IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i2p1117-d1029027.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Neighbourhood Ethnic Density, Local Language Skills, and Loneliness among Older Migrants—A Population-Based Study on Russian Speakers in Finland

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Kemppainen

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 4 (Yliopistonkatu 3), 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Teemu Kemppainen

    (Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 4 (Yliopistonkatu 3), 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Tineke Fokkema

    (Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI)-KNAW/University of Groningen, Lange Houtstraat 19, 2511 CV The Hague, The Netherlands
    Department of Public Administration and Sociology, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Sirpa Wrede

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 4 (Yliopistonkatu 3), 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Anne Kouvonen

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 4 (Yliopistonkatu 3), 00014 Helsinki, Finland
    Centre for Public Health, Institute of Clinical Science, Queen’s University Belfast, Block A, Royal Victoria Hospital, BT12 6BA Belfast, Ireland)

Abstract

So far, little attention has been paid to contextual factors shaping loneliness and their interaction with individual characteristics. Moreover, the few existing studies have not included older migrants, identified as a group who are vulnerable to loneliness. This study examined the association between neighbourhood ethnic density (the proportion of own-group residents and the proportion of other ethnic residents in an area) and loneliness among older migrants. Furthermore, we investigated whether local language skills moderated this association. A population-based representative survey (The CHARM study, n = 1082, 57% men, mean age 63.2 years) and postal code area statistics were used to study Russian-speaking migrants aged 50 or older in Finland. The study design and data are hierarchical, with individuals nested in postcode areas. We accounted for this by estimating corresponding mixed models. We used a linear outcome specification and conducted logistic and ordinal robustness checks. After controlling for covariates, we found that ethnic density variables (measured as the proportion of Russian speakers and the proportion of other foreign speakers) were not associated with loneliness. Our interaction results showed that increased own-group ethnic density was associated with a higher level of loneliness among those with good local language skills but not among those with weaker skills. Good local language skills may indicate a stronger orientation towards the mainstream destination society and living in a neighbourhood with a higher concentration of own-language speakers may feel alienating for those who wish to be more included in mainstream society.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Kemppainen & Teemu Kemppainen & Tineke Fokkema & Sirpa Wrede & Anne Kouvonen, 2023. "Neighbourhood Ethnic Density, Local Language Skills, and Loneliness among Older Migrants—A Population-Based Study on Russian Speakers in Finland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1117-:d:1029027
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/2/1117/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/2/1117/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tineke Fokkema & Ruxandra Oana Ciobanu, 2021. "Older migrants and loneliness: scanning the field and looking forward," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 291-297, September.
    2. Thomas Scharf & Chris Phillipson & Allison Smith, 2003. "Older Peopleís Perceptions of the Neighbourhood: Evidence from Socially Deprived Urban Areas," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 8(4), pages 153-164, November.
    3. Arévalo, Sandra P. & Tucker, Katherine L. & Falcón, Luis M., 2015. "Beyond cultural factors to understand immigrant mental health: Neighborhood ethnic density and the moderating role of pre-migration and post-migration factors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 91-100.
    4. Christina R. Victor & Christine Dobbs & Kenneth Gilhooly & Vanessa Burholt, 2021. "Loneliness in mid-life and older adults from ethnic minority communities in England and Wales: measure validation and prevalence estimates," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 5-16, March.
    5. Richard Williams, 2012. "Using the margins command to estimate and interpret adjusted predictions and marginal effects," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 12(2), pages 308-331, June.
    6. Lisanne Bergefurt & Astrid Kemperman & Pauline van den Berg & Aloys Borgers & Peter van der Waerden & Gert Oosterhuis & Marco Hommel, 2019. "Loneliness and Life Satisfaction Explained by Public-Space Use and Mobility Patterns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-20, November.
    7. Mikko Weckroth & Sanna Ala-Mantila & Dimitris Ballas & Thanasis Ziogas & Jonna Ikonen, 2022. "Urbanity, Neighbourhood Characteristics and Perceived Quality of Life (QoL): Analysis of Individual and Contextual Determinants for Perceived QoL in 3300 Postal Code Areas in Finland," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 164(1), pages 139-164, November.
    8. Theo G. Tilburg & Tineke Fokkema, 2021. "Stronger feelings of loneliness among Moroccan and Turkish older adults in the Netherlands: in search for an explanation," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 311-322, September.
