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Relationship between adherence to tradition and depression in Chinese elders in China
- Authors:
- MJELDE-MOSSEY L. A., CHI I., LOU V.W.Q.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 10(1), January 2006, pp.19-26.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study examined the relationship between adherence to tradition and depression in a sample of 1,502 Chinese elders living in the People's Republic of China. In Chinese traditional culture, an elder's purpose, meaning and self-worth are derived, in large, from their social roles within the family and community. As the traditional culture declines so do these familiar roles, supports, and ways of coping. This constitutes a major loss which can have a variety of psychosocial consequences, one of which could be depression. The elders in our study responded to a nine-item measure of traditional mutual aid and intergenerational exchange. Depression was measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Regression analysis found a significant and negative relationship between tradition and depression which suggests that adherence to tradition may have protective benefits. These findings have application with elders in China as well as with those who are immigrants to other societies.
Living alone and depression among older Chinese Immigrants
- Author:
- MUI Ada C.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 30(3/4), 1998, pp.147-166.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study examines the profiles of Chinese elderly immigrants by living arrangements and the role that stress and coping resources played in explaining depressive symptoms in the volunteer sample group who were recruited at senior centres and meal sites. Discusses the impact of these factors on the quality of life of elderly Chinese immigrants within the Chinese cultural context and the implications of these findings for service providers.
Profiles of social relations among older adults: a cross-cultural approach
- Authors:
- FIORI Katherine L., ANTONUCCI Toni C., AKIYAMA Hiroko
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 28(2), February 2008, pp.203-231.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study extends previous research on the profiles of social relations in three ways: (1) by including both functional and qualitative characteristics of social relations; (2) by examining the association of these profiles with mental and physical health and mortality; and (3) by exploring these profiles and associations in two cultures. Using samples of approximately 500 adults aged 60 or more years from the Social Relations and Mental Health over the Life Course studies in both the United States and Japan, separate cluster analyses were conducted for each country. The common or shared network types were labelled ‘diverse’, ‘restricted’, ‘friend-focused’ and ‘family-focused’, but in the US two types of ‘friend-focused’ networks (supported and unsupported) and two types of ‘restricted’ networks (structurally- and functionally-restricted) were found. In addition, a unique network type was found in Japan: ‘married and distal’. Multivariate analyses of variance and Cox regressions revealed that whereas individuals in the functionally restricted network type had the worse physical and mental health in the US, Americans in the structurally-restricted network type had the lowest survival rates at a 12-year follow-up. Interestingly, there were no wellbeing differences by network type in Japan. The findings have been interpreted in the light of social relations theories, with special emphasis on the importance of taking a multidimensional perspective and exploring cultural variation.
Acculturation stress and depression among Asian immigrant elders
- Authors:
- MUI Ada C., KANG Suk-Young
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work: A journal of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 51(3), July 2006, pp.243-255.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study examines the association between acculturation stress and depressive symptoms in a regional probability sample (n = 407) of six groups of Asian immigrant elders (Chinese, Korean, Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Japanese). Findings suggest that about 40 percent of the sample were depressed, indicating higher depression rates than found in other studies of older American or Asian elderly samples in the United States and Asia. Multiple regression analyses indicated that acculturation stress caused by elders' perception of a cultural gap between themselves and their adult children was associated with high depression levels. Other predictors of depression were poor perceived health, stressful life events, religiosity, proximity of children, assistance received from adult children, and longer residence in the United States. Data suggest that depression is prevalent among urban Asian immigrant elders and that there is great heterogeneity among Asian ethnic subgroups. Implications for social work practice are discussed.
Depression among elderly Korean immigrants: exploring socio-cultural factors
- Authors:
- LEE Hee Y., MOON Ailee, KNIGHT Bob G.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 13(4), 2004, pp.1-26.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study examined predictors of depression in a sample of 95 elderly Korean immigrants aged 60 or over in the USA. Depression among Korean immigrants was hypothesized to be associated with socio-demographic and cultural factors, including health status, gender, education, financial status, acculturation level, familism, social support, especially from the family, and family relationships. A face-to-face interview was conducted in Korean using a structured questionnaire. Depression in this study was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression (CES-D) Scale. A substantial percentage of the sample was experiencing a high level of depression. In multiple regression analyses, perceived health status and education were significant predictors among socio-demographic factors. Among cultural factors, acculturation status was not a significant predictor; however, positive support from the family and family relationships were significantly associated with depression. The role of family as a risk factor for depression in older Korean immigrants and implications for mental health policy, programs, and future research are discussed. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Correlates of cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms among older adults in Korea and Japan
- Authors:
- LEE Yunhwan, SHINKAI Shoji
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20(6), June 2005, pp.576-586.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms impose a heavy burden on the care of the elderly in Japan and Korea, two of the fastest aging nations in Asia. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare factors associated with cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms among older persons in the two countries. In 2002, representative samples of community-dwelling people aged 65 and older were selected among residents in Anyang, Korea and Yoita, Japan. Mini-Mental State Examination and Geriatric Depression Scale were used to assess the elderly's mental status. Sociodemographics, physical function, chronic conditions, social support, and health behaviours were examined to identify significant associations. The prevalence of cognitive impairment in older adults was 17.0 percent in Anyang and 14.6 percent in Yoita. The rates for depressive symptoms were 15.2 percent and 19.8 percent, respectively. Overall, functional capacity was the universal factor significantly associated with mental conditions. Self-rated health and social support were also found to be independently associated with depressive symptoms in the study subjects. Differences in the patterns of association by community, however, were notable for other characteristics. For example, in factors associated with cognitive impairment, sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, and education were significant among Koreans, whereas socio-behavioural factors such as obesity, social support and hospitalization experience were found to be significant for older Japanese residents. Concludes that similarities in the patterns of association indicate the need for joint explorations into the role these factors play in affecting the mental health of older persons. Socioeconomic and regional differentials, however, may account for the disparity in the associations observed, suggesting the importance of developing mental health programs sensitive to the older individual's culture.
