A1 Journal article (refereed)
The trouble with vulnerability : Narrating ageing during the COVID-19 pandemic (2023)

Vasara, P., Simola, A., & Olakivi, A. (2023). The trouble with vulnerability : Narrating ageing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Aging Studies, 64, Article 101106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2023.101106

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Vasara, Paula; Simola, Anna; Olakivi, Antero

Journal or series: Journal of Aging Studies

ISSN: 0890-4065

eISSN: 1879-193X

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 20/01/2023

Volume: 64

Article number: 101106

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2023.101106

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/86695

Abstract

In this paper, we have used the exceptional circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic as a window for investigating the ambivalent, stereotypical and often-incongruent portrayals of exceptional vulnerability and resilient self-management that define the self-constructions available for older adults. From the onset of the pandemic, older adults were publicly and homogenously presented as a biomedically vulnerable population, and the implementation of restrictive measures also raised concerns over their psychosocial vulnerability and wellbeing. Meanwhile, the key political responses to the pandemic in most affluent countries aligned with the dominant paradigms of successful and active ageing that build on the ideal of resilient and responsible ageing subjects. Within this context, in our paper we have examined how older individuals negotiated such conflicting characterisations in relation to their self-understandings. In empirical terms, we drew on data comprising written narratives collected in Finland during the initial stage of the pandemic. We demonstrate how the stereotypical and ageist connotations associated with older adults' psychosocial vulnerability may have paradoxically offered some older adults novel building blocks for positive self-constructions as individuals who are not exceptionally vulnerable, despite ageist assumptions of homogeneity. However, our analysis also shows that such building blocks are not equally distributed. Our conclusions highlight the lack of legitimate ways for people to admit to vulnerabilities and voice their needs without the fear of being categorised under ageist, othering and stigmatised identities.

Keywords: older people; ageing; vulnerability; resilience; unusual conditions; pandemics; COVID-19; age discrimination; narrative analysis

Free keywords: vulnerability; successful ageing; COVID-19 pandemic; narrative analysis; ageism

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2023

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1