Age Identity and Social Exclusion of Elderly Persons: A Cross Sectional Study Mariyam Soumi, Jose Justin Pallickal* Department of Social Work, Holy Cross Institute of Management and Technology, Calicut, Kerala, India *Corresponding author: justinpallickaljose@gmail.com
Online published on 16 February, 2018. Abstract Background The dominant social constructions of age identity are negative, leading to social exclusion in elderly persons through collective ill-representations. Hence, this study examines how age identity induces and sustains social exclusion in elderly persons. Method Using a cross sectional research design, this study measured the age identity and social exclusion in older persons. The sample is defined as elderly persons aged 65+ years and live with family of procreation. We selected 41 samples by using multi-stage cluster sampling procedure. Age Identity Measurement Scale and Social Exclusion Scale were used alongside with socio-demographic profile. We analyzed the data using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results As age identity increased, elderly persons negatively perceived self and subscribed negative social attribution of ageing. Age identity has lead to high level of material deprivation and overall social exclusion in elderly persons. The negative perception of ageing was associated with high level of social exclusion. Inadequate social participation and normative integration lead to high level of social exclusion. The regression model showed three significant predictors of social exclusion in elderly persons. Conclusion Elderly persons give importance to their age identity, though they predominantly perceive the ageing process negatively. Negative self-perceptions of ageing significantly increased social exclusion. The study concludes that alongside socio-demographic factors, the negative self perception of ageing lead to high level of social exclusion in elderly persons. Top Keywords Elderly person, age identity, social exclusion. Top |