Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Percetion of aging and sense of well-being among Latino elderly

  • Published:
Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper examines perception of aging and sense of well-being among Latino elderly. Data from in-depth interviews of 83 Latino elders show that perception of aging is influenced by the level and quality of social support, and fulfilled cultural expectations, and having strong faith in God. The above factors also seem to influence sense of emotional well-being despite physical functional capacity and chronic health conditions. The most reported concerns by all study participants are fear of loneliness and the prospect of living in nursing homes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Angel, J. & Angel, R. J. (1992). Age at migration, social connections, and well-being among elderly Hispanics,Journal of Aging and Health4:480-499.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aranda, M. P. & Knight, B. G. (1997). The influence of ethnicity and culture on the caregiver stress and coping process: A sociocultural review and analysis,The Gerontologist 37:342-354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baer, H. A. & Singer, M. (1992). African American religion in the twentieth century: Varieties of protest and accommodation.Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becerra, R.M. & Shaw, D. (1984). The Hispanic elderly: A research reference guide. Lanham,MD: University Press of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernard, R. H. (1988).Research methods in cultural anthropology. Newburry, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, M. (1970). Health in the Mexican-American culture.Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, C. & Gelfand, D. (1987). Family assistance, exchange, and satisfaction among Hispanic,Portuguese, and Vietnamese Ethnic elderly,Journal of Cross Cultural Gerontology 2:241-255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, C. & Monk, A. (1990). Minority caregivers of dementia victims: A comparison of Black and Hispanic families,Journal of Applied Gerontology 9:340-354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuellar, J. (1990). Hispanic American aging: Geriatric education curriculum development for selected health professionals. In M. S. Harper (ed.), Minority aging: Essential curricula content for selected health and allied health professions (pp. 365-414). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delgado, M. (1982). Ethnic and cultural variations in the care of the aged Hispanic elderly and natural support systems: A special focus on Puerto Ricans,Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry15:239-251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietz, T. L. (1995). Patterns of intergenerational assistance within the Mexican American family,Journal of Family Issues16:344-356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, C. G. (1991). Religious involvement and subjective well-being, Journal of Health and Social Behavior 32:80-99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fry, C. L. (1990). Life course in context: Implications of comparative research. In R. L. Rubinstein (ed.), Anthropology and aging (pp.129-145). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallego, D. T. (1988). Religiosity as a coping mechanism among Hispanic Elderly. In M. Sotomayor & M. Curiel (eds), Hispanic Elderly: A cultural signature(pp. 117-135).Edinburg, TX: Pan American University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gelfand, D. E. (1989). Immigration, aging, and intergenerational relationships, The Gerontologist29:366-371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guarnaccia, P. J., Parra P., Deschamps A., Milstein, G. & Argiles, N. (1992). Si Dios quiere:Hispanic families’ experiences of caring for a seriously mentally ill family member,Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry16:187-215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holahan, C. & Holahan, C. (1987). Self-efficacy, social support, and depression in aging: A longitudinal analysis,Journal of Gerontology42:65-68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurtado, A. (1995). Variations, combinations, and evolutions. Latino families in the United States. In R. E. Zambrana (ed.), Understanding Latino families: Scholarship, policy and practice (pp. 40-61). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • John, R., Resendiz, R. & De Vargas (1997). Beyond familism? Familism as explicit motive for eldercare among Mexican American caregivers,Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology12:145-162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C. & Catalono, D. (1983). A longitudinal study of family support to impaired elderly,The Gerontologist23:612-618.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, B. H., Munroe-Blum, H. & Blazer, D. G. (1994). Religion, health and forgiveness:Tradition and challenges. In J. S. Levin (ed.), Religion in aging and health: Theoretical foundations and methodological frontiers(pp.52-77). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keefe, S. E. (1984). Real and ideal extended familism among Mexican Americans and Anglo Americans: On the meaning of ‘close’ family ties,Human Organization 43:65-70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H. G. (1994). Religion and hope for the disabled elder. In J. S. Levin (ed.), Religion in aging and health: Theoretical foundations and methodological frontiers (pp. 18-51).Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korte, A. O. (1982) Social interaction and morale of Spanish-speaking rural and urban elderly,Journal of Gerontological Social Work 4:57-66.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaRocco, J., French, J. Jr. & House, J. (1980). Social support, occupational stress, and health, Journal of Health and Social Behavior21:202-218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, G. & Ellithorpe, E. (1982). Intergenerational exchange and subjective well-being among the elderly,Journal of Marriage and Family 44:272-274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin J. S, Markides, K. S & Ray, L. A. (1996). Religious attendance and psychological well-being in Mexican Americans: A panel analysis of three-generations data,The Gerontologist 36:454-463.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, J. S, Taylor, R. J. & Chatters, L. M. (1994). Race and gender differences in religiosityamong older adults: Findings from four national surveys,Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences49:S137-S145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, J. S. & Taylor, R. J. (1993). Gender and age differences in religiosity among Black Americans,The Gerontologist33:16-23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubben, J. E. & Beccerra, R. (1987). Social support among Black, Mexican and Chinese elderly. In D. Gellfund & C. Barresi (eds), Ethnic Dimensions of Aging (pp. 130-144).New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maldonado, D. Jr. (1979). Aging in the Chicano context. In D. E. Gelfand & A. J. Kutzik (eds),Ethnicity and aging: Theory, research and policy (pp. 175-183). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markides, K. S & Martin, H.W. (1979). A causal model of life satisfaction among the elderly,Journal of Gerontology34:86-93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markides, K. S., Bold J. S. & Ray, L. A. (1986). Sources of helping and intergenerational solidarity: A three-generations study of Mexican Americans,Journal of Gerontology 41: 506-511.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markides, K. S., Martin, H. & Gomez, E. (1983). Older Mexican-American: A study in an urban barrio. Austin, TX: University Printing Division of the University of Texas at Austin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinez, M. Z. (1981).The Mexican American family: A weekend support system? In E. P. Stanford (ed.), Minority aging: Policy issues for the’ 80s (pp. 145-151).San Diego, CA: University Center on Aging.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miranda, M. (1991). Mental health services and the Hispanic elderly. In M. Sotomayor (ed.),Empowering Hispanic families: A critical issue for the’ 90s (pp. 141-153).Milwaukee,WI: Family Service America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moberg, D. O. (1990). Religion and aging. In K. F. Ferraro (ed.), Gerontology: Perspectives and issues (pp. 179-205). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ortiz, V. (1995). The diversity of Latino families. In R. E. Zambrana (ed.), Understanding Latino families: Scholarship, policy and practice (pp. 19-39). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osberg, J., Dejong, G., McGinnis, G. & Seward, M. (1987). Life-satisfaction and quality of life among disabled elderly adults,Journal of Gerontology 42: 228-230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paz, J. & Applewhite, S. R (1988). Empowerment: Strengthening the natural support network of Hispanic rural elderly. In S. R. Applewhite (ed.), Hispanic elderly in transition: Theory,research, policy and practice (pp. 143-155). New York: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubinstein, R. L. (1990). Nature, culture, gender, age: A critical review. In R. L. Rubinstein(ed.), Anthropology and aging (pp. 109-128).Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez-Ayendez, M. (1988). Elderly Puerto Rican in the United States. In S. R. Applewhite(ed.), Hispanic elderly in transition: Theory, research, policy and practice (pp.17-31).New York: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simic, A. (1985). Ethnicity as a resource for the aged: An anthropological perspective, Journal of Applied Gerontology 4:65-71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sotomayor, M. (1992). Social support networks. In Hispanic aging: Research reports part I and II. National Institute of Health, National Institute of Aging.

