Aging in (con)text: a systematic review on how scientific discourses embed the intersectional reality of elderly

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to access the intersectional link between aging and different contextual determinants, such as social class, gender identity, sexual orientation and race/ethnicity, among others, elder adults are exposed to in contemporary societies. Accordingly, a systematic review of existing literature in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, processed through statistical text-mining-analysis, has been carried out to understand how the production of scientific knowledge shapes sociocultural representations concerning the aforementioned reality. The findings showed a prevalence of studies investigating the development of elderly, with intersectional elements appearing only peripherally. However, although Psychology itself has not engaged much in this discussion so far, human sciences already began to understand aging as a heterogeneous, multifaceted and complex process of human development. It is worth noting, indeed, that scientific production focused on topics such as gender, race, nationality and sexual orientation are becoming increasingly prominent, suggesting to address special attention to these variables in future studies on aging. Contextual factors, circumscribing healthcare issues focused on aging, should be taken into account in order to overcome prejudices historically directed against elder adults. An increased longevity is, in fact, an achievement, and not a burden to be lived in precarious conditions of development.