Resources Predicting Positive and Negative Affect During the Experience of Stress: A Study of Older Asian Indian Immigrants in the United States

Abstract

Purpose: Using the life stress model of psychological well-being, in this study we examined risks and resources predicting the occurrence of both positive and negative affect among older Asian Indian immigrants who experienced stressful life events. Design and Methods: We collected data through a telephone survey of 226 respondents (aged 50 years and older) in the Southeastern United States. We used hierarchical, negative binomial regression analyses to examine correlates of positive and negative affect. Results: Different coping resources influenced positive and negative affect when stressful life events were controlled for. Being female was a common risk factor for poorer positive and increased negative affect. Satisfaction with friendships and a cultural or ethnic identity that is either bicultural or more American were predictive of greater positive affect. Greater religiosity and increased mastery were resources predicting less negative affect. Implications: Cognitive and structural interventions that increase opportunities for social integration, increasing mastery, and addressing spiritual concerns are discussed as ways of coping with stress to improve the well-being of individuals in this immigrant community.

Health Perception and Health Behaviors of Elder Tibetans Living in India and Switzerland

“…Similar to studies that reveal the positive effect of social networks on individual health and well-being (Ajrouch 2007;Childs et al 2011;Diwan et al 2004), these Tibetan elders reported positive emotional benefits associated with having a spouse, children, parents, and/ or other relatives nearby. Those with a spouse had someone with whom they could share their old age.…”

“…The positive effect of social support on older immigrants' well-being has been widely reported (Ajrouch 2007;Diwan et al 2004;Yeung and Fung 2007). Soonthornchaiya and Dancy (2006) found that adherence to Buddhism and to Buddhist teachings of acceptance of change helped older Thai immigrants cope with depression.…”

Cultural implications of filial obligation and the Asian Indian American family caregiver

“…Language proficiency has often been denoted as one indication of acculturation and Ravi's mother's limited medical literacy and inability to drive prevented her from being the sole caregiver for his dad with a serious medical condition. 7 Often when only one member of a family speaks English, health care providers tend to focus their communication with that individual and can ignore the needs of other family members. Especially in care for chronically and terminally ill patients, efforts should be made to utilize interpreter services and/or cultural brokers so as to fully evaluate for any distress non-English-speaking family members may have.…”

Acculturative Stress and Depressive Symptoms Among Korean Immigrant Elders Residing in Non-Korean Ethnic Enclaves

“…In the process of acculturation, immigrants are constantly exposed to and challenged by acute and chronic stressors, which may negatively affect their psychological wellbeing. Prior studies have found that acculturative stressors are negatively associated with mental health among immigrants: Stressful life events (Diwan, Jonnalagadda, & Balaswamy, 2004;Shin et al, 2007), limited English proficiency (Chung, 2005;Diwan, 2008;Kuo & Tsai, 1986;Mui et al, 2007;Takeuchi et al, 2007), and chronic life strains including intergenerational conflicts and/or role changes in families (Mui, 1996;1998;Noh & Avison, 1996) and ambient strains such as poverty, lower socioeconomic status (Hovey, 2000;Mui & Shibusawa, 2008), and social discrimination (Noh & Kaspar, 2003). However, stressors do not give rise to stress unless they are appraised as stressful (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984).…”

“…Studies have yielded evidence that the level of acculturation and religiosity as well as self-esteem and mastery have had positive coping effects on psychological distress among Asian immigrant elders (Diwan, 2008;Diwan et al, 2004;Noh & Avison, 1996;Oh, Koeske, & Sales, 2002;Shin et al, 2007). A number of studies on Asian immigrant elders have shown that social support as a personal coping resource has been effective in alleviating acculturative stress and promoting better psychological wellbeing (Diwan et al, 2004;Han et al, 2007;Mui, 1996Mui, , 2000Mui & Kang, 2006;Noh & Avison, 1996;Shin et al, 2007).…”