The Influence of Social Networks and Supports on Depression Symptoms: Differential Pathways for Older Korean Immigrants and Non-Hispanic White Americans

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haesang Jeon ◽  
James Lubben
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
The United States ◽  
Korean Immigrants ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Older Korean Immigrants ◽  
Hispanic White

Objectives: The current cross-cultural study examines the pathways underlying different formations of social networks and social support systems, which affect depression symptoms among older Korean immigrants and non-Hispanic Whites in the United States.Method: Data for this study came from a panel survey of 223 older Korean American immigrants and 201 non-Hispanic White older adults 65 years of age and older living in Los Angeles. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to test the proposed conceptual model designed to explain the direct and indirect relationships between social networks and social support on depression symptoms.Results: Empirical evidence from this study indicated different effect of one’s social networks and social support on depression by race/ethnicity.Discussion: The work discussed in this article pointed to the need to recognize the role of culture in assessing the relationships between social networks, social support, and health among older adults.

scholarly journals Mediating role of resilience between successful aging and acculturation among older Korean immigrants In the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 117-133
Author(s):  
Jaewon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Acculturative Stress ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
The United States ◽  
Korean Immigrants ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Weak Correlation ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Older Korean Immigrants

Background: This study was to investigate how acculturative stress affects older Korean immigrants' successful aging and whether resilience can play a mediator's role to the sample population's successful aging or not. The research design was a cross-sectional survey using three valid and reliable scales such as Successful Aging Scale, Acculturative Stress Scale, and Resilience Scale. A research shows that there is no or minimum correlation between acculturative stress and successful aging (Choi & Thomas, 2009). However, it was hypothesized that although there was a weak correlation between acculturative stress and successful aging, once the resilience involved as a mediator, the correlation would be stronger. Methods: The study was designed as a self-administered survey research using the scales mentioned above. One hundred and two (N=102) older Koreans who currently enrolled in Adult Health Care Centers in Los Angeles, CA, participated in this study. Multiple Regression, Correlation, ANOVA, and t-test was administered to analyze the collected data. Results: The results indicated that there was a positive but weak correlation between acculturative stress and the sample population's successful aging rate (r = .252, p<.05). Interestingly, when resilience intervened as a mediator, the correlation between acculturation and successful aging was increased to (r = .622, p<.05). Therefore, the study discovered that the resilience was able to play a mediator's role between acculturative stress and successful aging among the older Korean immigrants. Implications: The findings can be directed to social work researchers and practitioners to help educate the ethnic older adults in the community on the social and behavioral importance of the positive aspects of aging such as successful aging and healthy aging to increase the chance of community member's longevity. Future research will include other ethnic and immigrant older populations in the community to show internal and external validity of the study related to successful aging, acculturative stress, and resilience.

Songs of their lives: A narrative study of three older Korean immigrants in Los Angeles

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-175
Author(s):  
Eun Cho
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
The United States ◽  
Korean Immigrants ◽  
Emotional Communication ◽  
Narrative Study ◽  
Older Immigrants ◽  
The Past ◽  
Older Korean Immigrants ◽  
Temporal Moments

Conceptualized as a narrative inquiry, this study explored how music permeates the lives of older Korean immigrants in the United States. By closely examining three individuals’ lived experiences through the narratives they told, the study aimed to illuminate the complexity, depth, and uniqueness of meanings embedded in the musical lives of older immigrants. Narrative data revealed that while all interviewees had lived in the same time periods and went through many similar life events, each individual used different “colors and shapes” to “paint” their musical lives. Yet, some common themes also appeared from the narrative data: songs in the lives of the older immigrants portrayed their personhood, including who they are, where they come from, and what they like/dislike. Also, as a means of emotional communication, songs were intrinsically related to temporal moments at particular circumstances in the past, often paired with affective reactions. Finally, songs helped make sense of the socio-historical contexts in which the older immigrants have lived.

