Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
08:13
Using the Race Model Inequality to Quantify Behavioral Multisensory Integration Effects
Published on: May 10, 2019
Economic (In)security and Living Arrangements in Later Life: Heterogeneity by Race-Ethnicity
Seokmin Kim1, Sung S Park1, Jan E Mutchler1
1Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA.
Research on Aging
|August 14, 2026
Summary
Many older adults face economic insecurity or move in with others after retirement. Racial and ethnic disparities exist in these transitions, with wealth playing a key role for Black women.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology of Aging
- Health Economics
Background:
- Aging population in the U.S. exhibits diverse economic security and living arrangement changes.
- Transitions to economic insecurity or non-independent living impact older adults near retirement.
- Disparities in these transitions exist across racial and ethnic groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine transitions in economic security and living arrangements among community-dwelling older adults near retirement age (65-68).
- To identify factors influencing transitions to economic insecurity or doubling up (coresiding).
Main Methods:
- Utilized Health and Retirement Study data linked with the Elder Index.
- Employed discrete-time competing risks models to analyze transitions.
- Focused on community-dwelling adults transitioning from economic security and independent living.
Main Results:
- A significant percentage of adults near retirement transitioned to economic insecurity (21%) or doubled up (15%).
- Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic Americans showed higher likelihoods of economic insecurity and doubling up compared to non-Hispanic White Americans.
- Retirement-age wealth significantly mitigated the increased risk of economic insecurity for Black women compared to White women.
Conclusions:
- Economic security and living arrangements change significantly for older adults near retirement.
- Racial and ethnic minorities face greater risks of economic insecurity and doubling up.
- Wealth is a critical factor influencing economic security transitions, particularly for Black women.
Related Concept Videos
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who are...
01:26Aging
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Documentation in long-term care facilities and home healthcare settings is crucial for ensuring continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive care for patients. Each setting has its specific documentation processes and tools:
Long-Term Care Facilities
Long-Term Care Facilities
01:27Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines a series of stages through which individuals progress across the lifespan. Each stage involves a psychosocial conflict that significantly influences personal growth and well-being. Three key stages — intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair — highlight the developmental challenges faced in adulthood.
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
01:22Applications of Life Tables
Life tables are versatile across various fields, providing a quantitative basis for analyzing mortality and survival rates. Whether used by demographers, actuaries, epidemiologists, or sociologists, life tables offer valuable insights into the dynamics of life and death, facilitating informed decisions in public health, insurance, conservation, and beyond. Their broad applicability highlights the interconnectedness of demographic data with practical outcomes in everyday life and strategic...