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The Impact of Environmental Factors on Wellbeing of Older Migrants

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Aging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 9153

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Eralba Cela

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Guest Editor

Department of Social and Political Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
Interests: demography; migration; ageing; wellbeing; retirement

Prof. Dr. Tineke Fokkema

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Guest Editor

1. Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI)-KNAW/University of Groningen, The Hague, The Netherlands
2. Department of Public Administration and Sociology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Interests: older adults; loneliness; solidarity; return migration

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growing number of migrants among older populations in Western countries is a phenomenon that is receiving increasing attention in the agenda of researchers, policymakers and practitioners. Previous studies on older migrants show that the ageing–migration nexus results in different wellbeing outcomes. For some, particularly those from developing countries, aging and having a history of migration represent a double trap manifested in a variety of vulnerabilities (e.g., poor health conditions, low socioeconomic status, isolation and loneliness). For others, such as international retirement migrants, this nexus represents an active and successful lifestyle later in life. However, between these two opposite ends of the spectrum, there is a great diversity in wellbeing between and within older migrant groups.

This Special Issue aims to increase our understanding of the wellbeing of older migrants, with a particular focus on the importance of the environment. Various types of environmental factors may play a role in enhancing or undermining older migrants’ wellbeing, such as physical (e.g., livability, age- and migrant-friendly facilities), social (e.g., family and friend networks, social cohesion), economic (e.g., poverty, deprivation) and policy (e.g., welfare regime, migration policy). Moreover, environmental factors may operate at different geographical levels: local, regional, national, transnational.

We would like to invite scholars working or interested in this field of research to submit a paper for consideration for publication in a Special Issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Theoretical contributions as well as empirical papers, both quantitative and qualitative, are welcome.

Dr. Eralba Cela
Prof. Dr. Tineke Fokkema
Guest Editors

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 331 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association of Perceived Neighbourhood Environment and Subjective Wellbeing in Migrant Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Canonical Correlation Analysis

by Yuxi Liu, Huanting Liu, Qin Chen, Junhui Xiao and Chonghua Wan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054021 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1278

Abstract

Existing studies often focus on the impact of the neighbourhood environment on the subjective wellbeing (SWB) of the residents. Very few studies explore the impacts of the neighbourhood environment on migrant older adults. This study was conducted to investigate the correlations between perceived neighbourhood environment (PNE) and SWB among migrant older adults. A cross-sectional design was adopted. Data were collected from 470 migrant older adults in Dongguan, China. General characteristics, levels of SWB, and PNE were collected via a self-reported questionnaire. Canonical correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between PNE and SWB. These variables accounted for 44.1% and 53.0% of the variance, respectively. Neighbourhood relations, neighbourhood trust, and similar values in social cohesion made the most important contributions correlated with positive emotion and positive experience. A link between SWB and walkable neighbourhoods characterized by opportunities and facilities for physical activities with other people walking or exercising in their community, is positively associated with positive emotions. Our findings suggest that migrant older adults have a good walkable environment and social cohesion in neighbourhoods positively correlated with their subjective wellbeing. Therefore, the government should provide a more robust activity space for neighbourhoods and build an inclusive community for older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Factors on Wellbeing of Older Migrants)

20 pages, 689 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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

by Honghui Pan, Pamela Qualter, Manuela Barreto, Hannelore Stegen and Sarah Dury

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2785; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042785 - 4 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2331

Abstract

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. 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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Factors on Wellbeing of Older Migrants)

16 pages, 786 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neighbourhood Ethnic Density, Local Language Skills, and Loneliness among Older Migrants—A Population-Based Study on Russian Speakers in Finland

by Laura Kemppainen, Teemu Kemppainen, Tineke Fokkema, Sirpa Wrede and Anne Kouvonen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1117; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021117 - 8 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2250

Abstract

So far, little attention has been paid to contextual factors shaping loneliness and their interaction with individual characteristics. Moreover, the few existing studies have not included older migrants, identified as a group who are vulnerable to loneliness. This study examined the association between neighbourhood ethnic density (the proportion of own-group residents and the proportion of other ethnic residents in an area) and loneliness among older migrants. Furthermore, we investigated whether local language skills moderated this association. A population-based representative survey (The CHARM study, n = 1082, 57% men, mean age 63.2 years) and postal code area statistics were used to study Russian-speaking migrants aged 50 or older in Finland. The study design and data are hierarchical, with individuals nested in postcode areas. We accounted for this by estimating corresponding mixed models. We used a linear outcome specification and conducted logistic and ordinal robustness checks. After controlling for covariates, we found that ethnic density variables (measured as the proportion of Russian speakers and the proportion of other foreign speakers) were not associated with loneliness. Our interaction results showed that increased own-group ethnic density was associated with a higher level of loneliness among those with good local language skills but not among those with weaker skills. Good local language skills may indicate a stronger orientation towards the mainstream destination society and living in a neighbourhood with a higher concentration of own-language speakers may feel alienating for those who wish to be more included in mainstream society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Factors on Wellbeing of Older Migrants)

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19 pages, 369 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Happy Home: Ageing, Migration, and Housing in Relation to Older Migrants’ Subjective Wellbeing

by Micheline Phlix, Ann Petermans, An-Sofie Smetcoren and Jan Vanrie

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010106 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2431

Abstract

(1) Background: With an increasingly diversifying ageing population, it is important to understand what ‘ageing well’ means to older adults with a migration background. Given older adults’ preference to age in place and declining mobility, housing is a significant place in later life. Therefore, this paper explores the influence of housing, migration, and age on older migrants’ subjective wellbeing, with attention to immaterial aspects such as a sense of home as well. (2) Methods: In-depth interviews with older migrants from various ethnicities (N = 22) were conducted. The data collection and analysis were led by an inductive and deductive approach through thematic analysis. (3) Results: The results point to the dynamic nature of age(ing) and the role of migration background in the subjective wellbeing of older migrants. The need for preserving one’s housing situation and environmental mastery in later life is highlighted. Furthermore, the relation and mutual influence of subjective wellbeing and sense of home is uncovered. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the intersection of age, migration, and housing to the subjective wellbeing and sense of home of older migrants. In addition, influences on older migrants’ subjective wellbeing concern both a material (i.e., housing) and immaterial (i.e., sense of home, age, migration) base. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Factors on Wellbeing of Older Migrants)

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