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Self-Reported Cognitive Aging and Well-Being among Older Middle Eastern/Arab American Immigrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Linda Sayed

    (James Madison College, Michigan State University, 842 Chestnut Rd, East Lansing, MI 48825, USA)

  • Mohammed Alanazi

    (College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48825, USA
    Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha 67714, Saudi Arabia)

  • Kristine J. Ajrouch

    (Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA
    Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed new challenges for cognitive aging since it brought interruptions in family relations for older adults in immigrant communities. This study examines the consequences of COVID-19 for the familial and social support systems of aging Middle Eastern/Arab immigrants in Michigan, the largest concentration in the United States. We conducted six focus groups with 45 participants aged 60 and older to explore participant descriptions of changes and difficulties faced during the pandemic relating to their cognitive health, familial and social support systems, and medical care. The findings indicate challenges around social distancing for older Middle Eastern/Arab American immigrants, which generated three overarching themes: fear, mental health, and social relationships. These themes provide unique insights into the lived experiences of older Middle Eastern/Arab American adults during the pandemic and bring to light culturally embedded risks to cognitive health and well-being. A focus on the well-being of older Middle Eastern/Arab American immigrants during COVID-19 advances understanding of how environmental contexts inform immigrant health disparities and the sociocultural factors that shape minority aging.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Sayed & Mohammed Alanazi & Kristine J. Ajrouch, 2023. "Self-Reported Cognitive Aging and Well-Being among Older Middle Eastern/Arab American Immigrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:11:p:5918-:d:1153297
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Taiji Noguchi & Ippei Nojima & Tomoe Inoue-Hirakawa & Hideshi Sugiura, 2019. "The Association between Social Support Sources and Cognitive Function among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A One-Year Prospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-9, October.
    2. Eva Clark & Karla Fredricks & Laila Woc-Colburn & Maria Elena Bottazzi & Jill Weatherhead, 2020. "Disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrant communities in the United States," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(7), pages 1-9, July.
    3. Carla Teixeira & José Vasconcelos-Raposo & Helder Fernandes & Robert Brustad, 2013. "Physical Activity, Depression and Anxiety Among the Elderly," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 113(1), pages 307-318, August.
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