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Neighborhood Cohesion and Oral Health Problems Among Older Chinese American Immigrants: Does Acculturation Make a Difference?

Publication ,  Journal Article
Mao, W; Wu, B; Chi, I; Yang, W; Dong, X
Published in: The Gerontologist
February 2020

Despite an increasing, yet still limited amount of research on social determinants of oral health, the influences of neighborhood characteristics remain understudied, especially within the context of immigration. Acculturation is multidimensional, and its influences on the oral health of immigrants vary across age and ethnic groups. This study investigated the relationship between neighborhood cohesion and oral health problems among older Chinese American immigrants, and whether and to what extent acculturation indicators moderate the relationship between such cohesion and oral health.The research design and working sample included 3,157 older Chinese American immigrants aged 60 years or older from the baseline of the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago. Neighborhood cohesion was measured by a six-item scale. Oral health problems were measured by the presence or absence of such problems. Acculturation included residence in ethnic enclaves, length of stay, and behavioral acculturation. Stepwise logistic regression models with interaction terms (Neighborhood cohesion × Acculturation) were conducted to examine the association between neighborhood cohesion and oral health problems, accounting for sociodemographics, health conditions, and health behaviors.Individuals experiencing higher levels of neighborhood cohesion reported a lower likelihood of having oral health problems. The protective effect of neighborhood cohesion against having oral health problems was stronger when individuals resided in ethnic enclaves such as Chinatown.To promote optimal oral health, interventions need to account for individuals' perceptions and levels of integration into their neighborhoods and communities.

Duke Scholars

Published In

The Gerontologist

DOI

EISSN

1758-5341

ISSN

0016-9013

Publication Date

February 2020

Volume

60

Issue

2

Start / End Page

219 / 228

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Oral Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Gerontology
  • Female
  • Emigrants and Immigrants
  • Chicago
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Mao, W., Wu, B., Chi, I., Yang, W., & Dong, X. (2020). Neighborhood Cohesion and Oral Health Problems Among Older Chinese American Immigrants: Does Acculturation Make a Difference? The Gerontologist, 60(2), 219–228. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz126
Mao, Weiyu, Bei Wu, Iris Chi, Wei Yang, and Xinqi Dong. “Neighborhood Cohesion and Oral Health Problems Among Older Chinese American Immigrants: Does Acculturation Make a Difference?The Gerontologist 60, no. 2 (February 2020): 219–28. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz126.
Mao, Weiyu, et al. “Neighborhood Cohesion and Oral Health Problems Among Older Chinese American Immigrants: Does Acculturation Make a Difference?The Gerontologist, vol. 60, no. 2, Feb. 2020, pp. 219–28. Epmc, doi:10.1093/geront/gnz126.
Journal cover image

Published In

The Gerontologist

DOI

EISSN

1758-5341

ISSN

0016-9013

Publication Date

February 2020

Volume

60

Issue

2

Start / End Page

219 / 228

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Oral Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Gerontology
  • Female
  • Emigrants and Immigrants
  • Chicago