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Ruan YX, Cheung MC. Systematic review of factors influencing loneliness in older-adult migrants. Aging Ment Health 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38613512 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2024.2340736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Older-adult migrants constitute a proportion of the global population, and loneliness hinders their adaptation to host areas. However, review studies on risk factors for loneliness target general older-adults without focusing on older-adult migrants. Therefore, this study systematically reviews and synthesizes the factors influencing the loneliness of older-adult migrants. METHOD Five databases were searched and screened for quantitative studies investigating the relationship between risk factors and loneliness among older-adult migrants (over age 50). Finally, 35 articles were included. RESULTS Factors related to loneliness in older-adult migrants were synthesized into sociodemographic, physical health, psychological, interpersonal, and acculturation-related factors. Consistent significant relationships with loneliness were found for a few risk factors, including not having spouses, low subjective financial status, poor self-rated health, poor psychological status, few non-kin ties, low quality of kin and non-kin ties, and a weak sense of belonging to either one's ethnic group or that of the host areas. CONCLUSION This review discusses the unique findings on the risk factors for loneliness in older-adult migrants. Additionally, the current literature on loneliness in older-adult migrants has some research gaps, calling for longitudinal studies with a rigorous design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Xin Ruan
- Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Mei-Chun Cheung
- Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong
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Lu M, Bronskill SE, Strauss R, Boblitz A, Guan J, Im JHB, Rochon PA, Gruneir A, Savage RD. Factors associated with loneliness in immigrant and Canadian-born older adults in Ontario, Canada: a population-based study. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:380. [PMID: 37344785 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04092-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While loneliness is common in older adults, some immigrant groups are at higher risk. To inform tailored interventions, we identified factors associated with loneliness among immigrant and Canadian-born older adults living in Ontario, Canada. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2008/09 data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (Healthy Aging Cycle) and linked health administrative data for respondents 65 years and older residing in Ontario, Canada. Loneliness was measured using the Three-Item Loneliness Scale, with individuals categorized as 'lonely' if they had an overall score of 4 or greater. For immigrant and Canadian-born older adults, we developed separate multivariable logistic regression models to assess individual, relationship and community-level factors associated with loneliness. RESULTS In a sample of 968 immigrant and 1703 Canadian-born older adults, we found a high prevalence of loneliness (30.8% and 34.0%, respectively). Shared correlates of loneliness included low positive social interaction and wanting to participate more in social, recreational or group activities. In older immigrants, unique correlates included: widowhood, poor health (i.e., physical, mental and social well-being), less time in Canada, and lower neighborhood-level ethnic diversity and income. Among Canadian-born older adults, unique correlates were: female sex, poor mental health, weak sense of community belonging and living alone. Older immigrant females, compared to older immigrant males, had greater prevalence (39.1% vs. 21.9%) of loneliness. CONCLUSIONS Although both groups had shared correlates of loneliness, community-level factors were more strongly associated with loneliness in immigrants. These findings enhance our understanding of loneliness and can inform policy and practice tailored to immigrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mindy Lu
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Susan E Bronskill
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | - James H B Im
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paula A Rochon
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Women's Age Lab, Women's College Hospital, 76 Grenville St, Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrea Gruneir
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Women's Age Lab, Women's College Hospital, 76 Grenville St, Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rachel D Savage
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Women's Age Lab, Women's College Hospital, 76 Grenville St, Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2, Canada.
