Presentation
Aging out of place: Factors Related to Quality of Life among Older Refugees in the US
CASCon 2021, College of Arts & Sciences, Sacred Heart University
(2021)
Abstract
Refugees flee their home countries, migrating to countries such as the US for safety. The psychological distress they experience may compromise their adaptation and well-being. However, little is known about quality of life among aging refugees who migrate to the US as adults, and in particular whether quality of life varies by sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, country of origin, and length of residence. Moreover, limited research exists on the association between social connectedness and quality of life among aging refugees. The current study explores sociodemographic and social connection factors associated with quality of life among aging refugees (aged 50+). Refugees from Bhutan, Burundi, and Somalia were recruited from to complete an in-depth survey assessing social factors and well-being. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that females, older individuals, and African refugees reported lower quality of life. There was no significant association between length of residence and quality of life. When controlling for sociodemographic factors, social integration was positively, and loneliness was negatively associated with quality of life. There was also a significant interaction between loneliness and sex in predicting quality of life, indicating that greater loneliness was associated with reduced quality of life for women but not men. Study findings will be discussed in light of cultural variations within refugee groups and with the goal of highlighting ways to best support aging refugees’ well-being in the host communities.
Keywords
- Refugees,
- Quality of life
Disciplines
Publication Date
September 29, 2021
Location
Martire
Citation Information
Jonix Owino. "Aging out of place: Factors Related to Quality of Life among Older Refugees in the US" CASCon 2021, College of Arts & Sciences, Sacred Heart University (2021) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jonix-owino/8/