There's a Bit of a Ripple-effect: A Social Identity Perspective on the Role of Third-Places and Aging in Place

Urban sociology highlights an important role that a city's social infrastructure, or third-places, play in supporting healthy communities. Informed by social identity theorizing, this study explores when and why older adults engage with third-places and how a sense of wellbeing can be derived from their participation. Focus-group interviews were conducted with a sample of community-dwelling older adults (N= 31) to examine the nature of one such third-place, a suburban neighborhood bridge club. Thematic analysis suggests that (a) the socio-spatial context of third-places can both enable and restrict participation, (b) third-places can support positive social identities (as bridge players, club members, locals), (c) enacting these identities in third-places facilitates a sense of wellbeing, and (d) third-places are potential connectors to the wider community. We discuss the policy implications for the development of age-friendly cities and the role of social identity processes in engaging with community groups in third-places.

Automated summary

This study examines the motivations and sources of well-being in older adults' engagement with third-places, highlighting the impact of social-spatial contexts on participation, the support of positive social identities in third-places, and the facilitation of well-being through enacting these identities. The findings suggest that third-places not only connect individuals within the community, but also serve as potential links to the wider community, providing insights for the development of age-friendly cities and the role of social identity processes in engaging with community groups in such spaces.