The Role of the Social Network in Access to Psychosocial Services for Migrant Elderly-A Qualitative Study

Perceived stress and life satisfaction among elderly migrants in China: A moderated mediation model

Objective

Our study aims to test whether anxiety mediated the association between perceived stress and life satisfaction and whether the mediating effect was moderated by resilience among elderly migrants in China.

Methods

We used self-reported data collected from 654 elderly migrants in Nanjing. Regression analyses using bootstrapping methods were conducted to explore the mediating and moderating effects.

Results

The results showed that anxiety mediated the relationship between perceived stress and life satisfaction (indirect effect = -0.040, CI [-0.066, -0.017]). Moreover, moderated mediated analysis indicated that resilience moderated the path between anxiety and life satisfaction (moderating effect = 0.034, 95% CI [0.021, 0.048]). In particular, anxiety had a negative impact on life satisfaction only for Chinese elderly migrants with lower resilience.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that perceived stress could reduce life satisfaction among elderly migrants as their anxiety levels increase. Fortunately, elderly migrants' resilience could undermine this negative effect.

Discussing the unspoken: A qualitative analysis of online forum discussions on mental health problems in young Moroccan-Dutch migrants

Migrants and their offspring are at increased risk of developing mental disorders. Previous research has shown associations between adverse social factors (e.g., discrimination, lack of social support) and mental health problems in migrants, but it is unknown how these associations are understood by migrants themselves. In this study, we aimed to gain explorative insight into the way young Moroccan-Dutch people experience their social environment, and how they relate this social environment to the development of mental health problems. At www.marokko.nl, the largest online discussion platform for young Moroccan-Dutch people, contributors discuss a broad variety of subjects, including societal, cultural, religious, and mental health issues. Combining deductive and inductive approaches to qualitative data analysis, we analysed 22 forum discussions at marokko.nl about mental health problems, after which data saturation was reached. Contributors described feeling isolated and experiencing discrimination in their social environment. Contributor comments identified social challenges arising from Dutch society, Dutch culture (e.g., being too individualistic), Moroccan culture (e.g., strict parenting style), and living between these two cultures. These social challenges are perceived to be associated with mental health problems. Furthermore, we created a model describing the different types of explanations contributors used for mental health problems, being: religious (e.g., possession); medical (i.e., a bio-psycho-social cause); or a combination of both. This model can help clinicians in delivering culturally sensitive mental health care. Lastly, this study shows the taboo on mental health problems in the Moroccan-Dutch population and the opportunity to open up in the online environment.

The Effects of Social Support and Morbidities on Self-Rated Health among Migrant Elderly Following Children to Jinan, China

Social support has been demonstrated to be associated with the health status of old adults, but no study has clarified the relationship between social support, morbidities and self-rated health among the migrant elderly following children (MEFC) to new cities. This study aimed to explore the effect of social support and morbidities on self-rated health among MEFC to Jinan, China. A total of 656 MEFC were included in this study by using multi-stage cluster random sampling. Social support was measured by the Social Support Rating Scale. Correlation analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were employed to clarify the association between social support, morbidities and self-rated health among the MEFC. Approximately 75.9% of the MEFC rated their health as good. Logistic regression analysis showed that MEFC who lived with family were more likely to have a higher level of self-rated health. In addition to social support, body mass index (BMI), monthly income, one-year living style, the presence of an elevator, heart disease, stroke, duration of chronic disease, and outpatient service attendance were also associated with the self-rated health of MEFC. Social support and morbidities were significantly associated with self-rated health among MEFC. Targeted policies should be made to improve social support status and lower the morbidities in MEFC.

Older Chinese migrants in coronavirus pandemic: exploring risk and protective factors to increased loneliness

Older migrants may be one of the most vulnerable populations during the coronavirus pandemic, yet the degree of impact remains largely unknown. This study explores (1) the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic for older Chinese migrants in Belgium and the Netherlands in terms of increased loneliness and its risk factors (reduced in-person contact, decreased social participation, feelings of existential threat) and protective factors (increased non-in-person contact, more individual activities), and (2) which risk and protective factors have contributed to the incidence and prevention of higher loneliness levels. Using quantitative data of a survey among 98 Chinese migrants aged 50 years and older in Belgium (n = 84) and the Netherlands (n = 14), the findings first indicate that the coronavirus pandemic has a significant impact on older Chinese migrants' lives. One in five experienced more loneliness. Second, reduced social participation (measured as less frequent participation in outdoor group activities) and financial insecurity (measured as experiencing financial difficulties) lead to higher than pre-pandemic loneliness levels. Problem-focused coping strategies (measured as increased non-in-person contact, via telephone or social media) and emotion-focused coping (measured as finding distraction through increased participation in individual activities) were not found to protect against increased loneliness in the pandemic. Two practical implications for loneliness interventions for older Chinese migrants are put forward. Organizing COVID-19-safe social participation activities and paying more attention to older Chinese migrants' financial situation can be beneficial when addressing higher levels of loneliness due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Effects of Living Conditions, Subjective Integration, and Social Networks on Health-Related Quality of Life among the Migrant Elderly Following Children in Jinan, China

