Acculturation stressors

Older migrants encounter many settlement stressors in new societies and are at risk for depression, anxiety and suicide if they are unsupported (Trinh & Ahmed, 2009). The process of acculturation is multi-dimensional including: physical, psychological, financial, spiritual, social, language and family adjustments (Lai & Chau, 2007; Mehta, 2012; Trinh & Ahmed, 2009).

Asian societies value the family group, filial piety, humility, restraint of emotional expression and a sense of obligation toward elders. Whereas western societies value more individualistic, competitive, achievement-oriented, assertive and independent behaviours. Older migrants face challenges integrating into New Zealand society because:

• They may have fewer resources, such as income support, social networks and English language proficiency to assist them to adapt to their new life situation (Ip et al., 2007).
• They may find it difficult to adjust to a new way of life in their families; as their children and grandchildren acculturate, cultural discontinuity increases in the home. The differences in acculturation among the different generations can lead to intergenerational conflict. These differences may need to be negotiated within the extended family to restore harmony.
• Role reversals may occur when children and grandchildren become translators and interpreters of the new society for seniors, or when limitations on financial resources translate into a reversal of authority and power in the family.