Structural Resilience Across the Life Course: Perspectives From Older Adults Racialized as Black

This study explored perceptions of older adults racialised as Black on structural resilience across the life course.

A qualitative descriptive study.

Using purposive sampling, we recruited 15 Black adults aged 50 and older residing in Baltimore, Maryland, including individuals possessing historical or current knowledge of the community. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to elicit participants' experiences with structural resources during childhood, adulthood and late adulthood. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis.

Of the 15 participants, three identified as male (20.0%) and 12 as female (80.0%), with an average age of 70.9 ± 8.2 years. The analysis identified nine categories of structural resilience, confirming its multifaceted and dynamic nature. Common categories present across all life stages included: Built environment, civic engagement, food and housing, healthcare, and social capital and cohesion. Life stage-specific categories included child and family services, educational supports, and workforce development supports during childhood and adulthood, and financial support during adulthood and late adulthood.

These categories were interdependent and spanned across life stages, illustrating the dynamic, cumulative and relational qualities of structural resilience. Furthermore, structural resources were identified as key to safeguarding, empowering and restorative responses to adversity.

These findings contribute to the development of a nuanced, life course-informed framework of structural resilience and highlight the need for ecological strategies that address structural forces shaping health and well-being, particularly among older adults racialised as Black.

This study was reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist.

No patient or public contribution.