Self-Rated Health Among Older Chinese Americans: The Roles of Acculturation and Family Cohesion

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346481989831
Author(s):  
Kaipeng Wang ◽  
Anao Zhang ◽  
Fei Sun ◽  
Rita X. Hu

Background: Previous research has established the influence of acculturation and family cohesion on Chinese Americans’ mental health and health behavior; however, the influence of acculturation and family cohesion on self-rated health among this population has not been examined. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between family cohesion, acculturation, and self-rated health among older Chinese Americans. Method: Data came from structured interviews with 385 Chinese Americans aged 55 and older living in a large metropolitan area in Southwest. We used logistic regression to examine the association between acculturation, family cohesion, and self-rated health. Results: Acculturation was positively associated with self-rated health only among those with medium (odds ratio [OR] = 2.27, p < .05) and high (OR = 1.93, p < .05) family cohesion, but not among those with low family cohesion. Discussion: Findings highlight the significance of involving family members and strengthening family support in the acculturation and supportive services provided to older Chinese Americans.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S629-S630
Author(s):  
Kaipeng Wang ◽  
Anao Zhang ◽  
Fei Sun ◽  
Rita X Hu

Abstract Migration and resettlement are major life events that affect immigrants’ functioning and health status. Previous research has well-established the influence of acculturation and family cohesion on Chinese Americans’ mental health and health behavior; however, the moderation effect of family cohesion on the relationship between acculturation and self-rated health – a robust measure of an individual’s general health – has not been examined among this population. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between family cohesion, acculturation, and self-rated health among older Chinese Americans. Data came from a survey of 385 Chinese Americans aged 55 and older living in a large metropolitan area in Southwest America through face-to-face interviews. We used logistic regression to examine the association between acculturation, family cohesion, and self-reported health. In general, acculturation was significantly associated with higher odds of reporting excellent or good health after adjusting for demographic and psychosocial covariates; however, the association between acculturation and self-reported health differed by family cohesion. We found that acculturation was positively associated with self-reported health only among those with medium or high family cohesion, but not among those with low family cohesion. Findings highlighted the significance of involving family members and strengthening family support for providing acculturation services, such as language class and healthy literacy education, to older Americans. Family cohesion needs to be considered by health and mental health care providers for older Chinese Americans to further understand the resources and barriers that influence their health service use and health behaviors.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri Jang ◽  
Ya-Ching Huang ◽  
Hyunwoo Yoon ◽  
Shumin Lin

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1388-1409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengyan Tang ◽  
Ling Xu ◽  
Iris Chi ◽  
Xinqi Dong

Objective: This study examined the associations of neighborhood characteristics and living arrangements with physical and mental health among older Chinese Americans. Method: A sample of 3,159 community-dwelling Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area provided reports of health, socio-demographic characteristics, living arrangements, social cohesion, and neighborhood disorder. We used multinomial logistic, Poisson, and negative binominal regression analyses. Results: Neighborhood disorder was consistently associated with negative health indicators, including poor self-reported health, more chronic conditions, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Findings about the relationships between social cohesion and health indicators were mixed. Social cohesion was more salient to mental health for those living with spouse, children, and/or grandchildren relative to those living with spouse only. Discussion: Policies and interventions are needed to improve the physical and social environments of neighborhoods and to promote healthy aging among Chinese older adults and in the general population as well.


2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Gao ◽  
Fei Sun ◽  
Flavio F. Marsiglia ◽  
Xinqi Dong

Cultural values are believed to influence perceptions of and solutions to elder mistreatment (EM) perpetrated by family members. This study aimed to understand the influence of family cohesion on EM reported by community-dwelling older Chinese Americans. A mixed-method approach consisting of a quantitative survey built on focus group interviews was utilized. Focus group interviews were conducted to ensure subsequent survey questions about EM were culturally and linguistically appropriate. The revised survey questionnaires were then administered to 266 Chinese American older adults to assess estimated EM prevalence and the effects of family cohesion. Survey findings indicate that 1 in 10 reported at least one occurrence of EM in the past year. Depressed Chinese older adults (OR= 1.14) and those reporting low levels of family cohesion (OR = .82) were more likely to experience EM. Multigenerational family interventions can be designed to reduce older adults’ depression levels and promote family cohesion.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 750-751
Author(s):  
Yaolin Pei ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Bei Wu

Abstract The study aimed to examine how immigrant status and family relationships are associated with advanced care planning (ACP) engagement and end-of-life (EOL) preference over burial plan among older Chinese Americans, the largest subgroup of Asian Americans. Logistic regressions were used to analyze data from a survey of 430 older Chinese Americans aged 55 and older living in a Honolulu, Hawai’i. Results show that U.S.-born Chinese Americans were more likely to engage in ACP, including willingness thought of EOL care, and discussion about EOL care, and having preference over burial plan, than the foreign-born Chinese American. Family cohesion was not associated with ACP engagement and EOL preference over burial plan. Family conflict increased the possibility of ACP engagement, indicated by willingness thought of ACP, willingness discussion on ACP, and EOL preference over burial plan. The culturally sensitive educational intervention is needed to increase ACP engagement among older Chinese Americans.


2021 ◽  
pp. 016402752110187
Author(s):  
Weiyu Mao ◽  
Bei Wu ◽  
Iris Chi ◽  
Wei Yang ◽  
XinQi Dong

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between acculturation and subsequent oral health problems in older Chinese Americans and to further test the moderating role of neighborhood disorder in such a relationship. Methods: The working sample included 2,706 foreign-born community-dwelling older Chinese Americans aged 60 years or older who participated in the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago at baseline between 2011 and 2013 and the 2-year follow-up between 2013 and 2015. Stepwise Poisson regressions with lagged dependent variable were conducted. Results: Behavioral acculturation was protective against subsequent oral health problems, and the protective role was stronger among individuals reporting lower levels of neighborhood disorder. Residence in Chinatown was associated with an increase in the risk of subsequent oral health problems. Discussion: To reduce oral health symptoms and related burdens, it is important to consider, in practice and policy, the role of acculturation and the neighborhood on subsequent oral health outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 389-389
Author(s):  
Jieyang Zheng ◽  
Dexia Kong ◽  
Mengting Li ◽  
XinQi Dong

Abstract Resilience is defined as a personal quality that enables growth in knowledge, understanding and self-actualization in the face of adversity and life disruptions. Low levels of resilience can dispose older adults to higher risks for negative health outcomes in the aftermath of traumatic events. However, we have limited knowledge of resilience among minority aging populations. This study aims to examine the presence and levels of resilience and its sociodemographic correlates among U.S. Chinese older adults. Data were drawn from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly, an epidemiology study of U.S. Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area. Guided by a community-based participatory research approach, a total of 3,036 Chinese older adults aged 60 and above participated in face-to-face interviews from 2015 to 2017. Spearman’s rank-order coefficient was utilized to test correlation. A 10-item validated Chinese version of the Connor-Davidson resilience scale was used to assess resilience. In our sample, 59.7% were female, and the average age was 75. The mean resilience score was 26.9, ranging from 1 to 40. U.S. Chinese older adults who were younger, male, married, had higher education and income, fewer children, better health status and quality of life, and improved health and have lived fewer years in the U.S. reported higher levels of resilience. Future longitudinal research is needed to investigate the protective effects of resilience among older Chinese Americans against mental and physical distress.


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