Americans of East Asian ancestry: aging and the aged

Stress, Coping, and Well-being in Anglo and Chinese Elderly

Stress, perceived well-being, and coping behaviours were studied comparing a sample of aging Chinese immigrants with Anglos. The Chinese sample found growing old a more stressful experience, reported lower psychological well-being, depended more heavily on external and palliative coping strategies, and felt less effective in coping as compared to the Anglo counterparts. The finding supported the double jeopardy hypothesis of ethnic minority aging.

Chinese elders speak out: implications for caregivers

The purpose of the study was to describe the experience of some Chinese elders who are living with, and dependent on, their adult children. A second purpose was to explore the potential physical and mental health outcomes associated with being dependent on their adult children for psychological, financial, social, and, in some cases, physical care and support. The sample consisted of 10 first-generation Chinese elderly. Taped interviews were carried out with the assistance of an interpreter using semistructured and open-ended questions developed by the researcher. The data analysis used the constant comparative method, and four major themes emerged: loneliness and isolation, reduced resources with which to reciprocate in the care-receiving relationship, an expressed need for meaningful relationships and roles within the family, and the desire for greater independence. Implications for providing culturally sensitive care are discussed, as well as implications for client education and further research.

Filial piety and intergenerational relationship in Korean immigrant families

This article examines the changing nature of socio-economic conditions for Korean immigrants, which strain their intergenerational relationships in the United States. As the family-kinship system of Korean immigrants changes toward the conjugal family, it is contended that their traditional expectation of filial piety should be modified. The problems in fulfilling the traditional expectation of filial piety and the nature of the modified expectation of filial piety are discussed.

Self-perceptions of aging across cultures: myth or reality?

This study attempted to correct the methodological shortcomings of previous studies by using semi-structured interviews to explore the differences and similarities of self-perceptions of aging and associated factors among Anglo Americans, Chinese Americans, and Chinese in Taiwan. Each of the three subgroups consisted of twenty middle- or lower-class female community residents who were sixty to seventy-five years of age. The results of both quantitative and qualitative analyses reveal that all three subgroups had positive self-perceptions of aging, with Anglo Americans being most positive; Chinese Americans, the next; Chinese in Taiwan, the least. Correlates of self-perceptions of aging for each subgroup are presented. Implications for practice, policy, program development, and service delivery are also discussed.