title: Self-perception of when old age begins for Cambodian elders living in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To deepen the understanding of the life course of refugees this study explores the question: when do Cambodian elders perceive the beginning of old age?
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth interviews were conducted with 32 Cambodians, age range 53-82, who attended an elder day center in an urban setting in Massachusetts. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the modified grounded theory approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis revealed that the participants primarily reported two determinants to defining when old age begins: 1) the body "has too many illnesses" due to harsh working conditions; and 2) social role transition into grandparent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study extends research on cultural differences in aging, specifically identifying the cultural difference in the definition of when "old age" begins. Age is culturally derived and creates expectations for social roles, health, self-identity, and behavior. Understanding how refugees experience the cultural discrepancies in their expectations of aging can inform providers who serve this population.
authors.affiliation: Wheelock College, 81 Friend Street, Amesbury, MA, 01913, USA, ndubus@wheelock.edu.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Dubus
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002160:Cambodia / Q000208:ethnology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
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