Acculturative stress and depressive symptoms among Korean immigrant elders residing in non-Korean ethnic enclaves
- Author:
- RHEE Stephanie L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 26(4), 2017, pp.347-365.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This cross-sectional structured survey examined the relationships of personal factors, acculturative stress, and depressive symptoms among Korean immigrant elders (N = 108) residing in areas without any Korean ethnic enclave. Multiple regression and path analyses indicated that personal factors such as levels of acculturation and socioeconomic status might influence acculturative stress and depressive symptoms negatively; however, acculturative stress was the most significant risk factor for depressive symptoms. Culturally relevant programmes and services are important vehicles through which to enhance personal resources and reduce lingual and cultural barriers among Korean immigrant elders residing in non-Korean ethnic enclaves. (Publisher abstract)
The impact of acculturation on depression among older Muslim immigrants in the United States
- Authors:
- ABU-BADER Soleman H., TIRMAZI M. Taqi, ROSS-SHERIFF Fariyal
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(4), May 2011, pp.425-448.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Immigrant elderly Muslims in the United States face numerous challenges that arise not only from aging and immigration, but also from being an ethnic and religious minority in post-9/11 America. This study aimed to examine acculturation, physical and emotional health, and depression among older Muslim immigrants. A self-administered survey was completed by a 70 immigrant Muslim elderly recruited from 4 mosques and Islamic centres in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The survey examined the relationship between acculturation, physical and emotional health, health locus of control (LOC), life events and depression. The results showed that about 50% of participants reported a score of 16 and above on the CESD (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression) scale, indicating a high rate of depressive symptoms, much greater than that reported in other populations. Most participants identified with their heritage culture compared to the American culture. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed 4 significant predictors of depression: cognitive status; heritage culture; physical health; and internal health locus of control. These factors explain about 37% of the total variance in levels depression. Implications for community leaders, social work and mental health professionals, and researchers are discussed.
Relationship between productive activities, family relations, and aging well for elders in China
- Authors:
- MJELDE-MOSSEY Lee Ann, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 18(4), October 2009, pp.276-292.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
By understanding how culture interacts with aging well social workers can enhance their cultural competence in practice, policy and research. This study explored determinants of aging well in elders in China. In traditional Chinese culture, elders have assumed a socially integrated and productive social role within the family; paralleling the active engagement domain of the Rowe and Kahn model of successful aging. However, this model focuses on health and physical functioning with less emphasis on psychosocial aspects such as culture. The authors tests the strength of the relationship between two variables representative of Chinese aging traditions, productive activity and family relations, and the two indicators of aging well, self-rated health and depression. In home interviews were conducted with 1,502 randomly selected Chinese elders aged 60 or over from three different regions. Two hierarchical regression models were tested. Step one used age, gender, marital status, financial adequacy, living alone, and reading ability. Step two added the active engagement variables of productive activity and family relations. Each model was significant at both steps with an inverse association for depression and a positive association for self-rated health. The authors suggest that despite rapid modernisation, family mobility and loss of traditional values, Chinese elders have not been completely marginalised and younger generations still have an imperative to provide support. However they suggest that elders will be challenged to create new pathways to remaining socially integrated and contributory.
Ethnic enclave resources and predictors of depression among Arizona's Korean immigrant elders
- Authors:
- KANG Suk-Young, DOMANSKI Margaret Dietz, MOON Sung Seek
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 52(5), July 2009, pp.489-502.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This is the first study examining factors influencing depression among Arizona's Korean immigrant older people not resident in ethnic enclaves. A snowball sample of 120 older people, aged 64 and over, completed the study interview. The proportion of respondents reporting depression was 38.1%, higher than the incidence reported among their counterparts in New York City's immigrant ethnic neighbourhoods. Multiple regression analyses (R2 = .44) indicate that English language proficiency had the most powerful effect on explaining depression. Discussion focuses on why initiatives to reduce language barriers among socially isolated older immigrants need to be a first priority in service provision.