Date of Award
5-12-2024
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Sociology
Advisor(s)
Merril Silverstein
Subject Categories
Social and Behavioral Sciences | Sociology
Abstract
Essay 1: This research explores the mechanisms through which older Chinese American immigrants develop loneliness. Their development of loneliness is contingent upon their acculturation to the American society as well as the availability of filial support, called filial piety, they receive from their adult children. Filial piety received from adult children can play a role in protecting the psychological health of older Chinese adults. It uses data from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), an epidemiological study of Chinese immigrants aged 60 and older residing in Chicago. The present study uses path analysis modeling. The results show that filial piety can significantly reduce loneliness. In addition, level of acculturation indirectly affects loneliness outcomes. Higher levels of acculturation are associated with reduced filial support from adult children, which in turn results in higher levels of loneliness in the older immigrants. Additionally, the age at which older immigrants immigrate to the U.S., a subsidiary indirect measure of acculturation, indirectly affects their loneliness. Immigrating at an older age reduces loneliness through an increase in filial piety. Gender and the timing of immigration also influence outcomes. Marital status (not married), living arrangement (living alone), socioeconomic statuses (lower income and higher education), and disability are also significant and positive predictors of loneliness in older Chinese immigrants in the U.S. The results contribute to identifying the acculturative pathways undertaken by older Chinese American immigrants that shape their family as well as psychological wellbeing. Essay 2: The research reported below explores the relationship between the development of loneliness among very old Mexican American immigrants and their acculturation to American society as well as the availability of support from their adult children. While close family ties and support under Mexican American familismo values are commonly expected, the present study focuses on the degree to which intergenerational solidarity can mediate the association between acculturation and loneliness in very old Mexican American immigrants. It uses data from the HEPESE (Wave 7) and employs path analysis modeling. Results show that intergenerational associational solidarity, that is, a greater amount of contact with adult children, can significantly reduce the Mexican American immigrants’ loneliness. The level of their acculturation, their age-at-immigration to the U.S., marginally and indirectly affect their loneliness levels. Those who came to the US at an older age, implying lower levels of acculturation, tend to have higher levels of contact with their adult children, which brings about a reduction in their levels of loneliness. Spanish language usage over English usage—less language acculturation— diminishes loneliness among the males. For the female immigrants, less chances of acculturation, or an older age of immigration, is associated with higher levels of loneliness; however, intergenerational solidarity mediates the association. The outcome indicates that adult children of Mexican American immigrants support their mothers who are less acculturated to American society, implying that Mexican American families make adaptations in the U.S. The results contribute to understanding of gender differences in the acculturative pathways undertaken by very old Mexican American immigrants. Essay 3: The research reported herein investigates whether acculturation levels and the availability of ethnocultural resources relate to loneliness and cognitive functions of older Chinese American immigrants. Older Chinese American immigrants who are less acculturated to American society and lack native cultural resources, such as support from their children or partner, and integration with their ethnic communities such as community centers, religious institutions, or neighborhoods in ethnically concentrated areas, can be psychologically and cognitively more vulnerable than those who are well integrated into their families, communities, and the wider society. The study uses data from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), an epidemiological study on the older Chinese American adults, and uses a three-step latent class analysis. Latent class analysis revealed that there are three classes, a low cultural resource group, a high familism group, and a high-resources or bicultural group. Path analyses show that, compared to the low cultural resource group, those who belong to the high familism group or bicultural group hold cognitive advantages because they are less lonely. When stratified by gender and the timing of immigration, indirect effect of loneliness exists among the female immigrants, while the direct effect of bicultural group membership, unlike low cultural resources group membership, remained consistently significant across different groups of older Chinese American immigrants. For later-life immigrants, having a high level of familism can be important for their health outcomes. The results contribute to understanding of how psychological and cognitive health outcomes vary depending on the cultural competency of older Chinese American immigrants.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Kim, Jeung hyun, "Multiculturalism and the Wellbeing of Older U.S. Immigrants" (2024). Dissertations - ALL. 1965.
https://surface.syr.edu/etd/1965
