Social Capital and Health Among Older Chinese Immigrants: a Cross-Sectional Analysis of a Sample in a Canadian Prairie City

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between social capital and health among Chinese immigrants. The sample included 101 older Chinese immigrants aged 60 to 96 who were recruited in 2013 in a city on the Canadian prairies. Participant completed a questionnaire assessing their structural and cognitive social capital (views on community, trust and reciprocity, civic participation, social networks and support, and social participation), physical and mental health status (SF-36), and sociodemographic characteristics. Findings indicate that Chinese seniors overall obtained low levels of social capital on all social capital dimensions. Social networks and support (a structural social capital indicator) was significantly positively associated with mental health (β = .31, p < .01), particularly among older Chinese immigrants and among Chinese women (both β = .51, p < .01). Civic participation was also associated with mental health, albeit negatively, among female participants (β = .35, p < .05). These findings suggest that ensuring structural social capital is potentially more promising than ensuring cognitive social capital in terms of providing physical and mental health benefits to older adults from Chinese background.

Understanding the neighbourhood environment and the health and wellbeing of older Chinese immigrants: a systematic literature review

“…The neighbourhood social environment has been conceptualised as the interaction of local residents. Social networks (Tieu and Konnert, 2014; Park et al , 2015) and neighbourhood engagement (Luo and Menec, 2018) are two dominant themes in the social environment body of literature. Although migration enables older immigrants to reunite with their children, they also face the loss of connection with their friends and neighbours in their home countries (Ryan et al , 2009).…”

“…Seventeen of the reviewed studies have critically analysed social networks, and found the existence of severe social pressures ( e.g. small social network, restricted social participation, social isolation and loneliness) among this group (Ip et al , 2007; Wu et al , 2011; Kim et al , 2015; Luo, 2016; Dong and Chang, 2017; Luo and Menec, 2018).…”

“…Social networks refer to the web of interpersonal relationships with family, friends and neighbours. Previous research argued that older Chinese immigrants had small and family-oriented social networks (Dong and Chang, 2017; Luo and Menec, 2018). Heavy domestic responsibilities, limited English proficiency and restricted mobility in a foreign country are factors that influence older Chinese immigrants in building social networks, which then influence the sense of wellbeing and social inclusion experienced by this group (Ip et al , 2007; Diwan, 2008; Da and Garcia, 2015; Luo, 2016).…”

“…As a result, older Chinese immigrants are more likely to want to live independently, since they are reluctant to live in someone else's home (Wong et al , 2007; Da and Garcia, 2015). This lack of satisfying intergenerational relationships is the main factor influencing the wellbeing of older immigrants (Dong et al ., 2012 b ; Luo and Menec, 2018).…”

“…Tan et al (2010) found that in Chinese cultural norms, participation in social activities and community work is regarded as ‘ageing’ successfully. However, a previous study found that the rate of civic and social participation by older Chinese immigrants was low, and higher participation in inappropriate civic activities may even result in stress and anxiety (Luo and Menec, 2018). This demonstrates the need to understand the social environments of older Chinese immigrants specifically because these environments contribute to their health and wellbeing (Tan et al , 2010; Van Cauwenberg et al , 2014; Tiraphat et al , 2017; Luo and Menec, 2018).…”