Ageing and personal resources – is their evidence for loss spirals at older age?

Abstract Introduction Good health, financial stability, and social support are crucial for maintaining subjective well-being (SWB) in older age. However, older adults are particularly vulnerable to resource losses-declining health, financial insecurity, and shrinking social networks-which may reduce resilience and negatively impact SWB. The Conservation of Resources (COR) theory provides a framework for understanding how individuals acquire, protect, and lose valued resources. According to COR theory, resource loss is more impactful than resource gain, and initial losses can trigger self-reinforcing ‘loss spirals’, making recovery increasingly difficult. Yet empirical evidence on loss spirals remains scarce. Aim and methods We tested the hypothesis of resource loss spirals in ageing populations using fixed-effects Poisson and logistic regression models with panel data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), covering 20 years, 28 countries, and over 400,000 observations from people aged 50+. We examined whether the loss of a resource-health, financial means or social support-predicts further losses. Results Evidence was found for the occurrence of loss spirals. Getting into financial hardship contributes to increased chronic conditions, functional limitations and depression. Partner loss and a shrinking social network also contribute to health declines. Conversely, health deterioration and social losses increase the chance of financial hardship. Poor health and financial strain further predict subsequent social losses, reinforcing a cycle of disadvantage. Analysing moderation models suggests these dynamics may differ by age and gender, with more pronounced effects among older adults and women. Whether countries’ social spending diminishes the occurrence of loss spirals will be presented at the conference. Conclusions Our findings highlight the need for health and social policies that interrupt loss spirals and promote resilience in later life.