The Well-being of Older Immigrants and Refugees in Canada: Examining the Role of Entry Characteristics on Later-Life Satisfaction
Loading...
Authors
Morassaei, Sara
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
life satisfaction , immigrant category , linked data , migration , older adults , intergration , regression analysis , Aging and Health
Alternative Title
Abstract
Despite the proportionally large older immigrant and refugee population in Canada, relatively few studies focus on the well-being of older immigrants and refugees in Canada. Existing studies often consider immigrants as a single group and this aggregation leads to a weaker ability to detect important differences within this population. Admission classes through which individuals are granted entry to Canada, namely, economic class, family sponsorship, and refugee class may represent a divergence in the trajectories of newcomers with later-life implications for well-being. This thesis aimed to understand how entry characteristics are associated with the later-life satisfaction of older immigrants and refugees in Canada.
A thesis with three studies included a scoping review which identified the role of admission classes on the health of immigrants and refugees, a second study which compared later-life satisfaction between Canadian-born older adults and older immigrants and refugees by admission class, and a third study which examined whether human capital characteristics at arrival were associated with the later-life satisfaction of older immigrants and refugees in Canada. Data from individuals over 55 from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2009-2014) was linked to official landing records within the Longitudinal Immigration Database. Ordinary least squared regression models examined the association between entry characteristics on later-life satisfaction, adjusting for covariates and residency time in Canada.
The review confirmed that certain classes of immigrants have worse health outcomes, particularly refugees, family class and dependent applicants. The review also confirmed that there are no existing studies on the well-being of older immigrants in Canada by admission class. The second study found that after accounting for a range of correlates, economic class principal applicants and refugees had significantly lower later-life satisfaction than Canadian-born older adults. The negative association with life satisfaction among economic class principal applicants persisted after accounting for residency time in Canada. The third study found that having no official language proficiency at arrival was significantly associated with lower later-life satisfaction. These findings shed light on important heterogeneity that exists within immigrants and help identify vulnerable immigrants and refugees in Canada at risk of lower later-life satisfaction.
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.