Abstract
This study examined the healthy immigrant effect in a random sample of 216 aging South Asian immigrants in Calgary. The sample was grouped as recent immigrants residing in Canada for 0 to 9 years and longer-term immigrants residing in Canada for 10 years or more. Separate analyses were conducted with males and females and the two age groups (55 to 64 and 65 or older), using SF-36, GDS-SF, difficulties in ADL and IADL, and number of chronic illnesses as the health measurements. The healthy immigrant effect was only observed in older women 65 years and older, with the longer-term immigrants reporting more difficulties in ADL and more chronic illnesses than the recent immigrants. For immigrant men of 65 years and older, the recent immigrants reported poorer mental health, more depressive symptoms, more difficulties in IADL, and more chronic illnesses. Similarly, among women of 55 to 64 years old, the recent immigrants reported poorer mental health, more depressive symptoms, more difficulties in IADL, and more chronic illness. These findings have demonstrated the intra-group variations in healthy immigrant effect on the aging immigrants. Challenges and barriers faced by recent immigrants are the reasons for the disadvantaged health status of recent immigrants.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 24 Oct 2009 |
Event | 38th Annual Scientific and Educational Meetings of the Canadian Association on Gerontology - The Fairmont Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Canada Duration: 22 Oct 2009 → 24 Oct 2009 https://cagacg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CAG_2009_Conference_Program_English.pdf (Conference program) |
Conference
Conference | 38th Annual Scientific and Educational Meetings of the Canadian Association on Gerontology |
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Country/Territory | Canada |
City | Winnipeg |
Period | 22/10/09 → 24/10/09 |
Internet address |
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