The Role of Cultural and Family Values on Social Connectedness and Loneliness among Ethnic Minority Elders.
OBJECTIVES
Ethnic minority elders have high levels of social isolation and loneliness. Assumptions about the family providing enough social support exist in the literature, contradicting ethnic minority elders' reported levels of isolation and loneliness. While structural barriers influence feelings of isolation and loneliness, limited information exists about the role of cultural factors such as acculturation and family values. Accordingly, this study investigated the roles of acculturation and family values on loneliness and social isolation among ethnic minority elders.


METHODS
Ethnic minority elders (N = 123) completed a questionnaire that assessed their social connectedness, measured by social network and levels of loneliness, and structural factors such as income. Additionally, cultural and family values were assessed by acculturation and the 'family as referents' dimension of familism, which refers to the belief that family members' behaviour should meet with familial expectations.


RESULTS
Statistical analysis using hierarchical regression indicated that 'family as referents' and acculturation predicted loneliness, but not social network.


CONCLUSIONS
This study raises the importance of considering cultural values when investigating predictors of loneliness among ethnic minority elders.


CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Findings highlight the importance of addressing familial expectations in programs aimed at alleviating loneliness among ethnic minority elders.
['Garcia Diaz|Laura|L|', 'Savundranayagam|Marie Y|MY|', 'Kloseck|Marita|M|', 'Fitzsimmons|Deborah|D|']
D000069:Acculturation D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D002170:Canada D005006:Ethnicity D005190:Family D005195:Family Relations D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008132:Loneliness D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D008913:Minority Groups D011237:Predictive Value of Tests D012934:Social Isolation D012944:Social Support D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
family values loneliness ethnic minority elders social isolation familism Cultural values