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Cited by 109Aging and Gerontology ResearchHealth disparities and outcomesAging, Elder Care, and Social Issues

Pathways from Ageism to Loneliness

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Shiovitz-Ezra, Sharon, Shemesh, Jonathan, McDonnell/Naughton, Mary·2018·International Perspectives on Aging
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-73820-8_9
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Abstract

Many older adults in our society suffer from loneliness – a painful, distressing feeling arising from the perception that one’s social connections are inadequate. When loneliness is experienced over prolonged periods of time, it can become devastating to older adults’ physical and mental health. Loneliness has been associated with depression, cognitive decline, and mortality. As the ageing population around the world grows in size and proportion, tackling late life loneliness is becoming a top priority in both ethical and economic terms. Previous studies have attempted to attribute late life loneliness to individual (micro) and social network (meso)-level characteristics. We argue that ageism at the societal (macro)-level – encompassing stereotypes, prejudices, and de facto discrimination against older adults – predisposes the older population to neglect, social isolation, and ultimately, loneliness. We propose three mechanisms whereby ageism may contribute to loneliness. First, chronic social rejection may incline older adults to avoid and withdraw from social participation. Second, individuals may self-embody the stereotypes of old age such as old age being a time of loneliness. The last path is an objective one, which emphasizes age-based discriminatory practices that increase social exclusion of older adults thereby increasing their risk of becoming lonely.

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  • Encouraging older people to work by overcoming age discrimination is expected to counteract loneliness, since much of the retired population faces social isolation.

    “Encouraging the older population to participate in the workforce by overcoming age discrimination is expected to counteract the problem of loneliness, as much of the retired population faces social isolation (Shiovitz-Ezra et al., 2018).”

    From Policy Initiatives to Address the Challenges of an Older Population in the Workforce (2023) · cites this paper as Shiovitz-Ezra et al., 2018

    Section 9.4.3 (Social Exclusion; page unavailable) links workplace ageism and retirement to reduced social connections and a greater risk of loneliness. Section 9.5 (Conclusions; page unavailable) suggests anti-ageism policies could help older people remain socially engaged. The chapter does not specifically say that encouraging workforce participation will counteract loneliness, or establish that much of the retired population is socially isolated. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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References 82 · Cited by 109

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Authors
Shiovitz-Ezra, S., Shemesh, J., & McDonnell/Naughton, M.
Affiliations
Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IL)
Venue
International Perspectives on Aging
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published
2018
Pages
131-147
ISSN
  • 2197-5841 (ISSN-L)
  • 2197-585X
DOI
10.1007/978-3-319-73820-8_9
OpenAlex
W2804468534
Cited by
109
References
82
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1
FWCI
16.83
Type
book chapter
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International perspectives on aging (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Research@THEA (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
Keywords
ageism, loneliness, older adults, social isolation, social rejection, age stereotypes, age discrimination, social exclusion, social participation (health and rehabilitation), self-embodiment, population aging

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