Living Alone and Depression Among Older Chinese Immigrants

Abstract This study examined the profiles of 147 Chinese elderly immigrants by living arrangement and the role that stress and coping resources played in explaining depressive symptoms in the volunter sample group who were recruited at senior centers and meal sites. Elderly Chinese Americans who lived alone, had higher levels of education, reported poorer health, experienced more stressful life events, and were dissatisfied with help received from family members were more likely to be depressed. The impact of these factors on the quality of life of elderly Chinese immigrants can be understood within the Chinese cultural context and the implications of these findings for service providers are discussed.