Social exclusion and critical transitions in later life: Trajectories, forms and mechanisms

Abstract

Unequal ageing patterns are increasingly prevalent within the life courses of heterogeneous older populations. Critical transitions in later life may contribute to these patterns and to more multifaceted deep-rooted forms of social exclusion. Yet despite significant research in this area, knowledge gaps remain regarding the subjective experiences of these transitions, the trajectories and constituent events of these transitions, and the related mechanisms that may drive exclusion. With a focus on lived experience, this article aims to investigate the role of critical life transitions in older age in constructing multidimensional social exclusion. The onset of dementia, bereavement of a significant other, and forced migration are selected as three illustrative transitions in older age. Based on 39 in-depth life-course interviews and life-path analyses, the study sets out to illuminate common features of the transitional process that increases exclusion susceptibility, and the potential commonalities regarding transition-related exclusionary mechanisms. Transition trajectories related to each of the transitions are first described identifying shared exclusionary risk features. Transition-related mechanisms that can generate multidimensional social exclusion are then presented as arising from a transition’s nature and character, its structural and management aspects, and its symbolic and normative positioning. Findings are discussed with reference to the international literature and future conceptualisation of social exclusion in later life.