Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-7-2015
Keywords
social ties, social isolation, ethnic minority older adults
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264315584578
Abstract
Objective: Given the importance of social ties and connectedness in the lives of older ethnic immigrants, the present study examined the prevalence of social isolation and its risk factors in older Korean Americans.
Method: Using survey data from 1,301 participants (Mage = 70.5, SD = 7.24), risk groups for marginal social ties with family and friends were identified and predictors of each type of social isolation explored.
Results: Male gender and poorer rating of health were identified as common risk factors for marginal ties to both family and friends. Findings also present specific risk factors for each type of social isolation. For example, an increased risk of having marginal ties with friends was observed among individuals with perceived financial strain, greater functional impairment, and a shorter stay in the United States.
Discussion: The common and specific risk factors should be incorporated in programs to reduce social isolation in older immigrant populations.
Rights Information
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Journal of Aging and Health, v. 28, issue 1, p. 3-18
Jang, Y.,Park, N. S., Chiriboga, D. A., Yoon, H., Ko, J., Lee, J. & Kim M. T., Risk Factors for Social Isolation in Older Korean Americans. Journal of Aging and Health, 28(1) 3-18. © The Authors 2015. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.
The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264315584578.
Scholar Commons Citation
Jang, Yuri; Sook Park, Nan; Chiriboga, David A.; Yoon, Hyungwoo; Ko, Jisook; Lee, Juyoung; and Kim, Miyong T., "Risk Factors for Social Isolation in Older Korean Americans" (2015). Social Work Faculty Publications. 4.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/sok_facpub/4
