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Late Life Immigration and Quality of Life among Asian Indian Older Adults

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Abstract

Late-life immigration among seniors for purposes of family reunification is a growing phenomenon in developed countries. Using the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life instrument short form (WHOQOL-BREF) and other psychosocial measures related to the political/legal context of immigration, and personal and environmental autonomy (mastery, immigration status, access to transportation, and language barrier), this study examined quality of life (QoL) in Asian Indian seniors (N = 109), who immigrated to the United States to reunite with their adult children. The sample scores on Overall QoL and QoL domains (physical and psychological health, social relationships, and environment) were similar to established norms. Although all QoL domains correlated significantly with Overall QoL at the bivariate level, multivariate analysis showed that only environmental domain contributed significantly to Overall QoL. Linear regressions indicated: Mastery contributed significantly to Overall QoL and all QoL domains; access to transport contributed to Overall QoL, physical health, and environmental QoL; immigration status (a proxy for political/legal context) contributed to environmental QoL whereas language barrier contributed to none. Implications for improving perceptions of QoL, mastery, access to transport and other services are discussed.

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  1. 1090 Claridad Loop, Milpitas, CA, 95035, USA

    Anita J. Mukherjee

  2. Center for Healthy Aging in Multicultural Populations, San Jose State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA, 95192-0124, USA

    Anita J. Mukherjee & Sadhna Diwan

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  1. Anita J. Mukherjee
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Mukherjee, A.J., Diwan, S. Late Life Immigration and Quality of Life among Asian Indian Older Adults. J Cross Cult Gerontol 31, 237–253 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-016-9294-0

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