Women ageing solo in Ireland: an exploratory study of women’s perspectives on relationship status and future care needs

Article


Reilly, E., Hafford-Letchfield, T. and Lambert, N. 2020. Women ageing solo in Ireland: an exploratory study of women’s perspectives on relationship status and future care needs. Qualitative Social Work. 19 (1), pp. 75-92. https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325018796138
TypeArticle
TitleWomen ageing solo in Ireland: an exploratory study of women’s perspectives on relationship status and future care needs
AuthorsReilly, E., Hafford-Letchfield, T. and Lambert, N.
Abstract

This study explores the impact of relationship status for women in Ireland who are ageing ‘solo’ and their perspectives on relationship status and their future care needs. Solo women were defined as those over 55 years who identify with long-term, non partnered relationship status and have not had children. In-depth qualitative interviews with 10 women were used to gather data on how participants responded to their solo status. Voice-relational method was used to analyse the data and we report on three themes relating to social work. Firstly, participants experienced social stigma related to their status as solo women; secondly, their resistance and resilience in response and thirdly, the anticipated challenges and experiences of solo ageing in relation to meeting their care and support needs. Whilst conducted in Ireland, further research in this area is important to identify how social policy is inclusive for marginalised populations in ageing in similar contexts. Our findings suggest the need for increased professional
awareness of women ageing solo when undertaking assessment and designing women’s person-centred support.

KeywordsSolo, singleness, gender, ageing, social work with women, women’s care needs, Ireland, relational methodology
PublisherSAGE Publications
JournalQualitative Social Work
ISSN1473-3250
Electronic1741-3117
Publication dates
Online28 Aug 2018
Print01 Jan 2020
Publication process dates
Deposited31 Aug 2018
Accepted20 Jul 2018
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
File Access Level
Open
Copyright Statement

Eileen Reilly, Trish Hafford-Letchfield, and Nicky Lambert, Women ageing solo in Ireland: An exploratory study of women’s perspectives on relationship status and future care needs, Qualitative Social Work, 19(1), 75-92. Copyright © 2018 The Author (s). Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325018796138
LanguageEnglish
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