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The purpose of this study was to elucidate Cambodian refugees’ perceptions of immigration-related stressors and their impacts on intergenerational relations during the processes of immigration and settlement. We used narrative analysis to evoke older immigrants’ voices as they transitioned to the United States. Thirty-one Cambodian immigrants were interviewed using open-ended interview guides informed by ethnographic tenets of data collection. Participants expressed (a) changes in family structure and elder isolation and (b) intergenerational ambivalence and elder’s dependence on adult children as products of immigration-related stressors. Implications of these results for refugee and immigrant mental health research are discussed.

Previous studies have shown that ethnic minority caregivers have lower socioeconomic status, are more likely to receive informal social support, and often report worse health than their White counterparts (Pinquart & Sörensen, 2005). Although the positive effects of social support on caregiver emotional and psychological well-being have been well documented, the contextual mechanisms invoked to explain these effects remain contentious among minorities. Using a sample of 420 Black Family Caregivers (BFC) from the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC - Round 5) and guided by capital theory, the present study investigated the moderating effects of relationship status (RS) on the association of social support (SS) on positive affect (PA). Hierarchical regression analysis results revealed that both SS and RS were significant predictors of positive affect and the interaction term between SS and RS accounted for a significant portion of the variance in PA; indicating that RS moderated the association between SS and PA. Results also showed that the interaction effect was only significant among unmarried individuals. Among this group, high social support was associated with greater positive affect. Implications of the findings for minority caregivers will be addressed.

The goal of this study was to investigate predictive effects of baseline positive spousal support and previous depressive symptoms on depressive symptoms 8 years later in a sample of aging Hispanic individuals. Our analyses were based data from a sample of 264 Hispanic Americans drawn from the 8th and 12th waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Results indicate that previous depressive symptoms and positive spousal support were both significant predictors for the entire sample. The same was true for the men only sample while age and previous depressive symptoms were the significant predictors among women. Our findings underline the need address persistent depression among the aging Hispanics. They also highlight the need to empower spouses as a resource for addressing mental health among this group, especially for men. Among the women, our work calls attention to potential age-related factors that lead to increased depressive symptoms.

Although previous studies have extensively investigated the cross-sectional relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms in late life, longitudinal studies have produced mixed results. Furthermore, studies on the associations between these two concepts among aging African Americans are few. Using a sample of 1688 older African Americans adults from waves 1 and 7 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (60% women; Average age = 77 years), the present study investigates the longitudinal associations between social engagement (an index from scores on visiting friends and family, attending religious services, attending religious services, participating in group activities, and going out for enjoyment) and depressive symptoms across seven years. Structural equation modeling was used to test cross-lagged relationships between the variables. Findings suggest that social engagement at baseline significantly predicted subsequent depressive symptoms and social engagement. Depressive symptoms at baseline, however, were not significantly associated with subsequent social engagement. These findings suggest that low social engagement in older African Americans is directly associated with increased depressive symptoms over time, but not vice versa. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the barriers of social engagement for older African Americans and its effects on their mental health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 79% suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in 2016 (WHO, 2018) putting a spotlight on the topic of suicide in these countries. While the rates are highest among individuals ages 15 to 29 years, suicide affects individuals, families, and communities throughout the lifespan. The topic of suicide among older adults, especially those living in LMICs, has unfortunately received limited attention. Using a sample of 228 women with depression from the first wave of the WHO’s Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE, Ghana), the present study sought to identify predictors of suicide ideation among aging African women. Binominal logistic regression results revealed that wealth (negatively) and health (negatively) were associated with suicide ideation in the sample; indicating that the women who were poor and unhealthy were more likely to have suicidal thoughts. Implications of the findings for aging Ghanaian women will be addressed.

As a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, unemployment and other sociocultural issues, grandmothers serve as primary caregivers for a significant number of Black South African children. Previous research has documented that Black South African grandmothers experience significant physical, financial, emotional, and social adversity. However, less attention has been given to grandmothers’ social support structures and the mechanisms by which these structures may help grandmothers cope with adversity. Guided by the social capital framework, the purpose of the present study was to explore the components of social capital (i.e., bridging, bonding, and linking) among 95 Black South African grandmothers raising grandchildren. Grandmothers participated in structured qualitative interviews during a weekly visit at a local luncheon (social) club. Results of a thematic analysis revealed that most grandmothers utilized all three types of social capital in order to promote individual and family well-being and survival. Bonding (e.g., close kinship ties) and bridging (e.g., network of neighbors and friends) capital were the most significant and common sources of immediate support. Specifically, family members provided emotional and instrumental support while neighbors and friends mainly provided instrumental support. Consistent with a social capital framework, some grandmothers described social ties as sources of stress that can affect health and function in the role. Grandmothers conceptualized linking capital (e.g., grants, organizational connections) as key resources that helped them access information, advice, and guidance. Participants were active agents in accessing and utilizing all three types of social capital. Implications of the findings for policy and practice will be addressed.

This study examines how rates of mental health service utilization are impacted by both social capital (friend support, family support, and neighborhood cohesion) and immigration factors (English proficiency and length of residence in the United States (U.S.). Immigrants to the U.S. often face unique challenges (such as discrimination, language barrier, housing and transportation problems, sparse community and individual resources, and limited access to health services), which place them at risk for deficits in health. Studies have shown that social capital and immigration factors independently have significant impacts on immigrants’ health outcomes. We analyzed the mental health service use data on individuals aged 55 and older from the National Latino and Asian American Study. We found three primary themes associated with mental health service use: A significant variation in service utilization within and between the sample depending on their English proficiency and length of residence; All indicators of social capital impact the rates of service utilization but the patterns of associations vary; and that family support had both independent and direct effects on the rates of service use even after accounting for socioeconomic status (SES). This study highlights the significance of social capital, immigration factors and SES as determinants of general heath and, more specifically, mental health among aging immigrants. Findings from this study not only add to the aging health and minority literature but they also point to the need for effective and culturally-appropriate mental health interventions.