Subjective Social Status and Perceived Everyday Discrimination: A Study among Elderly in India

T.V. Sekher, IIPS

This study explores the association between subjective social status (SSS) and perceived discrimination among elderly (60 plus) in India. For this purpose, data of 30,000 older adults of nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI)-2018-was used. LASI measures SSS using Macarthur scale with ladder technique, whereas perceived discrimination was assessed with Everyday Discrimination Scale. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the odds of reporting discrimination by its types and attributions. 39% of older adults reported low SSS, whereas 7.3% reported high SSS. Older adults with low SSS had significantly higher odds of experiencing discrimination than those with high SSS. Compared to high-SSS peers, low-SSS individuals attributed age, gender, caste, financial and health status as reasons for discrimination. This association persisted after considering objective indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) is suggestive of SSS as independently consequential for perceived discrimination. Older women attributed gender as reason for discrimination, but caste was a reason for discrimination by mostly rural dwellers. These findings are useful for care providers and practitioners as they encourage older patients -- especially those with low SSS who may feel stigmatized -- to seek care, comply with care regimen, and engage in behaviors that protect and promote health.

Keywords: Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Population Ageing, Human Capital, Education, and Work, Gender Dynamics

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