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Bang SH, Huang YC, Kuo HJ, Cho ES, García AA. Health status and Healthcare Access of Southeast Asian refugees in the United States: An integrative review. Public Health Nurs 2023; 40:324-337. [PMID: 36662767 DOI: 10.1111/phn.13167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Since 2010, more than 527,000 refugees have resettled in the United States (US), most from Asia, fleeing war, violence, and persecution. However, there is little research that integrates findings about health among Southeast Asian refugees (SEAR). DESIGN We conducted an integrative review of studies that examined health status, risk factors, and barriers to healthcare access among SEAR in the US. We synthesized findings of studies published from 1980, when the Refugee Act was enacted, to 2022 using five databases. We reviewed 20 articles and data were extracted into a table for synthesis. RESULTS Participants were from Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Burma and the Thailand-Myanmar border. Hypertension (12%-64%), hypercholesterolemia (37%-39%), diabetes (0.6%-27%), heart disease (7%), bone and muscle problems (23%-50%), and chronic pain (8%-51%) were most common physical health problems; and PTSD (45%-86%) and depression (20%-80%) were the most common mental health problems. Trauma, resettlement stress, lack of community or religious engagement were associated with mental health problems. Language differences, transportation, and lack of health insurance were the most significant obstacles to receiving healthcare. CONCLUSION SEAR experienced worse physical and mental health than the general US population. Different patterns of disease were identified depending on gender, time settled in the US, and ethnic group. Qualitative and longitudinal studies will elucidate refugees' experience and should guide interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Hyeon Bang
- School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Ya-Ching Huang
- School of Nursing, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Hsuan-Ju Kuo
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Emma S Cho
- School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Alexandra A García
- School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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Tang F, Li K, Rauktis ME, Chi I, Dong X. A Social-Ecological Approach to Understanding Activity Engagement Patterns Among Older Chinese Immigrants. Int J Aging Hum Dev 2023; 96:219-233. [PMID: 35291843 PMCID: PMC9896126 DOI: 10.1177/00914150221084648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have focused on activity engagement among older immigrants. We aim to map the patterns of activity engagement and examine the associations with social-ecological factors in a sample of older Chinese immigrants. Participants were from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE). Four patterns of activity engagement were identified through latent class analysis: restricted, diverse, informal social, and community-based social. Intrapersonal, interpersonal, cultural, and environmental factors distinguished latent classes of activity engagement. In particular, acculturation and family-oriented immigration differentiated the restricted from the diverse class membership. Positive attributes of social environment such as social network size, positive social support, and neighborhood cohesion were associated with the likelihood of categorization in the diverse, informal social, and community-based social groups relative to the restricted group. Findings point to the importance of positive attributes of social environment in enhancing engagement with life among older Chinese immigrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyan Tang
- School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ke Li
- School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mary E. Rauktis
- School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Iris Chi
- Suzanne Dwork-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - XinQi Dong
- Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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Chiao C, Kuo PH, Li DC, Hu SC. The changes in feeling of loneliness after retirement among baby boomers and pre-boomers in Taiwan: Do work-family conflict before retirement and social engagement after retirement matter? SSM Popul Health 2022; 20:101264. [PMID: 36281245 PMCID: PMC9587332 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Significance Few studies have analyzed how loneliness-related factors differ across generations for older adults in non-Western societies. Building upon the stress process model, this study aimed to explore the relationships between work-family conflict before retirement, social engagement after retirement and changes in loneliness after retirement among retirees across two birth cohorts (Baby Boomers and pre-Boomers) in Taiwan. Methods Data from the Taiwan Health and Retirement Study, a nationwide retired cohort sample collected from two waves between 2015/2016 and 2018/2019, was analyzed. A total of 2370 retirees aged 50–74 years were included in the analysis after excluding those who died or were lost to follow-up. Multivariate multinomial logistic models were used to estimate four types of changes in loneliness: (1) remaining not lonely, (2) becoming not lonely, (3) becoming lonely, and (4) remaining lonely. Results About two-thirds of the retirees remained not lonely, and less than 10% maintained their feelings of loneliness across two waves. Multinomial logit models showed that both cohorts who experienced work-family conflict before retirement and stressful life events after retirement had higher odds of remaining lonely than those who remained not lonely. However, an increase in social engagement, especially social contact, appeared to be a protective factor against becoming and remaining lonely for both cohorts. Yet, work-related characteristics before retirement were significantly related to the changes in loneliness among pre-Boomers rather than Baby Boomers. Conclusions The results suggest that work-family conflict before retirement produces an exacerbating effect; in contrast, social engagement after retirement is beneficial to not feeling lonely across two birth cohorts in Taiwan. This investigation highlights the importance of social stressors occurring before retirement because these have an effect on retirees’ feelings of loneliness beyond individual socioeconomic status. No relevant research has explored factors associated with the loneliness of retirees across generations in non-Western societies. Retirees who experienced work-family conflict before retirement were more likely to be in the group of remaining lonely after retirement. Social contact is a protective factor from being in the groups of becoming and remining lonely for borth cohorts. Work-related characteristics before retirement were significantly related to changes in loneliness among pre-Boomers only. The findings are timely because older people are dramatically increasing and becoming burdened with psychological problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Chiao
- Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No.155, Sec.2, Linong Street, Taipei City 112, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Han Kuo
- Department of Medical Service, Standard Chem & Pharm Company, LTD., No. 154, Kaiyuan Rd., Xinying Dist., Tainan City, Taiwan,Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
| | - Der-Chiang Li
- Department of Industrial and Information Management, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
| | - Susan C. Hu
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan,Corresponding author. Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 701, Taiwan.
