Acculturative Stress as Experienced by Filipino Grandparents in America: A Qualitative Study

Loneliness in Older Migrants: Exploring the Role of Cultural Differences in Their Loneliness Experience

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The scientific literature suggests the necessity of studying loneliness from a broader social perspective. This article aims to broaden the research on loneliness in older migrants by exploring the role of cultural differences through the lens of the social environment (as measured in social capital, discrimination, and ageism) and social situation (as measured in relational mobility, childness, and marital status). Based on Hofstede's Individualism Index, older migrants involved in the BBC Loneliness Experiment (N = 2164) were classified into three groups: cultural migrants (i.e., from a collectivist to individualist culture) (N = 239), migrants with a similar culture (i.e., within an individualist culture) (N = 841), and ageing non-migrants (N = 1084).

OBJECTIVES

The two main objectives were (1) to compare the levels of loneliness among these three groups, and (2) to unravel how different influencing factors, such as the social environment, social situation, coping strategies, and personal characteristics, are related to loneliness.

METHODS

Bivariate analyses were performed to determine the differences in the loneliness, social environment, social situation, and personal characteristic variables between the groups, with adjusted p-values according to the Bonferroni correction to limit the potential for type I errors (α = 0.005). Multiple linear regressions were performed to unravel the relationships between loneliness and the different influencing factors, namely the social environment, social situation, coping strategies, and personal characteristics.

RESULTS

The bivariate analyses show no significant difference in loneliness across the three groups. The multiple linear regressions demonstrate that the social environment (i.e., social capital, discrimination, and ageism) is significantly associated with loneliness. Social capital acts as a protective factor for cultural migrants (β = -0.27, p < 0.005, 95% CI [-0.48, -0.05]), similar-culture migrants (β = -0.13, p < 0.005, 95% CI [-0.25, -0.03]), and non-migrants (β = -0.21, p < 0.001, 95% CI [-0.28, -0.12]). Discrimination and ageism are both risk factors for loneliness across the three groups. Social situation, as measured in married/cohabitation status and relational mobility, shows a significant association with loneliness in the non-migrants and similar-culture migrants but not the cultural migrants. In terms of individual resources for coping strategies, engagement in active coping is protective for all three groups. Non-coping, the unawareness of any coping strategies, is a risk factor, while passive coping shows no significant association.

DISCUSSION

The results show that the structural factor of the social environment in which older migrants' find themselves, rather than their culture of origin, is more important for older migrants' feelings of loneliness in later life. A favorable social environment with high social capital and low levels of discrimination and ageism protects against loneliness in the ageing population across cultures. Practical implications for loneliness interventions for older migrants are put forward.

Older immigrant adults experiences with social isolation: a qualitative interpretive meta synthesis

Objectives: Older immigrants totaled 7.3 million in 2018, representing 13.9 percent of the population of seniors in the U.S. While this population is found to contribute significantly to society, along with new opportunities comes circumstantial challenges. Of these, one of the most salient issues for foreign-born older adults is social isolation. Additionally, this population may be at an increased risk for social isolation with poor mental health because migrating to a new country might result in resettlement challenges. Despite these concerns, less is known about the consequences of social isolation among older immigrant adults. Hence, this study seeks to explore consequences of social isolation among older immigrants, as well as interventions to combat isolation.Methods: Guided by the Population Interest Context (PICO) framework and the Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis (QIMS) guidelines.Results: The final sample of seven full text articles were published between 2011 and 2021, totaling 286 participants with ages ranging from 61 to 93 years old. Findings from the study indicated that older immigrants are at risk of social isolation and loneliness because they have fewer social connections due to leaving behind their familiar social group in the home country, encounter linguistic challenges that negatively contribute to greater social isolation and poor mental health. Despite these difficulties older immigrants reported various social interventions, access to senior centers, community programs and services to be of greater importance in building social networks.Conclusion: Authors discuss opportunities for future research, such as exploring evidence-based studies on interventions for social isolation and loneliness of older immigrant populations.

Barriers and facilitators of health among older adult immigrants in the United States: an integrative review of 20 years of literature

Background

There are over seven million older adult immigrants in the United States, and that number is expected to increase. Older adult immigrants in the United States have unique factors that influence their health.

Methods

In this integrative review, we systematically review 20 years of peer-reviewed literature on the barriers (i.e. isolation, lack of English Language Proficiency, low health literacy, lack of SES resources, discrimination) and facilitators (i.e. English Language Proficiency and maintaining ones native language, social support, culturally sensitive providers, healthcare access) of health among older adult immigrants in the United States.

Results

We found differing uses of the term ‘older adult’, emphasis on the lack of homogeneity among older adult immigrants, social support and isolation as significant barriers and facilitators of older adult immigrant health, and inconsistencies in uses and definitions of acculturation. We also examined relevant theories in the literature. Based on the literature review, focusing on Acculturation Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, and Successful Aging Theory, combining these three theories with findings from the literature to create the Older Adult Immigrant Adapted Model for Health Promotion.

Conclusions

Public health strives to promote health and prevent adverse health outcomes. Our integrative review not only systematically and thoroughly explicates 20 years of literature, but the Older Adult Immigrant Adapted Model for Health Promotion, provides guidance for future research and interventions.