    9. Jolien Klok & Theo G. Tilburg & Bianca Suanet & Tineke Fokkema & Martijn Huisman, 2017. "National and transnational belonging among Turkish and Moroccan older migrants in the Netherlands: protective against loneliness?," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 341-351, December.
    10. Isabelle Albert, 2021. "Perceived loneliness and the role of cultural and intergenerational belonging: the case of Portuguese first-generation immigrants in Luxembourg," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 299-310, September.
    11. Bécares, L. & Shaw, R. & Nazroo, J. & Stafford, M. & Albor, C. & Atkin, K. & Kiernan, K. & Wilkinson, R. & Pickett, K., 2012. "Ethnic density effects on physical morbidity, mortality, and health behaviors: A systematic review of the literature," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(12), pages 33-66.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Katrijn Delaruelle, 2023. "Migration-related inequalities in loneliness across age groups: a cross-national comparative study in Europe," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Guangwen Liu & Shixue Li & Fanlei Kong, 2022. "Association between Sense of Belonging and Loneliness among the Migrant Elderly Following Children in Jinan, Shandong Province, China: The Moderating Effect of Migration Pattern," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Tineke Fokkema & Ruxandra Oana Ciobanu, 2021. "Older migrants and loneliness: scanning the field and looking forward," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 291-297, September.
    4. Honghui Pan & Pamela Qualter & Manuela Barreto & Hannelore Stegen & Sarah Dury, 2023. "Loneliness in Older Migrants: Exploring the Role of Cultural Differences in Their Loneliness Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-20, February.
    5. Sakaue, Katsuki, 2018. "Informal fee charge and school choice under a free primary education policy: Panel data evidence from rural Uganda," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 112-127.
    6. Birgitte Grøgaard & Asmund Rygh & Gabriel R. G. Benito, 2019. "Bringing corporate governance into internalization theory: State ownership and foreign entry strategies," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(8), pages 1310-1337, October.
    7. Xiangjing Zhang & Wusi Zhou & Biya Jiang, 2022. "Patterns of Living Lost? Measuring Community Participation and Other Influences on the Health of Older Migrants in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-15, April.
    8. Craig Gundersen & David R. Just & Fei Men, 2017. "Mothers' Within-Marriage Economic Prospects and Later Food Security: Does Marital Outcome Matter?," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(3), pages 682-702, November.
    9. K. P. Kannan, 2022. "India’s Elusive Quest for Inclusive Development: An Employment Perspective," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 65(3), pages 579-623, September.
    10. Brache, Jose & Felzensztein, Christian, 2019. "Exporting firm’s engagement with trade associations: Insights from Chile," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 25-35.
    11. Bécares, Laia & Cormack, Donna & Harris, Ricci, 2013. "Ethnic density and area deprivation: Neighbourhood effects on Māori health and racial discrimination in Aotearoa/New Zealand," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 76-82.
    12. KIZILCA, F. Kemal, 2013. "Booze and women: Gendering labor market outcomes of secular consumption patterns in a Muslim society," MPRA Paper 60134, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 01 Nov 2014.
    13. Allain, Marie-Laure & Chambolle, Claire & Rey, Patrick & Teyssier, Sabrina, 2021. "Vertical integration as a source of hold-up: An experiment," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    14. Hiramatsu, Tomoko & Marshall, Maria I., 2017. "The effect of Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans on Revenues of Small Businesses in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina," 2017 Annual Meeting, February 4-7, 2017, Mobile, Alabama 252713, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    15. Efing, Matthias, 2015. "Arbitraging the Basel securitization framework: Evidence from German ABS investment," Discussion Papers 40/2015, Deutsche Bundesbank.
    16. Liu, Yulong & Yu, Yang, 2018. "Institutions, firm resources and the foreign establishment mode choices of Chinese firms: The moderating role of home regional institutional development," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 111-121.
    17. Zhang, Yameng & Sharma, Piyush & Xu, Yekun & Zhan, Wu, 2021. "Challenges in internationalization of R&D teams: Impact of foreign technocrats in top management teams on firm innovations," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 728-741.
    18. Anna Garriga & Sebastià Sarasa & Paolo Berta, 2015. "Mother’s educational level and single motherhood: Comparing Spain and Italy," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 33(42), pages 1165-1210.
    19. Blind, Knut & Petersen, Sören S. & Riillo, Cesare A.F., 2017. "The impact of standards and regulation on innovation in uncertain markets," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 249-264.
    20. Pitukhina, Maria & Tolstoguzov, Oleg & Belykh, Anastasia, 2022. "Арктические Местные Сообщества И Зарубежная Трудовая Миграция В Российской Арктике [Arctic local communities and foreign labour migration in Russian arctic]," MPRA Paper 115159, University Library of Munich, Germany.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1117-:d:1029027. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.