Building resilience through adversity: exploring the experiences of older migrant women

Older people from migrant backgrounds, including those with Greek heritage, comprise a significant portion of the population in Australia and contribute to its multicultural nature. However, there is limited research on resilience in this population group.

To explore how migration experiences shape resilience among older Greek migrants in Australia, providing key insights for nurses who support these individuals.

This study employed a qualitative, descriptive phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of Greek migrants who had relocated to Australia, and to discuss their experiences of ageing in their new country. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants, all of whom were women, and the data were thematically analysed.

Three themes were identified: adversity, resilience through adversity and maintaining identity. The participants described experiencing various challenges, such as navigating two cultures during migration, settling into their new country and raising their families while working. These challenges often contributed to their resilience and well-being in later life. The participants also noted receiving support from cultural connections and the identity they derived from their Greek culture.

Resilience in older migrants can be an outcome of the adversity they have experienced across the lifespan. Nurses can support older migrants to build on this resilience and develop stronger community connections, thereby enabling them to better manage challenges that may arise as they age.