scholarly journals Multidimensional Sleep Health and Physical Functioning in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 428-428
Author(s):  
Caitlan Tighe ◽  
Ryan Brindle ◽  
Sarah Stahl ◽  
Meredith Wallace ◽  
Adam Bramoweth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
The United States ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Health ◽  
Lower Extremity Strength ◽  
Sleep Parameters

Abstract Prior studies link specific sleep parameters to physical functioning in older adults. Recent work suggests the utility of examining sleep health from a multidimensional perspective, enabling consideration of an individual’s experience across multiple different sleep parameters (e.g., quality, duration, timing). We examined the associations of multidimensional sleep health with objective, performance-based measures of physical functioning in older adults. We conducted a secondary analysis of 158 adults (Mage=71.8 years; 51.9% female) who participated in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) 2 and MIDUS Refresher studies. We used data from daily diaries, wrist actigraphy, and self-report measures to derive a composite multidimensional sleep health score ranging from 0-6, with higher scores indicating better sleep health. Physical function was assessed using gait speed during a 50-foot timed walk, lower extremity strength as measured by a chair stand test, and grip strength assessed with dynamometers. We used hierarchical regression to examine the associations between sleep health and gait speed, lower extremity strength, and grip strength. Age, sex, race, education, depression symptoms, medical comorbidity, and body mass index were covariates in each model. In adjusted analyses, better multidimensional sleep health was significantly associated with faster gait speed (B=.03, p=.01). Multidimensional sleep health was not significantly associated with lower limb strength (B=-.12, p=.89) or grip strength (B=.45, p=.40). Gait speed is a key indicator of functional capacity as well as morbidity and mortality in older adults. Multidimensional sleep health may be a therapeutic target for improving physical functioning and health in older adults.

scholarly journals Social networks and alcohol consumption among first generation Chinese and Korean immigrants in the Los Angeles metropolitan area

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-255
Author(s):  
C. Richard Hofstetter ◽  
John D. Clapp ◽  
Jon-Patrick Allem ◽  
Suzanne C. Hughes ◽  
Yawen Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Korean Immigrants ◽  
Dual Frame ◽  
Sampling Frame ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Chinese Origin

Hofstetter, C., Clapp, J., Allem, J., Hughes, S., Li, Y., Irvin, V., Daly, A., Kang, S., & Hovell, M. (2014). Social networks and alcohol consumption among first generation Chinese and Korean immigrants in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 3(4), 245-255. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v3i4.188Aims: To test hypotheses involving mechanisms of reinforcement of alcohol behaviors operating in social networks.Design: Telephone interviews conducted by professional interviewers in Mandarin or Korean or English with first generation Chinese (from Mainland or Taiwan) and Korean immigrants residing using a dual frame stratified sampling design. Combined probability and non-probability approaches for sampling due to the widespread use of cell phones. Interviews were conducted in language of preferences with over 95% of interviews in Korean or Mandarin.Setting: Residents of three counties with the largest proportions of eligible residents (Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino) were included.Participants: Adult residents (21 and over) stratified by gender who could be reached by telephone constituted the sample.Measures: Measures included frequency/amount alcohol consumption drawn from NIAAA standard, a “relax, socialize, have fun with” name generator was used to identify alters. Reinforcers within networks were measured by participant reports of amount of alter drinking, drunkenness, and encouragement to drink, acculturation, and demographic variables were measured by self report.Findings: Using a random effects approach and controlling for other variables, including drinking in the network, acculturation, Korean/Chinese origin, and demographics, source of immigration, network context, as was and sampling frame, encouragement to drink in the network was related to drinking (P<.05).Conclusions: Studies of social networks in relation to health behaviors should include measures of actions within networks, especially reinforcers of behaviors, in order to understand the functioning and consequences of networks.

scholarly journals Social network members who engage in activities with older adults: do they bring more social benefits than other members?

