Abstract
ABSTRACTSocial exclusion is a dynamic multi-dimensional process that is interactive in nature. The complex interplay between domains, whereby each domain can act as a determinant, indicator and/or outcome of social exclusion, hinders understanding of the process and the mechanisms through which social exclusion exists. This article 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, this article focuses 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. Rooted in the new working framework, this article presents the construction of later life social exclusion measures for use with Understanding Society – the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study. The validity of these measures are considered by examining the characteristics of those aged 65 years and over who score the highest, and therefore experience the greatest level of exclusion. This new working framework and developed social exclusion measures provide a platform from which to explore the complex relationships between domains of social exclusion and ultimately provide a clearer understanding of this intricate multi-dimensional process.
Highlights
Re-thinking social exclusion in later lifeSocietal membership brings with it the expectation that each member is afforded the same rights, benefits, responsibilities and opportunities to contribute as all other members
Marital status: Single never married/in civil partnership Married/in civil partnership Separated or divorced Widowed Living as a couple
Marital status: Single never married/civil partnership Married/civil partnership Separated or divorced Widowed Living as a couple
Summary
Re-thinking social exclusion in later lifeSocietal membership brings with it the expectation that each member is afforded the same rights, benefits, responsibilities and opportunities to contribute as all other members. Whether a small social club, local community or nation, the same expectation of equal rights for all members holds. Denying access or preventing utilisation of these rights excludes that person from full societal participation, giving rise to social exclusion. The term ‘social exclusion’ is a contested one (Börsch-Supan et al ; Burchardt, Le Grand and Piachaud a; Moffatt and Glasgow ; Silver ), with variation in the way it is defined changing our understanding of the process. There is a disparity in widely used conceptual frameworks that view ‘social exclusion’ as either synonymous with poverty – focusing on economic exclusion – or as a broader more comprehensive term encompassing different types of exclusion and inequality (Burchardt, Le Grand and Piachaud a). Whilst there are many different theories and approaches to social exclusion, Atkinson ( ) proposed three elements of exclusion that are common throughout: (a) relativity – the requirement to consider people within the context of their society, not in isolation; (b) agency – who implements the act of exclusion, an individual can exclude themselves or can be excluded by others; and (c) dynamics – exclusion does not just influence current status and future prospects
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