[Active ageing, decreasing capability, social disadvantage and age stereotypes: a contribution to resilience and...

The starting-point of this contribution is the concept of active ageing as it has been propagated by the World Health Organization since the 1990s. Relationships between subjective experience of the potentials and barriers involved in leading a productive and responsible life, decreases in capability, small financial resources, and social isolation are analysed in a total sample of 1,275 participants. Based on this analysis, two subsamples are selected: a first characterised by a high level of risk, i.e. low opportunities for active ageing, and a second characterised by a low level of risk, i.e. high opportunities for active ageing. Four age stereotypes are analysed as predictors of experienced potentials and barriers in the total sample and the two subsamples. Results suggest varying significance of age stereotypes for constellations of resilience and vulnerability. From an age-stratification perspective, it is argued that results reflect a reservation against old age in our culture. The specific contribution of age stereotypes accentuating gains and chances versus losses and risks to understanding resilience and vulnerability are discussed from a social constructionist perspective.