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

Stefan Hopf, Kieran Walsh, Eilionóir Flynn and Nena Georgantzi
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Stefan Hopf: Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, Institute for Lifecourse and Society, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
Kieran Walsh: Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, Institute for Lifecourse and Society, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
Eilionóir Flynn: Centre for Disability Law and Policy, Institute for Lifecourse and Society, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
Nena Georgantzi: Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, Institute for Lifecourse and Society, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-17

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: ageism; well-being; COVID-19; older persons; age identity; interpretation pattern (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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