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Older adults know when they have been left out but they respond rationally

Author

Listed:
  • Qiuyi Kong

    (Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai
    Beijing Normal University)

  • Nicholas Currie

    (The University of Otago)

  • Kangning Du

    (The University of Otago)

  • John A. Hunter

    (The University of Otago)

  • Ted Ruffman

    (The University of Otago)

Abstract

Previous research reveals that older adults have relatively intact well-being when excluded by others as compared to young adults. This observation can be attributed to two plausible explanations: Either older adults are unaware of their exclusion, thereby shielding their well-being from its impact, or they recognize the exclusion but respond to it rationally. We carried out two studies to compare young and older adults’ awareness of and response to exclusion, and explored its potential mechanisms by assessing the explanatory roles of loneliness, general cognition, and rejection sensitivity. Study 1 measured young and older adults’ loneliness, awareness of exclusion, and needs satisfaction after playing the Cyberball game, and Study 2 further examined other potential correlates including processing speed, working memory, and rejection sensitivity. Over the two studies, older adults were not worse at recognizing exclusion, and sometimes better than young adults. Older adults’ awareness of exclusion predicted their responses to exclusion, whereas the same link was absent in younger adults. Despite older adults’ relatively good performance, there were individual differences in recognizing exclusion; older adults with better general cognition and lower rejection sensitivity were particularly adept. In sum, older adults can be as aware of exclusion as young adults, but rather than reacting in an emotional way that is detached from reality, older adults are more likely to respond to it rationally based on the severity of exclusion they have perceived.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiuyi Kong & Nicholas Currie & Kangning Du & John A. Hunter & Ted Ruffman, 2025. "Older adults know when they have been left out but they respond rationally," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:22:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10433-025-00845-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-025-00845-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chris H J Hartgerink & Ilja van Beest & Jelte M Wicherts & Kipling D Williams, 2015. "The Ordinal Effects of Ostracism: A Meta-Analysis of 120 Cyberball Studies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-24, May.
    2. Dana Kotter-Grühn & Thomas M. Hess, 2012. "The Impact of Age Stereotypes on Self-perceptions of Aging Across the Adult Lifespan," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 67(5), pages 563-571.
    3. Shuyao Liao & Wei Tang & Xin Zhang & Anne Krendl, 2023. "Age-Related Differences in Responses to Social Exclusion: Active Regulation Matters," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 78(6), pages 998-1006.
    4. Kira S. Birditt & Nicky Newton & Susannah Hope, 2014. "Editor's choice Implications of Marital/Partner Relationship Quality and Perceived Stress for Blood Pressure Among Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 69(2), pages 188-198.
    5. Yanhua Cheng & Daniel Grühn, 2015. "Age Differences in Reactions to Social Rejection: The Role of Cognitive Resources and Appraisals," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 70(6), pages 830-839.
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