 364-373.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Marco Socci & Andrea Principi & Mirko Di Rosa & Sabrina Quattrini & Davide Lucantoni, 2023. "Motivations, Relationships, Health and Quality of Life of Older Volunteers in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Eneritz Jiménez-Etxebarria & Joana Jaureguizar Alboniga-Mayor & Elena Bernaras Iturrioz, 2022. "Cultural Image of Older People during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-10, November.
    4. Andrea Principi & Davide Lucantoni & Sabrina Quattrini & Mirko Di Rosa & Marco Socci, 2022. "Changes in Volunteering of Older Adults in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Motivations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-17, November.

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