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Immigration, living arrangement and the poverty risk of older adults in Hong Kong
- Authors:
- CHAN Lih-Shing, CHOU Kee-Lee
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Welfare, 25(3), 2016, p.247–258.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Using 2011 census data, this study investigated how living arrangement affects disparities in poverty between older adults (aged 65 and older) who migrated to Hong Kong from Mainland China and those who were born in Hong Kong. The sample consisted of 29,987 immigrants and 9,398 natives, all of whom were ethnic Chinese and living in Hong Kong at the time of the census. The authors found higher poverty rates among older immigrants than among natives, a disparity that persisted even after adjusting for living arrangement, human capital characteristics, assimilation-related variables, household composition and demographic characteristics. The authors also found that living arrangement moderated the impact of immigrant status on the poverty risk among older adults, and that the impact was due mainly to the number of earners in the household. The implications of the results with respect to poverty among older adults and anti-poverty measures are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
The temporal relationship between falls and fear-of-falling among Chinese older primary-care patients in Hong Kong
- Authors:
- CHOU Kee-Lee, CHI Iris
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 27(2), March 2007, pp.181-193.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Although the association between falls and fear-of-falling has been established by previous studies, the temporal ordering of the two is uncertain. Moreover, the common and unique risk factors that contribute to falls and to fear-of-falling have not been investigated in either primary health-care settings or Asian societies. The aims of this study were to examine the temporal sequencing of fear-of-falling and a fall, and to identify the risk factors associated with the two. A prospective cohort study with three six-month measurement waves was conducted in primary-care settings in Hong Kong. The sample was derived from the waiting list control group of a randomised clinical trial, and 321 respondents participated in the three waves. They were evaluated with the Minimum Data Set for Home Care. It was found that falls and fear-of-falling at baseline were not independent predictors of respectively developing a fear-of-falling and becoming a faller, but that age was a common independent predictor for falls and the onset of a fear-of-falling. Individuals with a fear-of-falling were at risk of both falling and a fear-of-falling at 12 months. The good news is that no vicious cycle of falls and fear-of-falling was found, and modifiable risk factors, including IADL limitations, environmental hazards, and fear-of-falling were identified, so that effective prevention programmes for falls and for fear-of-falling can be designed.
Panic disorder in older adults: evidence from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions
- Author:
- CHOU Kee-Lee
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 25(8), August 2010, pp.822-832.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Panic disorder is significantly associated with higher medical and psychiatric comorbidities, yet there is a lack of research in this area. This study investigated the association of panic disorder with childhood parental loss and recent stressful life events; the co-existence of panic disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence; and the impact of panic disorder on health-related quality of life. Data from 13,420 adults, aged 55 years and older, from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (2001–2002) was used. Panic disorder was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule. Findings indicated that the current and lifetime prevalence rates of panic disorder were 1.17 and 3.72%, respectively. Panic disorder was more common among low income groups, and those who had reported more recent stressful life events. Major depressive disorder was significantly related to lifetime panic disorder. Panic disorder was also related to a lower health-related quality of life and dual medical conditions. The authors conclude that the correlation between panic disorder and major depressive disorder raised further questions about the nature of panic disorder in the elderly. This study supports the idea that panic disorder has a strong impact on quality of life in old age.