Older Asian immigrants’ participation as cultural enfranchisement

Abstract

Research evidence suggests that older immigrants' resettlement in a new host country is hindered by limited opportunities to engage within communities in deeply familiar ways, using culturally meaningful occupations. A recent study concluded that older Asian immigrants contribute to social capital; yet there is little understanding of how they go about doing so. This New Zealand study examined how older Chinese, Indian, and Korean immigrants' participation contributes to civic society. Research partnerships were established with bilingual local intermediaries, who assisted the study's design and implementation. Bilingual research assistants and translators were contracted to assist with recruitment, data gathering, and transcript translation. Recruitment was conducted through venues where older immigrant ethnic groups frequented. The 74 participants were Chinese (24), Indian (25), and Korean (25) immigrants, aged 60 to 83 years, who were aged 55 or older on arrival, and had resided in New Zealand between 1 and 19 years. Nine focus group interviews, three with each ethnic group, were conducted and analysed. Subsequently, 15 participants, five from each ethnic group, were theoretically sampled for individual interview. Three culture-specific provisional theories were developed. Similarities in the theoretical dimensions justified the analytic development of one crosscultural theory. The resulting theory showed how their engagement with, and participation in, socially embedded older immigrant networks become a form of cultural enfranchisement and a pathway towards wider civic participation. While still largely hidden from societal view, these older immigrants found ways of giving service and strengthening community for the good of all.

Challenges and adjustments in maintaining health and well‐being of older Asian immigrants in New Zealand: An integrative review

“…Most of the studies utilised qualitative methodologies (n = 18). Three studies used descriptive approaches, four used a narrative approach, two utilised phenomenology, one study drew on Simmel's approach of incidental events, and two studies developed a grounded/substantive theory . The other eight qualitative studies did not specify which exact qualitative methodology was used .…”

“…The single mixed‐methods study utilised a community‐based survey, and there were no intervention studies. Older Asian immigrants were the sole focus of 13 studies, and older Chinese immigrants were the most frequently studied (see Table ). Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, was the main region in which studies took place (see Table ).…”

“…Although some older Asian immigrants actively participated in co‐ethnic community activities in New Zealand, others lived alone and were socially isolated . Qualitative interviews indicated that those older immigrants who were isolated were at risk of developing loneliness and/or emotional distress and found seeking support difficult .…”

“…Some older Chinese, Indian and Korean immigrants consciously went about promoting their health self‐care and that of others through the process of “strengthening community” . By actively participating in their communities, they were able to maintain a connection to their culture, as well as sharing their culture with others .…”

“…Some older Chinese, Indian and Korean immigrants consciously went about promoting their health self‐care and that of others through the process of “strengthening community” . By actively participating in their communities, they were able to maintain a connection to their culture, as well as sharing their culture with others . Although a lot of the older immigrants to New Zealand (Chinese, Indian and Korean) established themselves within their own co‐ethnic communities initially, they went on to express a desire to learn more about New Zealand and embrace its multiculturalism .…”