Elderly's Homesickness: Development of Elderly Homesickness Questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Homesickness is a common consequence of migration, linked to adjustment issues and health concerns.
• Understanding homesickness in elderly populations is crucial for targeted support.
• Chinese elderly migrants face unique challenges related to cultural and social integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure and explore the prevalence and patterns of homesickness among Chinese elderly migrants.
• To validate the Elderly Homesickness Questionnaire (EHQ) for use with this demographic.
• To identify demographic and social factors influencing homesickness in Chinese elderly.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 355 non-local Chinese elderly in Shenzhen.
• Utilized the Elderly Homesickness Questionnaire (EHQ) to assess homesickness levels.
• Employed latent profile analysis and One-way ANOVA to explore patterns and influences.

Main Results:

• The 19-item EHQ demonstrated high validity and reliability, with a three-factor structure: positive contact, refusal to separate, and homesickness behavior.
• A high degree of homesickness was reported among Chinese elderly.
• Significant variations in homesickness were observed across age, occupation, and education levels.
• Four distinct homesickness patterns were identified: low, moderate, middle-high, and high homesickness groups.
• Rural/urban origin and living with grandchildren were identified as significant factors influencing these patterns.

Conclusions:

• The EHQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing homesickness in Chinese elderly.
• Chinese elderly migrants exhibit high levels of homesickness, influenced by demographic and social factors.
• Four distinct homesickness profiles highlight the heterogeneity of this experience within the Chinese elderly population.
• Future research should consider potential gender-based differences, acknowledging the larger female sample in this study.