SOCIAL VULNERABILITIES AND AGEING

Authors

  • Daniela Tatiana Șoitu Prof.Ph.D., Department of Sociology and Social Work, Faculty of Philosophy and Social-Political Sciences, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi, Carol I 11, 700506, Iaşi, Romania; tel. +40 722837241;

Keywords:

social vulnerability, labelying, older people, social networks, stereotype, migration.

Abstract

Social vulnerabilities are often linked to the ageing process and to persons or cohorts over a certain age. The social dimension of vulnerability reflects the exogenous or extrinsic factor and mechanism of vulnerabilities. Among these, the most cited factors having the potential to influence older adults’ life are: socioeconomic status (SES), deprivation, social support, social isolation or exclusion, social networks, social engagement, mastery and sense of control over life circumstances, social capital, and social cohesion. Article brings up these issues focusing on the danger of stereotyping on ageing. Features of social vulnerability are highlighted in specific contexts, including that of migration. We are concluding on aging as an individual process, underpinned by different lifestyles, various personal and social problems of older persons, their expectations and the solutions proposed. A stereotype on the homogeneity of the ageing process and the association of a certain age with frailty and risks are factors that sustain social vulnerability on this context.

References

Achenbaum, V. W. and V. Bengtson. (1994), Re-engaging the disengagement theory of aging: At the history and assessment of theory development in gerontology. The Gerontologist, 34 (6), pp. 756-763.

Andrew, M.K. (2010), Social vulnerability in old age. In Brocklehurst's Textbook of Geriatrics and Gerontology. 7th edition. Edited by Rockwood K, Fillit H, Woodhouse K. Philadelphia, Saunders Elsevier pp. 198–204.

Andrew, M.K. And J. M. Keefe. (2014), Social vulnerability from a social ecology perspective: a cohort study of older adults from the National Population Health Survey of Canada. BMC Geriatrics vol. 14, p. 90.

Andrew, M.K., Mitnitski, A., Kirkland, S.A. and Rockwood, K. (2012). The impact of social vulnerability on the survival of the fittest older adults. Age and Ageing, 41, pp 161-165.

Bogdan, C. (1997), Geriatrie (Geriatry), Editura Medicală, Bucureşti

Caradec, V. (2001), Sociologie de la vieillesse et du vieillissement, Ed. Nathan, Paris

Cumming, E., William, H. ( 1961). Growing old. The Process of Disengagement, Basic Books, New York.

Dowd, J. (1980). Stratification among the aged, Brooks Cole, Monterey

Findeisen, D. (2002), Educating the 45+ to Understand Change their Social Position. In vol. Education of the elderly, International Seminar, Zalec, Slovenia, pp. 13-38

Fulmer, T., Paveza, G., VandeWeerd, C., Fairchild, S., Guadagno, L., Bolton-Batt, M. And Norman, R. (2005) Dyadic Vulnerability and Risk Profiling for Elder Neglect. The Gerontologist, 45, 4, pp. 525-534.

Gîrleanu-Şoitu, D. (2006). Vîrsta a treia (The Third Age), Institutul European Publishing House, Iaşi

Greenspan, S., G. Loughlin and R. S. Black. (2001) Credulity and gullibility in people with developmental disorders: A framework for future research. International Review of Research in Mental Retardation, 24, pp. 101-135.

Gubrium, J. (1973). The myth of golden years: A socio-environmental theory of aging, Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois

Guillemard, A.-M. et.all. (1991). La retraite in mutation, Ed. FEN-Recherche.

Hooyman, N. and Kiyak A. (1996). Social Gerontology. A multidisciplinary perspective, Allyn and Bacon, Boston

Hyges, M., Carolyn Kroehler and Vander Zanden J. (1999) Sociology: The core, Fifth edition, McGraw Hill College, Boston

Jones, Patricia S., Xinwei Esther Zhang and Afaf I. Meleis. (2003) Transforming vulnerability. Western Journal of Nursing Research, Sage Publications Inc, Volume: 25, Issue: 7, pp. 835 – 853.

Kuypers, J., Bengtson, V. (1973). Social breakdown and competence: A model for normal aging. Human Development, nr. 16, pp. 181-201

Lupu, A., Rădoi, M., Cojocaru, D. (2015). Elements of (self) care in chronic patients with heart conditions – a qualitative analysis. Scientific Annals of “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, (New Series) Sociology and Social Work Section Issue: Social Paradigms and Intercultural Communication, 8, 1

McCrory, C., Finucane, C., O’Hare, C., Frewen, J., Nolan, H., Layte, R., Kearney, P. And Kenny, R.A. (2014). Social Disadvantage and Social Isolation Are Associated With a Higher Resting Heart Rate: Evidence From The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Journals of Gerontology. Series B. Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences.

Papalia, D., Wendkos Olds, S., Duskin Feldman, R. (2010). Human development, 10th edition, McGraw Hills.

Pinsker, Donna M., Ken McFarland and Nancy A. Pachana. (2010) Exploitation in Older Adults: Social Vulnerability and Personal Competence Factors. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 29(6) pp. 740–761.

Sen, A.  (1999). Development as Freedom, New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Steel, N., Hardcastle, A., Clark, A., Mounce, L.T.A., Bachmann, M.O., Richards, S., Henley, W.E., Campbel, J.L. and Melzer, D. (2014) Self reported quality of care for older adults from 2004 to 2011: a cohort study. Age and Ageing, 43, 716-720

Steptoe, A., Breeze, E., Banks, J. And Nazroo, J. (2013). Cohort Profile: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. International Journal of Epidemiology. 42, pp. 1640-1648.

Şoitu, D. (2013). Social investment: beyond vulnerability through empowerment. Journal of Social Economy/Revista de Economie Sociala, vol. III nr.4, pp. 3-20.

Şoitu, D. and Rebeleanu, A. (2012). Perceptions and representations on the vulnerability in accessing the primary healthcare services. Studia Universitatis Babes Bolyai. Sociologia. Vol 57, no.1/2012, pp. 27-42.

Verza, E., Verza F.E. (2000). Psihologia vârstelor, Ed. Pro Humanitate, Bucureşti

Zarowsky, C., Slim H. and V. K. Nguyen. (Mar 2013) Beyond vulnerable groups: contexts and dynamics of vulnerability. Global Health Promotion, suppl. 20 pp. 3-9, 92-99.

Additional Files

Published

16-11-2015