Life Satisfaction and Social and Emotional Support Among Asian American Older Adults

Abstract

Background: Little data exist on the well-being of older adults from Asian American (AA) communities.

Methods: Using data from the 2018 California Health Interview Survey, we examined 2 well-being metrics among AAs and AA subgroups (Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, Chinese) 65 years and older.

Results: AA older adults reported lower life satisfaction and not having needed social and emotional support compared with all other race/ethnicities. Current life satisfaction among AA older adults was 54% compared with 80% for all other race/ethnicities; 56% of AA older adults reported usually or always receiving social/emotional compared with 80% for all other race/ethnicities. Within the AA category, life satisfaction was 40% for Korean, 48% for Chinese, 47% for Vietnamese, and 77% for Filipino older adults. Among Korean older adults, 30% reported receiving needed social/emotional support, 57% among Chinese, 59% among Filipino, and 65% among Vietnamese older adults.

Conclusion: AA older adults report lower life satisfaction and not needed receiving social and emotional support compared with all other race/ethnicities. Among AAs, Korean older adults were most likely to report poorer well-being. AA older adult communities may be in urgent need of further research and investment in interventions.

Keywords: Aging; Asian Americans; California; Health Surveys; Mental Health; Minority Health; Personal Satisfaction; Primary Health Care.