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 1050-1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
SATO ASHIDA ◽  
DANIEL K. SEWELL ◽  
ELLEN J. SCHAFER ◽  
AUDREY SCHROER ◽  
JULIA FRIBERG
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Influence ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Generalised Linear Mixed Model

ABSTRACTActive participation in social activities is important for the wellbeing of older adults. This study explored benefits of active social engagement by evaluating whether relationships that comprise active involvement (e.g. co-engagement in activities) bring more social benefits (i.e. social support, companionship, positive social influence) than other relationships that do not involve co-engagement. A total of 133 adults ages 60 years and older living in a rural Midwestern city in the United States of America were interviewed once and provided information on 1,740 social network members. Among 1,506 social relationships in which interactions occurred at least once a month, 52 per cent involved engagement in social activities together and 35 per cent involved eating together regularly. Results of the generalised linear mixed model showed that relationships involving co-engagement were significantly more likely to also convey social support (i.e. emotional, instrumental, informational), companionship and social influence (encouragement for healthy behaviours) than relationships that do not involve co-engagement. Having more network members who provide companionship was associated with higher sense of environmental mastery, positive relations with others and satisfaction with social network. Interventions may focus on maintaining and developing such social relationships and ensuring the presence of social settings in which co-engagement can occur. Future research may explore whether increasing co-engagement leads to an enhanced sense of companionship and psychological wellbeing.

scholarly journals Loneliness in the United States: A 2018 National Panel Survey of Demographic, Structural, Cognitive, and Behavioral Characteristics

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1123-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana DesHarnais Bruce ◽  
Joshua S. Wu ◽  
Stuart L. Lustig ◽  
Daniel W. Russell ◽  
Douglas A. Nemecek
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Behavior Intervention

Purpose: To inform health behavior intervention design, we sought to quantify loneliness and its correlates, including social media use, among adults in the United States. Design: Cross-sectional research panel questionnaire. Setting: Responses were gathered from individuals in all 50 states surveyed via Internet from February 2018 to March 2018. Participants: A total of 20 096 US panel respondents aged 18+. Measures: The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale (theoretical score range = 20-80) was administered along with demographic, structural, cognitive, and behavioral items. Analysis: After calibrating the sample to population norms, we conducted multivariable linear regression analysis. Results: The overall mean survey-weighted loneliness score was 44.03 (standard error = 0.09). Social support (standardized β [sβ] = −0.19) and meaningful daily interactions (sβ = −0.14) had the strongest associations with lower loneliness, along with reporting good relationships, family life, physical and mental health, friendships, greater age, being in a couple, and balancing one’s daily time. Social anxiety was most strongly associated with greater loneliness (sβ = +0.20), followed by self-reported social media overuse (sβ = +0.05) and daily use of text-based social media (sβ = +0.03). Conclusion: Our findings confirm that loneliness decreases with age, and that being in a relationship as well as everyday behavioral factors in people’s control are most strongly related to loneliness. Population health promotion efforts to reduce loneliness should focus on improving social support, decreasing social anxiety, and promoting healthy daily behaviors.

scholarly journals INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL SUPPORT AND COGNITION AS MEDIATED BY HEALTH AND POSITIVE AFFECT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S648-S648
Author(s):  
Francesca Falzarano ◽  
Karen L Siedlecki ◽  
Timothy Salthouse
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Decreased social networks are common in old age after major life events such as retirement, loss of loved ones, and declining health (Shankar et al., 2013). Diminished social ties are associated with increased feelings of loneliness and perceived isolation, which can have negative effects on cognition and physical health. The current study examines the relationship between social support (assessed via the Social Network Questionnaire) and overall cognitive performance (assessed as a latent construct comprising indicators that represent mean verbal episodic memory, processing speed, reasoning, and spatial visualization), and investigates positive affect and self-rated health as mediators of this relationship. The current study included 5,125 participants between the ages of 18-99 years from the Virginia Cognitive Aging Project (VCAP). Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling. After controlling for age and education, results showed that a social support construct (comprising indicators representing each social network subscale) significantly and positively predicted cognitive performance (.59, p&lt; .001). This relationship was reduced to .22 (p &lt;.001) when positive affect was included as a mediator, and to .14 (p&lt; .001) when self-rated health was included as a mediator. When the variables were included in a joint mediation model the relationship between social support and cognition was .20 (p &lt; .001). Thus, health and positive affect are partial mediators of the relationship between social support and cognition and may help explain the relationship between social support and cognition. Furthermore, these findings provide additional evidence that social networks may play an important role in successful aging.