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Bai Z, Yang J, Wang Z, Cao W, Cao C, Hu Z, Chen R. Association between social capital and self-rated health among community-dwelling older adults. Front Public Health 2022; 10:916485. [PMID: 36159320 PMCID: PMC9493471 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.916485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background It is less known about whether the association of social capital with self-rated health (SRH) varies by the presence of health conditions and how social capital, together with other variables, is linked to self-rated health in later life. Objectives This article aimed to explore the association of social capital with self-rated health and to examine whether the association varies among older people with and without health conditions, with a special focus on how social capital and relevant factors have an effect on self-rated health among community-dwelling older adults. Methods Cross-sectional data were obtained from a survey that commenced from July to September 2017 in Anhui Province. Data on socio-demographic information, social capital (six dimensions), and self-rated health were analyzed. Binary logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CART) models were used to estimate the association. Results Based on the findings, we found that social capital regarding less social support (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.21-2.04), and less reciprocity (AOR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.29-2.31) were associated with self-rated health among general older adults. Social capital as measured by less social participation (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.06-2.27), less cohesion (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42-0.94), and less reciprocity (AOR =1.77, 95% CI: 1.17-2.68) were linked to self-rated health among older people with health conditions. While social capital regarding less social support (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.39-3.33) was related to self-rated health among older people without health conditions. We observed the interacting effect of social capital in the CART model, an implication that much focus should be geared toward vulnerable subgroups, especially depressed and lonely older people, as they have low reciprocity and little cohesion. Conclusion This work demonstrates that social capital may be relevant in devising programs and measures to improve self-rated health among community-dwelling older adults with comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongliang Bai
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China,Educational Institute of Behavioral Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Zijing Wang
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wenwen Cao
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chenglin Cao
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhi Hu
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China,*Correspondence: Zhi Hu
| | - Ren Chen
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China,Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Suzhou, China,Ren Chen
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Jing Z, Zhang S, Zhang N, Sun M, Zhou C. The Effect of Parental Social Integration on the Physical Examination Utilization for Young Migrant Children: A National Cross-Sectional Study in China. Front Public Health 2022; 9:755726. [PMID: 35096735 PMCID: PMC8790474 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.755726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Physical examination is a key component of child health management. Migrant children are a vulnerable group with lower healthcare service utilization, and this study aims to explore the effect of parental social integration on the physical examination service utilization for young migrant children under 6 years old in China. Method: This study conducted a secondary data analysis of the 2014 National Internal Migrant Dynamic Monitoring Survey in China. A total of 2,620 participants were included in this study. A total of 22 indicators were selected to measure social integration. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the association between parental social integration and physical examination use of young migrant children. Results: More than half (66.4%) of the migrant children aged 0-6 years had used free physical examination. Parental social integration, especially structural integration, was associated with the physical examination utilization of migrant children. Specifically, those migrant children's parents who had medical insurance (P < 0.05; OR = 1.29), who had participated in local activities (P < 0.001; OR = 1.98), who had registered local residents as neighbors (P < 0.05; OR = 1.34), and who had a deep sense of self-identity (P < 0.05; OR = 1.09) were more likely to take children to use physical examination. Conclusions: This study provided evidence that parental social integration was associated with migrant children's physical examination utilization, and this association was multifaceted, lying in the dimensions of economic, structural, and psychological integration. Improving the social integration of migrant parents would be effective to enhance the migrant children's healthcare service utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyue Jing
- School of Health Policy and Management, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Centre for Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shiya Zhang
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Social Statistics, Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mei Sun
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Health Commission of the PRC (NHC) Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengchao Zhou
