Journal of Aging Studies
Volume 26, Issue 4, 2012, Pages 401-409

The living arrangements of older immigrants from the former Soviet Union: A comparison of Israel and the United States (Article)

Burr J.A.* , Lowenstein A. , Tavares J.L. , Coyle C. , Mutchler J.E. , Katz R. , Khatutsky G.
  • a Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
  • b Center for Research and Study of Aging, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
  • c Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
  • d Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
  • e Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
  • f Center for Research and Study of the Family, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
  • g RTI International, Waltham, MA, United States

Abstract

With the unprecedented emigration from the former Soviet Union (FSU) during the 1990s as context, this study described the living arrangements of older FSU immigrants living in Israel and the US. Living arrangement choices represented an important strategy for coping with the migration process. Census data from Israel and the US were employed to examine the relationships among living arrangements (independent households, multigenerational households, and extended households) and personal characteristics, including duration of residence, Jewish identity, education, and home ownership. Results showed that the less time older immigrants lived in the host country, the more likely they lived in a multigenerational or extended household. The residency length and household relationship was stronger in Israel than in the US. Also, older FSU immigrants who owned their own home and who lived in a metropolitan area were more likely to live in a complex household than in an independent household. We discussed how the economic and social environments in each country contributed to the variability in living arrangement options among these older immigrants. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

Author Keywords

immigrants Multigenerational households Israel United States Former soviet union living arrangements

Index Keywords

Social Values social psychology Caregivers Israel psychological aspect human aging Ethnic Groups ethnic group comparative study Aged USSR ethnology family size Intergenerational Relations Family Characteristics human relation United States Humans Cross-Cultural Comparison male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation Aged, 80 and over female Jew Jews cultural factor Article social adaptation migration Independent Living Choice Behavior decision making Social Adjustment caregiver
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84865577526&doi=10.1016%2fj.jaging.2012.05.002&partnerID=40&md5=7d103771980051fa4bb5499d1343b1a5
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaging.2012.05.002
ISSN: 08904065
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English