Resources and well-being among Arab-American elders.
Author: Ajrouch KJ.
Source:
Journal of cross-cultural gerontology, 22(2), 167-182.
This study addresses diversity of aging experiences by examining the associations
among immigrant status, religious affiliation, and resources in the form of both
human and social capital with the well-being of Arab-American elders. Data were
drawn from a face-to-face survey of 101 Arab-American men and women aged 56 and
over living in the metropolitan Detroit areCorrelations demonstrate that
religious affiliation is not associated with well-being. Multiple regression
analyses reveal that U.S. born Arab Americans reported less frequent feelings of
depression and greater life satisfaction than did immigrants, but this variation
appears to be accounted for by human capital indicators including education level
and language. Social capital including perceptions of the ability to confide in
child and relationship quality with spouse is significantly associated with
well-being, yet does not constitute a pathway to well-being for Arab-American
elders. Human and social capital represent valuable resources and their
distribution within this immigrant/ethnic group is associated with noteworthy
variations in well-being.