- Centre for Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,National Health Commission of the PRC (NHC) Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Park NS, Jang Y, Chiriboga DA, Chung S. The Relations of Social Network Types With Mental Distress Among Older Korean Americans: The Interactive Role of Living Arrangement. Res Aging 2021; 44:111-122. [PMID: 33678067 DOI: 10.1177/0164027521999780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to identify social network types in older Korean Americans and to examine their direct associations, as well as interactions with living arrangement, on mental distress. Drawn from the Study of Older Korean Americans (SOKA), participants were aged 60 or over and lived in five states. Analyses included 2,140 cases surveyed during 2017-2018. To identify social network types, latent profile analyses were conducted using 10 network-related criterion variables. A model with five social network types was identified as best fit. The groups were labeled as diverse, moderately diverse, family deficit, friend deficit, and restricted. As hypothesized, greater mental distress was associated with belonging to more deprived networks such as family deficit and restricted groups. Interaction effects also suggest that members of the restricted group were more distressed when they lived alone than when they lived with others. Implications based on the results are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Sook Park
- School of Social Work, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Yuri Jang
- Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David A Chiriboga
- Department of Child and Family Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Soondool Chung
- Department of Social Welfare, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
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Jang SH. Relationship between Employment Type and Self-Rated Health among Korean Immigrants in the US: Focusing on Gender and Number of Years in the US. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:1654. [PMID: 33572336 PMCID: PMC7916112 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although Korean immigrants report worse self-rated health and a higher self-employment rate than other Asian immigrant groups, the relationship between their employment type and self-rated health is understudied. This study examines the relationship between employment type and self-rated health among Korean immigrants in the US. Survey data of 421 first-generation working-age (18-64 years old) Korean immigrants in the New York-New Jersey area were analyzed. The self-administrated survey questionnaire included 39 items (e.g., sociodemographic characteristics, self-rated health, and health insurance status). A logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the dependent variable-self-rated health (e.g., bad/not bad vs. good/very good)-and independent variable-employment type (e.g., work at non-ethnic firms, work at co-ethnic firms, self-employed, and unemployed)-by focusing on differences regarding gender and number of years living in the US. Self-employed and unemployed Korean immigrants were less likely to report good health compared to those working in non-ethnic firms. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, education, health insurance status, membership in any Koran association, religion, and English proficiency), the relationship between employment type and self-rated health remained significant among female and recent Korean immigrants. More worksite interventions by occupational health nurses that target self-employed Korean immigrants, especially women and recent immigrants, are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sou Hyun Jang
- Department of Sociology & Convergence Program for Social Innovation, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 03063, Korea
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Tseng M, Walton E, Handorf E, Fang CY. Ethnic density, social support, and loneliness among Chinese immigrants in Philadelphia. WELLBEING, SPACE AND SOCIETY 2021; 2:100050. [PMID: 34498015 PMCID: PMC8423378 DOI: 10.1016/j.wss.2021.100050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Living in more 'ethnically dense' areas is thought to promote health, possibly by facilitating social support and a sense of belonging. Because of kin networks and cultural obligations, family relationships may be particularly important for Asian immigrants. Chinese-origin individuals are the largest group of Asian Americans and among the most highly segregated, but the psychosocial benefits of living in Chinese neighborhoods are not established. We examined whether Chinese immigrants in areas of higher ethnic density report more social support from family and friends, and less loneliness. For 606 participants recruited 1/2016-5/2019 throughout the Philadelphia region, residences were linked to American Community Survey 2013-2017 data. Ethnic density, operationalized as percent of Census tract residents who were Chinese, was categorized into quintiles. Family/friend support and loneliness were self-reported, then dichotomized to distinguish high levels of family support, friend support, and loneliness. In logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, and individual- and tract-level socioeconomic characteristics, ethnic density was associated with high family support (odds ratio (OR) 1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09, 3.11) for highest vs. lowest ethnic density quintile)) and inversely associated with loneliness (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12, 0.79, highest vs. lowest quintile). Our findings support the hypothesis that residents of areas with higher ethnic density report more social support from family and less loneliness. Whether these benefits arise from characteristics of the community overall or from the aggregation of individual assets remains to be clarified but has implications for efforts to develop community resources that would benefit all their residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Tseng
- Department of Kinesiology and Public Health, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
- Corresponding author at: Department of Kinesiology and Public Health, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA. (M. Tseng)
| | - Emily Walton
- Department of Sociology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Elizabeth Handorf
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carolyn Y. Fang
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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