Re-thinking social exclusion in later life: a case for a new framework for measurement

Abstract

Social exclusion is a dynamic multi-dimensional process that is interactive in nature. The complex interplay between domains, whereby each domain can act as a determinant, indicator and/or outcome of social exclusion, hinders understanding of the process and the mechanisms through which social exclusion exists. This article highlights the need to disentangle these pathways and move beyond descriptive accounts of social exclusion, presenting a new working framework that allows direct hypothesis testing of these between-domain relationships. Whilst this working framework can be applied to any population, this article focuses on older adults. Life events that can drive social exclusion such as bereavement and changes in health are more likely to occur in later life, and occur more frequently, increasing the risk of social exclusion for this population. Rooted in the new working framework, this article presents the construction of later life social exclusion measures for use with Understanding Society -the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study. The validity of these measures are considered by examining the characteristics of those aged  years and over who score the highest, and therefore experience the greatest level of exclusion. This new working framework and developed social exclusion measures provide a platform from which to explore the complex relationships between domains of social exclusion and ultimately provide a clearer understanding of this intricate multi-dimensional process.

A geographical multivariable multilevel analysis of social exclusion among older people in China: Evidence from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey ageing study

“…Higher levels of education could perhaps help older people to reduce psychological stress and relieve the feeling of exclusion (Ross & Zhang, ). Data from Australia also suggest that higher education is an important protective factor from social exclusion for older people (Miranti & Yu, ). “Empty nest” older people, whose children have left home, were more likely to be excluded from social relationships and activities but they were less likely to be excluded from financial products.…”

“…Walsh et al. (, p. 81) summarised that social exclusion among older people reflects “the combination of demographic ageing patterns, on‐going economic instability and the susceptibility of ageing cohorts to increasing inequalities.” A theoretical framework to explain the factors that may lead to social exclusion of older people includes at least four perspectives: age‐related characteristics (including loss of paid work, low income and poor health – frailty or prevalence of illness due to ageing); cumulative disadvantage (vulnerable social position over the life course that leads to inequalities being more pronounced in later life compared with earlier life); ageism; and inadequate infrastructure and planning of living environments (Jose & Cherayi, ; MacLeod et al, ; Phillips & Feng, , 2018; Van Regenmortel et al., ; Yuan & Ngai, ). All of these features may limit social contact or participation of older adults in various domains of life, which results in older people being more vulnerable to social exclusion than younger age groups (Feng, ; Scharf & Keating, ; Tong & Lai, ).…”

Factors of social inclusion of the elderly in Belgrade

“…Домен друштвене партиципације операционализовали су посредством укључености старих у активности организовања, волонтирања и учешћа у културним, спортским или рекреативним активностима. Последњи домен, пак, односио се на живот у самачком домаћинству, контакте се децом, присуство или одсуство партнера и пријатеља, као и изласке у друштво и посете пријатељима (MacLeod, Ross, Sacker, Netuveli, Windle, 2019).…”

“…The domain of social participation was operationalized through the involvement of the elderly in organizing, volunteering and participating in cultural, sporting or recreational activities. Th e last domain, however, concerned living in a single household, contacts with children, the presence or absence of partners and friends, and going out to social events and visiting friends (MacLeod, Ross, Sacker, Netuveli, Windle, 2019).…”

Imagining Age-Friendly “Communities Within Communities”: Uncovering Social and Physical Barriers to Age-Friendly Transportation

“…According to results from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA), social exclusion can occur in multiple areas of social life, such as relationships, social activities, and cultural activities (Barnes et al, 2006). Additionally, although declines in health can be a risk factor for social exclusion, social exclusion has also been found to contribute to declines in physical health for older adults (Sacker, Ross, MacLeod, Netuveli, & Windle, 2017;Macleod, Ross, Sacker, Netuveli, & Windle, 2019). Moreover, in addition to declines in physical health, results from the ELSA revealed that social exclusion can also impact seniors' quality of life and well-being (Barnes et al, 2006).…”