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The Psychological Well-Being of Older Chinese Immigrants in Canada amidst COVID-19: The Role of Loneliness, Social Support, and Acculturation

Author

Listed:
  • Chang Su

    (Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Lixia Yang

    (Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Linying Dong

    (Ted Rogers School of Information Technology Management, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

  • Weiguo Zhang

    (Department of Sociology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 2J4, Canada)

Abstract

This study examined the effects of loneliness, social support, and acculturation on psychological well-being, as indexed by general emotional well-being and life satisfaction, of older Chinese adults living in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 168 older Chinese adults, recruited via WeChat and the internet, completed an online study through a facilitated Zoom or phone meeting, or through a website link, individually or in a group. The testing package included demographic information, The UCLA Loneliness Scale, The Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, Vancouver Index of Acculturation, The Satisfaction with Life Scale, and The World Health Organization’s Five Well-Being Index. The results showed that the psychological well-being (both general emotional well-being and cognitively perceived life satisfaction) was positively predicted by perceived social support but negatively predicted by loneliness. Acculturation was not predictive of both outcomes, and it did not moderate the predictive relationships of social support or loneliness. The results shed light on the importance of community services that target enhancing social support and reducing loneliness in promoting psychological well-being of older Chinese immigrants in Canada amidst and post the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang Su & Lixia Yang & Linying Dong & Weiguo Zhang, 2022. "The Psychological Well-Being of Older Chinese Immigrants in Canada amidst COVID-19: The Role of Loneliness, Social Support, and Acculturation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8612-:d:863252
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mariah Lecompte & Alyssa Counsell & Lixia Yang, 2022. "Demographic and COVID Experience Predictors of COVID-19 Risk Perception among Chinese Residents in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-10, November.

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