The Impact of Living in More or Less Age Diverse Neighbourhoods on the Health and Well-Being of Older Adults in the UK
Presenter: Martin Hyde, Professor, University of Leicester, the UK
Date and time: 5 June, 13:15 CEST
Abstract: Intergenerational solidarity has been identified as a key factor for effective social functioning. However, evidence suggests that divisions between younger and older generations in many countries are widening. Residential age segregation is thought to be an important driving force behind this intergenerational division. As well as being problematic in their own right such divisions are thought to have wider negative social consequences, such as increasing loneliness and social isolation, weakening social cohesion and impacting on health and well-being. However, to date, these assumptions have not been empirically tested in large scale, nationally representative data. Nor have researchers examined whether residential age diversity has different effects for different age groups. To redress this, we examine the extent to neighbourhood age diversity is associated with i) loneliness, ii) neighbourhood cohesion and iii) physical and mental health for younger, middle-aged and older adults in the UK. Residential age diversity was measured using the Area Level Index of Age Diversity (ALIAD). This was linked to household and individual data in the UK Household Longitudinal Survey data (N ~50,000). For each outcome multilevel regression analyses were performed for the sample as whole and separately for those aged 16-39, 40-64 and 65+. Covariates included, area level deprivation, urban/rural, residential tax band, home ownership, household demographics, individual age, sex, marital status and financial situation. Descriptive analyses of ALIAD revealed that most people in the UK live in age diverse neighbourhoods. The results of the multilevel analyses are somewhat mixed. We found some evidence that greater residential age diversity is associated with perceptions of greater neighbourhood cohesion for the sample as a whole. But there were no significant associations in the different age groups. Nor did we find any statistically significant associations between neighbourhood age diversity and loneliness or physical and mental health outcomes. Overall, our findings suggest that the distribution and impact of neighbourhood age diversity, in the UK, at least is not a significant risk factor. However, more research is needed to explore this in other countries and with a wider set of outcome measures.
Importance of Development and Learning at Work for a Long and Healthy Working Life
Presenter: Karina Glies Vincents Seeberg, The National Research Center for the Working Environment, Denmark
Date and Time: 22 May, 13:15 CET
Abstract: The demographics are shifting towards an older population, creating a present and future shortage of qualified workers. Denmark, along with other EU countries, has implemented political reforms over the past two decades to gradually raise the retirement age from 65 to 68 by 2030. With age, the likelihood of poor health rises, posing work challenges. As age increases, so does the number of chronic diseases, elevating the risk of long-term sick leave and early labor market withdrawal.
Work ability reflects the balance between job demands and employee capacity, with chronic diseases contributing to a decline in work ability. Sustaining good work ability is crucial to work until retirement with chronic illnesses. Adapting job demands and enhancing resources through skill development may strengthen this balance, contributing to work ability preservation, reduced sick leave, and prolonged labor market participation.
The project investigates if professional skill development can extend working life, reduce sick leave, and enhance work ability, given the correlation between work ability, illnesses, sick leave, and premature labor market withdrawal.
Broadening Perspectives on Social Integration in Late Adulthood: The DIRe Model Approach
Presenter: Dr. Oliver Huxhold, German Centre of Gerontology, Berlin, Germany
Day and time: 20 March, 13:15 CET
Abstract: Maintaining social integration is crucial for a fulfilling life in late adulthood. Older people who perceive their social relationships either quantitively or qualitatively as lacking may face severe health and well-being consequences. This presentation introduces the Differential Investment of Resources (DIRe) Model as an interdisciplinary framework that surpasses the limitations of most prevailing theories on social development in late adulthood, which tend to focus solely on specific aspects of social relationships. It contends that incorporating a wide array of age-related social processes is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of social networks throughout adulthood. For example, unlike other existing theories such as socio-emotional selectivity theory and the convoy model that concentrate almost exclusively on close social relationships and family members, the DIRe model also highlights the importance of friends and weak ties in sustaining well-being at older ages. This talk will offer empirical examples to demonstrate the value of adopting such a broad perspective.
Moving towards a sociology of loneliness: the impact of societal change for generational divides
Presenter: Bianca Suanet, Associate Professor, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Day and Time: February 14, 13:15 CET
Abstract: In recent decades, significant societal transformations, notably the rise of individualization and digitalization, have profoundly influenced the experiences of loneliness and social connectivity among older adults. While existing research has predominantly concentrated on individual resources as explanatory factors for loneliness, there has been a notable dearth of attention given to meso and macro-level determinants crucial for comprehending loneliness in contemporary society.
This presentation seeks to illuminate the impact of societal changes on loneliness and social networks, drawing upon data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) and the Berlin Ageing Studies (BASE). By showcasing examples of generational disparities in loneliness, these findings underscore the intricate interplay between individual and societal characteristics in unraveling the complexities of loneliness throughout the life course.
This shift in focus from solely individual factors to a broader sociological perspective offers a more complete understanding of loneliness, shedding light on the dynamic relationship between personal attributes and the larger societal context.
Care and support needs of older LGBT people. The relevance of social networks and family of choice connections
Presenter: Prof. Dr. Ralf Lottmann, University of Applied Science Magdeburg-Stendal, Germany
Day and time: January 10 2024, 13:15 CET
Abstract: This presentation is based on findings of several research projects, which synthesizes data from research projects conducted in Germany and the UK concerning older lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* (LGBT*) people and their housing and care preferences (GLEPA, SAFE, and PflewaK). Social networks of older LGBT* people are less shaped by relationships of family of origin compared to heterosexuals. Research has also shown that they are more dependent on long-term care infrastructures but describe feelings of discomfort in their use of these older adult social services because of institutional heterosexism. This presentation focuses on the questions of how reliable social networks of older LGBT* people are regarding social support and care in old age and in what way long-term care infrastructure provides sufficient services for older LGBT people. This presentation will discuss relevant factors of older LGBT* people and their social networks as well as the quality of data sets that can be used to analyse the life situations of older LGBTI* people in Germany.
