REIMAGING HEALTHY AGING: VIEWS OF OLDER BLACK AFRICAN IMMIGRANT WOMEN
Background: Older black African immigrant women are among the fastest growing immigrant group in the United States. Although U.S. and international research reveals functional status, independence and, cognitive functioning as major concepts of aging in older non-African and African American populations, absent from empirical studies is what is known about health and aging among black African immigrants, particularly older women. We do not know to what extent their experience of aging might be unique and defy generalization as older adult women, African Americans, or immigrants. Older black African immigrant women’s perspectives and experiences are particularly important because of their central role in addressing family health care needs, as well as identifying possible perspectives and health practices from their home country that may differ markedly from those in the U.S.
Methods: Given the lack of knowledge about older black African immigrant women, particularly their views of health and aging, changes they might experience as a result of their transition to the U.S., and the importance of self-identify, social interactions, and contexts in life, grounded theory was deemed an appropriate approach for addressing the study purpose. Participants were recruited based on established relationships with churches and other social groups that include older black African immigrant women, theoretical sampling, and snowballing techniques. Women were eligible if they were born in Africa, age 45 or older, immigrated to the U.S. as an adult, spoke and understood English, and provided informed consent to participate. Data for analysis included in-depth interviews that were recorded and transcribed verbatim, field notes, and methodological memos. Constant comparative analysis was used throughout the study. Theoretical sampling and data collection continued until there was saturation of the emerging theory. Atlas.ti was used to facilitate management of the data, analytic codes and categories, and evolving themes.
Results: This original research disaggregated theory derived from older black African immigrant women, a sub-group, as distinct from the larger African American population. Based on interviews with sixteen participants, the analysis and substantive theory indicated the core phenomenon experienced by the women to be “reimaging healthy aging,” which was informed by two categories: “acknowledging images of aging in Africa” and “new images of aging”. Revealing aging expectations, adapting to their environment and, managing ways to maintain health helped these women reimage healthy aging while living in the U.S.
Implications: The findings of this study reveal how at the intersections of cultures, attitudes, and beliefs, black African immigrant women imaged and reimaged healthy aging for themselves. This research can inform clinical practice by enhancing awareness of the meaning of health and the experiences of older black African immigrant women. The findings can be used in future research to guide instrument development and interventions to support healthy aging for these women.