Content and Objectives

The aim of answering this research question is to close a gap that results from the neglect of age-specific risks and burdens in the concept of successful ageing. Even if this cannot overcome the fundamental normativity of successful ageing, this perspective provides the opportunity to supplement the individualistic orientation of the concept with social-structural components.

The terms vulnerability and resilience are closely linked to the above-mentioned question. While vulnerability refers to the susceptibility or vulnerability of the psychosocial system to a disadvantageous condition (for example the need for help or care or loneliness), resilience describes the individual's ability to withstand stress and life risks. By taking protective factors, such as social support, into account, these two terms are closely linked. The prevention of vulnerability in older adulthood can therefore also be seen as a prerequisite for resilience in old age. Therefore, in REVEAL, both concepts are pursued and empirically analysed for a comprehensive understanding of the ageing process. In REVEAL, particular attention is paid to the identification of mechanisms that are amenable to political intervention, such as measures to promote social support for older people. In this way, REVEAL contributes to shaping demographic change by developing innovative and policy-relevant findings in the field of resilient life courses and vulnerability of older adults. In view of the progressive ageing of the baby boomers and the associated challenges for the labour market and social security systems, ageing with resilience to individual and social crises is of particular relevance. In this context, the German government's 2021-2025 coalition agreement also refers to "social resilience" as a key future field for innovative research. In REVEAL, the focus is on empirical findings that can provide clues for the design of vulnerability-reducing and resilience-promoting framework conditions and interventions.

By focussing on people of retirement age 66+, the focus is on a population group that is currently growing rapidly. This is characterised by individual development opportunities as well as social inequalities and physical, mental and social experiences of loss, which increase the vulnerability of this age group to various life risks. This also highlights the relevance of REVEAL for Research Group 3.1 "Ageing and Ageing", which focuses on research into older adulthood. As the central concepts of REVEAL include linking individual and structural factors, the project also complements micro-health research in the context of the NAKO Health Study in Research Group 3.3 "Mortality Follow-Up of the NAKO Health Study" and macro-health research in Research Group 3.4 "Global and Regional Population Dynamics". REVEAL is also compatible with other research areas at the BiB. This applies in particular to those that deal with influences from earlier phases of life on later adulthood from a life course perspective. The project therefore offers great potential for the investigation of cross-thematic issues, which are primarily concerned with the influences of various risk factors (including social disadvantage, environmental stress) and protective factors (e.g. personality traits, social support or family networks) in earlier phases of life on well-being in later adulthood.