With accelerated urbanization in China, an increasing number of the migrant elderly following children (MEFC) have appeared. This study aims to explore the effects of living conditions, subjective integration, and social networks on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of MEFC in Jinan, China. HRQOL was assessed by the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey, which included the mental component summary (MCS) and the physical component summary (PCS). Univariate analyses and binary logistic regression were used to investigate the association between the above indicators and HRQOL. A total of 656 MEFC were selected by multi-stage cluster random sampling, 25.2% and 25.0% of whom were defined as poor MCS and poor PCS, respectively. Those who understood the local dialect, could trust others, and connected with friends were more likely to have good MCS; those with a nanny, faulty elevator, and no support from their spouse were the reverse. MEFC who were trans-city, had no elevator or a faulty elevator, and went to the hospital alone were more likely to have poor PCS; those who approved of living conditions in their hometowns were the reverse. Results indicated that better living conditions, stronger subjective integration, and wider social networks led to higher HRQOL of MEFC. Implications of the government, communities, and families of MEFC were given to improve their HRQOL.

Clustering of chronic hepatitis B screening intentions in social networks of Moroccan immigrants in the Netherlands

Background

Early detection, identification, and treatment of chronic hepatitis B through screening is vital for those at increased risk, e.g. born in hepatitis B endemic countries. In the Netherlands, Moroccan immigrants show low participation rates in health-related screening programmes. Since social networks influence health behaviour, we investigated whether similar screening intentions for chronic hepatitis B cluster within social networks of Moroccan immigrants.

Methods

We used respondent-driven sampling (RDS) where each participant (“recruiter”) was asked to complete a questionnaire and to recruit three Moroccans (“recruitees”) from their social network. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyse whether the recruiters’ intention to request a screening test was similar to the intention of their recruitees.

Results

We sampled 354 recruiter-recruitee pairs: for 154 pairs both participants had a positive screening intention, for 68 pairs both had a negative screening intention, and the remaining 132 pairs had a discordant intention to request a screening test. A tie between a recruiter and recruitee was associated with having the same screening intention, after correction for sociodemographic variables (OR 1.70 [1.15–2.51]).

Conclusions

The findings of our pilot study show clustering of screening intention among individuals in the same network. This provides opportunities for social network interventions to encourage participation in hepatitis B screening initiatives.

Nothing Like Living with a Family: A Qualitative Study of Subjective Well-Being and its Determinants among Migrant and Local Elderly in Dongguan, China

Chinese economic development has led to a significant rise in internal migration over the last 20 years, including large numbers of elderly. When elderly Chinese people migrate, they still register their residency to their place of origin and often do not register with the new administrative office at the destination due to the household registration (hukou) system in China. Thus, most of these migrant elderly do not receive full social services, possibly leading to poor subjective well-being. This study aims to qualitatively examine the level of subjective well-being and its determinants among migrants and local elderly in Dongguan City of Guangdong province, one of the most rapid economically developing areas in China. We also present the results of in-depth interviews among 27 elderly, 15 elderly migrants and 12 local elderly living in Dongguan. The results reveal that the overall subjective well-being of the two groups were good. Most migrants believed their well-being had remained stable or even improved over time due to family reunion and a better physical environment. Elderly’s most valuable needs and the main reason of migration is family reunion; however, inadequacy of social support, including community support and government support (e.g., gift during holiday season, free health examination, healthcare expenditure reimbursement), cannot be neglected for maintaining a good level of well-being. The well-being of migrant elderly can be further enhanced by promoting social services and welfare, recreational activities, and enhancing healthcare reimbursement in their new home.

Ageing, Health and Equity-Broad Perspectives Are Needed to Understand and Tackle Health Challenges of Ageing Societies

Demographic change and the evolving demands on healthcare systems, especially in the provision of healthcare and long-term care for a growing number of older people, are among the greatest social challenges of the next decades.[...].