scholarly journals Depression Fully Mediates the Effect of Multimorbidity on Self-Rated Health for Economically Disadvantaged African American Men but Not Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari ◽  
James Smith ◽  
Mohsen Bazargan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Economically Disadvantaged ◽  
African American Men ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Self Rated Health

Background. Although chronic medical conditions (CMCs), depression, and self-rated health (SRH) are associated, their associations may depend on race, ethnicity, gender, and their intersections. In predominantly White samples, SRH is shown to better reflect the risk of mortality and multimorbidity for men than it is for women, which suggests that poor SRH among women may be caused not only by CMCs, but also by conditions like depression and social relations—a phenomenon known as “the sponge hypothesis.” However, little is known about gender differences in the links between multimorbidity, depression, and SRH among African Americans (AAs). Objective. To study whether depression differently mediates the association between multimorbidity and SRH for economically disadvantaged AA men and women. Methods. This survey was conducted in South Los Angeles between 2015 to 2018. A total number of 740 AA older adults (age ≥ 55 years) were enrolled in this study, of which 266 were AA men and 474 were AA women. The independent variable was the number of CMCs. The dependent variable was SRH. Age and socioeconomic status (educational attainment and marital status) were covariates. Depression was the mediator. Gender was the moderator. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data. Results. In the pooled sample that included both genders, depression partially mediated the effect of multimorbidity on SRH. In gender specific models, depression fully mediated the effects of multimorbidity on SRH for AA men but not AA women. For AA women but not AA men, social isolation was associated with depression. Conclusion. Gender differences exist in the role of depression as an underlying mechanism behind the effect of multimorbidity on the SRH of economically disadvantaged AA older adults. For AA men, depression may be the reason people with multimorbidity report worse SRH. For AA women, depression is only one of the many reasons individuals with multiple CMCs report poor SRH. Prevention of depression may differently influence the SRH of low-income AA men and women with multimorbidity.

scholarly journals A CROSS-NATIONAL COMPARISON OF THE SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORKS OF OLDER MEN AND WOMEN WHO LACK TRADITIONAL FAMILY TIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S564-S564
Author(s):  
Christine Mair ◽  
Kasey Knopp
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Family Ties ◽  
Traditional Family ◽  
The Social ◽  
Older Men And Women ◽  
Cross National

Abstract Existing literature on “aging alone” focuses on potential lack of support to “kinless” older adults who do not have traditional family ties (e.g., child, spouse; Margolis & Verdery, 2018), as well as the ways in which childless or unpartnered older adults may construct non-kin networks of support (e.g., friendship; Djundeva et al., 2018; Mair, 2019). In addition, older men’s and women’s social networks vary, with women reporting more network growth than men and potentially lower family involvement (Schwartz & Litwin, 2018). Finally, patterns of support (e.g., family care, friend interactions) differ by country context. However, it is unknown if and how the social networks of older adults who lack traditional family ties may differ by gender, as well as what forms of cross-national variation exist in these patterns. Using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE, N=17 nations, N=53,247 adults aged 50+), we take advantage of a unique social support network module in this cross-national dataset to compare closeness, proximity, quality, and type of ties by gender among older childless and unpartnered men and women by country. Among those without traditional family ties, we find that older women may be advantaged in terms of social support compared to older men, but that this advantage varies by nation. We discuss the details and implications of these results regarding potential policy implications about the differential risks faced by older men and women who lack traditional family ties in various country contexts.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document