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Description
Being socially connected is a universal need and a fundamental human right, but a considerable number of older people are socially excluded. Older people have an increased risk for social exclusion due to the accumulation of factors associated with age, such as poor health, loss of relatives and friends, and lower physical and social activities. Social exclusion is not only unwanted in its own right, but also because of the disruptive consequences for mental and physical health, leading to substantial social, economic and health expenditures for societies. Some people, such as older women and Roma, are especially vulnerable and have a doubled or even tripled (Roma) risk for social exclusion.
The overall aim of the project is twofold. 1) Enhancing research-based knowledge on the multidimensional nature of old age social exclusion and its consequences for mental and physical health of older adults and 2) Identifying social policy implications that take into account the national context and identifying strategies for creating conditions that minimize social exclusion of disadvantaged groups. Actions to minimize social exclusion are crucial in addressing the health needs of all, and the health needs of marginalised groups in particular.
We employ a conceptual framework consisting of five domains of social exclusion (social relations, material and financial resources, services, neighbourhood and community and the civic society), and three levels of influence (micro meso macro), allowing thus to explore the multidimensional nature of social exclusion and contributing to state of the art theory in the field.
We aim to describe and explain levels of social exclusion in later life, to assess the multidimensional nature of social exclusion, to understand the associations between old age social exclusion and health inequalities in older adults, and to identify which social groups, in addition to women and Roma.
Summary of project results
Being socially connected is a universal need and a fundamental human right, but a considerable number of older (65+) people are socially excluded, being separated from other people and the mainstream society. Older adults have an increased risk for social exclusion due to the accumulation of risk factors associated with age, such as poor health, loss of relatives and friends, and lower levels of physical and social activities. Social exclusion is not only unwanted in its own right, but also because of the disruptive consequences for mental and physical health, leading to substantial social, economic and health expenditures for societies. The need to address social exclusion in later life is particularly urgent in the context of an ageing Europe. The AMASE project contributed to enhancing the research-based knowledge on the multidimensional nature of old age social exclusion and its consequences for mental and physical health of older adults. Furthermore, the project identified social policy implications that take into account the national context with the purpose of identifying strategies to minimize social exclusion of disadvantaged groups. Finally, it increased research capacity in Romania and ensured continued cooperation in new frameworks for Norwegian and Romanian researchers.
The research project employed a mixed method methodology and carried out quantitative analyses of existing data on social exclusion in later life in European countries and a qualitative survey based on fifty biographical interviews with older adults in Romania. Our nested quantitative-qualitative approach allowed us to generate new knowledge on patterns of social exclusion, vulnerable groups, consequences of social exclusion on health, the lived experience of social exclusion, and the general mechanisms that construct social exclusion and create health inequalities. In addition, the project undertook a policy analysis of health, pension and long-term care frameworks in Norway and Romania with the aim of better understanding national contexts and find the best policy practices that can be transferred from Norway to Romania in order to reduce social exclusion among vulnerable older groups. The outputs include: 13 articles submitted to peer reviewed journals (five already published, eight in peer-review/revise and resubmit); two book chapters (published); 25 conference presentations; five joint applications to European funding (one funded); four policy briefs; a descriptive report; a set of measures for the inclusion of vulnerable groups; organization of an international conference, two sessions and one colloquium in international conferences, four in- person consortium meetings, an international workshop on advanced statistical methods for early career researchers, one international workshop, a Stakeholders’ Workshop, closing conference; two presentations for Romanian stakeholders; five articles in the press; social media communication; website of the project.
Our results pertain to the scientific community, national and European stakeholders: old age people, policy makers, NGOs, Roma, the general public, local authorities, civil society organisations, service providers. Scientifically, the project contributed to new conceptual frameworks of social exclusion by addressing the multidimensional nature of social exclusion, the drivers of later life social exclusion and the associations with health. The project furthered a better understanding of social exclusion in general, overcoming the descriptive nature of research on social exclusion in general, and in Romania in particular. Through the use of a life course perspective, our research depicted the social pathways to exclusion and highlighted factors associated with social exclusion that accumulate over the life course. By employing a mixed method approach and complementing it with policy analysis we designed a set of measures aiming at the social inclusion of older vulnerable groups in Romania. The project built on an integrated plan to disseminate results in order to inform policy and practice. It bridged the gap between research knowledge and practice by networking with Romanian and European stakeholders in the field of social exclusion and health: Age Platform Europe, Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity, NGO’s and service providers in health and social services. The project further contributed to research capacity building in Romania. The outstanding experience and publishing records of the Norwegian team leader made possible a significant knowledge transfer to Romania in terms of learning new advanced statistical techniques, learn new methods of analysis of qualitative data, and better understand effective ways to publish research results. One PhD student was trained in an environment of high scientific quality and was awarded the title with highest qualification.
Summary of bilateral results
The research competencies acquired by the Romanian team and access to expanded research networks ensured continued cooperation between universities in a new EU funded project aiming to reduce inequalities and promote social inclusion in European labour markets for various vulnerable groups, including older people (European Labour Market Under Pressure. New Knowledge on Pathways to Include Persons in Vulnerable Situations – paths2include.eu). The qualitative data gathered in the project contributed to improving research infrastructure in Romania and remains available for researchers to analyze after the closing of the project. Cooperation between University of Bucharest and OsloMet conducted to a new initiative of editing a book on Macrosocial influences on loneliness that will be published by Springer Nature in spring 2025.The project strengthened bilateral cooperation through: 1. Access to new research networks, which lead to new applications for European funding, a funded Horizon project, and joint publications; 2. Training by Norwegian researchers of Romanian team in advanced statistical methods (Latent Class Analysis, Latent Growth models); 3. Joint publishing increasing the visibility of Romanian researchers; 4. Continued cooperation among the members of the team in editing and writing a book on Macro social influences on loneliness in later life that will be published by Springer Nature in open access format, funded by OsloMet. 5. Networking with European (Age Europe Platform) and Romanian stakeholders.