Cross-cultural comparison of successful aging definitions between Chinese and Hmong elders in the United States.
The purpose of the study was to elicit the definitions of successful aging according to Chinese and Hmong elders living in Milwaukee, WI. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 44 elders (Hmong n = 21 and Chinese n = 23). Findings show some similarities in the Chinese and Hmong elders' definitions though specific cultural differences exist. Chinese elders emphasized physical health and mobility, mental health, positive attitudes, shedding responsibilities, positive family relationships, financial stability, social engagement, religious faith, and accomplishments and volunteer work. Hmong elders emphasized physical health and mobility, mental health, harmonious relationships, positive family relationships, tangible family support, financial stability, social engagement, and religious faith. Cross-cultural comparisons of the findings highlight the cultural heterogeneity between these two subgroups. Implications for practice are discussed.
Department of Family Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, University of California- Irvine School of Medicine, 101 The City Drive South, Building 200, Suite 835, Orange, CA, 92868, USA, annieln1@uci.edu.
Annie L
AL
Nguyen
David W
DW
Seal
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005195:Family Relations / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States