Loneliness and Psychological Distress Among Older Californians: The Moderating Roles of Citizenship Status and English Proficiency

Overview

Journal J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci

Specialties Geriatrics
Psychology
Social Sciences

Date 2023 May 17

PMID 37195426

Authors

Kazumi Tsuchiya

Harry Owen Taylor

Adrian Matias Bacong

Michael David Nino

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: Guided by the theory of stress proliferation, our study examined whether loneliness, citizenship status, and English proficiency were associated with psychological distress among older adults, and if citizenship status and English proficiency moderated these relationships.

Methods: Using the older adult subsample (65+ years) of the 2019-2020 California Health Interview Survey (N = 15,210), we assessed cross-sectional associations between loneliness, citizenship status, and English proficiency on psychological distress by conducting multivariable linear regression models. Interaction terms were included in subsequent models to determine if citizenship status and English proficiency moderated the relationship between loneliness and psychological distress.

Results: In unadjusted models, greater loneliness was associated with higher distress. Both naturalized citizens and noncitizens, and those with limited English proficiency (LEP) exhibited greater distress than US born citizens and those who speak English only (EO). After adjusting for sociodemographic and health covariables, loneliness remained significant for distress although the relationships between citizenship status and English proficiency became attenuated. With the inclusion of interactions, the magnitude of the relationship between loneliness and distress was stronger for naturalized citizens and those with LEP than native-born citizens and those who speak EO, respectively.

Discussion: Loneliness was the most consistent stressor affecting multiple life domains. However, our findings demonstrate that stress proliferation is occurring among older immigrant adults and the interplay between loneliness, citizenship status, and English proficiency is contributing to heightened distress. Further attention is needed in understanding the role of multiple stressors influencing mental health among immigrant older adults.

Citing Articles

Unravelling the complexity of the relationship between social support sources and loneliness: A mixed-methods study with older adults.

Sanchez-Moreno E, Gallardo-Peralta L, Rodriguez-Rodriguez V, de Gea Grela P, Garcia Aguna S PLoS One. 2025; 20(1):e0316751.

PMID: 39752423 PMC: 11698328. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316751.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Loneliness Among Older Adults: The Role of Income and Education as Mediators.

Taylor H, Chen Y, Tsuchiya K, Cudjoe T, Qin W, Nguyen A Innov Aging. 2024; 8(8):igae068.

PMID: 39139381 PMC: 11319872. DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igae068.

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