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Immigrant Status, Social Support From Children, and Resilience for Older Parents’ Perceived Oral Health Among Chinese Americans

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Improving the oral health of older immigrants is an important public health priority in the United States, but the role of children’s support has received little attention. This study investigated the relationship between support from adult children and perceived oral health among foreign-born and U.S.-born Chinese Americans. We also examined the mediating role of resilience. Methods: Data were derived from a sample of 377 Chinese American older adults aged 55 or older in Honolulu, Hawai’i. Using a path analysis with structural equation models, we conducted a comparison of self-rated oral health and oral health problems between foreign-born and U.S.-born Chinese Americans. Results: For foreign-born participants, more emotional support from children was directly associated with better perceived oral health and indirectly linked to perceived oral health via resilience. For U.S.–born Chinese Americans, financial support from children was directly related to worse perceived oral health. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for resilience pathways linking social support from children and older immigrants’ oral health, which can help health professionals and family counselors develop culturally tailored interventions.

Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology

DOI: 10.1177/07334648241288665

Authors: Nan Jiang, Bei Wu, Wei Zhang

Institutions: Beijing Tsinghua Chang Gung Hospital, Tsinghua University, New York University, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Language: English

Topic: Dental Health and Care Utilization

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Tsinghua University