Transnational connections of later-life migrants

Heikkinen, Sari; Lumme-Sandt, Kirsi

doi:10.1016/j.jaging.2013.02.002

Cited by 29 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The Internet also enables older Chinese migrants to maintain and strengthen their social relationships in both the home and host countries, contributing to their transnational lifestyles (Heikkinen and Lumme-Sandt 2013). Transcending geographic boundaries and time zones, the Internet as a transnational media provides continuous connections between the host and home countries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It helps facilitate their settlement and adjustment to a new society, strengthen connections with their homeland, and develop a transnational lifestyle (e.g., Bailey et al 2007;Khvorostianov et al 2012). However, little attention has been paid to older migrants' Internet use (Heikkinen and Lumme-Sandt 2013;Khvorostianov et al 2012), probably because a much lower proportion of older people use the Internet compared to younger generations (Hilt and Lipschultz 2004). It is believed that older migrants are even less likely than native seniors to learn computer skills or access the Internet due to language barriers and lower socioeconomic status, which results in a higher risk of social exclusion (Mordini et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Zhang

2016

J. Chin. Sociol.

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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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Zhang

2016

J. Chin. Sociol.

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“…Non-Western migrants and refugees are often not familiar with nursing homes as an opportunity for care and treatment in old age, as it is not an option in their home country (Adamson & Donovan, 2005). Family and transnational relationships thus become a vital part of the everyday lives of older immigrants (Heikkinen & Lumme-Sandt, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Caught in a Generation Gap”: A Generation Perspective on Refugees Getting Old in Denmark—A Qualitative Study

et al. 2017

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“…Twelve of the eighteen articles, of which four were assessed to be of good [ 18 , 24 , 28 , 30 ] and eight of moderate quality [ 17 , 19 , 20 , 26 , 27 , 32 – 34 ], reported the continuity of social relationships between migrants and their transnational network members, despite the physical distance between them. Continuity of these transnational relationships gave migrants a sense of belonging and provided emotional support.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transnational social networks, health, and care: a systematic narrative literature review

Roosen

Salway

Osei-Kwasi

2021

Int J Equity Health

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While transnational social ties and exchanges are a core concern within migration studies, health researchers have often overlooked their importance. Continuous and circular exchanges of information within transnational networks, also defined as social remittances, facilitate the diffusion of innovations, potentially driving contemporary social and cultural change. Influences on health, wellbeing, and care-seeking are important, but under-researched, dimensions for consideration. We undertook a systematic narrative evidence synthesis to describe the current state of knowledge in this area and to identify gaps and future directions for health researchers to take. Between April 2017 and May 2019, an iterative series of searches in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and PubMed, plus backward and forward citation searches identified 1173 potential papers. Screening resulted in 36 included papers, eighteen focused on migrant populations and eighteen on those who remain behind. The top three health topics were health-seeking strategies, sexual and reproductive health issues, and healthcare support. And, while not always explicitly identified, mental health and wellbeing was a further prominent, cross-cutting theme. Articles on migrant populations were all conducted in the global North and 13 out of 18 used qualitative methods. Five main themes were identified: therapeutic effect of the continuing social relationships, disrupted social relationships, hybridisation of healthcare, facilitation of connections to healthcare providers, and factors encouraging or undermining transnational social exchanges. Papers concerned with those who remain behind were mainly focused on the global South and used a mix of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Four main themes were identified: transnational transfer of health-related advice, norms, and support; associations between migrant linkages and health behaviours/outcomes; transnational collective transfer of health knowledge; and power and resistance in exchanges. Findings suggest that transnational social exchanges can both support and undermine the health of migrants and those who remain behind. This review confirms that the volume and quality of research in this area must be increased so that health policy and practice can be informed by a better understanding of these important influences on the health of both migrants and those who remain behind.

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Transnational connections of later-life migrants

Cited by 29 publications

References 40 publications

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

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

“Caught in a Generation Gap”: A Generation Perspective on Refugees Getting Old in Denmark—A Qualitative Study

Transnational social networks, health, and care: a systematic narrative literature review

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