Social exclusion is a complex multidimensional process, which although not directly measureable is evident by the presence of associated indicators. The choice of indicators however can be problematic, often overlapping with variables considered drivers or outcomes of social exclusion, obscuring our understanding of the process and mechanisms through which it occurs. This symposium highlights the need to disentangle these pathways and move beyond descriptive accounts of social exclusion, presenting a new working framework that allows direct hypothesis testing of these between domain relationships. Whilst this working framework can be applied to any population we focus on older adults. Life events that can drive social exclusion such as bereavement and changes in health are more likely to occur in later life, and occur more frequently, increasing the risk of social exclusion for this population. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods this symposium will begin to explore some of these framework pathways, modelling the relationship between environmental press and ageing in place on social exclusion; and exploring the relationship between social exclusion and health as both an indicator of exclusion and, whilst controlling for prior health, as an outcome. Possible protective factors that moderate the impact of poor health on social exclusion, such as technology use, will also be examined, and older adult’s experiences of using technology and the barriers they face will be discussed. Through detailed examination of the complex pathways through which social exclusion exists we gain a clearer understanding of this phenomenon, and identify possible target areas for intervention.
展开▼
