Acculturation Stress and Social Participation Amongst Elderly Filipino Immigrants

There has been a surge of elderly immigrants moving to the United States from Asian countries, as noted by the growing presence of elderly Filipino immigrants in Las Vegas, Nevada. Despite the growth of this population, there is limited information on how the immigration process affects their social participation in a new culture. Using a descriptive study design, this research aimed to gain a more profound knowledge of elderly Filipino immigrants, the challenges they encountered, also known as acculturation stress, and how they impacted their capacity to interact socially with others in the community. Two participants were chosen for a focus group via convenience sampling at Kusina ni Lorraine, a Filipino supermarket in the city. Transcriptions of the audio-recorded recordings were analyzed using content analysis and the Complimentary Action Research Matrix Application (CARMA). Results indicated that acculturation stress includes racial discrimination and the differences in sociocultural behavior and values that led to challenges with transitioning to the United States. However, social participation appears to mitigate these challenges to acculturation as social networks provide support and assistance in navigating the differences in the host country’s sociocultural environment.