  • Sotomayor, M. & Applewhite, S. R. (1988). The Hispanic elderly and the extended multigenerational family. In S. R. Applewhite (ed.), Hispanic elderly in transition: Theory, research,policy and practice (pp. 121-133). New York: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sotomayor, M. & Randolph, S. (1988). A preliminary review of caregiving issues and the Hispanic family. In M. Sotomayor & M. Curiel (eds), Hispanic elderly: A cultural signature (pp. 137-160).Edinburg, TX: Pan American University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, E. H. Jr. (1991). Beneath the status characteristic: Gender variations in religiousness,Journal of the Scientific Study of Religion 30: 381-394.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tobin, S. S. (1991). Preserving the self through religion. In S. S. Tobin (ed.), Personhood in advanced old age: Implications for practice (pp. 119-133). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Government Printing Office (1991). The Hispanic population in the United States.U.S. Bureau of the Census: Current population reports. Series P-20, No. 416,Washington, DC, 1-15.

  • Vega, W. A. (1995). The study of Latino families: A point of departure. In R. E. Zambrana(ed.), Understanding Latino families: Scholarship, policy and practice (pp.3-17). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, S. P. (1992). Community formation as an activity of daily living: The case of Nicaraguan immigrant elderly,Journal of Aging Studies6:365-383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, S. P. & Lew-Ting, C. (1992). Getting by at home-community-based long-term care of Latino elders,Western Journal of Medicine157:337-344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, N. (1990). The Mexican family: Tradition and change.New York: General Hall Inc.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Health and Aging, University of California, San Francisco, USA

    Yewoubdar Beyene, Gay Becker & Nury Mayen

Authors
  1. Yewoubdar Beyene
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gay Becker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nury Mayen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Beyene, Y., Becker, G. & Mayen, N. Percetion of aging and sense of well-being among Latino elderly. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 17, 155–172 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015886816483

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015886816483

Search

Navigation