Aging in cyberspace: Internet use and quality of life of older Chinese migrants

Abstract

In the transnational and digital era, the Internet plays an important role in the postmigration lives of many older migrants. This article explores how Internet use contributes to the quality of life of older Chinese migrants through the analysis of 19 qualitative interviews conducted in New Zealand. The results show that older migrants use the Internet to combat postmigration loneliness, to strengthen local and international social connectedness, and to cope with difficulties while settling in the host society. These findings suggest that older migrants use the Internet as a strategy not only to deal with issues related to aging but also to compensate for the losses and challenges caused by migration. In the migration context, independence fostered by the Internet is particularly highlighted as a key element in quality of life. By interrogating the roles the Internet plays in older Chinese migrants' day-today postmigration interactions, this article provides insights into their quality of life in a transnational context.

Challenges and adjustments in maintaining health and well‐being of older Asian immigrants in New Zealand: An integrative review

“…Three studies used descriptive approaches, four used a narrative approach, two utilised phenomenology, one study drew on Simmel's approach of incidental events, and two studies developed a grounded/substantive theory . The other eight qualitative studies did not specify which exact qualitative methodology was used . Methods of data collection were predominantly semi‐structured interviews (16 of the 18 qualitative studies).…”

“…The single mixed‐methods study utilised a community‐based survey, and there were no intervention studies. Older Asian immigrants were the sole focus of 13 studies, and older Chinese immigrants were the most frequently studied (see Table ). Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, was the main region in which studies took place (see Table ).…”

“…Furthermore, older Chinese immigrants expressed gratitude for their children's acts of kindness and love towards them, such as helping them with English language translation . Moreover, some older Filipino and Chinese immigrants felt that, together with their adult children, their standards of living had improved in New Zealand, and they had opportunities to learn new skills …”

“…Although some older Asian immigrants actively participated in co‐ethnic community activities in New Zealand, others lived alone and were socially isolated . Qualitative interviews indicated that those older immigrants who were isolated were at risk of developing loneliness and/or emotional distress and found seeking support difficult .…”

“…Moreover, older Chinese immigrants expressed gratitude for the support they received from the New Zealand government, which allowed them to live independently in public housing and improved their self‐reported quality of life . Several sources of social support, such as friends and family, in person or via the Internet, were also identified as being key to improving older Asian immigrants’ well‐being and to accessing health services in some instances …”