GeroPsych: The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry
Volume 29, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 57-69

Transnational Relationships and Cultural Identity of Older Migrants (Article)

Burholt V. , Dobbs C. , Victor C.
  • a Centre for Innovative Ageing, College of Human and Health Science, Swansea University, Singleton-ParkSA2 8PP, United Kingdom
  • b Centre for Innovative Ageing, College of Human and Health Science, Swansea University, Singleton-ParkSA2 8PP, United Kingdom
  • c College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University, Uxbridge, United Kingdom

Abstract

We take a social identity approach to explore the associations between cultural heritage, social class, social-support networks, transnational relationships and cultural identity. Data for 815 older people (= 55 years) from six ethnic groups living in England and Wales are used to help understand older migrants' ethnic identity, cultural identity with the family's country of origin, and British identity. Regression models explain a low amount of variance. Different configurations of the independent variables-cultural heritage, social class, social-support networks and transnational relationships (with children, siblings, other relatives)-predicted different forms of cultural identity. Transnational relationships provide migrants with a range of alternative identities into which they self-categorize or contrast to their group identity. © 2016 Hogrefe.

Author Keywords

multigenerational relations aging Social identity theory Migrant families Family interaction

Index Keywords

male England female social network priority journal Aged social support social class cultural factor child parent relation human relation Article transnational relationship human social status migrant
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84982833804&doi=10.1024%2f1662-9647%2fa000143&partnerID=40&md5=7e359684c7c83c841b652351621d8a00
DOI: 10.1024/1662-9647/a000143
ISSN: 16629647
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English