A phenomenological, intersectional understanding of coping with ageism and racism among older adults

The aim of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to understand how older adults cope with experiences of ageism and racism through an intersectional lens. Twenty adults 60+ residing in the U.S. Mountain West who identified as Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Indigenous, or White participated individually in a one-hour, semi-structured interview. A team of five coders engaged in an inductive coding process through independent coding followed by critical discussion. Peer debriefing enhanced credibility. Nine themes were organized by three umbrella categories: Coping with ageism: 1) distancing via self-determination/defying stereotypes, 2) distancing by helping others; Coping with racism: 3) resistance, 4) exhaustion; Coping with both ageism and racism: 5) increased awareness through aging, 6) healthy lifestyle, 7) education, 8) acceptance/ 'let it go', and 9) avoidance. Novel findings include how older adults may cope with ageism and racism via increased awareness through aging and with ageism specifically by helping peer older adults, although instances of internalized ageism were noted and discussed. The themes exemplify problem-focused (e.g., helping others) and emotion-focused (acceptance), as well as individual (e.g., self-determination) and collective (e.g., resistance) coping strategies. This study can serve as a resource for practitioners in applying a more nuanced understanding of the ways older adults cope with ageism and racism in later life.

How mutual aid proliferation developed solidarity and sense of collective responsibility in the early months of COVID-19

Although mutual aid organizing is a social movement practice long sustained by queer/trans people, immigrants, people of color, and disability communities, among other communities pushed to the margins of society, with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent government failures in addressing unmet needs, mutual aid proliferated into new (and more socially privileged) communities in the United States and across the world. Amidst this landscape of extraordinary and unique crises, our study sought to understand the benefits experienced by those engaged in mutual aid in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Colorado, United States. Our team conducted semistructured individual interviews with 25 individuals participating in mutual aid through groups organized on social media or through intentional communities. We found that participants, who engaged in mutual aid in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, built empathy, a sense of nonjudgement, and critical consciousness as they created common ground as humans. Participants also found mutual aid engagement to provide nourishing support, to hold pain among more people, and, simply to "feel good." We discuss the potential implications of these benefits for sustaining mutual aid movements through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and beyond.

A Phenomenological Understanding of the Intersectionality of Ageism and Racism Among Older Adults: Individual-Level Experiences

OBJECTIVES

Ageism is a prevalent, insidious social justice issue which has harmful effects on the health of older adults. Preliminary literature explores the intersectionality of ageism with sexism, ableism, and ageism experienced among LGBTQ+ older adults. Yet, the intersectionality of ageism with racism remains largely absent from the literature. Therefore, this study explores the lived experience of the intersectionality of ageism and racism among older adults.

METHODS

This qualitative study applied a phenomenological approach. Twenty participants 60+ years of age (M=69) in the U.S. Mountain West identifying as Black, Latino(a), Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Indigenous, or White engaged in a one-hour interview between February and July 2021. A three-cycle coding process applied constant comparison methods. Five coders independently coded interviews, engaging in critical discussion to resolve disagreements. An audit trail, member checking, and peer debriefing enhanced credibility.

RESULTS

This study focuses on individual-level experiences exemplified by four umbrella themes and nine sub-themes. The umbrella themes are: 1) racism experienced differently based on age, 2) ageism experienced differently based on race, 3) comparing/contrasting experiences of ageism and racism, and 4) "othering" or discrimination.

DISCUSSION

The findings indicate how ageism may be racialized through stereotypes such as mental incapability. Practitioners can apply the findings to enhance support for older adults by designing interventions aimed at reducing racialized ageist stereotypes and increasing collaboration through education across anti-ageism/anti-racism initiatives. Future research should focus on the impacts of the intersectionality of ageism and racism on specific health outcomes in addition to structural-level interventions.

EXPLORING THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF RACIALIZED AGEISM AMONG OLDER ADULTS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Ageism is a prevalent, insidious social justice issue which has harmful effects on the health of older adults. Preliminary literature explores the intersectionality of ageism with sexism, ableism, classism, and ageism experienced among LGBTQ+ older adults. To our knowledge, the intersection of ageism with racism, or racialized ageism, is largely absent from the literature. This qualitative study explored the following research question from a phenomenological perspective: “What is the lived experience of racialized ageism among diverse older adults?” Twenty participants 60+ years of age (M=69) in the U.S. Mountain West identifying as Black, Latino(a), Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Indigenous, or White engaged in a one-hour interview between February and July 2021. A three-cycle coding process used constant comparison methods. Five coders independently coded interviews, engaging in critical discussion to resolve disagreements. An audit trail, member checking, and peer debriefing enhanced credibility. Six umbrella themes and 20 sub-themes were identified. In this paper, the following six sub-themes are highlighted with direct implications for practice:1) compounding oppression, 2) being avoided or categorized due to others’ discomfort, 3) increased disrespect, 4) microaggressions, 5) acts of hate, and 6) cultural values/respect for elders as a protective factor. Implications include informing how practitioners may enhance support for older adults in preventing and coping with experiences of racialized ageism. Enhanced understanding of racialized ageism should also inform existing anti-ageism initiatives at the community level. Future research should focus on the experience of racialized ageist microaggressions and the relationship between racialized ageism and specific health outcomes.