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Accumulation of Disadvantages: Prevalence and Categories of Old-Age Social Exclusion in Belgium

Author

Listed:
  • Sofie Van Regenmortel

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

  • Liesbeth De Donder

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

  • An-Sofie Smetcoren

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

  • Deborah Lambotte

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

  • Nico De Witte

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel
    University College Ghent)

  • Dominique Verté

    (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

Abstract

This paper focuses on the prevalence and measurement of old-age social exclusion. Currently there is limited knowledge of the prevalence of old-age social exclusion in Belgium. Although studies have already shown that older adults can experience exclusion in more than one dimension, the multidimensional nature of social exclusion is often lost when constructing a scale. Consequently, this paper’s aim is twofold. First, it examines the prevalence of different dimensions of old-age social exclusion in Flanders and Brussels and seeks to demonstrate the influence of applying different measurement thresholds. Second, this study develops an old-age social exclusion measure that preserves its multidimensionality. Descriptive and Latent Class Analysis were performed on the Belgian Ageing Studies data (2008–2014), a survey among home-dwelling older adults (60 + years) (N = 20,275; 80 municipalities). Findings revealed that older adults are mainly digitally excluded and excluded from the neighbourhood, civic participation, and social relations. More than 60% older adults experience exclusion in two or more dimensions. The use of different thresholds, however, leads to different interpretations concerning the prevalence of social exclusion. Results of the Latent Class Analysis revealed four categories of old-age exclusion: those at “low risk”, “the non-participating financially excluded”, “the environmentally excluded” and the “severely excluded”. The discussion emphasizes the importance of preserving a multidimensional perspective when studying social exclusion. When addressing old-age exclusion, policy should be sensitive to the diverse categories and realize that one-size-fits-all policies and interventions are no solution.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofie Van Regenmortel & Liesbeth De Donder & An-Sofie Smetcoren & Deborah Lambotte & Nico De Witte & Dominique Verté, 2018. "Accumulation of Disadvantages: Prevalence and Categories of Old-Age Social Exclusion in Belgium," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 140(3), pages 1173-1194, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:140:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s11205-017-1817-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-017-1817-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Aldona Podgórniak-Krzykacz & Justyna Przywojska & Justyna Wiktorowicz, 2020. "Smart and Age-Friendly Communities in Poland. An Analysis of Institutional and Individual Conditions for a New Concept of Smart Development of Ageing Communities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-23, May.
    4. Li, Huan & Lin, Jiaying & Wu, Hongyu & Li, Zhaojun & Han, Mengxue, 2021. "“How do I survive exclusion?” Voices of students with disabilities at China’s top universities," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    5. Marja J. Aartsen & Marian Vasile & Laura A. Tufa & Diana A. Dumitrescu & Rosa M. Radogna & Jonathan Wörn & Iuliana Precupetu, 2023. "Patterns and correlates of old-age social exclusion in the Balkan states," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, December.
    6. Bianca Mitrică & Paul Şerban & Irena Mocanu & Ines Grigorescu & Nicoleta Damian & Monica Dumitraşcu, 2020. "Social Development and Regional Disparities in the Rural Areas of Romania: Focus on the Social Disadvantaged Areas," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 152(1), pages 67-89, November.

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