"Tough Times Have Become Good Times": Resilience in Older Adults With a Low Socioeconomic Position

The Gerontologist
Almar A L KokMartijn Huisman

Abstract

This qualitative study applied a resilience perspective to socioeconomic inequalities in the functioning of older adults. We aimed to gain insight into how some older adults managed to age successfully despite having a low socioeconomic position (SEP) throughout their lives. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 resilient adults over the age of 79 years participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Participants were defined as resilient on the basis of having a low lifetime SEP and favorable trajectories of physical, mental, and social functioning. Grounded Theory coding techniques were applied to identify themes reflecting distinct ways in which participants dealt with what they indicated were the most significant adversities in their lives. The analysis focused on experiences linked to socioeconomic conditions. Six themes reflecting psychological, behavioral, and social factors were derived from the data: drawing support from social contacts; investing in younger generations; taking actions to manage or improve socioeconomic conditions; putting the impact of a low SEP into perspective; persevering; and resigning oneself to adversity. Findings suggest that successful aging despite a low S...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 1, 2019·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Silvia S KlokgietersMartijn Huisman
Sep 1, 2018·The Gerontologist·Sarah N ForresterRoland J Thorpe
Jul 28, 2019·European Journal of Epidemiology·Emiel O HoogendijkMartijn Huisman
Jun 26, 2021·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Almar A L KokMartijn Huisman
Aug 13, 2021·Aging & Mental Health·Maya MartinTonya Cross Hansel

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