Social Norms About Handling Financial Challenges 
in Relation to Health-Protective Capacity Among 
Low-Income Older Adults

• Published in: The Gerontologist Vol. 63; no. 4; pp. 783 - 794
• Main Authors: Samuel, Laura J, Wright, Rebecca, Taylor, Janiece, Roberts Lavigne, Laken C, Szanton, Sarah L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 09-05-2023
• Subjects: Aged; Decision making; Financial Literacy; Financial Stress; Focus Groups; Group norms; Health behavior; Humans; Low income groups; Norms; Older people; Poverty; Qualitative Research; Research design; Responsibility; Social networks; Social Norms; United States > US; Baltimore Maryland; Older adults; Socioeconomic factors; Financial strain; Social norms; Financial challenges
• ISSN: 0016-9013; 1758-5341
• DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnac061

Abstract
Background and Objectives
Despite evidence linking financial challenges to poor health among older adults, effective interventions are lacking. This study examined the experience of living with financial challenges, useful strategies to handle them, and social norms that may constrain options and decision-making.
Research Design and Methods
This two-staged qualitative study recruited low-income older adults from the United States Baltimore City area. First, semistructured individual interviews examined older adults’ experiences and strategies used to handle financial challenges. Then, vignette-based focus groups examined relevant social norms. Transcripts were coded, and hierarchical themes were described using thematic analysis.
Results
Two themes were generated. First, the social norms relevant to financial challenges share a common underlying assumption of personal responsibility. Second, social norms about personal responsibility are inconsistent with the experiences of older adults facing financial challenges, who typically lack control over their situation and face structural barriers to preventing and handling financial challenges. Differences between statements related to norms and personal responsibility were found across six subthemes, including how finances should be handled to prevent financial challenges, the causes of financial challenges, asking for help from community resources, navigating community resources, getting help from family, and cutting back to handle financial challenges.
Discussion and Implications
The disconnect between social norms and the reality of financial challenges among older adults may explain why so many older adults cut back to the point of foregoing necessities. There is an urgent need to strengthen the social safety net and remove normative barriers to services.