Deconstructing ageism and quality of life among older informal workers : a mixed-methods study in Ghana

Despite growing research on ageism and the aging workforce, few studies have examined the perspectives and experiences of older workers in the informal economy. Also, while research has acknowledged common pathways linking ageism to relevant outcomes across older individuals, the contextual nuances within these intersections, particularly for informal sector workers in less developed countries, have been overlooked. This knowledge gap limits our understanding of the ageism faced by this population and hinders the development of evidence-based policies to address their needs. To address this gap, this study employs an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach to investigate the nature and effects of ageism experienced by older informal workers in Kumasi, Ghana - a major hub of informal economic activities in West Africa. Importantly, the study also examines how individual, work-related, and structural factors, such as gender, perceptions of ageing and work, and social support, influence the relationship between ageism and quality of life among this population. The qualitative phase employed a novel photovoice methodology where 30 participants were provided cameras and mobile devices to photographically illustrate their encounters with ageism. This generated photos, interviews, and focus groups discussions, which were analysed using thematic and content analysis techniques. Key findings were organized into contextual dimensions of ageism, societal expectations of age and informal work, and sources of age-related biases. The findings also highlighted how multiple aspects of identity – age, socioeconomic status, and cultural norms of work intersect to shape older informal workers’ experiences of ageism. Subsequently, 683 respondents were surveyed using multi-stage cluster sampling. Results augmented the photovoice study, showing that positive ageism results in higher QoL among older informal workers. However, intricate gendered patterns emerged in relationships between ageism and quality of life (QoL). Stereotypes and discrimination significantly associated with QoL, but stereotypes had greater negative impacts for men while discrimination predominantly affected women, when those positive stereotypes and expectations were unmet. The gendered dimension of ageism also underscored the need to challenge societal norms and cultural attitudes that perpetuate these stereotypes, enabling older informal workers to e recognized, valued, and afforded equal opportunities within the workforce. Additionally, positive self-perception of ageing and access to state support buffered against ageism’s negative QoL effects. However, those lacking resilience and assistance faced health and psychological challenges adjusting to ageist work environments. The results also highlighted the intricate intersectionality of ageism, emphasizing that ageism does not solely originate from individual attitudes or actions. Instead, it emerged from a complex interplay of individual beliefs and behaviours (micro), work-related dynamics and practices (meso), and broader societal influences and systemic structures (macro). The findings offer empirical evidence and guidance, for studies and policy measures aimed at combating age discrimination, against workers in the informal sector. This is crucial to improve the quality of life for workers, in this age group in less developed nations facing a significant increase, in their ageing population.