![]() One type of impetus for negative social interactions or experiences comes in the form of “othering”. Older adults residing in senior living communities who experience negative social interactions may experience negative outcomes such as declines in physical and mental health ( Croucher, Hicks, & Jackson, 2008 Silverstein & Zblotsky, 1996). A strong support network becomes more important with increasing age since friendships have been shown to play an important role in buffering against the negative effects of aging including general health, mood, and cognitive and physical functioning ( Ewen, Emerson, Washington, Carswell, & Smith, 2017 Hatfield, Hirsch, & Lyness, 2013 Huxhold, Miche, & Schȕz, 2013 Min, Ailshire, & Crimmins, 2016 Otero-Rodriguez et al., 2011 Obiesan & Gillum, 2009 Park, Jang, Haley, & Chiriboga, 2013 Potts, 1997 Samson, Bulpitt, & Fletcher, 2009).Įven though retirement communities often try to provide a sense of community, seniors may have negative social experiences and feel distanced or excluded from the community ( Hrybyk et al., 2012 Hubbard et al., 2003 Roth et al., 2012). Social contact with others and development of a network of support are key to well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, perception of the senior housing community feeling like home) and quality of life (QoL) ( Roberts & Adams, 2017 Street, Burge, Quadagno, & Barrett, 2007). In general, new residents of senior housing communities report perceptions of an improved social lifestyle ( Heisler, Evans, & Moen, 2004), and most senior housing residents enjoy a wide range of activities and interactions with neighbors and staff ( Cutchin, Marshall, & Aldrich, 2010). ![]() Senior housing communities (e.g., independent living, assisted living, continuing care retirement communities) provide an attractive option for older people who seek a more convenient lifestyle without the burdens of home ownership, while taking advantage of an increased availability of activities and socialization ( Marx, Burke, Gaines, Resnick, & Parrish, 2011). Social Lives and Cliques Within Senior Housing Communities The most salient finding was that while social cliques existed they were not a source of dissatisfaction or stigma. The majority were able to identify cliques, defining them based upon common interests, health status, and shared histories. Overall, residents reported satisfaction with the community and their privacy and reported difficulties with distance from family, caregiving, and bereavement. Qualitative thematic coding was used to analyze responses to open-ended interview questions. Forty-eight residents from two types of senior housing communities participated in the study. This study examined residents’ perceptions of life in senior housing, social stigma, and cliques. Research has shown that often older adults experience stigma based upon their health status and are excluded from social groups. ![]() Social cliques naturally form among groups of people, particularly those living in close proximity. A better understanding of social environments will benefit facilitation of social cultures within senior housing communities. ![]()
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