Elderly Asian and Hispanic Foreign- and Native-Born Living Arrangements: Accounting for Differences

Abstract

This study examines the relative importance of demographic, resource, and assimilation statuses in explaining the living arrangements of foreign- and native-born Asian and Hispanic elders from 11 origins in 2000 and accounting for why these groups have higher levels of extended living than native-born Whites. Drawing on the 2000 Public Use Microdata 5% Sample (PUMS) files and using logistic regression, the findings show that demographic characteristics are the major determinants of elderly extended living, followed by resource availability, assimilation, and group origin. Assimilation, on the other hand, is the major determinant of group differences between native White and Asian and Hispanic elders. While findings provide support for assimilation theory, the persistence of differentials across Asian and Hispanic groups after controlling for model covariates, and modest increases in extended living for most native-born Asian and Hispanic groups as well as native Whites in the 1990s underscores the enduring nature of ethnic diversity in living arrangements.

Quality of Life and Psychological Distress Among Older Adults

“…Most non-institutionalized older adults fall into one of just a few categories of living arrangements: living alone, living with a partner/spouse only, living with a spouse and others (such as adult children), and living with others only (usually in a multigenerational family situation). Which arrangement one falls into is influenced by socio-economic and demographic characteristics (Sereny, 2011; Gurak & Kritz, 2010) and there is evidence that having concordance with one’s preferred arrangement leads to better health outcomes (Sereny, 2011). Each type of living arrangement presents particular opportunities and challenges and is worth exploring in more detail to better understand the relationship to social isolation, mental health, and well-being.…”

Will They Stay? Foreign-Born Out-Migration from New U.S. Destinations

“…The nativity origin coefficients show that net of individual human capital and labor market economic and nativity conditions, the odds of migrating internally were not significantly different between Canadians and 9 origin groups (Mexicans, Cubans, Colombians, Chinese, Koreans, Taiwanese, Pakistanis, Laotians, and Jamaicans); thirteen groups were significantly less likely than Canadians to migrate internally; and Indians were significantly more likely to do so. Accounting for group differences is not our main purpose here but other research indicates that human capital, immigration statuses, and group contexts underlie them (Gurak and Kritz 2010; Kritz and Nogle 1994; Rebhun 2006). …”

What are the Effects of Doubling Up on Retirement Income and Assets?

“…One trend is the relatively high economic resources available to seniors today, including benefits disbursed by Social Security. These resources afford seniors privacy, independence, and institutionalized care; yet, these resources may also possibly contribute to loneliness and isolation (Choi, 1997;Chu et al, 2011;Frankenberg et al, 2011;Goldscheider and Bures, 2003;Gurak and Kritz, 2010;Isengard and Szydlik, 2012;Macunovich et al, 1995;Martin, 1989;Messineo, 2005;Mutchler, 1992;Mutchler and Burr, 1991;Ruggles, 2003;Smits et al, 2010;Takagi and Silverstein, 2011;Wolf and Soldo, 1988;Zsembik, 1993). Seniors can use these resources to support their adult children and grandchildren.…”

“…African Americans, Latinos, and Asians are more likely to be in multifamily households (Choi, 1997(Choi, , 1999a(Choi, , 1999b(Choi, , 2003Cohen and Casper, 2002;Dunifon, Ziol-Guest, and Kopko, 2014;Goldscheider and Bures, 2003;Gurak and Kritz, 2010;Morgan et al, 1993;Mutchler and Burr, 2003;Van Hook and Glick, 2007; see also Aquilino (1990) for an alternative opinion).…”

“…Also, some African Americans appear to be willing to combine resources of several generations, particularly during recessions, due to the history of slavery, economic hardship, and relatively strong intergenerational support (Choi, 1999a(Choi, , 2003Dunifon, Ziol-Guest, and Kopko, 2014;Cohen and Casper, 2002;Goldscheider and Bures, 2003;Kamo, 2000;Mutchler and Baker, 2009;Pilkauskas, 2012). By living in multigenerational households, many senior African Americans are able to avoid expensive institutionalized care (Choi, 1999b) Latinos, compared to other races and ethnicities, tend to live in either downwardly or horizontally extended households due to their 1) fewer resources yet higher needs, 2) focus on families and filial obligations, 3) preference for informal care arrangements over institutionalized care, 4) language barriers and degree of acculturation, 5) recent immigration and the five-year waiting period for access to welfare benefits, 6) relatively high proportion of immigrants with an uncertain migration status, or 7) possibly mirroring norms in Spain (or Southern Europe), which has a relatively high proportion of multigenerational households (Angel and Tienda, 1982;Burr and Mutchler, 1992;Burr et al, 2013;Choi, 1997Choi, , 1999aChoi, , 1999bChoi, , 2003Elman and Uhlenberg, 1995;Gonzales, 2007;Gurak and Kritz, 2010;Isengard and Szydlik, 2012;Kamo 2000;Mykyta and Macartney, 2011;Mutchler and Burr, 2003;Pilkauskas, 2012;Van Hook and Glick, 2007;Wilmoth, 2001;Zsembik, 1993; see also Aquilino (1990) for an alternative opinion).…”