The diversity of social connectedness experiences among older migrants in Australia

Tran, Tran Le Nghi; Liu, Shuang; Gallois, Cindy; Haslam, Catherine; Jetten, Jolanda; Dane, Sharon

doi:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2022.07.001

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…This limitation also points to the opportunity for future studies to conduct qualitative interviews with older adults with language barriers (possibly the most socially excluded ones) to get deeper insights into their loneliness experiences. Not being able to speak the local language (i.e., having the language barrier) can lead to poor quality social relationships [51,52] and exclusion from social participation in the larger society [21]. Second, we have a rather small sample size, especially for the group of cultural migrants, in our study, which restricts the interest to test the possible differences in the predictive power of the independent variables (e.g., everyday discrimination) across the three groups.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness in Older Migrants: Exploring the Role of Cultural Differences in Their Loneliness Experience

Pan

Qualter

Barreto

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Introduction and background: The scientific literature suggests the necessity of studying loneliness from a broader social perspective. This article aims to broaden the research on loneliness in older migrants by exploring the role of cultural differences through the lens of the social environment (as measured in social capital, discrimination, and ageism) and social situation (as measured in relational mobility, childness, and marital status). Based on Hofstede’s Individualism Index, older migrants involved in the BBC Loneliness Experiment (N = 2164) were classified into three groups: cultural migrants (i.e., from a collectivist to individualist culture) (N = 239), migrants with a similar culture (i.e., within an individualist culture) (N = 841), and ageing non-migrants (N = 1084). Objectives: The two main objectives were 1) to compare the levels of loneliness among these three groups, and 2) to unravel how different influencing factors, such as the social environment, social situation, coping strategies, and personal characteristics, are related to loneliness. Methods: Bivariate analyses were performed to determine the differences in the loneliness, social environment, social situation, and personal characteristic variables between the groups, with adjusted p-values according to the Bonferroni correction to limit the potential for type I errors (α = 0.005). Multiple linear regressions were performed to unravel the relationships between loneliness and the different influencing factors, namely the social environment, social situation, coping strategies, and personal characteristics. Results: The bivariate analyses show no significant difference in loneliness across the three groups. The multiple linear regressions demonstrate that the social environment (i.e., social capital, discrimination, and ageism) is significantly associated with loneliness. Social capital acts as a protective factor for cultural migrants (β = −0.27, p < 0.005, 95% CI [−0.48, −0.05]), similar-culture migrants (β = −0.13, p < 0.005, 95% CI [−0.25, −0.03]), and non-migrants (β = −0.21, p < 0.001, 95% CI [−0.28, −0.12]). Discrimination and ageism are both risk factors for loneliness across the three groups. The Social situation, as measured in married/cohabitation status and relational mobility, shows a significant association with loneliness in the non-migrants and similar-culture migrants but not the cultural migrants. In terms of individual resources for coping strategies, engagement in active coping is protective for all three groups. Non-coping, the unawareness of any coping strategies, is a risk factor, while passive coping shows no significant association. Discussion: The results show that the structural factor of the social environment in which older migrants’ find themselves, rather than their culture of origin, is more important for older migrants’ feelings of loneliness in later life. A favorable social environment with high social capital and low levels of discrimination and ageism protects against loneliness in the ageing population across cultures. Practical implications for loneliness interventions for older migrants are put forward.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness in Older Migrants: Exploring the Role of Cultural Differences in Their Loneliness Experience

Pan

Qualter

Barreto

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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“…Community leaders and aged care providers serving the Chinese-speaking community play a crucial role as custodians in maintaining cultural identity and connectedness within the cultural network. 43 , 44 Therefore, they are integral in championing EOL issues and ACP awareness. The study participants have indicated a need for public awareness campaigns and publicly accessible forums and seminars on ACP to help raise community awareness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes and Perceptions on Advance Care Planning Among Chinese-Speaking Older Australians

Yeoh,

Tan,

Rhee

et al. 2023

Am J Hosp Palliat Care

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Background Current literature indicates low uptake of advance care planning (ACP) among the Chinese-speaking community in Australia. To increase the uptake of ACP among the Chinese-speaking community, a better understanding of their attitudes and perceptions on end-of-life (EOL) matters, and ACP is required. Objective This study aimed to identify significant events and social and cultural factors that influence participants’ values and characterize the attitudes and perceptions towards ACP among older Chinese-speaking Australians. Methods A qualitative study explored participants’ experiences through semi-structured one-to-one interviews. The interviews were conducted in Mandarin, Cantonese or English, then translated and transcribed into English. The transcripts were coded and analysed thematically. Results Twenty participants were recruited (14 female, six male). Participants typically reported a preference to make health-related decisions autonomously. Their perspectives were grounded in past experiences of illnesses and EOL decision-making of loved ones, personal values, and perceived needs. Family dynamics and intimacy of relationships appeared to influence the role and responsibility of family members in EOL decision-making and ACP. Most participants perceived the need to engage in ACP only when encountering significant health changes or higher care needs. Conclusion Healthcare professionals should initiate ACP discussion using culturally appropriate communication with consideration of personal values, past experiences and family dynamics. Efforts should be invested in raising public awareness of ACP within the Chinese-Australian community.

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Older Immigrants’ Integration: Organisational Processes and Practices in the Australian Context

Franklin

Taksa

Guo

2023

Organising Immigrants' Integration

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The diversity of social connectedness experiences among older migrants in Australia

Cited by 5 publications

References 51 publications

Loneliness in Older Migrants: Exploring the Role of Cultural Differences in Their Loneliness Experience

Loneliness in Older Migrants: Exploring the Role of Cultural Differences in Their Loneliness Experience

Attitudes and Perceptions on Advance Care Planning Among Chinese-Speaking Older Australians

Older Immigrants’ Integration: Organisational Processes and Practices in the Australian Context

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