Associate Professor Cal State LA Los Angeles, California, United States
Overview: This qualitative study explores the experience of immigrant Muslim older adults during the pandemic. In-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of 25 immigrant Muslim older adults. Findings reveal participants concerns related social connectedness, isolation, intergenerational conflict, end of life care, and adapting to contemporary technological methods of communication.Proposal text:
Purpose: Older adult mental health is a serious issue on a global and national level (WHO 2019, NIMHD, 2020). Given the pervasiveness of mental health issues in our society, the Covid – 19 pandemic continues to further exacerbated the impact of mental health and co-occurring behavioral health concerns especially among older adults. There are several determinants of positive mental health such as hardiness, sense of coherence, social support, optimism, and self-esteem that are important in the context of COVID pandemic. In addition, the Temporal Need-Threat Model (Williams, 2009) suggests that people exposed to long-lasting instances of social exclusion—defined as the experience of being kept apart from others physically or emotionally (Riva and Eck, 2016)—enter a stage of psychological resignation, characterized by feelings of depression, alienation, unworthiness, and helplessness. Specific challenges faced by those from immigrant backgrounds are compounded by the universal challenges faced by older adults that are not based on the racial, social, or cultural identity of the older adult (Vakalahi, Simpson, and Guita, 2014). For Muslim older immigrants, these challenges result in difficulties in personal and social settings including intergenerational conflicts, practicing their faith, and end of life care (Abu-Bader, Tirmazi, Ross-Sheriff, 2012). The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding about the challenges faced by immigrant Muslim older adults during the pandemic. Using temporal need-threat model and activity theory, the primary objectives of the study were: 1) to explore the mental health of immigrant Muslim older adults; 2) to ascertain strategies used to address their mental health needs 3) to identify expectations for their end of life care; 4) to explore their social and spiritual needs.
Methods: This qualitative study utilized a case study design and conducted 25 in-depth interviews with a sample of immigrant Muslim older adults. Snowball sampling was utilized to recruit participants from Mosques and community centers. A semi-structured interview guided by predetermined research questions was utilized to gather data. The in-depth interviews were conducted via zoom, taped and transcribed. Atlas.Ti software was utilized to analyze the data.
Results: The sample consisted of 10 males and 15 females between 68 - 81 years of age. All of the participants were foreign born and migrated to the U.S. Open coding revealed key themes related to the objectives of this study. First, immigrant Muslim older adults had a tremendous sense of isolation and loneliness. Second, participants expressed anxiety about not receiving a proper Islamic funeral incase of death from Covid – 19. Third, participants rely heavily on their culture and faith to combat their feelings of isolation. Four, participants face challenges brought on by intergenerational conflicts in the varying responses to the pandemic. Fifth, participants worried about their children and grandchildren due to the high rates of transmission and fatality. Sixth, participants expressed frustration and anxiety in adapting to zoom, facetime, and technology. Lastly, participants worried about their end of life care and planning due to the pandemic.