Understanding later-life outcomes in migrant communities
Rowe and Kahn's model of successful ageing outlines pivotal aspects for a fulfilling later life: avoiding disease and disability, maintaining high physical and cognitive function and staying engaged with life. This model emphasises the idea that successful ageing involves not just longevity but also health, function and a sense of purpose and involvement in one's later years. However, individuals with a non-Western migration background often face inferior later-life outcomes across various domains compared to their Western European counterparts without a migration background. These discrepancies manifest notably in health disparities, financial stability and levels of social engagement. Unravelling the underlying causes behind these discrepancies is imperative.
Migrant perceptions and influences on ageing
Undertaken with the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the SAMBa project focused on Turkish migrants in Western Europe to unravel the significant challenges encountered across various aspects of life. “A crucial starting point for our project was acknowledging that perceptions of ageing and a satisfactory later life might diverge between migrants and non-migrants,” explains MSCA research fellow Thijs van den Broek. Cultural influences and unique experiences, such as discrimination, may shape these different perspectives on ageing. Insights into such differences are relevant, as they can help to identify which outcomes are most meaningful for people with a migration background.
Health disparities and contributing factors
In the first study of the project, Turkish-born migrants in the Netherlands were expected to age differently with more negative and less positive consequences compared to their native Dutch counterparts. While commonalities exist in aspirations for good health, social connections and autonomy, certain differences also emerged. Notably, sustained productivity and freedom from loneliness held lesser importance for Turkish-born participants, shedding light on varied value systems. Health disparities also emerged, with Turkish-born people in the Netherlands lagging on a range of health indicators such as bodyweight, demonstrating an increased propensity to obesity. Researchers explored the correlation between childbirth and body weight in Turkish-born women and discovered intriguing dynamics. The impact of fertility on body weight differed notably between migrants and non-migrants. SAMBa also investigated the impact of discrimination on the mental health of Somali refugees. Language proficiency showed a dual-edged impact: while linked to better mental health, it also correlated with heightened experiences of discrimination, highlighting complex interplays within migrant experiences.
Achievements and future trajectories
“The most significant achievement of SAMBa lies in the understanding of the priorities of Turkish migrants for a fulfilling later life,” outlines van den Broek. This insight is pivotal for tailoring interventions that genuinely address the needs of this community. Moreover, the generated dataset will foster scholarly discourse and future research opportunities. Moving forward, the focus shifts to health-related investigations, including trends in health behaviours and the divergent implications of events like divorce on later-life health among different groups. These efforts will continue to unravel the intricate variations between migrants and non-migrants in critical life outcomes, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of ageing within diverse communities.
Keywords
SAMBa, migrant, ageing, Turkish, discrimination, health indicator, obesity, cultural influence