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ABSTRACT: Objectives
Moroccan and Turkish migrants residing in Northwestern Europe have high loneliness levels. This study examines gender differences in loneliness within this migrant population. The migrants have gender-segregated social roles at home and in public, which might lead to gender differences in what aspects of social relationships can explain variation in loneliness.Methods
Respondents are from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam with 446 first-generation Moroccan and Turkish migrants in the Netherlands, aged between 55 and 66 years. We use interaction effects to test for gender differences in determinants of loneliness.Results
Men and women have a similar, moderate level of loneliness. Having a spouse and receiving care from children are more strongly related with lower loneliness levels in men than in women. Coethnic ties play an equally important role for men and women. In men, frequent mosque attendance is related with greater loneliness, but not in women.Discussion
Family ties are more protective against loneliness for older men than for older women, possibly indicating that migrant women's expectations regarding family go above and beyond having a spouse, receiving intergenerational care, or having frequent contact with children. In addition, migrant older men's higher expectations regarding a public social life could make their social life in the Netherlands less fulfilling, resulting in greater loneliness.
SUBMITTER: Ten Kate RLF
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10873824 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Ten Kate Rowan L F RLF Fokkema Tineke T van Tilburg Theo G TG
The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences 20240301 3
<h4>Objectives</h4>Moroccan and Turkish migrants residing in Northwestern Europe have high loneliness levels. This study examines gender differences in loneliness within this migrant population. The migrants have gender-segregated social roles at home and in public, which might lead to gender differences in what aspects of social relationships can explain variation in loneliness.<h4>Methods</h4>Respondents are from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam with 446 first-generation Moroccan and Tur ...[more]