Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to identify a community typology in older Korean Americans and to examine how the typology is associated with feelings of loneliness and mental distress. We hypothesized that distinct community groups would be identified and that they would be differentially associated with mental health and background characteristics. METHOD: = 2138). To identify a community typology, a series of latent profile analyses (LPA) were conducted using 15 community-related variables in three domains (neighbourhood characteristics, social cohesion, ethnic attachment). RESULTS: Based on model evaluation criteria, an LPA model with five community groups was identified as the best fit. The five groups were identified as "safe/integrated" (10%), "safe/distant" (10%), "moderate integration" (38%), "marginal" (31%), and "vulnerable" (11%). After examining descriptive characteristics of the identified groups, regression models of loneliness and mental distress were estimated. Using the safe/integrated group as reference, the marginal and vulnerable groups were consistently associated with elevated feelings of loneliness and mental distress. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the need to understand community profiles and their relationships with health/well-being among older immigrants.
Source: Aging & Mental Health
Authors: Nan Sook Park, Jeongsuk Kim, Jung Eun Ko, Soondool Chung, David A. Chiriboga, Yuri Jang
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4404081574