Successful Aging in Individuals From Less Advantaged, Marginalized, and Stigmatized Backgrounds

Abstract

Health and well-being in later life are heavily influenced by behaviors across the life course, which in turn are influenced by a variety of wider contextual, social, economic, and organizational factors. There is considerable potential for inequalities in health-promoting behaviors and health outcomes, arising from poverty, social, and environmental factors. This suggests that individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and circumstances may have more exposure to (chronic) stressors, coupled with reduced access to resources, and increased susceptibility to risk factors for ill-health and mental disorders in later life. This drastically decreases the likelihood for successful aging in individuals from less advantaged backgrounds. Nevertheless, despite these adverse circumstances, some high-risk, disadvantaged individuals have been shown to achieve and maintain good health and well-being into later life. This scientific update provides an overview of recently published research with samples that, against expectations, demonstrate successful aging. Favorable personality traits, cognitive strategies, and a high-level of intrinsic motivation, paired with a supportive social environment, have been found to build a prosperous basis for successful aging and positive health outcomes in later life for individuals living in aversive environmental circumstances. For clinical psychologists, the movement towards the investigation of underlying mechanisms of successful aging from a psychological perspective, particularly in disadvantaged individuals, may be a critical step towards understanding the vast heterogeneity in aging. Successful aging is possible in disadvantaged individuals. Psychological and social resilience resources may compensate for the impact of disadvantage. The application of multi-level resilience models can aid future research on successful aging. Successful aging is possible in disadvantaged individuals. Psychological and social resilience resources may compensate for the impact of disadvantage. The application of multi-level resilience models can aid future research on successful aging.

Successful Aging Among Older LGBTQIA+ People: Future Research and Implications

“…Despite the risks and vulnerabilities that older LGBTQIA+ people experience, positive health outcomes in later life are also possible, especially resilient pathways where psychological resources (e.g., positive identity appraisal) and social resources (e.g., social connectedness) are associated with health-promoting behaviors, which in turn facilitate good overall health into older age ( 55 ). These findings suggest that the interaction of social and psychological factors can help LGBTQIA+ older adults to maintain good health and foster successful aging, even within an environmental context of marginalization ( 56 ). Therefore, successful aging is possible in older LGBTQIA+ individuals, as psychological and social resilience resources may compensate for the impact of disadvantage.…”

Multidimensional social connectedness of sexual and gender minority midlife and older adults: Findings from the National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study (NHAS).

“…Social connectedness has been identified as a vital resource that has far-reaching effects on physical (Holt-Lunstad, 2018) and mental health (Webster et al, 2022) and well-being (Pinquart & Sörensen, 2000) throughout the life course, leading to optimal aging (Bosnes et al, 2019). Older adults who foster and maintain social support and resources are better equipped to handle stressful life events such as bereavement and retirement, disabling chronic conditions, limited functionality, and decline in economic resources (Aldwin & Yancura, 2010; Lubben & Gironda, 2003; Thoma & Gee, 2019). Over the past few decades, considerable progress has been made in comprehending the multidimensional aspects of social connectedness, including interpersonal relations and community engagement (Antonucci et al, 2009; B.…”

“…economic resources (Aldwin & Yancura, 2010;Lubben & Gironda, 2003;Thoma & Gee, 2019). Over the past few decades, considerable progress has been made in comprehending the multidimensional aspects of social connectedness, including interpersonal relations and community engagement (Antonucci et al, 2009;B.…”